It's easy to follow the crowd, but there are perks to looking different from everyone else.
Interesting is an underrated fashion concept.
I say this in earnest, although I realise some may find it odd that a fashion stylist should write about it.
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I came to the idea when considering the concept of aspiring to "live an interesting life". Perhaps you are more familiar with this? A life lived interestingly; the idea that taking an adventurous, experience-seeking, somewhat unconventional approach to significant life choices can contribute to a satisfying and enriched life, one without regret of not having tried.
In fashion and style, I believe applying this kind of philosophy can be greatly rewarding too. And I further define it here as an approach to dressing yourself based on the exploration of ideas, the breaking of rules, and in daring to be different. Through your clothing choices, tell people something they don't already know.
"I have always believed that breaking rules is what makes clothes interesting." – Ralph Lauren (from The Little Black Book of Style, Nina Garcia)
I also believe that being an interesting dresser is about valuing things beyond how they look on your body. It's not just a dress, it's a dress with a story. This might involve placing a high value on authenticity of design or pieces that have a fabulous history, buying something from someone who you know and who made it themselves, or making choices based on an authentic expression of what you really love.
In short, "interesting" as a style goal adds depth and daring to the way we dress.
Yet for all of this, I believe "interesting" is underrated, and I have pondered why fashion writers and editors don't talk about it more?
Firstly, being interesting doesn't always feel safe. It means we might get noticed and be labelled as different, eccentric or worse. It can make us, and others, feel uncomfortable. It challenges and is challenging.
"I try to do interesting things that I would not have dared to earlier in my career because I wasn't sure of myself. But now even not being sure is interesting because you have an adventure, you don't take it seriously, you don't treat it like somebody stands behind you with a whip saying 'you've got to do that'. It's a great experience to be free enough to permit yourself to try even if it doesn't come out right." - Nonagenarian Ilona Royce Smithkin (from Advanced Style, Ari Seth Cohen)
Secondly, it doesn't sell in the way elegance, sexy, chic or "cool" do. Marketing gurus don't use it in advertising campaigns because it's difficult to define, too personal, too accessible, and not elitist enough to be aspirational.
In other words, anyone can be interesting if they want to, and, most importantly, it can't be bought. It must come from within, and be an outward expression of who we are on the inside.
To dress interestingly we must become more interesting people. So how does one become an interesting dresser? Here are some ideas.
1. Support local. Diversity is inherently interesting, so support local design and designers, second-hand outlets, and independently owned boutiques. Avoid buying into mass production.
2. Read more. Read, read and then read some more! Open you mind to new ideas and ways of looking at the world. Challenge your beliefs and values and allow yourself to become more interesting.
3. Travel. Travel can be wonderfully inspiring on so many levels, including opening our minds to new ways of thinking about our values, what inspires us and how we dress.
4. Take up a creative hobby. Find ways to be more creative and make something from scratch. Whether that's taking up painting, sewing, knitting or crafting, develop and flex your creative muscles, and then watch how this will begin to influence your personal style.
5. Lighten up. Don't take fashion or yourself too seriously. Be prepared to take risks, laugh at yourself from time to time and have fun. Explore and play.
"Until you're ready to look foolish, you'll never have the possibility of being great." - Cher (from The Little Black Book of Style, Nina Garcia)
- Stuff
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