Guest Post: The Power of being Well-Dressed

I am still on my holidays, so today I have asked another of my favourite bloggers, Shannon of The Simply Luxurious Life, to write today's post for me. You might remember that Shannon guest blogged for me last year - you can see the post here - and she answered my questions for a Christmas series I ran - you can see this post here. I gave Shannon completely free reign over what to write and I am so glad that I did as this post is inspired - the minute I read it, a smile spread over my face. So thank you so much Shannon. Now, everyone, enjoy:

Source: The Glitter Guide

“A woman is closest to being naked when she is well dressed.”

–Coco Chanel

Recently Oprah Winfrey broadcast her last makeover show with her devoted viewers, and in order to say good-bye in grand style, she invited many talented creative artists in their field such as Diane von Furstenberg, Michael Kors, Tory Burch and Bobbi Brown.

After watching the show,  I began to contemplate the goal of a makeover. Each one of us is only as beautiful, as deserving of the life we crave, as we believe ourselves to be.  No matter what we wear, that is a fact that doesn’t change simply by slipping into a nicer pair of shoes.  While it may for a moment, the true inner confidence of the woman wearing the shoes will be revealed.

Coco Chanel’s above quote is one of my favorites for this very reason. If a woman is well-dressed, it suggests that she is wearing something that is most flattering on her, that allows her to shine appropriately and allows others to see her as she truly is – thus, being the closest to naked one could ever be in dashing clothes.

Source: Vogue and Coffee

What we wear can say a million things, without a word being uttered. So as you go into your closet tomorrow morning and search for what to wear, ask yourself, what message do you want to convey, what energy to you want to project and thus have returned to you? Sometimes we do have to fake it until we make it, but it truly can all begin with wearing clothing that flatters the beautiful woman we’ve always been whether we've embraced her yet or not.

Source: Musings in Feminity

Here are a few of the most significant lessons gained from Oprah Winfrey’s last makeover show where each of the three designers shared their thoughts on fashion and makeovers in general.

1. Trends are not your friend if they don’t flatter your body type and skin tone. – Tory Burch

2. A makeover can’t truly be successful if the person being transformed doesn’t have the desire to handle the opportunity it may bring. – Diane von Furstenberg

3. The clothing and accessories should highlight the woman that is wearing them to reveal to the world her true beauty. After all, as Michael Kors stated, the most flattering compliment one truly desires is that the person themselves looks fantastic, and then the clothes that are being worn are mentioned second.

Thank you again to Shannon - and please do show her a warm welcome here by leaving her some lovely comments.