Find Your Style StatementFind Your Style StatementCanadian Living | March 2008 | By Karen Kwinter
Wouldn’t you love to have a style angel sitting on your shoulder as you make your way through life? She would softly whisper words of encouragement that help you know the real you—your authentic self. That guidance is what style statement, the brainchild of Carrie McCarthy and Danielle LaPorte, two lifestyle gurus in Vancouver, offers. They come up with two simple but descriptive words that become a compass for all your style decisions. We had three of our own Canadian Living staffers take the test. Here’s what they found out.
Gilda Swartz, 58 | Senior Editor, Health
Gilda’s discussion with Carrie and Danielle resulted in her style statement of Genuine Vitality. This means Gilda is down-to-earth and has a fondness for originality, as well as things that last. She prefers comfortable, well-crafted pieces, and believes in quality over quantity.
Erin Poetschke, 30 | Art Production Coordinator
Erin’s Timeless Freedom style statement indicates she’s someone who avoids trendiness and gimmicks, and would rather have a few quality pieces than many less-than-amazing ones. In addition, she is an independent spirit who likes to throw bold items, such as funky colour or print, into the mix every once in a while.
Teresa Sousa, 37 | Editorial Assistant
Teresa is mother to three young children, so it is fitting that Danielle and Carrie dubbed her Simple Nurture. Her spirit is simple, unpretentious and no-nonsense, which Teresa says is partially because of the stage she is at in her life right now and may change once her kids are older. However, for now, she favours clean, pared-down, basic-looking items and nothing too showy.
A style statement is a pair of words that best describes you. According to Carrie and Danielle, it is a compass for designing a life that reflects the true you and can be expressed in all aspects of your life, from your wardrobe to your living room. Through a telephone interview process in which you are asked a series of specific questions, Carrie and Danielle come up with two descriptive words that inspire the look, feel and spirit of your life. The first word is your foundation and makes up 80 per cent of your guiding principle. These two words act as a constant reminder of what gives you joy and how you can bring more of what you love into your life. Your personal style statement is a tool you can use to help make choices easier. You can refer to it when you’re thinking about a new purchase and ask yourself if what you’re buying truly expresses the real you, hopefully leaving you with far fewer “What was I thinking?” moments.
(A few of their words of wisdom)
Communicate who you are in all you do. Consistency is power. When the various parts of your life reflect your essence, you life moves in the direction you want it to.
Authenticity is energizing, economical and efficient. The better you know yourself, the clearer your choices. Self-awareness leads to true style.
Working from the outside in can create deep transformation. Surface changes have the power to alter your inner landscape. (So, yes, sometimes a new hairdo can change your life.)
True style is not dependent on wealth, and wealth does not necessarily create taste.
Use your best everyday. Life is too short to wait for a special occasion to bring out your finery, your treasures, your brilliance and your highest regards.