What is it about being glamourous that seems so desirable but so elusive at the same time?
Why is it that some women walk into a room and you see them as they walk in and you think to yourself, “How does she look so good?”, “She looks so amazing” or “She looks so effortlessly glamourous, does she have all day to get ready?”
Let’s face it, style is innate in some women.
They know how to put an outfit together, arrange their hair, pick the right jewellery and know just how much make up to wear.
Good news about being glamourous
For the rest of us, there is good news. Being glamourous is a skill and like all skills can be taught and learnt. If you are in the glamour doldrums and would like to break through the “predictable but safe” glass ceiling, then you have come to the right place.
Today is the day where you have the opportunity to change your visual style. Sometimes a change in our visual appearance also comes with a desire for internal change. Is there something internally that is catching your attention, some sense of dissatisfaction maybe?
Or perhaps it is a sense of moving on in some way, of changing jobs, developing a new skill. Or maybe it’s just a desire to be a different version of yourself. Whatever it is, give it some attention. As you go through the process of becoming a more glamourous version of yourself, use the time to make an internal change too.
Internal and external change
Internal and external change go hand in hand. This is something we pay specific attention to in the Stylish Wellness Institute, our women-only organisation where we focus on your external style and your internal wellness. The two go together, you can’t have one without the other. If you are interested in finding out more about the Stylish Wellness Institute we will be announcing shortly on the blog and also via @workingfrocks and @wardrobestylingexpert on Instagram when you can access details about joining.
1. Being glamourous – how to be naturally glamourous
So now. how do you easily achieve that enviable natural glamour that has been so elusive, but which now is tantalisingly achievable and with your grasp?
Choosing your colour palette
First choose your colour palette wisely. You can be equally glamourous in a monochrome colour palette as in a bright colour but don’t mix up your colours. There should be one predominant colour. This ia mistake that’s very easy to make. It’s very easy to get caught up in the excitement of looking good and of wearing a different kind of outfit. However being glamourous isn’t about more, more, more. It’s actually about less, less, less. The key point is to make sure that what you are wearing is valuable in that it adds to the total look. So you might be thinking less, but you need to max out on that one thing and let it be the best that it can be.
2. Being glamourous – Accessories
An example of this is accessories when you are putting your outfit together avoid piling on the accessories with no thought.
Choose 1 piece, that really counts. We’ll call it your important piece. The subject of this post is being glamourous so for your glamour look you don’t want to wear small delicate jewellery, you want the bold statement piece. What will it be for you? A bold ring? A statement necklace or large chandelier earrings? Of course you can have supporting items of jewellery, but by focussing on one piece, your “important” piece, your look will be stronger, and more glamourous.
Always be on the look out for your jewellery pieces
So now you have picked your one piece of “important” jewellery and by the way you can always be on the look out for big pieces of jewellery that will add the G effect, that’s the being glamourous effect, to any outfit. One of the fun aspects of shopping is always being on the look out for specific items. This could be something that you do. It makes shopping much more fun when you turn it into a quest rather than being a random consumer buying on impulse.
3. Being Glamourous – Confidence
The second requirement for your new glamourous look is confidence. Don’t apologise for what you are wearing, or who you are, or how old or new your outfit is. No one is interested in that. They’re interested in you, and when you walk into a room confidently, this is instantly attractive to other people.
Confidence in what you are wearing is sexy and will take you well on your way to your new being glamourous look. As we’ll see in the next section, being glamourous is not about one particular type of clothes. It’s not a satin bustier, or a strapless ball gown, or black leather biker trousers, or a tight fitting black pencil skirt. Glamour comes from confidence. The great news about this is that you can be glamourous at any age. What is important is that the confidence comes through.
4. Being Glamourous – Your choice of clothes
To be glamourous your choice of clothes should:
be a strong simple look. Don’t be overfussy when getting dressed. That’s why we are so fond of dresses at Working Frocks. It’s one item of clothing which makes a great style statement. It’s not like a skirt and top which need tucking in and the lines are clean and simple.
To reveal or not reveal?
Don’t reveal too much flesh. A little cleavage goes a long way, slits in skirts can look amazing, but you’re not selling yourself here, you’re showing people your confidence in getting dressed.
Does the term glamour model really serve us as women?
I was thinking about the term glamour model and how the whole idea of that seems to be this idea of selling oneself, of packaging oneself up for sale in a tantalising fashion. But are we really for sale? If you’re a serious modern woman with a career why would you put yourself up for sale in that way? In any case it’s so much more alluring to be discretely sexy. Because being glamourous is about being sexy, and we are sexy beings, sexy women.
5. Being Glamourous – That ‘unattainable something’ item of clothing
So now you have your colour palette, your strong piece of important jewellery, confidence and a strong and simple look. There is something else to add to this style cocktail and it’s this: to complete your glamourous transformation you need to wear something that no one else would wear. We call it the unattainable item. It’s unattainable because only you wear it.
One woman’s unattainable is another’s perfect glamourous look
The reason only you will wear it could be because:
It suits your particular body shape
It’s a colour that particularly suits you
Other women wouldn’t think of wearing it
It’s a colour that’s not often worn
What’s the item for you?
Think about what this item could be for you: Maybe a particular hat, hair colour, hair style, pair of shoes or unusual item of clothing?
Think about what your natural body attributes are and pair them with an item.
For example if you have a small waist it could be a wide belt.
If you have great legs then satin stiletto heels could be great for you.
Curves, curly hair or straight, all are glamourous!
If you are a curvy shape then a wrap dress or the simplest dress that wraps sinuously around your curves could well be your unattainable piece.
If you have curly hair go max with it – pin it with diamanté hair clips and then a strong lipstick colour. If you have beautiful arms then an armlet worn high up on the arm could be super glamourous.
If you have straight hair – a centre parting pony tail at the nape of the neck with statement ear-rings is such a glamourous look.
What’s your choice?
Are you getting the idea?
What is it for you? What’s your unattainable piece The one where women say, “I wish I could wear that…” In fact you’ll often know what it is when other women compliment you on an aspect of your appearance that you take for granted. For example, “I wish I had a small waist like you”, or “I wish I had ankles like yours/legs like yours” etc. You will not think twice about it. But it could be a vital factor in your glamour campaign.
5. Makeup
Finally a short word on make up – less is more. That’s all there is to say.
Heavy make up, especially foundation, is rarely glamourous, not these days Today’s modern glamour is about revealing who you are and highlighting it at the same time. Heavy make up rarely does that. Of course some women do wear heavy make up and are glamourous, but in general the modern trend is away from heavy make up.
Go glossy!
Definitely go glossy! Glossy lips, a sheen to your skin which makes it look natural, lots of moisturiser on your body so that your limbs look well nourished and alive!
Over to you!
So, let me know, which one of the 5 suggestions above are you going to adopt? Are you going to go glossy and start being glamourous? How could your life change when you start to look within and see the powerful woman waiting to be brought forth? Dare you take a step today towards being that woman? You can find me on Instagram at @workingfrocks and @wardrobestylingexpert so come on over there and let me know what you think!
If you liked this post you might also like:
How to prepare a week’s worth of clothes in 5 minutes
How to improve the way you look
Who do you want to be? How to decide what you want in life
Have a great day,
Sarah
