Finding your signature style: dresses with jeans ► Suzy Turner

I was reading a blog post the other day about signature style that got me thinking about what mine is. The first thing that popped into my head was jeans. I wear jeans, like, ALL THE TIME. Even when I decide I’m going to be more girly and wear more dresses, it lasts about two days and the third day I’m back in my jeans again. I just can’t help it. So I started thinking about dresses with jeans: in one outfit. It was like a light bulb moment… Ding Ding that went off in my head (I can be a bit slow sometimes). I have worn dresses with jeans on the odd occasion before but why not try and make that my signature style? Not a bad idea…

Anyway, the first evening out after this light bulb moment, I opted for my favourite pair of skinny Levi’s with this cute little black crochet number. The dress is perfect because it’s a little loose around the waist, allowing for the jeans to sit comfortably without the button poking through the top (one of my pet hates – well, that and really obvious VPLs). It’s an old dress I bought from C&A many moons ago (in the sale, naturally) which I’ve probably worn about four times in total. Now though, seeing how great it looks with jeans, I’ll be wearing it a lot more often. I might even try it with a pair of trousers! Shock horror! 😉 It’s not that I dislike my legs or anything, I just feel more comfortable with them covered up. Weird, really.

But what is it about jeans that I’m so obsessed about? I think it must be the comfort factor – I’m all about comfort. I can’t stand being uncomfortable in clothes and if the need arises, I like to be able to jump, run, do yoga (!) and not have to sit with my legs firmly closed (!!). Jeans allow me to do that. Dresses do not. Combine dresses with jeans, and you’ve got the perfect outfit! Yay! So this weekend I popped out to the shops and bought two more dresses that will look fabulous with jeans – both of which you’ll see on the blog soon, I’m sure.

But back to signature style. Do you have one? If so, what is it? I really think it’s a tough question to answer, really, because (apart from the jeans), my style is pretty eclectic. I love wearing the rock chick look, but then the next day I might be in the mood for floaty hippy chick or maybe even a preppy look. At least now though, I can try and combine all of these looks with dresses AND jeans. I’ll keep you posted on how that goes.

But for now, tell me about your signature style. How did you develop yours? Or are you still trying to work it out? If it’s something you wish you had, try and think about what your favourite style is, or even your favourite wardrobe staple and see how you can incorporate it into your everyday style. Perhaps you’re a real rock chick at heart and want that to be your signature. Then, every time you get dressed, just keep that woman in mind and bring something into your outfit that says ‘rock chick’. Whether it’s a large chain around your neck or a killer black vamp handbag, try and add a little rock chick every time. It makes getting dressed even more fun (and challenging at times!).
Maybe you’re mad about florals. Then make florals your signature style. Even if it’s simply a flower in your hair, try and incorporate it into every look. It could be heels (if it is, I’m impressed, heels are so hard to wear all the time!), pastels, bright colours, Marilyn Monroe dresses or even grunge (were you a child of the 90s?). Have fun with your signature style and if you want to change it, then go ahead and change it. Madonna’s had hundreds of signature styles over the years and we still love her for it!