If asked about women's fashion and style, many of us would think the two were one and the same, but in fact they are actually both very different. Whether we like it or not, the clothes we choose to wear say a lot about who we are and where we belong in society.
Fashion relates to the latest trends, and what the population deems to be stylish. The concept of fashion originates from what designers think we will be interested in at a given time, and generally involves following the masses. Style is what makes our dress sense unique, our personal inclination towards trends, and how we make ourselves original; and the two can become intertwined.
Fashion changes constantly, season by season, and it's quite easy to keep up with and wear all the latest trends. Style, however, is much more difficult to develop and can depend on a number of factors, such as your age, where you are from and your emotions at any given time. It will usually take people a number of years of experimenting with different styles, before they find the one they are truly happy and comfortable with, and this isn't a bad thing. Style is how we choose to express ourselves; some people will show off their personalities through their style, while others will hide behind it. Style is the way in which we put our clothes together.
We all know people who have good style, and who really know how to put their outfit together. Generally, these people won't be dressed head to toe in the latest trends, but instead will have one or two trends, mixed together with their own individual style. Style is about knowing yourself well, and using your clothes to express this to others, rather than wearing specific clothes for the sake of being trendy.
It would be true to say that style is far more important than fashion. You could have two people wearing exactly the same outfit, and one will always stand out more than the other. This can be determined by the way they carry themselves, the way they have accessorised their outfit, and how they have expressed themselves through their style. If you don't feel comfortable in what you're wearing, it will stand out a mile to others.
The way to put your style together successfully is to ensure you have always have a few classic pieces of clothing in your wardrobe, which won't go out of fashion. It's good to keep up with the latest fashion and use key trends to mix up with your own personal style. Only wear trends which suit you, rather than purely wearing clothes which are 'in' at that particular time. Personal style is an extension of yourself, and allows you to break away from normality. Rightly or wrongly, people tend to judge each other on what clothes they are wearing, and you can use your style as a freedom of expression.
