Home For The Holidays – Blending Your Past And Present Styles

By Brian Maynor

 

The holidays are social seasons.  Aside from the family gatherings and holiday parties with current friends and colleagues when we travel home chances are there will be reunions with old friends as well.

It’s great to catch up with friends from high school and possibly college when we’re home for the holidays, but the ever-present questions remains, ‘what are you going to wear?’  Along with a history of friendship if you’re like me you had a signature look.  Here are a few things to keep in mind when balancing the memory of your adolescent look with your current adult on:

1.   Your BFFs.  High school was tough and very few people make it through without the support and love of best friends.  While you may have drifted apart through the years reconnecting at the holidays brings back all of those memories.  These are the people you bared your teenage soul to and were by your side through some of your most embarrassing moments so there is no judgment.  Break out your most fashion-forward, playful, quintessential ‘you’ look and let the stories begin.

2.   Your former flames.  It wouldn’t be the holidays without running into an ex or two and while you may not be looking to rekindle the romance you still have that desire to show them what they’re missing.  Do just that with the perfect balance of trying without trying too hard.  For the ladies that means swapping out the mini-dress for an oversized blouse worn with a few open buttons and cigarette crop pants, and for the guys choose a plaid shirt under a chunky sweater with wool slim-fit trousers.

4.   Your study group.  Let’s face it making it through all those AP classes would have been nearly impossible without the help of your study group.  They kept you focused and while fashion may not have been their main priority that doesn’t mean they didn’t have their own sense of style.  Whether it was conservative or quirky it was always authentic.  This is not the time to overthink your look.  Instead just throw on your favorite sweater, jeans and boots.  If you want to add a fun go with a quirky bag, scarf or hat.

Your favorite teacher.  This may not be a planned connection, but if your hometown is like mine running into former teachers is inevitable when out shopping or dining.  It’s a small town so that’s just the way it is.  They are happy and proud of the accomplishments you’ve made and understand you’re ‘home for the holidays’ you don’t want to look like a total slob.  Keep your look polished and pulled together with well-paired and curated accessories.

Recreating your adolescent style is never a good idea; you can pay homage to it while blending it with your current one.  And don’t we always tend to fall into old habit and patterns when you go home?

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

 

 

I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace.  Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected].  Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

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