Jun 13, 05 | 5:00 am
A Worldly Fashion Sense
divani e divani
StyleDiary.net and MystyleDiary.net are the brilliant conception of Patty Handschiegel, from Los Angeles, CA. Patty works in publicity, is a freelance writer for fashion, and provides business consulting services to stores and designers. With over 1 million visitors a month from allover the world, Patty's style sites reach out to a diverse type of woman, the average age being 18-35 years old.
When I first discovered StyleDiary.net, a weekly online magazine geared to fashion on the every day woman, I was charmed by Patty's confidence to show the world pictures of her own style. Her articles and reviews of designers are helpful to women struggling with the age old question, "What should I wear?" Her weekly 'Out & About' gives readers a glimpse of new
designers and trends and her quirky style is the perfect example of how important it is to be
comfortable with your own fashion preferences.
The interactive website, MystyleDiary.net, enables women to create their own style diaries by uploading pictures of their outfits to share with site visitors. You can view over a thousand different Style Diaries from women across the world, like ScriptKitten, a 28 year old from South Florida, Judit, a 29 year old from Germany, or Valy, a 24 year old from Belgium. I even created my own style diary! Having your own style diary, enables you to see yourself from a different perspective and get feedback from others on what flatters you.
Patty was kind enough to answer my probing questions about her site, her style and what's in for summer and fall.
How did you come up with the idea of StyleDiary.net and MystyleDiary.net?
"I noticed that women really got a lot of insight and inspiration from seeing other people's style, but not the models and magazines so much as just everyday people like me and you. We wanted to create a site that included people's photos, but also have things like helpful articles that were more tactical on really getting the look you want, profiles on cool designers, and reviews of the things out on the market. We created MyStyleDiary because we thought
people would really enjoy it both in viewing the diaries and getting ideas, as well as creating them."
What do you think will be in for fall?
"I think suede boots definitely will be huge this Fall--round toe with a heel, flat styles, etc., and if you're really daring, bright colors like teal, mustard, etc (though there'll be plenty of fantastic neutral colors and styles out there). I think buckle styles will be bigger than last year in the mass market, so you'll see more people wearing those again as well."
What is so over?
"I think the boho trend will die out some and shift to more Victorian and vintage versus the earthy belt with a long skirt vibe that's so hot this summer. Uggs will still be worn, I think, but not the big hoopla item they've been for the past two seasons. Ponchos aren't even on the radar this year."
If you had to choose between being Richard Simmon's stylist for a week or wearing Cher's 'If I could turn back time' outfit to a red carpet event, which would you choose?
"I'd go with the Cher outfit. It's good to be able to laugh at yourself and enjoy wearing stuff. That would sure do it!"
Pick 5 fun summer items under $200
1. I am in love with Cool Change dresses.
$138 at PlayhouseClothing.com
2. Meli Melo's new trouser shorts! So fabulous! (Around $150).
3. All the pretty skirts that are out right now -- Free People, etc.
Free People Skirt, $74
4. Hanes basic tank tops.
Hanes tank, $7.95-9.95 at Amazon.com
5. Dolce Vita's new beaded slide -- so inexpensive and fun!
Dolce Vita Slide $60 at Goclothing.com
What have you learned about fashion, including your own, since starting StyleDiary.net?
"With fashion overall, I've learned that there isn't as much different between styles throughout the world, which I think has a lot to do with the Internet -- we are truly globally influencing each other these days, and I think that designers are much more global now
too. I also learn new ideas and ways of doing things from our members. They're awesome!
With my own style, I've learned how to just trust myself and my instincts on things, and be ok with how I, as an individual, put my pieces together. After StyleDiary really started to grow, we started seeing a lot more chatter on the Web about what I was wearing and how I put things together, and for a short time, that messed with me a little -- I started being conscious of whether I was "stylish" or not, whether people would find what I was wearing stylish, etc.,
because I would read things people said, and you know, you have to adjust to hearing people pick you apart a little. It really knocked me out of my element for a time there, but later it made me realize the importance of just doing your own thing, of just working it your way, and not worrying about whether the shoe is the perfect color, or whether everything was a perfect blend, because good style, to me, always has a little flaw and character -- even if it's done on
purpose. It was a really good lesson, that you really do have to be true to yourself or it will just look and feel "off."
What fashion advice do you have for our readers?
"Believe in yourself and your natural sense of style; it's not about the pieces but how you work them. Trust your instincts and that you know what works for you. Everybody has talent for styling themselves; sometimes you have to spend time finding it or getting acquainted with yours but definitely let yourself be your guide when it comes to fashion. That's the ticket, in my opinion, to being stylish. Always be true to who you are, to yourself."
Article by Elana Rubin. Elana is a Jewelry Designer and Founder of FutureFashionista.com, an online Jewelry website featuring her handmade solid gold designs. Her jewelry has become extremely popular with the trendsetting crowds and famous fashionistas.
