ITSO - In the Style Of . . . JackieO

Fashion you can buy, but style you possess.

The key to style is learning who you are, which takes years.

There's no how-to roadmap to style.

It's about self-expression and, above all, attitude.

- Iris Apfel

Photo Credit: Wenn.com via Celebrity Gossip

According to Styleblazer, Kim Kardashian's signature style is a blazer and skirt or long bottom combo. Styleblazer writes, "her daywear pretty much consists of a blazer, blouse, and pants or leggings". I never knew. And in the same Styleblazer post, Eva Longoria is allegedly associated with the sheath dress as her signature style. Now I know. I have something in common with Kim Kardashian and Eva Longoria. Well let's not stop there, Ciara loves black and white. Gosh, darn, what a coincidence, so do I.

Now, the same website accuses Kardashian of stealing looks but that indicates that if you are a celebrity (albeit reality tv status), you can be accused of "stealing a look" just by wearing a similar piece of clothing after another celebrity has worn that clothing item first? Hmmm? But that isn't the beginning. Perhaps Kim, Eva and Ciara, along with many other celebrities, were influenced by Jackie Kennedy Onassis or Audrey Hepburn or ________________ (put in your own style icon from the past).

Photo Source: eonline; Retrieved October 6, 2014

Recently married (to George Clooney), Amal Alamuddin is featured comparatively, photo to photo with Jackie O, as a woman who has adopted the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis look. Which comes first, the similarities to celebrities/style icons or the innate predisposition of what one likes and feels comfortable in? Mind, the photos comparing Alamuddin to Onassis illustrate colour and style similarities which might be criticized as stretching the concept just a tad. Just because Alamuddin wore black and white, she is compared to Onassis who favoured black and white - OK? When I wear black and white I seldom think of Jackie Onassis. Back to Alamuddin, the wedding gown was interestingly similar in style to Jackie Kennedy's, if not in fabric. Check out eonline photos for the style comparisons.

Photo Source: Gamma Rapho, 1969 via

Huffington Post

Jackie O's style definitely affected my mother and I recall a pale blue sheath dress, which my mother wore, that had the look that Jackie O exemplified. I found a photograph of the dress posted by another blogger, Retrogran, who wrote a series of 7 posts summarizing Jackie O's style. Somewhere along the line of living and working and dressing I have clothing combinations that can be compared to Jackie O as can Kim Kardashian and Eva Longoria. Who knew? Certain items have been staples in my wardrobe forever and I suppose I can call black and white, blazer and trousers and sheath dresses elements of my signature style, which essentially probably originated with my mother's passion for the Jackie look.

There you have it . . . ITSO Jackie O.

What is your style, how did it develop and how is it developing? Does it take years as Iris Apfel alleges?

Here are 3 elements that eventually evolve into whatever your style is:

1. Comfort . . . Not so much what is comfortable, but what do you feel comfortable wearing? In other words, stilettos may not be comfortable physically speaking, but if you are a stiletto kind of gal, you may be even less comfortable, psychologically, not wearing them.

2. The Look . . . As Dolly Parton quipped, "It costs a lot of money to look this cheap." What is the look that you love? Is it bold colours and big jewellery ITSO (In The Style Of) Iris Apfel; cowgirl punk ITSO recent Vanessa Hudgens; lady chic ITSO Audrey Hepburn; goth ITSO black clothes and heavy eyeliner . . .

3. Attitude . . . when you wear a particular outfit, how does it make you feel? If you feel frumpy, dowdy and like a shlep when wearing something, don't adopt it as your style. Choose the clothing that makes you feel self-confident, strong and ready to take on the world.