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style lessons: shirley kurata

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Thanks to Rookie, I discovered the wardrobe stylist Shirley Kurata.  The moment I read she described her style as "secretary chic" I knew we were kindred spirits.

Constantly seeing images of women who are super done up or put together in the chicest, sexiest way makes me want to curl up in a pear-covered cardigan ball (yep, wore that today).  My style is far from any definition of attractive in the traditional sense.  Yet, I'm not Man Repeller status either, because girls who dress "edgy" and go headfirst into crazy fashion trends usually have a killer attitude and confidence that translates to sexiness.

Edgy and sexy are two words that certainly do not describe me.  I am very modest and love to play with color and a sense of humor.  I have more brooches and holiday pins to rival your local elementary school librarian.  Obviously, this isn't the epitome of sexiness.  And I'm okay with that.

I can't say I don't try to look attractive sometimes, but let me tell you this--the rare occasion I do try to look more than cute, I fail miserably.  Even if I do succeed to some extent, I quickly pull a cardigan over my bare shoulders, arrange a bow in my hair, or put extremely bright opaque tights on.  Or all three.

It's just not me to put myself out there.  I'd rather stand out because of my interesting color combination than how much skin I'm showing.  Not to say that showing skin is bad--if you want to flaunt your stuff, more power to you!  However, in my case, it's more important for me to feel true to myself than look appealing to other people.

And this is why it is so refreshing to stumble upon someone like Shirley Kurata, who not only has a strong sense of personal style, but also has an incredible eye for fashion (see her styling work here).

In the words of one of my mom's second graders when shown a picture of me, "She looks like she's going to sell Girl Scout cookies!"

6 comments:

Bookish.Spazz said...

I love your style!

And personally, I'd rather be cute than sexy.

Maggie Shirley said...

I have always loved your style, and that you've always just been so YOU. Like, you are so Kaylie, and that is my favorite thing about you.

Also, I bet Ted finds you plenty sexy.

Natalie said...

Oh my gosh, Maggie's comment. I wholeheartedly agree.

I, too, am enamored with your style and I don't think you should change.

mayte. said...

I was starting to write my comment and then I saw maggie's, and it's pretty much what I was going to write.

*shakes fist*

also, you're one of the people that can pull of librarian chic and make it the awesomest thing anyone has ever looked at.

shelbyisms said...

I think your style is really, really distinct and polished. What else do you need?

And Maggie understands my heart, so yes, I agree with her.

Ted said...

All of the above.