How to feel confident and beautiful and tell stories with your clothes - A style interview with Ann

Ann is a teacher and a world traveller who has lived in many countries. Her adventures are reflected in her clothing which she describes equally hip, funky and eclectic. Ann feels strongly that you should dress to feel confident and beautiful and accept lots of fun with your clothes. Let's observe out how she achieves that!

Tin you tell us a little bit more than about yourself?

During the 24-hour interval, I'm really a high school librarian. My married man and I are international educators. We've lived in six different countries over the last 18 years! We got married in July of 1997, and five days afterwards moved overseas to showtime our expat lives. (We have never lived in u.s.a. married together!) Our two kids, who are now 12 and 13, were built-in in Venezuela. Currently, nosotros're living in Hong Kong. I love living overseas: my family has been able to travel the world over, and we actually enjoy learning and living in unlike cultures. Both my husband and I are from Washington Country, so during our summers nosotros go visit with family in the Pacific Northwest at our lake cabin. I beloved the life we've created (or rather stumbled upon) for ourselves. Aside from travel, I love to shop, cook, read, swim, hike, plus get dressed, and help people clothes with manner.

As a betoken of reference which historic period group practise you vest to or maybe yous are willing to share your age?

I am now 43 years one-time but I swear, bated from aching basic, I feel like I could still exist in my 30s. I establish 34 to be the very best historic period ever! For three years in a row I turned 34 again and once again—until my dad gave me away to my then seven year erstwhile son. Basically I always experience younger than I am. Recently information technology just struck me that I might be perceived as older than I am. I received one of those "When I'g your age…." comments. It took me aback, but then I merely laughed. I prefer to continue feeling young. It's all in the mental attitude! I retrieve working with high school kids, alongside my embrace-everything spirit, helps me to feel younger than I am. And, the fashion I feel effects how I apparel.

Can you tell us a fleck more about your weblog Kremb de la Kremb and why you created it?

Kremb de la Kremb originally started equally a way to document the family events and travels as we were living abroad. I had ever been a photo album creator (non necessarily an artistic scrap booker, but simply keeper of all the physical flick prints). All suddenly around 2006 it seemed silly to keep printing "erstwhile fashioned" photographs, and then I started a weblog, Kremb de la Kremb. (I even used Blogger dorsum then for a while.) Nosotros were living in India at the time and the kids were still toddlers when the family blog started. And so when we were planning our move to Beijing in 2009, I knew I needed my own dot com because of the Chinese firewall. Information technology was at this time in 2008 that I switched (thankfully!) to WordPress and besides bought the domain krembdelakremb.com. (At the time I was too blogging frequently at my educational site dearlibrarian.com—which since building up Kremb de la Kremb has unfortunately kind of petered away.)

Fast forward to moving to Hong Kong…. Instagram had been around for a couple of years, and I was posting all sorts of #ootd pictures and mode collages. I have and always volition dearest style, fashion, and shopping. With a motility to Hong Kong, I decided to enrol myself in the London College of Style in order to become a certified personal stylist. On the family web log I started testing out some of my DIY projects and style shoots from my coursework.

Past the time we moved to Hong Kong in 2012, I felt actually ready to share my style expertise, and I just went for it! In fact there's a post titled "What is Annie Doing?" in hopes of explaining the sartorial shift in the family blog. In retrospect, it's all been very muddled. I even so struggle with whether the site is our family lifestyle site OR my style story. I'thou getting there and appreciate any feedback in this surface area! Sometimes I think it's time to branch off the two and permit ane stay as the family "virtual" scrap book and really brand myself as a stylist. In this surface area, I welcome all responses—basically HELP! What should I exercise hither?!

How would you depict your own way?

This is such a corking question merely pretty difficult for me to reply. I really wrote a post almost it when a friend asked me if I could name my manner in five words—instead I described my way with three words: hip, funky, and eclectic.

I start with hip because I have always wanted to be the first to wear something. For example, I want to exist the i that get-go wears culottes and then others follow instance. I desire to be the trendsetter. When the trend has go popular and mainstream, I'll unremarkably stop wearing it. (I would never consider myself a hipster though; I find that manner very different and its own expect altogether.)

I similar to experiment and try new things. I'm definitely a take chances taker and have e'er been so. Back in 6th grade my mom was dressing me in a homo's tie, Bermuda shorts, and knee highs for my school photo, and I let her. I ever went along and therefore believe I get my daring and experimentation from her. She ever made me attempt something on start before deciding if I like it or not; to this mean solar day, I approach style in the same way.

I'm likewise very funky. I try to be swish and urban chichi. For example, I will often effort to clothes similarly to Sylvia who I consider to have that classy and urban chichi style I covet. I love this mode; it'south similar to my super stylish sister who I frequently refer to on the web log. Yet every fourth dimension I try to clothes in this cool, chichi mode, I e'er throw something wild in to the mix—some crazy paisley impress, a assuming lipstick, or a loud bag or pair of shoes. I desire to be simple chic, but the funk in me always wins! It'due south similar I have to add some sort of quirk with texture, prints, or color (or even all three!).

Finally, I'm very eclectic and love the story behind pretty much most of my wardrobe. I've lived all over the world, and all my treasures along the fashion are so honey to me. I beloved the story behind so much of my personal way, so often at that place will be a bohemian purse included from some market somewhere in the world or an ornate necklace picked up from living in some country.

Although I've tried to name my style in 3 words, it's always changing which is why I chose words like hip, funky, and eclectic. Those attributes have and e'er will be true to my personal style.

What would yous consider the most important components of your style?

For me, the virtually of import component of my style is the way the outfit or clothing makes me experience. When I'm in an outfit I dearest, I walk differently. I very much rely on my wear to aid fix my mood and increment my confidence. That term "apparel for success?" That'south me daily. I need to feel great in what I'm wearing. If not, information technology's gotta go!

Where do yous live and how does that influence your fashion?

For me the question is more like where have I lived and practice these places influence my mode? The answer is positively yes!

From living in Latin America, I e'er similar to embrace a niggling vivaciousness. From my days in Saudi, I nerveless some amazing pieces that are nevertheless in my wardrobe and jewellery box.

I volition forever be fatigued to paisley, beautiful textiles, and flowy kurtas considering of living in India for 5 years.

My cashmere collection rocks because of the fabulous markets in People's republic of china.

I'1000 a storyteller, and my clothing always has a story backside information technology. Finally, as a US citizen, I will always be partial to a lil' red, white, and blue—peculiarly red and a bold red lippy!

Do yous feel you have a signature style?

Hmmm…. considering I'm all over the place from outfit to outfit and I use my article of clothing to either express how I'g feeling or help my mood, I believe the answer is no. Information technology's kind of weird, but I practice not think I have one signature style. Rather, I recall it'due south usually expected that I will e'er exist dressed with intention which makes me a stylish individual, but I'yard not certain if that's a signature style. Is information technology?

What inspires your outfit choices the well-nigh?

2 things greatly affect my manner: my mood and my touch on. My mood totally inspires my outfit choices daily but more chiefly I call back I consider the touch I want for the solar day, state of affairs, or event: and so I dress accordingly.

For example, if I have a coming together with colleagues I might step up my sophistication, but if I am teaching kids all day I might wearing apparel funkier. If I'k going out, I consider the consequence–do I want to exist noticed or fit in? When I dress for my mood I consider how I desire the wearable to make me feel. Do I desire to be comfy on that solar day, or practice I desire to feel super classy and chichi? Do I need cheering jewellery for that day, or do I play with costume jewellery to add some funkiness. Is today a leopard twenty-four hour period or a plaid solar day or both? Or am I going with my version of simple with a boho white shirt and jeans?

All of these thoughts and questions go through my heed when I go to get dressed. To be honest, this thought process is something I require. I love getting dressed. I actually find joy and pleasure in the thought process and program of getting dressed—commonly more oftentimes than the actual twenty-four hours or effect!

Do you have things similar color profiling or torso type into account when you dress?

Without thinking about information technology I think I do this, but it usually isn't so conscious of a decision. I know what colors work for me and tend to stick to them and avoid those colors that make me feel awful.

When I go to get dressed I brand tweaks that help my figure. I retrieve I'grand always subconsciously figuring out what looks best in terms of color and way because I care so securely near looking skilful in my clothes—I rely on my style to aid me. If I don't feel good or confident in an outfit or article of article of clothing, information technology commonly doesn't last long in my cupboard. Could you lot say I'chiliad uber conscious of this without knowing that that's what I'thousand doing? I remember and so!

Has your mode changed at all after turning xl?

Not really. I'm nevertheless taking risks and going for information technology every bit a 40 plus individual. I suppose I practice question the overexposure of skin more than at present in my 40s, and I think well-nigh the situation, result, or twenty-four hours I'm dressing for and apparel accordingly.

Only then again, 1 of my best features is my pair of legs, and then I similar to wear shorts and shorter skirts. Also, if held upwards properly in a supportive bra, I sometimes allow my cleavage to show. I hateful I have substantial breasts, so I might as well admit them—but in as elegant a way as possible.

I am very much a proponent of every woman finding what makes her feel slap-up and then flaunting information technology! If it'southward even as uncomplicated equally prissy nails, go for information technology. We take to find beauty in ourselves and so celebrate information technology. Women generally seem really good at finding all dimples and wrinkles, so I encourage finding the i (or more!) thing nigh a woman's body that is loved and then showing it off. Nosotros all need to Cover OUR Beauty!

Do you believe in dressing 'age appropriately' and what does it hateful to you?

I recollect this term should be dressing "confident appropriately." A adult female should wear what makes her experience cute. When she's wearing that item that makes her feel utterly beautiful, her confidence volition overshadow any doubt in her wearing apparel.

When we experience self-conscious in what we're wearing, that shows. Insecurity leads others to believe a woman might be dressed inappropriately. But, if a woman is rocking her attire, I believe other impressions will be made. Similar "Wow! That woman looks great! I wanna rock jean shorts when I'yard xl+ too!"

Let'due south move toward inspiring rather than always critiquing. Let's only wearing apparel in that which makes us experience the most confident and gloat our dazzler—no matter the age.

Would you say that at this stage of your life you are at present more, or less interested in fashion, manner and the manner you lot look?

I can recall being a x year old young girl saving up my money for the coolest pair of bright blue racer shorts with a cap sleeve, bluish and whited striped tee. Oh, I had to take that outfit, and the pride I felt once I purchased these two items has stayed with me.

On my web log, I reverberate a ton on memories similar to this; I accept been interested in style, fashion, and shopping equally early on as ten years old. In loftier schoolhouse I remember starting a petition because the girls were not allowed to wear shorts—and with Benetton cranking out all those winter shorts in the 90s, we had to exist able to wear them.

I found putting the outfits together for the sorority membership process (oft referred to as Rush) more than thrilling than actually pledging a house.

When I got married, creating the design for the bridesmaids dresses was more thrilling than finding my dress. I take always been infatuated with fashion, I have always wanted to dress stylishly, and I take always wanted to look good in what I'm wearing. At present in my 40s, I've come to the realization that the way I clothing clothes and my stylish means are a definite part of my person, my character, and my individuality—so much so that I am willing to blog about it and share this passion with a wider community.

Why is the way you lot look important to you?

The respond to this is going to totally come up across filled with my vanity, but here goes: I like to wait good. That'southward the honest respond. No, really, let me correct that: I dear looking good! I honey feeling slap-up almost what I'1000 wearing. I honey the feeling of confidence that comes from a well-put together outfit. I relish compliments almost what I'm wearing. Information technology makes me gush. If someone cares to talk about what I'm wearing, then I get into total storytelling mode. And, if someone seeks my counsel near his or her ain fashion, I receive such a sense of fulfilment.

I dearest helping others to feel expert about their personal style too. Confidence should definitely be something we all wear!

Do yous follow trends? And if yeah, which trends excite you at the moment?

Yes, I do, simply I like to prepare them; I don't like to exist the concluding one to habiliment something. When anybody else is wearing a tendency, I'll usually go on to the next ane. It's the take a chance taker in me.

On the other mitt, many of the items in my closet are OLD! Merely I always try to rework them or fit them in to my outfits in an updated way.

A couple of trends worth trying this spring and summer are culottes, off the shoulder tops or dresses, jumpsuits, fringe, and gingham.

In the future—like in the next year or two, the tendency that I'thousand non excited near just I can foresee is a shift in the bold lip. I think the nude lip is going to start showing upwards more and more, I'm going to want to comprehend it, merely it'southward not going to await as good on me; I've already tried information technology out, and it doesn't wait so good. I'll have to make up one's mind what to do—especially considering I like to wear only that which makes me feel confident!

I also foresee shoulder pads…but I will totally embrace them. I take no shoulders; they just slouch abroad, so I'grand going to love that trend!

Do y'all have any mode and style tips for women over 40?

I sound like a broken record, but…. wear what makes you lot feel beautiful!

If y'all can consider that confidence is an bodily article of habiliment, confidence is the pair of shoes yous article of clothing, confidence is a lippy to be smeared on, and then you're on your fashion.

And if you are non finding what it is that makes you lot wear this confidence, reach out for assistance to find it. There are so many of us passionate women out there enthusiastic nigh style and fashion and making sure we all wait and experience our all-time. Reach out to a blogger or a friend and really go at the heart of what you like about yourself and what you can wear to increase your conviction factor.

We all have beauty and so share it!

What are your plans for your blog and how do you encounter it develop over the coming years?

I demand to make some serious decisions about my weblog: practise I maintain where it's at or do I accept it to the side by side level? And if I decide to have information technology to the next level, what does that await similar and more chiefly how do I get it there? You lot tin can probably tell this is the land I'm at with Kremb de la Kremb.

I feel very passionate most a few things like mode, feeling confident, and sharing both these ideas. I'1000 just virtually to become a certified stylist, and then I envision exploring helping others more. I daydream about ane day being able to quit my twenty-four hour period job….at present it's just a affair of figuring out how to do that. I'1000 decorated researching this idea and always trying to figure out how to make the web log better.

One major question I proceed coming back to is do I suspension away from Kremb de la Kremb or stick with it. Regardless, I have a feeling changes are on the style so that I can continue to get better and hopefully help others too.

Anything farther you would like to add?

I would just similar to finish by sharing my slap-up appreciation and gratitude to Sylvia. She has created such a supportive community for forty+ women. She inspires me daily as a blogger to be better. I admire Sylvia's personal style, commitment to fashion, and support to others in style. Basically, Sylvia helps me to exist better each day, and I hope to some mean solar day practise the same for other women too. Cheers Sylvia!

For many more fun and funky outfits from Ann and her style advice, be certain to visit Kremb de la Kremb!

How practice y'all make certain you feel confident in your apparel? What is your favorite of Ann's outfits?

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