Woman of Signature Style: SADE

This week, Patti has been discussing "Signature Style".  It's a topic that's fascinated me for a while now.  I wrote about my own search for a signature style here.  And while I find experimentation to be a necessary ingredient for creativity, I realize that there are common elements that define our style.   Really, don't we ALL have a signature style, whether we realize it or not?  For me this issue has been cultivating that style and asking myself, "Does my style truly express who I am or is it basically an easy default?"  For creative types, like myself, style is almost a personal artistic expression.  Just like there are many types of art:  cubism, surrealism, impressionism, modern, abstract, etc...all of them being just an expression of emotion or personal aesthetics, there are many types of style.  While abstract art may seem to take less talent than impressionism, the truth is that they are both valid expressions of a similar desire.

There are several women whose signature style, I really relate to.  Today, I wanted to highlight one of my all time favorite singers AND style icons, Sade!

• Sade almost makes a uniform of black and white and yet, always looking different and striking!  Her long hair and minimalist style have remained, save for a few occasional experimental digressions, a constant through her long career.

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• She also has a way of taking functional jeans and making them seem somewhat elegant!  In this photo, the cowboy boots, the jeans, the white tunic.....all add up for a look that is NEVER outdated and seems more feminine than the utilitarian nature of the pieces would suggest.

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• Okay, this right here pretty much sums up Sade's style in a nutshell.  The slicked back pony tail.  The red lip.  The hoop earrings.  The black palette.  This is all her signature style components in one AND it just all works!  It's classy.  It's easy.  

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• Here we are with the denim again.  Only this time it's denim on denim.  Again, it just works!   Add to that the signature braid, hoops and emphasized lips and all of a sudden those jeans, look  inordinately classy!  As a side note, how about that fabulous bracelet?  See, I think that's one of the things I can relate to about Sade.  Like her, there's nothing subtle about my features.  Good or bad, they are pretty much in your face.  So delicate earrings or barely there necklaces, just. won't. do.

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• Black and white perfection.  Notice the hoops.  Again with the pony tail.   It's such a great look that it makes me wonder, "How does she pull off these same components without looking like she's just stuck in a rut?!"  Ownership maybe?  She knows what she likes and unapologetically moves forward with it.

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• A short lived foray into the bangs arena, but her signature is still in bold!  The black and white uniform looks sexy, appropriate and still a bit edgy.

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She has a video that I've ALWAYS loved, a lot for the song, but actually, more for her style.  The jeans and jacket she wear in this video are so simple, yet so perfect!  Her style, like her music, is comfortable, easy, bold and sexy.  There's a bit of rawness to it, that's difficult to mesh with elegance, but she does it seemingly effortlessly!

I send you off to your weekend with my favorite Sade song and look.