Absolutely. Often when I ask my husband why he chose to marry me, the first thing he says is my smile. Strangers sometimes come up to me and tell me that I have a wonderful smile. By contrast, when I’m by myself, my “resting” face can sometimes look grumpy even though I’m not feeling grumpy. So now as an exercise, I have taken to smiling when I am by myself. It makes me feel better! And there is actual research that shows that physiologically a smile actually makes you feel better inside.

I absolutely think smiling increases your style quotient!

Two songs immediately come to mind…”You’re never full dressed without a smile” from the musical Annie, and “When you’re smilling, the whole world smiles with you!” And there was also that song we sang in Brownies…”I’ve got something in my pocket…it’s a great big Brownie smile!”

I love smile style!

I totally agree Angie!

I love giving and receiving a nice smile!

I think a smile shows confidence, and confidence definitely increases your style quotient.

Absolutely!

I think a smile changes the way your style might be viewed. Think about what a model would look like if she smiled the whole walk down the runway instead of the usual impassive face!!

A smile shows that you are comfortable and friendly – plus it’s a universal indicator so everyone can understand it.

I don’t know if I think it increases your style quotient, but it certainly increases your “human” quotient-and that’s a winner in my book!

Most definitely!

I definitely believe a smiles adds to ones style quotient. Angie, YOUR smile is beautiful, natural and your signiture (along with your laugh!). Keep smiling!

Sihaya, I love that you smile when you are by yourself.

After reading this post and the comments, I don’t feel so bad about my smile lines.

I agree that a smile augments your style. And I’m always a little dismayed at how models walk the catwalk with angry faces. I guess they are supposed to look “neutral” but so often, they look annoyed (and I would be too if I had to walk in sky-high shoes, wearing usually ugly things after not eating for five or six years to be as thin as a hanger!). I also see soooooo many high school senior pictures with scowling youngsters. Sad.

I couldn’t agree more!

That is, in my opinion, the most delightful form of “style” one can bring to others is a kind, genuine smile. And, there is no charge for adding it to your repertoire.

Absolutely. Thankyou for the reminder to keep smiling.
I also have a grumpy looking resting face and have been asked, even in high school, “what’s wrong?”
Angie has a beautiful smile as others have said. I am very shy, but when I had lunch with Angie last year I felt totally comfortable with her because of her friendly smile. It works!

But absolutely! Yes, I think my smile is part of my style. But now what about a snorting laugh, can that be stylish too?

it is the best style around!

Definitely! Nothing like a cheery face to lift up an outfit, drab or otherwise.

Yes! I love it when people post pictures with a smile. And I think as we get older it is something we have to focus on more- the resting face can be sort of grumpy looking, as Sihaya said, so I’m trying to get in the habit of a more “smiley” resting face.

Antje = your snorting laugh sets you apart and you wouldn’t be you without it. You bring so much joy to those around you because of your smile and your laugh whose foundation is in your attitude!

Yes, a friendly and sincere smile shows the world who you are, as does your clothing and accessories.

Most definitely!

ABSOLUTELY! I love seeing people smiling. It brightens my day! I mean unless one is dressed like a slob, the smile just brings everything together.

LOL @ Antje!

I can’t agree with you more! I am often told that I have a Macleans smile… LOL!

Yes! A smile and eye contact are the best way to show confidence.

So why do so many models have such an aloof or even snobby expression?

Models don’t smile, because they are marketing the clothes. Their job is to make the public to notice the clothes, not the model.

Yes! I totally agree! I am a very smiley person and so is most of my family. I think a smile goes a long way!

Funny– I have been working on this.. I think smiling makes a huge difference.. for me, it is evident in photos of myself

Danja, if we’re going to get lines on our face for any reason, let it be because of smiling! Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. Strength for the soul.

Meredith, those song titles almost made it to this blog post. Thanks for mentioning them.

Laura Elizabeth, that’s an astute point. I totally think your style is viewed differently when you smile.

Sher, we both blogged about smiling on the same day. That’s such a coincidence. I like your thinking: : “the best face lift is a smile”.

(Thank you San and Eva for your lovely words).

I completely agree. And I love laughing. For me I think no matter what I am wearing, the number one thing people respond to is a genuine smile.