Make It YOU
Hello Friends,
Earlier this week I was talking to a girlfriend and she asked me how I can rock so many hair and clothing styles with such confidence. In summary she was trying to tell me that no matter what I wear, it looks good on me and yet that was not the case for her. That got me thinking, why are things working for me and not others? That’s when it hit me, its not about it always working for but more about me making it my own and owning not just the item or thing, but owning who I am as a person!
I recently found this article from MasterClass. It give 5 tips on how to find your own personal style. After reading it, I found that I do these if not daily then weekly. So maybe it is something you can do as well!
Let's break these down:
1. Look to your own closet. Think about the clothes you have that make you happy. What are your favorite items in your closet? Pull these pieces out and think about why they make you feel good. Notice what they have in common. For me it is the monotone classic pieces. These include a black blazer, a crispy white shirt, my favorite Levis 501 jeans, my denim jacket, my trench, a white pair of sneakers, my leopard pumps, and some leather joggers. All of these can be mixed well with other items and colors in my wardrobe.
2. Find fashion inspiration. When looking for fashion inspiration, start with family and friends whose style you admire. Spend time on social media, and observe how friends and celebrities dress, from casual outfits like crop tops and leggings to work-ready blazers and turtlenecks. Blogs are full of fashion tips and inspiration, so find a few fashion bloggers whose style interests you and search through their archives for your favorite outfits. If there is a celebrity or an influencer whose style you like, try to find out who that celeb's stylist is, and look to them for inspiration. Fashion magazines are another great source. Learn about different style types, and identify the ones with which you most align. I can honestly tell you that for me, I love a mix between some French influencers I follow and the Queen of American fashion, Jenna Lyons. Her style is fun, quirky and she loves a good mash-up.
3. Create a fashion mood board. A mood board is a great way to work toward developing your personal style. Once you’ve gathered your fashion inspiration, compile the images into a mood board. Even if your inspiration feels all over the place, you might discover that a lot of your models are wearing denim jeans, a lot of them are wearing maxi dresses, a lot of them are wearing tops with ruffles—that's still an overarching vibe or mood that you're going for. Choose two or three images that exemplify the aesthetic of the group, and keep those images on your phone so that you can look at them when you’re out shopping. I do these a lot prior to purchasing an item. My favorite go to is Pinterest. I usually begin looking at ways I can style a piece prior to purchasing it. If I can wear it 5+ ways, then I will most likely buy it.
4. Create a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is a collection of basics that you can mix and match to create effortless looks. These are classic pieces in neutral colors that go with everything: a little black dress, a denim jacket, simple T-shirts, a leather tote. You might already have some of these in your closet: Keep the ones that make you feel great, and replace everything else with basics that really work for you. These items may be simple, but they’ll help you show off your unique style by providing a foundation for more exciting pieces. I talked about this during item 1. I love creating capsule wardrobe. Be sure to re-use your clothes and also share with your friends. Sometimes swapping pieces with your friends can bring in a new and fresh perspective to your closet.
5. Experiment with unique style choices. Once you've built your capsule collection, it's time to add unique pieces to your wardrobe that show off your style personality. This might involve some experimentation, so remember that it's okay if you change your mind. Personal style is all about playing with fashion to discover which clothes make you feel your best. Start with bold accessories and pops of color and then work on mixing and matching prints and textures. Jenna Lyons is the queen of this. Why don’t you look for some inspiration in Pinterest and try to put your own twist on what you’ve seen?
XX,
Clothes aren’t the only way to create a unique style that sets you apart…
Glasses
Speaking of staple items in your closet, let us not forget that accessories are a great way to come into your own style. I seem to always go for bold and cool optical frames. That is one way I’ve been able to make my own style and I mean, they are practical. Haha
The frames shown here are from Moscot; one of my go to shops for optical frames. I currently own 5 pairs from Moscot and I think they are worth every penny!
Hair
Hair is a love affair for me. Since the first trip to the hair stylist in middle school, I have been changing up my hairstyles. I love trying new styles and colors and finding what works for me. My hair grows very fast, so I am never afraid to go short. I have made some mistakes along the way but hair is definitely a way you can set yourself apart and find your own style.
Currently Watching: Stylish With Jenna Lyons on HBO Max
Current Obsession: Pajamas Dressing
There is something about a stylish two-piece pajama that I cannot get over. I’ve began wearing a few pajama tops with jeans and some pajama pants with heels. It’s 2021, we can try anything.
Current Hobby: Fashion Illustration
This past Christmas, I was gifted a new iPad Pro. I was so excited and as soon as I got it set up, I jumped right into illustrating. I haven’t really illustrated in a couple years so I am a bit rusty. Check out some of my latest illustrations below. These were created using Procreate and can also be found on my instagram. Let me know what you think in the comment section.
