Style is different than fashion. Fashion exists in a world of wicked fast, whiplash inducing trends where the goal is to have your finger on the pulse of the masses. Style is more personal. Style is what speaks to you as an individual and how you use that to then express yourself without saying a word. It's not being the height of fashion but, what you do with fashion that makes a style.
Whether you want to create a brand for yourself in a professional sense, edit and refine the style you already have, or amp up your game and create a more unique and dimensional look, creating a personal style can happen with one simple step. Make a list of words that you feel define you as a person as well as, words that define aesthetics that you are drawn to. Try for five words.
That's it.
The words that surfaced in your mind are the characteristics that you already love about yourself and the traits that you would like to exand on and project to others. Now, you can relate back to those words to help guide you towards a creative, cohesive, and meaningful style.
My sister and I spent an afternoon talking this out and defining each other's style. The words I landed on were quirky, vintage/retro, sophisticated, sexy, and spunky. Since I am a pretty eclectic person, I can bounce around all over the place without much of a connection. My words help me hone in on that connective thread. The first time I wore this skirt my outfit was quirky, vintage, and sophisticated but, here I am using the same (very distinct) skirt and creating a look that is quirky, sexy, and spunky. Each look is differing but still adjacent.
Shirt: JCPenney, similar in men's XXS-XXL | Skirt: Modcloth, similar in S-4X | Tights: Walmart, similar in S-L, similar in 1X-6X | Boots: Modcloth, similar | Lips: Colourpop Cosmetics Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Chilly Chili
I am so in love with that skirt! And I love that you can style it so differently. It took me a LONG time to land on my five words, because I felt like it was hard to gather ALL of my looks into just five words, but now that I know them I feel my style slowly honing in on a more specific aesthetic, and I like it! I used to be afraid to commit to a look, but now I'm finding my groove and not worrying about whether it's trendy or whatever.
ReplyDeleteYou look amazing!
By the way, I couldn't find anyplace to email you, but we are looking to add another person to Shaped by Style and I immediately thought of you! If it's something you're interested in -- basically, we have a private account where we post pictures of clothes we want to temporarily swap with each other (aka, you get your clothes back!) and blog about 'em -- let me know! You can email me -- marabird@eccentricowl.com. I would really really love to have you be part of the group, but absolutely no pressure if it just doesn't seem like your thing! <3
Kristina
www.eccentricowl.com
Thank you so much! I've sent you an email regarding your offer :)
Delete"It's not being the height of fashion but, what you do with fashion that makes a style." Couldn't have said it better. <3
ReplyDeleteAlso, I know I've said this before, but that skirt is everything. Love it so much!
- Anna
www.melodicthriftychic.com
Thank you :)
DeleteWell said. I'm definitely a fan of your style - I love love love that skirt!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I'm kind of obsessed with this skirt haha.
DeleteI LOVE everything about this post and it has truly inspired me to figure out what my style is. I think the words you chose perfectly describe you and your style! You look so freaking fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm glad I've inspired you! It's a really fun little experiment that reveals what's really valuable to you about your style :)
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