I wonder how we did it when we were kids…just look at our closets and without question or shame and choose the most unusual pairings. We paraded around in those fun-fits and didn’t think twice about what the world thought of us.
Hopefully we can embody that same energy in our adult life’s…but with a little more precision. Lately, I’ve been very focused on finding my style, because everything in my closet doesn’t inspire me or make me feel good, and I can tell I’m going through changes that mean my style will be changing with me. Quite frankly I want my Pinterest boards to come to life, is that too much to ask?!
If you’re curious and want to check out my Pinterest, it’s linked here!
I have a friend in fashion, and although her personal style is very different from mine, I learn a lot from her when it comes to defining my own style. We went shopping recently and she told me I needed to define my fashion buzzwords. Online, you can find a million ways to discover your buzzwords, and a million more questions to ask to help narrow it down.
Naturally, I don’t think I followed any of those suggestions and did my own thing.
To start, I took a peek at my Pinterest boards and wrote down any words that came to mind while looking at the images. I didn’t worry about editing them down until after.
In order to edit them down, I simply saw what words related to each other, condensed where I could, and crossed out what didn’t fit my personality. I asked myself which of those words were the most important for me to embody and emulate, which brought me to my buzzwords.
I chose 4 words, and those words are: comfortable, chic, simple, unique.
There is so much that can go into “finding your style,” like dressing for your body type, dressing for your color type and so on. These things can be great tools, but ultimately, you should always dress in the ways that feel good to you, sometimes we just need a little help to get there! Which is where a couple other pieces of advice come to mind…
One. Imitation is the best form of flattery, and the best way to figure it out! Sometimes we’ll simply never know if we like something until we try it for ourselves. It’s ok to copy outfits from others that you like, and at the very least you learn something new about yourself if it goes good or bad.
Two. “They” say that your wardrobe should follow the 80/20 rule. That being, 80% basics, 20% personality pieces. If your style is all about the personality pieces, then the rule can be reversed, 80% personality pieces, 20% basics. Either way, having both is important for a balanced look, no matter how eccentric your style may be. I personally lean more towards the former.
Three. Quality will always over-ride quantity. Sometimes the investment is necessary, but doesn’t mean you have to break the bank for life-long quality. Thrifting is a great way to find good quality pieces, and even better for finding really old stuff, if that’s what you’re into. However, sometimes we need to recognize when it’s time to invest in that real wool sweater that will be useful until the day we die, or when something is truly unique and worth the splurge. Like all things, use your discretion or refer to the group chat for counsel.
Four. Shop responsibly! Whether you’re going to a normal store or thrifting, it’s always a good idea to set a budget for yourself for the day, and make a list of specific things you’re looking for or have those reference photos at the ready. Not to say you can’t have a fun scavenger hunt while you’re out, but this might help with what you put back on the rack or in the cart and minimizing buyer’s remorse or wasted items.
From all the fashion advice I’ve ever received, this next piece might be one of the best. Here is a video from TikTok that I think offers great advice that I never thought of. This creator is named Thanya and is one of the many great examples of a viral TikTok sound. You can follow this audio down the rabbit hole a see a lot more amazing outfit inspiration!
Here’s what the audio says…
“If an outfit is not interesting through color, then it has to be interesting through shape.
If an outfit is not interesting through shape, then it has to be interesting through texture.
If an outfit is not interesting through texture, then it has to be interesting through color.”
Maybe that feels like advanced advice, but it’s something we can tuck away in the back of our minds for when we our putting together our new and stylish outfits.
I think between the buzzwords and the quick pieces of advice, we have ourselves a really good start to finding your style. I’m feeling very motivated to set aside any doubts and run full speed ahead into the best dressed version of myself!
Let me know what your fashion buzzwords are, and send along any more inspiration you may find!
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, talk to you soon 🙂
A Series of Observations 