I find it kind of difficult to put into words exactly what it is about my style journey that has been so profound for me. Oh, by the way, I’m on a style journey in case you didn’t know.
I’ve always been a fan of low key comfort. I’m not one to walk around the house in a cute little outfit when my husband’s tee shirts and sweatpants work just fine. And I can’t remember the last time I wore makeup.
Yet even as a little kid I remember being fascinated by fashion. Putting pieces together inspired by outfits in magazines, figuring out how to make look work with what I had, getting creative with accessories. I loved it. It was a way to express my creativity. Sure I still liked my jammies but I also liked putting a fun outfit together for school and outings to the skating rink.
But then…I stopped. Part of that, I think, was college laziness. It’s pretty hard to stay motivated about style when everyone around you is also wearing baseball caps and sweatshirts to class. But I am realizing that part of it was a desire not to be seen. During my 20’s I went through some times that kind of knocked the wind out of me (who hasn’t?) and my confidence was shaken enough that I didn’t feel comfortable dressing in a way that would get me noticed.
Fast forward a few years and I start on a creative journey. I try just about every creative medium out there. And as my comfort level with expressing myself artistically increases, so does this desire within me to start playing with style.
At first, I resisted. Hiding myself had become a habit. For a long time, I’d dressed to blend in so I wasn’t sure where to start.
So I looked at the people around me and started letting myself be inspired by pieces they wore. I started photographing my outfits and it’s amazing how that small change in perspective-I mean, it’s not like I leave the house without looking in a mirror-can influence how I dress. And I became a member (and rabid fan) of wardrobe remix.
And just like with my artistic journey, my style journey has become about play and creative expression. What I wear can now be an extension of how I see the world instead of just something to cover my skin. Another layer of depth has been added to my life because of experimenting with style.
I would love to know what style means to you and how you discovered your own style. Do you play around with fashion? Do you have style icons? As I am falling more in love with expressing myself with what I wear, I have become fascinated with how others choose to dress themselves. Please share!
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11 comments:
ok. i spent half an hour making a comment only to have blogger eat IT!
Defining oneself by being, rather than in relation to others, is helping me discover my style. I find style intimately connected to how I feel about myself in my primary relationship.
Style icons ~ audrey hepburn, coco chanel, diana princess of wales. Also, cindi lauper because of the way she wears being different and being good at it! Stores ~ almost exclusively embrace the fashions found at The Gap, Old Navy.
after years of conciously dressing down to not be seen i now concentrate on colour - colour brings me joy and in this world of constant black (we are coming into winter here) i feel like it is part of my duty as a loyal joy rebel to bring colour into the world
I love this post. I am frustrated by the lack of fun fashion that is affordable in my size. I am 6'1" tall and wear size 16-18. That effectively eliminates vintage, which would be my primary style choice (people were a LOT shorter then!) I try to add jewelry and funky specs, but miss being able to have sassy outfits. I have a lot of plain fabrics and basic shapes, and still spend a mint on them. I too spent years trying no to stand out, but now that I'm more comfortable doing so, I'm finding it hard to find the clothes! I love your sense of style and I'll keep trying!
tink-love audrey hepburn!!!
faerian-I love color too! I am really liking (lately) black or grey with a shot of color. YUM.
amazonratz-that must be so frustrating-not finding sizes to fit your statuesque frame. I still remember a girl I went to college wiht that was probably at least 6'1" that wore 3 inch heels, amazing jewelry and wore her hair au natural (she was african american and her hair was a wonderful curly, wild halo around her face. I loved seeing her confidence! I have spoken with many tall women that have felt uncomfortable of their height and while I know I have no idea what that's like (I'm 5'3") I do know what it's like to be uncomfortable in your own skin. I love that you are walking proud!
For me.. it's all about color. A bright palette of jewel tones always improves my mood!
we do go through seasons for sure ..i worked in retail ...dressed a certain way ...got burned out..started a family ...comfort rules.. with a twist of fashion that I like not what the world dictates
i've been thinking about syle a lot myself lately. it seems like i am finally embracing what i want to say with my "look" more and more. you are so right is is about being seen (or hiding and blending in). i recently had a pink streak put in my hair. i know some people wonder what that's all about (being a "grown up" and a mom), but it makes me smile. it's wearing my insides on the outside. that feels really good. i love that pic of you... sweet pose, adorable outfit (love the shoes)! yes, you're oozing style...xo
Oh man... style is a sensitive issue for me... I don't feel I have one.. but would love to be stylish. Part of it is because I'm not really a risk taker and default to jeans...part of it is I have expensive taste and to dress the way I imagine would put me living in a cardboard box...and I"m not good at finding the in between... I love that dress in the top photo... GORGEOUS--especially on you!
cori-beautiful colors make me smile too!
elk-amen for adding your own twist of fashion
mindy-I love that added a pink streak to your hair...that makes you a cool mom in my book ;-)
christina-I felt the same way-soooo not a risk taker and just defaulted to jeans. It definitely took baby steps for me to get out of my comfort zone. And that dress? On sale at dillards-like 30 bucks or something. Shoes were second hand. I'm all about high fashion...just on the sale rack or in resale shops. :-)
I love this - it is all too often that I forget about "style", shoving it to one of those "eh-if-I-had-time-and-money" segments of my life.
And yet when I do remember, as with so many other things, to practice STYLE, it makes me feel alive!!
i think there is such an overlooked aspect to wellbeing - beauty for the sake of beauty (not dressing up for someone else or for just a special occaision).
Thank you for the reminder!!
Those yellow shoes!!! I <3 those yellow shoes in your 1st picture!!
I've pretty much always had my own style - sometimes appreciated, sometimes not. But it's always been for me. And right now, as a professional Mom, it means a lot of workout clothes and tennies, but that doesn't mean I can't trick out my bag, sport some great glasses or throw my hair into a couple of flashy sassy pigtails. I may not be wearing makeup or some cute outfit (I don't have time for all that these days), but I still get plenty of friendly comments on my style.
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