These days, it’s practically impossible not to be influenced. From the big screens and the ones that are small enough to fit in the palm of our hands to guerrilla marketing and more, humans are surrounded by an almost-constant stream of stimulation. From the most recent clean-beauty product to that up-and-coming It-Bag, products, trends, brands, and much more are thrown at us from every angle. Whether conscious or subconscious, our brains hold on to so much, and in this modern, digital age, it can be hard to define your individual sense of style. Whether you like it or not, you’re continuously being told what you ought to buy, how you ought to dress, and who you ought to be. One’s distinct personal style can say a lot, but how does one stand apart as an individual in today’s over-marketed world?
Be Your own Inspiration
Personally, I use the influences around me to my advantage, making the most out of every ounce of information that’s best at my fingertips and using it all to stand out, rather then blend in. I’m continuously evolving and changing, and while there are numerous trendy figures that I look to for inspiration (Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Hailey Bieber (and former stylist Maeve Reilly), Karen Blanchard, Pernille Teisbaek and more), I don’t have a particular ‘style icon.’ rather I choose to be my own inspiration, trying out trends but finding unique, different ways to wear them.
Don’t Play the comparison Game
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that I no longer believe in cookie-cutter fashion or defining my personal style to fit into a neat little box. I am ever-changing, and so is my style, and my late twenties and now my early thirties have taught me a lot about fashion and dressing. I’ve learned that it’s much more essential to dress for myself, rather than dressing to look ‘cool.’ Living in such a trendy city like new York, it’s so easy to compare myself to others, and I can’t tell you how numerous times I had walked out the door fully confident, only to see someone who I deemed better dressed than me. and as I’ve grown, I’ve realized that if you look hard enough, you can always find someone to be envious of, especially in the modern digital age.
I am ever-changing, and so is my style, and that is what the charm is in it all. It sounds simple, but finding your individualism and sense of self really does come from within. You wear the clothes, they don’t wear you, and if I could offer any guidance to those coming up in the digital age or just wanting to explore their sense of style, it would be to careless and experiment more! Don’t worry about what other people are wearing or what they like or don’t like. wear what you want and experiment, experiment, experiment! step out of your comfort zone from time to time, and dress like you’re the only one watching.
Fashion and style can feel overwhelming at times, especially when the world is continuously telling us we need the next best thing, but it’s essential to remember that it’s really not about having much more but how you wear what you have.