Target top, old (save/splurge), dress (also loving this fringe version!), necklace and boots (similar); Urban Outfitter’s hat (similar); ℅ Anjolee three stone necklace.
A few years ago, before I started this blog and was sort of forced to think daily about what I choose to wear and why, I didn’t have any personal style. I wore the same things over and over again, with little thought beyond tossing on a pair of jeans, a tee, and flip flops. You wouldn’t have looked at me and said, “boy, SHE should start a personal style blog.” I just didn’t put a lot of thought into what I was wearing and how I was presenting myself. I claimed to love style and fashion and all things pretty, but my appearance didn’t back this up.
Most of my problem at that point was having two kids back to back and not having the time. I mistakenly thought that real style came with having hours to get dressed in the morning and an unlimited budget. I put together looks that didn’t showcase who I was, but did show that I wasn’t caring about myself and how I wanted to be viewed. I wasn’t taking care of myself physically or mentally. Instead I focused on being a mom only (which is pretty common as children are sort of all encompassing, hmmm?) Everything I chose to wear was ill fitting and unattractive.
Before kids I had more time and more income to shop, and I did. A LOT. I bought quantities of clothes for work and play, but didn’t pay that much attention to what particular styles looked good on me or not. I bought trends, I never tried anything on, and I cringe when I look back on pictures sometimes. I thought of myself as a stylish person, someone who adored clothes and accessories. Dressing up and going out was a weekly thing, but again, the thought behind finding what looked good on me was not there. My twenties were not my best years style wise, and I often wonder (and admire!) those that seem to dress really well at an early age. That was not me. It wasn’t until I turned thirty and began this personal style blogging journey that I really started to see what worked and what didn’t. I had accountability (I had to post five days a week!), a no holds barred way to look at myself (full length fashion photos are very revealing), and an audience to sit there and tell me what they liked and what they didn’t, (that’s you!)
Over time I found that I DO have a good eye for putting looks together naturally. I can mix and match different looks quickly and love coming up with cute outfits and sartorial looks. I can be more creative and take more risks, because I’ve realized that I only have to please myself when it comes to what I wear. I no longer wonder what others will think when I get dressed, I think about how I feel. I’ve discovered that I don’t have to dress one way, I can experiment and make mistakes, and that’s okay. I still dress sort of boring some days, I think it’s natural to wear more basic things and be comfortable, but I know that I feel better when I’m making more of an effort. Taking that simple look and making it special with accessories, patterns, or a fun pair of shoes. I like standing out and knowing that I can look good in clothes, because it is my form of self expression and a way to be myself while taking care of my kids. Staying home with my children has been eye opening for me. I don’t have to necessarily get dressed up, I can choose to wear workout clothes or I can choose to wear something that makes me feel good about myself. I’ve been on a mission lately to make more of an effort in what I wear on my ‘off’ days, because I have a good amount of days where I don’t have to get dressed at all other than dropping my kids off at school, yet I find it important to make the effort. I think it shows that I care about myself, that I care about how I look, and I know that doing this is essential to my mental well being.
I don’t think there is an age where you can say, I have no style and I give up. I’d like to think I am proof that a unique personal style can take time and some energy to achieve, but it is possible. I find so many ideas of looks to try online, through Pinterest and other style blogs, and love that there are so many different ways to dress and express ourselves. All of us have our own comfort zones, be it classic or comfortable or trendy, it just takes a little bit of attention to detail and the willingness to find what works on you. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Don’t be afraid to make the extra effort, either by wearing a bright lipstick with a jeans and tee, or adding on a fun printed scarf with a cotton dress. Don’t be afraid to be the most dressed up person at the grocery store. It’s not about how others view you, but how you view yourself that shines through here, and it’s the best lesson I’ve ever learned, style wise.
———————————————————————————————————————————
On another note, my group sponsors have a lovely giveaway today where they are giving away a $125 J Crew gift card to one of YOU! I love a gift card to a more expensive store, because it gives me the chance to splurge on things I wouldn’t necessarily buy with my own money (like this white panama hat and this Sisal beach tote!) The giveaway will last a week, is open to International readers, and it pretty awesome. Good luck;)
Also, if you are interested in being a part of May’s group giveaway and want a great way to lead new readers to you, this is the place for you. Every single person that has participated in this giveaway spot as increased their readership by A LOT. All you have to do is create great content, let me lead the readers to YOU! There are only six spots currently available, hurry up and reserve your spot NOW.
You can sign up for the group giveaway spot HERE.
