IS PERSONAL STYLE DEAD?
ARE WE BEING SO INFLUENCED WE DON'T EVEN REALISE IT?
Is personal style dead? Is social media to blame? Are we all becoming style clones?
This week I went deep in the rabbit hole on this question and read articles from vogue to Substacks to even listening to a podcast where they brought up this very question. It made me think of a personal experience. In November of 2021 I had just returned from a holiday in NYC and I brought home a little trend I had seen over there. Hello to the Birkenstock clogs and socks. To be fair this wasn't really a thing in the UK yet. I of course immediately posted a pic on instagram where one of my best friends told me to basically burn them.
PICTURE PROOF
Fast forward a few months and as I walked into her house there at the door was a pair of said shoes. No she's not a hypocrite she is just a victim of micro trend led style. After seeing every Tom Dick and Harriette wearing them she wanted in.
If we want to get all psycho babble on this, fashion has always and will always be a way for people to fit in. Social media is also a place of normalising. Little by little, you see something more and more until that thing has become something you feel comfortable with and NEED!
So what are my solutions and how do I actually tie this into being a shopping page and influencing you to buy something? Oh yes, the irony is not lost on me! Let me explain. Having personal style doesn't mean you stop shopping and buying what is in the stores now. It just means you have to ask yourself a couple of very important questions. First, do I love this enough to still be wearing it in 5 years time? Does this work with my existing wardrobe to make at least 5 new outfits? If the answer is yes, you are buying with consciousness, you are buying for your personal style. I also just want to throw it out there that fashion is what we buy, style is how we wear it!
I've created a timeless, versatile, capsule wardrobe that I know will still be chic and cool in a few years time. Also how many points do I get for inserting 3 fashion buzzwords in there?
THE PIECES
Let’s dissect the list. These three trousers are probably all you need to own. From the office, to nights and off duty looks they have you covered. And yes leopard trousers are a total neutral and wardrobe essential! The dresses can be both dressed up or down, an imperative when selecting dresses. The best part of the brown dress is the top can be worn on its own! I've gone low on the tops as I think all these trousers can be worn with a white tee and everyone owns that by now, right? I've selected slightly more exciting tops allowing for more versatility. Shoes are a no-brainer with an elevated flat and a pair of sandals. As flats are the new heels they can take you anywhere. Finally, accessories. Here I've gone bold. Accessories are there to bring an outfit together in a big way. Don't diminish a good loud accessory.
THE OUTFITS
I actually could have gone on and on, but you get the idea. From smart to smart casual, from nights on the town to Sunday brunch and I'm even going to throw in a summer wedding there, this has you sorted.
Before I run off to fold endless laundry, I'm going to leave you with this little food for thought. This week I asked on my socials if you thought you had personal style or were trend led. I was shocked at the reply. 80% said personal and 20% said trend. But then why is this not being represented on the street, the school run or even on social media. Are we so influenced we don't even know it?
I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic, leave a comment and let's start a discussion as this totally fascinates me!
Have a great rest of your weekend
C xx