Be your very best ORIGINAL self!!
It is so important to remember to not keep up with the Joneses. With a new school year starting and a new middle schooler in our house, I feel like this term of “keeping up with the Joneses” is top of mind for me.
Like most kids, and like most adults, my daughter is focused on “needing” certain pieces of clothing to try and fit in. As I continue to push back with her on this, it reminds me how many adults are the same way. And I totally get it! I certainly did the same thing as my mother has reminded me recently. However, I’m still here to encourage her (and YOU) on the importance of being an original when expressing yourself through your style. To be honest, this isn’t something that happens overnight and really should be a lifetime of exploring your own individuality with all things…food, culture, design, art, fashion, travel and much more. These areas of interest are worth constantly exploring and evolving as you grow into your very best original self!
Being in a comfortable place in your fashion is something we all hope for. But as we are exploring, we can lose ourselves. If you need help getting back on track or coming into your own, here are a few tips I have for how to add your own personal touches into your everyday looks.
Layering - Layering items like your grandma's jewelry, more classic pieces, trendy pieces and other accessories that show your own personal style helps elevate your look and help you stand out from the crowd!
Think Past The Trend - Thinking past the trends will help you steer clear of over purchasing clothing that only works for a moment in time. When going for a new piece think to yourself “Does this piece work forever or just right now?” Can you transition it into the next season? Is it something you would like and purchase if it wasn’t popular right now?
Find your Signature Thing - Whether that is your signature color, hat, cowboy boots, oxfords, wear your shirt backyard…whatever it is that you land on, own it and repeat over and over. It makes you original and unique to yourself.
Discover - The reason trends exist is because they are so easy to lean on! Take some time to put together a Pinterest board of what YOU truly love and feel best in and use this as your guide for how you dress in each season.
Do you have a story for that? Some of my most interesting pieces have a story behind it. i.e. I picked this up on a family vacation. I purchased this bracelet in Round Top. This was my mother’s jacket from the 80’s. My family gave me this necklace for my 40th birthday. My daughter and I bought matching tees at a concert.
You get the idea! When you are wearing pieces from your own personal experiences they can bring back wonderful memories that are unique to only you.
Don’t get me wrong, you definitely need those basic wardrobe essentials in your closet. Just make sure you aren’t dressed in basic head to toe…be sure to add at least one little element of a piece that is extra special to you. It will be sure to bring you good energy throughout your day and also keep you as an original!
This is something that takes a little more time and effort, but it is SUCH a lovely way to shine and stand out! Take it one step at a time, and remember that building a core wardrobe and incorporating your own style should be fun!
With LOVE and grace,
Elizabeth