Please keep in mind that these are just my opinions/preferences and what works for me. You are free to think and do whatever you want, and I won’t judge you for it. But I won’t necessarily think it’s something I should try.
So. This is not a full-out style or fashion blog, despite my attendance at TxSC. However, I do occasionally do outfit posts, and I wanted to be clear on the purpose of those for me. I am not a fashionista by any stretch. And that’s ok. I’m not trying to be on top of every trend. I am just sharing my personal style because clothes have become interesting to me (they were not always so), and I’m just having fun exploring new ideas and figuring out what I like and don’t like, and what works on my body and what doesn’t. I’m not trying to be a trendsetter or a trendfollower, I’m just trying to be me.
What does that mean, exactly? I’ve been considering this a lot lately, in trying to define what my style is. And while I don’t have a handy, one-word definition, I have narrowed in on the factors that go into any outfit I wear. For any What I Wore post you see here on Dragonflight, you can assume the following played some part in putting together the details:
- Comfort Trumps All. I like looking cute and well put-together, but I absolutely hate being uncomfortable. Whether that discomfort comes from a too-short skirt, too-high heels, itchy material, not being warm enough or just having to fuss with constant readjustments or layers – not a fan. This is why I say ‘it’s so comfy’ about one item in pretty much every single outfit post. My outfits typically revolve around that idea. Comfort for me: I like soft things. I like fitted things that aren’t too tight. I wear my hair up a lot because it annoys me when it’s constantly in my face. I wear fewer skirts in the winter simply because I get cold really easily, and pants keep me warmer. I wear flats more than heels because I don’t like ouchy feet or being taller than my boyfriend. Comfort also includes dressing appropriately for the weather (I check the weather forecast every day) – so, if I had planned to wear a cute dress and do an outdoors shoot, but it’s going to be colder and rainy, the outfit plan changes.
- I’m a Simple Gal. I own exactly two things of real make-up: mascara and eyeliner. I also have some lip tints, though I’m not sure those count. That’s it. So no crazy make-up for this girl. This is mostly because I like being able to get ready quickly, and because I am uncomfortable with the idea of a completely made-up/unreal face. This is what I look like, and I’m quite ok with that. I’m also pretty terrible with hair (though I’m working on that, slowly) which means you’ll see repeats of my hairstyle looking exactly the same. I have hair that is really fine & hard to work with, and on top of that hair-wrangling is just not a skill that comes naturally to me. So the two or three hairstyles I can manage are on repeat a lot, haha. Also, on the subject of nails: while I paint my toenails, you will never see me with painted fingernails. I do far too much with my hands during the day, and see no point wasting time painting them when it’s going to chip almost immediately.
- Quiet, Please. While I am trying new things for me (layering things in new ways, belts in different ways, new color or pattern combos, etc.), I am not trying to be loud while doing so. I’m a designer by trade, so I like color, but I don’t want to hurt people’s eyes (my own being the primary critics). You won’t catch me in neons, or in head-to-toe brights. Part of this is because these are (for the most part) just everyday life outfits, meant for sitting around the house or running errands or whatnot. I’m not in any kind of high-profile or fashion-related industry, so can ignore what trends I choose. And for the second part, I just simply gravitate more towards neutrals and less saturate colors. I do like to include brighter colors, but not in an overwhelming way. For instance, if the top is bright, the bottom will not be. Or brights will be limited to accessories, or shoes.
- That Pesky Budget. This is not the blog to go to if you want lots of outfit posts with high-end designer labels. Not only can I not afford those kinds of clothes, but it seems incredibly silly to me to spend $200 on one skirt when I could get 20 things at Target for that same amount. If I was going to spend that amount all at once, which I rarely do. Target is probably my go-to shopping place (I <3 Mossimo), and I stalk sales/clearances at places like ModCloth, Victoria’s Secret, etc. I also love coupon codes and deals for clothing retailers from Groupon/Living Social. And while shopping at places like Ross or Marshall’s or local thrift/vintage places takes a bit more time to find the diamonds in the rough, I have made some good finds there, as well. The bottom line is budget. I’m a self-employed chica, I don’t have piles of cash to spend on clothing. I think this is why I’ve fallen in love with the idea of swapping clothes – I get rid of things from my closet that I don’t wear anymore, and get new-to-me things in return, for nothing more than the price of postage. Win!
- I Have Favorites. You will see me in jeans a lot, because I happen to wear jeans a lot. I find them incredibly comfortable, as well as practical for life’s everyday messes (ex: I have a puppy that loves to play and thereby drop slobbery toys in my lap). I also love necklaces, so there is one to be found in every outfit post. I love lace. I love purple. I love flats. I love subtle & interesting textural details on a piece. So while I am branching out and trying new things (current new obsession: polka dots), these kinds of things will be a recurring theme.
- I Have Unfavorites. On the flip side, there are things you will never see me wear, because for whatever reason I don’t personally like that particular style/material/whatever. This includes things like velvet, rompers, platform shoes, really chunky jewelry, oversized rings and fabric rosettes/flowers. Platforms in particular are the trend currently annoying me most – so many cute shoes that I would otherwise purchase if they weren’t platforms!! I don’t need to be an extra inch taller on top of the 4 inch heel, thanks very much.
- Environment. I work from home. So, I don’t have an office dress code I need to meet each day, or even a particular abundance of “work” clothes, so more often than not you’ll see me in casual get-up.
This seems like a lot of things to consider when choosing an outfit, all listed out like this, but in reality it’s not. Most of this is done unconsciously. This is where my style is at right now, and while it will continue to evolve, I think these are the core things that will always determine what goes into what I wear. Of course, my Favorites/Unfavorites will be probably be added to or changed over time – and hey, maybe the budget will change, too! One can dream…
What kind of things determine your personal style?
Colors: Rust, Turquoise, Black, Fuchsia, Medium Denim
Sweater: Forever 21, here.
Layering Tank: Forever 21, .
Jeans: VS Love skinny jeans from Victoria’s Secret.
Necklace: the Bleubird Necklace from ModCloth.
Bracelet: Gift from my sister on a birthday a few years back.
Shoes: Marilyn Thai Silk flats by Rocket Dog
Sunglasses: No idea, probably Walmart or Target. I’m cheapy when it comes to sunglasses.
