How to Tap into Your Own Personal Style

I have had a blog for about 5 years now. It did not start out as a personal style blog initially, it was sort of a mish-mosh of things. The reason being? I hadn’t really tapped into and defined my personal style yet. As you grow up your sense of fashion will invariably change and evolve but in the age of social media and the inability to stop comparing ourselves to others, it can be a challenge to define yourself to say the least. It’s taken me years to feel comfortable in my own skin, but I’m proud to say it is possible. Here are my tips and tricks to nailing your own personal style and creating an identity for yourself when it has become all too easy to get lost in the crowd.

While you’re almost definitely NOT going to be into or have the same taste in things as you did when you were in 5th grade, I’ll bet those things have helped shape the person you are today. I have always been into music, but these days I’m more into wearing vintage band t-shirts (of bands I actually listen to) rather than a Britney Spears tee from 1999. Although if I’m being honest, I’d probably still wear one of those too.

If you’re like me you can spend HOURS browsing Pinterest only to end up with your eyes bleeding and less confidence in your wardrobe than you had before you logged on. Pinterest makes shopping easy because you see someone in an outfit and you go and buy it, screenshot in hand. However, I have been challenging myself lately to use Pinterest more for inspiration rather than a shopping list. I recently saw a pin of a girl in a beautiful gown layered with a badass Moto jacket and I was like YES, I need to recreate this look! I grabbed different pieces, played with different colors, and added a few edgy accessories and viola! The look became all my own. If you’re not pushing your own personal envelope even the tiniest bit, you’re not standing out. So don’t be afraid to be inspired, but make sure the end result is your own.

As a blogger I have suffered from some serious cases of jealousy and the debilitating need to fit in. You see these Insta-famous girls snapping perfectly posed pictures of their morning coffee, avocado toast, and fresh berries and they’re getting thousands of likes. I’ve tried it. I went out and bought fruit before JUST to take a picture I thought would get a lot of likes. But you know what? I like bacon and potatoes for breakfast. The texture of straight avocado makes me gag. I actually HATE berries. And surprise, I don’t have marble countertops! Once I decided to stop forcing everything and just work with what I really had my likes actually went up. I can always tell when it looks like someone is trying too hard. Eventually you get a feel for what their esthetic is, and when they stray from that it sticks out like a sore thumb. I’m not particularly into feminine pieces, florals aren’t really my thing, I have a ton of tattoos and piercings, I like being edgy. It happened recently but I finally let go of the need to “fit in” and let myself be myself. Not going to lie to you, it feels gooooood. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, I get that, but there are girls out there who like my style and might even find my pictures inspiring, and those are the ones I want to reach. It’s social media, after all, you don’t like what you see don’t follow it.

Things I told myself I would never wear: Birkenstocks, bucket bags, fringe, to name a few. I’m proud to say I have added a ton of fringe pieces to my wardrobe, so I’m trying! I haven’t had the courage to buy Birks yet, but I’m not knocking them anymore either. They look SO CUTE on the right feet but do nothing to flatter mine so I’m not going to make that purchase yet but I won’t judge anyone if they wear them anymore, ha. Bucket bags used to remind me of my grandmother, she had SO MANY. So instantly when I found out this was a thing again it felt beyond dated to me. However, bucket bags have gotten a serious makeover in 2015. They are back with a vengeance and lots of edge! Even I can find one I might wear. The point is guys, you never know what you might have a taste for as your style evolves. Don’t be afraid to try new things, or at the very least just try them on!

9 times out of 10 you are going to be your harshest critic. There are days when I feel like scrapping my blog completely because I feel like there simply cannot be anyone out there that is going to dig my style and actually look up to me. The point of my blog is to inspire girls and women through real life style and sometimes I really don’t feel like I have what it takes. I’m going to let you all in on a little secret; I am one of the most insecure girls I know. You would think it has gotten better over time, you know, since I put myself out there so publicly, but it hasn’t. Growing up I hated my thighs. I wouldn’t buy skirts or shorts because the thought of someone seeing my legs made me want to crawl in a hole. As I got older and waited patiently for my boobs to come in… they didn’t. There are 12 year olds better endowed than I have ever been. After having two kids I have stretch marks, what was left of my breasts has been destroyed, and my thighs haven’t gotten any skinnier. But you know what? I doubt anyone else sees that when they look at me. I’m almost fairly certain most of it is really in my head, but I still see it. I have my bad days, but I also have days when I look at myself and feel beautiful. I buy things that make me feel comfortable and confident. Some days when I want to feel sexy, I put on something that fits me like a glove. I know my body type pretty well now so I know what to buy that will flatter me and make me feel good about myself. I have always said, it doesn’t matter what you buy or what you wear if you are not comfortable in your own skin people will see it all over your face. Love yourself, love every little part of you, every flaw and every perfect piece because it’s you, and that is a beautiful thing.

These are a few things have helped me evolve my personal style and nail down somewhat of a signature look. There’s always room for improvement, or change, but if you stick to what makes you feel good and really speaks to your fashionable soul you are on the right path. Now, because I love you guys, I will share a few photos of how my style has changed over the years!