Written by Tiffany Jamero
“Today only!! 50% off of all personalities!” -some ultra fast fashion company
I’ve been struggling with my personal style and using clothes as a means of self expression. Living day to day, responsibilities, work, sleep, repeat. Everyday feels exhausting. It’s hard to get up and take time to put on an outfit, a whole look together. Most days, clothes just feel like a utility, I put them on to wash dishes, go to work, go home and doom scroll videos of other people actually putting on cute clothes and showing the internet.
This struggle has made me question whether or not my personal style is even authentic to me. Is it my style or is it an aesthetic I have stuck with out of comfort? My personal style has evolved over the years, taking on trends like baggy jeans or Crocs, but overall, my casual preppy style with dark colors is how I’ve been dressing since high school. I still love how it looks but lounging in mini skirts and tights isn’t practical to lounge on the couch.
All of this begs to question, am I being authentic to myself? Should I switch my whole aesthetic to better fit my lifestyle? Throw out the skirts in exchange for TikTok workout sets?
If I were more in a self-identity crisis, I would probably do that. Get a new aesthetic to fit my lifestyle. But that’s the problem with aesthetics, they are not a reflection of someone’s personal style. Personal style is a beautiful culmination of taste, lifestyle choices, and interests outside of buying clothes.
Companies like Shein, Temu, and FashionNova capitalize on these identity crises. They want you to have no sense of personal style, so you wear what’s trending and continue to buy clothes when the ones you have bore you or wear down. My no-buy for 2025 has not been according to plan. I have gone thrifting this year, but I am much better about being picky with the clothes I buy. I make sure it’s something I like and I know I would want to wear it.
But that brings me back around, how do I know if I like something. It’s okay to adjust what you like to your lifestyle. I have workout clothes for the gym and they match the clothes I already have. I’ll pair my leggings with my button down for a comfortable look that makes me feel cute and authentic to myself. Sometimes, you just need to trust yourself and your own taste. I like wearing black and I will continue to wear black in the near future. What I will be wearing 10 years from now, I have no idea. But I’m hoping it’s what I have now because we should be buying clothes with the intention of keeping them for as long as possible.
I may be struggling to get dressed and wear a cute outfit everyday, but I know what I think is a good outfit and I am comfortable with who I am.
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