By 
What is your personal style? How would you define it if you had to? I’ve been asking myself these questions a lot lately… and I feel like I don’t have good answers to them. Sure, I like to be stylish, but I wouldn’t say the outfits I choose to wear have a specific style, or in other words, are consistent in any way. Sometimes I like to wear edgy outfits, and other times I opt for something more feminine. But I also like to look preppy, and I even go for boho looks every now and again. So is my style just all over the place?? I think the best word to describe it is eclectic, or as my dystopian-loving middle school self would’ve said, “Divergent”—not fitting into one specific category.
It boils down to this: I feel like I am having a style crisis (dramatic, I know). I’ve spent a lot of time during this weird summer reassessing my blog and growth, and most importantly, how I can do better. For years I thought the reason I wasn’t experiencing any growth was because my photos were poor quality or because people just weren’t stumbling across my little corner of the web. But then it dawned on me… What if the fashion itself, or my style, is actually the problem?? What if the outfits I put together aren’t interesting or cool enough? I’ve always known I’m not a particularly trendy fashionista (since I like to focus on re-wearing old pieces), but the thought has only just now crossed my mind that my style may be the reason I’m not attracting much of my target audience.
As you may know from my monthly round-up posts, I’ve spent the last couple of months devoting a lot of time and energy to engaging on other blogs, specifically those of college bloggers or teen/college-age fashion bloggers like myself. And through this process, I’ve realized that I don’t really dress like them… Which is totally fine, of course I shouldn’t feel like I need to conform to what everyone else is doing. But I do really love their styles, and I would absolutely dress like them if I owned items like theirs.
So it makes me wonder… Am I dressing too old for myself?! I’ve always known I had more of a “mature” style because in high school I loved to dress up every day, wearing items like nice jackets and chic trousers. I also grew up dressing rather modestly, always looking for skirts that touched my knees and pants that weren’t too tight, so I assume this modest background has contributed to my more mature style as well. It’s not often that I wear crop tops or super short shorts!
But should I wear items like that more?? Afterall, I am in college, but I don’t often dress like it. Should I make the most of wearing certain items now that I won’t be able to wear when I’m older? Should I start picking shorter, ‘cooler’ skirts and rock a trendy one-shoulder crop top? Should I be having more fun with my style?!? As my grandma always used to say, “If you’ve got it, flaunt it,” and I’m starting to realize that maybe I’m not flaunting it.
I wanted to do a blog post about back-to-school outfits (which I still might do), but as I was combing through my closet looking for ideas, I came to the conclusion that there are very few looks, if any, that I can put together that a cool young college girl would actually want to wear her first week back at school. And for some reason that made me discouraged. And it made me think my style isn’t young or cool enough. It’s always been very important to me that I make the most of my college experience, and I’m starting to think that my outfits and style choices should be apart of that.
Anyway… that’s what I’ve been noodling on lately. I do really love this black corduroy skirt though, as it’s one of the few pieces I own that I DO think is college-appropriate and that my peers would wear. I actually wore this look with a jean jacket in the fall of last school year (seen below) and I thought it was SO cute. I was disappointed in how these photos turned out because I don’t think the outfit is nearly as cute in today’s pics… I guess the jean jacket is really what pulls it together. But hey, at least my blue nails match the flowers on my top!
(Original Post: (Fall)ing for These OOTDs)
What are your thoughts on personal style? Do you feel like you have one? And have you ever gone through a “style crisis”? I’d love to hear your thoughts on all of this stuff below! Thank you for swinging by today, and I hope you have a great Thursday and weekend.
Miles of smiles,
Grace
Black Floral Tank: Cabi, $79 // Black Corduroy Skirt: Francesca’s, $35 // Black Wavy Sandals: Macy’s, $28 // Pink Polka Dot Purse: Kate Spade Outlet, was a gift
Oh Grace your style is you and that’s what makes it perfect just like you! Maybe I’m biased but still it’s you! I love that you’ll wear and try anything no matter what the “style” is. Yes that is a very wonderful quote your grandmother passed on to you and your cousins. Have a wonderful day and week! Love 💕 ya
Thank you so much Aunt Jo!! Love you lots. <3 Hope you're having a great week so far!
Although it’s counter-intuitive, eclectic is a style. If you were presenting only one style, you would probably have a very loyal group of followers your own age. However, being eclectic gives you the opportunity to connect with a broader array of people. That approach may take more time though.
As for your more mature style, you have gained followers like me – an old lady of 57 – because I appreciate your more timeless style. That said, if you want to try “flaunting it,” by all means, now is the time. But only do that if you want to; not to gain more followers.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Thank you so much Michelle!! This is such helpful insight, and I think exactly what I needed to hear. If I dressed like typical teenagers in one main style, I would probably have a clearer niche and follower base. BUT that would mean sacrificing a lot of things I probably don’t want to sacrifice. So, thank you! Also, 57 is not old. 🙂 That’s my parents’ age!
Thanks so much, Grace! I don’t feel particularly old, but when 57 comes out of my own mouth, it’s a bit of a shock. LOL!
Oh! And I forgot to say, this outfit is super cute!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Thank you!!
I don’t feel I have a personal style. I just wear what I feel like. And you want to be unique, not a copy of what shops sell. Just wear what you want and never ever dress yourself in a way that isn’t yours!
So true, I definitely just wear whatever I feel like! But lately I’m not feeling quite as confident in my clothes, which is why I’m thinking of a doing a lil’ switcheroo. Thanks for stopping by, Nancy!
There are a few things harder than having to describe your personal style. I think I am still in a process of trying to solidify my sense of personal style and hopefully one day I’ll get there ☺️ Thanks so much for sharing and have a good day 😀 Aiva
Thanks Aiva! And yes, that’s so true. I think I’ve just given up on trying to pick a particular style, haha. I like some of it all, just like I like a little bit of so many different styles of music!
I think we all question our style from time to time, and change is ALWAYS good. Just make sure you still like what you wear. You don’t have to be unmodest (is that a term?)….heck, I’ve always been pretty modest too.
I realize that when I was younger I always wanted to look and dress like everyone else. Yet, that’s not really the answer either. I’m finally realizing that we should be unique. And maybe your “unique” is what you’ve been wearing.
But I do believe that we should experiment and try new things. No matter what our age. But remember how you’ve influenced even me (who is old enough to be your mother) with your skirt as a top. That’s huge and something worth bragging about.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thank you so much Jodie! I definitely don’t want to dress just like my peers – I am NOT a leggings-as-pants person, haha. But it is worth trying a few younger pieces! We’ll see how it goes. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and for your advice!
Nice photos
Thanks!
Don’t lose you in the process! You are you and I think you are real! I find that a lot of bloggers especially the ones that are super successful sometimes end up being more of clothes sales people because their daily daily styles is not really represented on their blogs. That is why I pretty much am always showing outfits I wore for a full day not a photo shoot. I haven’t read any other college age blogs so I can’t offer any advice there. I like that you appeal to a variety of women and not just the college kids!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Oh my gosh, that is so true Mireille! Thank you for that insight! I recently followed a super successful college blogger who I love, but most of what she wears isn’t even stuff she picked/likes! I can’t imagine. Definitely defeats the purpose of fashion blogging in my mind.
I think if you post the outfits you like to wear you’ll always find and attract people who like your blog and your style – you should be true to yourself! If it makes you happy, wear it!
I don’t think I have a very defined style either – a little bit feminine and boho but I love a skull scarf, skinnies and a leather jacket in winter too so I don’t think I fall into just one category. I just wear and share what I like 🙂
If you want to dress like other bloggers, do so! Dress however you want, but don’t feel the pressure to dress in a certain way because it may please other people. You are the one wearing the clothes, you need to be happy! 🙂
Hope that you are having a lovely weekend! 🙂
Thank you so much, Mica! I totally know what you mean, fitting into multiple categories. I guess I’m trying to target some fellow college students with my blog, which is why I feel like I should be dressing younger? I don’t know, we’ll see! You’re right, it all just depends on what I feel happy and confident wearing!