The way you dress says a lot about you. It has evolved with you, become more mature as you have, and is an expressive act which presents you to the world as you’d like to be seen. Following fashion rules about what is considered trendy, “age-appropriate” and “flattering” leaves little room for fashion as a genuine creative outlet. There is great freedom of expression to be found in having a unique sense of style. Here are some tips on how to find your own.
First things first, make sure you’re open to expanding your comfort zone. A few years ago, I started buying a lot of dresses. For a while, that’s almost all I wore. The jeans in my dresser collected dust for a good while before I started to tire of nylons and feminine clothes. All of a sudden it felt like all I owned were dresses and skirts – what felt so comfortable a month ago started to feel constricting. I found myself admiring the tomboy style of friends, wishing that I could “pull it off.” I had become so committed to a certain look that I no longer felt open to try new ones. That’s limiting, and when I let go of that idea, I was able to wear what makes me feel most like myself on any particular day – whether it’s a dress, jeans, sunhat, snapback, heels or sneakers. When you are no longer constrained by any particular style, you are free to find your own. And when you do, it will be comfortable and authentic.