Despite the fact that I haven’t always been intentional with evolving my style, self expression has always been a value of mine. Therefore, wearing clothes that felt like ME was important.
What’s considered “ME” has changed through the years. My people-pleasing-goody-goody-girl vibe from 7th grade evolved into a teased-out-bleached-blonde-rebellious high schooler. And even though my look shifted dramatically, I always wanted people to know who I was through what I wore. So getting dressed was my creative expression.
Evolving My Style As An Awakening
As a tween, my style was a reflection of the adolescent desire to fit in. I was super trendy! Yet once in awhile I’d veer away from what’s IN to doing my own thing. My personal style woke when I started expressing my individuality, and stopped dressing like everybody else.
(Your style is YOUR way of being. If you’re trying to dress like somebody else it won’t be authentic.)
My Style ReBirth
In high school, I mixed individuality with rebellion. I wasn’t interested in the big Benetton sweaters that many of the 80s kids wore. It was the cool club kids with their anti-fashion skull buckle boots and safety pinned leather moto jackets that attracted me. I prioritized having an edge to my style because it made me feel cool, and look different.
My Style Evolves
In college, my individuality remained strong. But my edginess evolved into experimentation and having fun. I played with soft and flow-y, bright and poppy, and Valley Girl (I was in LA, afterall!). My style included hippy skirts, birkenstocks, bold florals (Deee Lite!), cowboy boots paired with cutoff shorts, and a lace choker worn to graduation!
But here’s the thing, I wasn’t evolving my style on purpose. I just wore what I liked and what felt right. The styles of clothing changed, but they always reminded me of who I was, and what I valued at the time:
- Individuality
- Rebellion
- Experimentation
- Fun
As my style evolves, some themes from the past persist as new ones emerge. I’ve become more modest with age. You won’t see me in spaghetti straps anymore, but you’ll still see individuality, experimentation and fun expressed through my clothes. (Click here to see how I figure out what to wear now!)
Your Style Evolution
Since evolving your style reveals a lot about who you are, why not have a look at your own evolution? Even if you haven’t been conscious with your outfit choices, looking at old photos should reveal something about who you were.
Were you always into dressing fashionably? But your values and priorities have shifted (perhaps you became a mom) so you choose clothes differently.
It’s good to see where you were and what’s evolved through the years. But what’s even better is knowing that you can intentionally evolve your style. And once you become more thoughtful with what you wear, you’ll see that it’s not only a reflection of who you are. But it also helps shape who you want to be.
Click play to watch the video where I share how to stay on top of your style evolution. I explain how to reconnect to your taste and body shape so you always feel amazing in what you wear.
Great post, Elysha. Having such a perspective on how your style evolved is akin to the “lifeline” exercise that recaps what major events make up you as a person. Very impressive. Not everyone has got a handle on who they are or what they want. Thanks for sharing.
I realized I was wearing black everyday which I’m trying to change. I switched to dark navy in a t-shirt with white jeans, brown leather belt and black mile long wrap around pearls as well as tortoise Audrey Hepburn sunglasses…what a relief…thank you so much for this post…it was great
Thanks, Terry! I’m going to lookup the lifeline exercise. It sounds interesting. I hope you are well!
Hi Pamela! Sounds like a great look you’ve put together😍