We express ourselves through personal style - but does personal style mean showing our personality at any given moment? And on the other hand, how do we conceal our personality through clothes?
Someone once told me my “thing” is that I look really normal but I’m actually the weirdest person he had ever met, and that might go down as one of my favorite compliments ever. I do totally feel you on the mindfuck of being caught in an “off moment” where you’re just dressed really practically and feeling like there is a disconnect- it can actually quite unsettling to feel that way. My solution to that is jewelry I never take off, it’s sort of my through line so no matter what I feel like I’m communicating “I care!!!” (Even though I am on a lifelong pursuit of getting to the root of why I care that people know I care….)
That IS an amazing compliment!! And you’re so right about jewelry- for me it’s either jewelry or sunglasses and then extra care for the hair - all three of which are also not happening when going to / leaving a workout class. But might work for going for a hike etc!
This was so fascinating to read and I feel like I learned something about myself through your analysis!!
I also totally can relate on wanting to thoughtful present who you are at all given moments. I want to think that our confidence is part of what also makes our clothes shine. So even when we're not dressed our best, who we are can still come through. Though, I know that sometimes that's harder in reality.
Though, I have to say I love what Débora said about keeping her funny and sensitive personality reserved for her friends and family.
Exactly, and I guess it’s the other way around, too - sometimes an outfit boosts our confidence and then shows a bit more of our personality because we’re also acting more to the outside world then hiding!
I love that we’re all on the same wavelength! I’ve been thinking about visual communication through aesthetics a lot recently, and I keep coming back to language I heard in (I think!) the Articles of Interest podcast - “the outfit as a complete sentence.” Using different combinations of “words” (i.e. items of clothing) to build a coherent phrase that communicates something clearly to the viewer. That’s why sometimes outfits don’t feel right or look right - because they’re not very well-constructed “grammatically.”
I love this topic! I certainly do hope I'm not miscommunicating about who I am and what I value in life. I hope people can tell that the careful, attentive, thought through way I dress says that this is also what they can expect from me in other areas of my life.
I don’t know you personally, Ewelina but it is definitely coming across your living an intentional life!! You’re always putting so much emphasis on details!
I love the idea of clothing acting as a insight into someone's life without having to speak to them. Going from working from home to an office setting, I'm trying to figure out ways to let me personality shine through while still coming across as professional. Clothing can say so much.
Absolutely, do you still work in fashion? It’s so hard to find a balance between feeling good in your clothes and looking professional in corporate jobs if there are stricter dress codes.
Ah yes, feeling polished definitely helps to stay focused in the office! I feel like just wearing basics often looks polished and I’m sure your wardrobe will also adapt into a more polished version of what you want to wear over time!!
Someone once told me my “thing” is that I look really normal but I’m actually the weirdest person he had ever met, and that might go down as one of my favorite compliments ever. I do totally feel you on the mindfuck of being caught in an “off moment” where you’re just dressed really practically and feeling like there is a disconnect- it can actually quite unsettling to feel that way. My solution to that is jewelry I never take off, it’s sort of my through line so no matter what I feel like I’m communicating “I care!!!” (Even though I am on a lifelong pursuit of getting to the root of why I care that people know I care….)
That IS an amazing compliment!! And you’re so right about jewelry- for me it’s either jewelry or sunglasses and then extra care for the hair - all three of which are also not happening when going to / leaving a workout class. But might work for going for a hike etc!
This was so fascinating to read and I feel like I learned something about myself through your analysis!!
I also totally can relate on wanting to thoughtful present who you are at all given moments. I want to think that our confidence is part of what also makes our clothes shine. So even when we're not dressed our best, who we are can still come through. Though, I know that sometimes that's harder in reality.
Though, I have to say I love what Débora said about keeping her funny and sensitive personality reserved for her friends and family.
Exactly, and I guess it’s the other way around, too - sometimes an outfit boosts our confidence and then shows a bit more of our personality because we’re also acting more to the outside world then hiding!
Yes, 100%!
I love that we’re all on the same wavelength! I’ve been thinking about visual communication through aesthetics a lot recently, and I keep coming back to language I heard in (I think!) the Articles of Interest podcast - “the outfit as a complete sentence.” Using different combinations of “words” (i.e. items of clothing) to build a coherent phrase that communicates something clearly to the viewer. That’s why sometimes outfits don’t feel right or look right - because they’re not very well-constructed “grammatically.”
I love that metaphor! It makes so much sense!
I love this topic! I certainly do hope I'm not miscommunicating about who I am and what I value in life. I hope people can tell that the careful, attentive, thought through way I dress says that this is also what they can expect from me in other areas of my life.
I don’t know you personally, Ewelina but it is definitely coming across your living an intentional life!! You’re always putting so much emphasis on details!
Thank you dear Anika 🫶🏼🥰 then I may be doing something right
Thanks for the shout Anika - I loved this
I have those loafers they are polo Ralph Lauren 💜
I love the idea of clothing acting as a insight into someone's life without having to speak to them. Going from working from home to an office setting, I'm trying to figure out ways to let me personality shine through while still coming across as professional. Clothing can say so much.
Absolutely, do you still work in fashion? It’s so hard to find a balance between feeling good in your clothes and looking professional in corporate jobs if there are stricter dress codes.
I do! But I still feel like more polished is better and I actually don’t own many polished items at the moment!
Ah yes, feeling polished definitely helps to stay focused in the office! I feel like just wearing basics often looks polished and I’m sure your wardrobe will also adapt into a more polished version of what you want to wear over time!!
Aaah thank you, Josie! They are so cool! xx
This was so, so good - I feel seen with this post.