What to Do When Trends Don’t Match Your Personal Style
PC: Bottega Veneta
I recently partook in a trend that did nothing for me. I fell into the allure of slim eyewear. It’s all over my Pinterest and Instagram: the sleek, smart, studious girl with a slicked-back bun and black-rimmed glasses. I ordered myself a trendy pair of slim eyewear through a PR friend, only to be reminded of the truth I already learned plenty of times before: my face is too round for small glasses. As it was a gift, there was no investment on my part. But still, it was a gentle reminder that just because something is trending, looks good on so many others, doesn’t mean it’s a fit for me.
It used to be easy to drown out the noise and listen to what my heart desires. I had a very distinct style that my peers recognized me by. But the internet has grown louder and more crowded, outshouting the voice in my head. That is why I removed the Instagram app from my phone. It’s time to rediscover my own personal style instead of getting persuaded by what’s trending.
You Can Love Something That Isn’t For You
I want to start this by pointing out that you can absolutely love something that simply isn’t for you. The reason why I gravitate towards certain trends, and inevitably “fall” for them, is because I find them attractive in the first place. However, it’s important to recognize that it’s often the wearer that makes a certain item look good. Hence why they can wear it with confidence and really sell it. The practice here is to envision said item on you. Close your eyes and picture the look on you. Does it thrill you? Do you feel good in it? Does it feel like you? If yes, please proceed.
It’s a Blessing to Not Match The Trends
I happen to believe there’s real strength and beauty in not matching the trends. Everybody wants to be a part of the zeitgeist, but I’ve always enjoyed being the one black sheep. It speaks volumes about who you are as a person when you don’t abandon your post, no matter how strong the winds try to blow you in one direction. So go ahead and ignore the trends. Take inspiration from them, yes. Grow, learn, readjust where needed, but don’t chase. The only thing that matters is wearing what feels right to you. Fashion is wearing anything you love with the right confidence, so get the red-rimmed glasses or the crochet head piece. Life, fashion, style… it’s all an art and you should go towards the thing that makes your heart glow.
Find Role Models Who Do Resemble Your Style
I promise you, somewhere on the internet is someone who embodies a style very similar to yours. Finetune the feed that feeds you. Follow only those whose fashions you can truly picture on yourself, not the generic copy+paste looks you’re seeing on every Substack, magazine, and Pinterest board. Just because everyone says the Olsen twins are peak fashion inspiration doesn’t mean you have to embrace a strictly minimal closet.
For example: I love and appreciate all of the following looks:
However, from 1) These super sleek, loose silhouette outfits with long pendant necklaces look chic on some, and like a grandma on others (aka me) From 2) The viral Chanel look would not work on me, because the combination of blue jeans and cream tones, for whatever reason, does not look good on me. Blue jeans typically only work with white and navy on my body. From 3) I actually tried on this blouse from Massimo Dutti and I looked awful, far from effortless like on the model. From 4) While I can pull off some preppy looks, this one is enhanced by the slick-back bun and office siren glasses, both of which don’t work on my face shape. So while I love and appreciate all of these styles, they’re all things I know don’t suit me.
More trends I love but can’t pull off:
Balaclavas
Blue jeans, specifically straight leg ones
Caps are a hit or miss; it really depends on the cut
Pendant necklaces
Super slouchy silhouettes
Barn jackets
Knowing this helps me find the styles that do suit me.
Your Personal Style Can Be Multi-Dimensional
For god’s sake, do not restrict yourself to one aesthetic. Some days you might feel preppy, other days sporty-chic. Sometimes you want to look feminine, others, more masculine. You can be both cutesy and sexy. Your personal style should be multi-dimensional, so long as they all fit under the same umbrella that defines you.
Know Your Frame
In the words of a famous singer, if you want to make your style a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change. It’s not “take look at the world”, “the trends”, or “the people.” If you want to figure out your personal style, look in the mirror and get to know your own frame. Have a dress-up party in front of your mirror and work out what looks good on your short torso/long legs/big bust/long neck, whatever it is.
