Style Studio: Finding Your Aesthetic
Purse: Coach c/o
Developing your own style and aesthetic takes time and gets better as you go. Style is dynamic and changes throughout the course of life. For instance, my style in my early twenties was very preppy – classic button ups, polo shirts, loafers and cardigans. During that time, I sported mostly Coach purses in neutral colors. I wore a classic tan pea coat mixed with bright colors. It was very all American prep. As I started getting into my mid-twenties, I started experimenting with different silhouettes and proportions. I added flowy empire waste dresses and tops, wide legged trousers and cross body bags. I layered earrings on and long necklaces. Throughout my late twenties, I spent much of my time in the office. I tried to mix color and fun materials (like tulle and sequins) in with business professional items (like pencil skirts and pointy heels). Due to the type of job I had, I had to stay pretty dressed up five days a week.
Style evolves. It’s not a one and done topic. Your home, office, clothing can be a reflection of your taste. When evolving your aesthetic, having a starting point allows you to pull in things consistently. For instance, I found I still love preppy touches, like this gingham button up. But mixed with flared jeans for a slightly western feel. Although I am not from Texas, I’ve lived in this state for over half my life and draw a lot of inspiration from it. And Coach still remains a classic brand in my wardrobe. Now I’ve combined two of my favorite things, a cross body purse with my favorite brand.
Picking colors that work for you are important to developing your aesthetic. I gravitate to shades of pink/red, blues and yellows. I tend to wear navy, white and tan for neutrals. Although I love every single color in the rainbow, I’ve found that these are the colors that seem to pop up over and over. Start by going through your closet and pull out every item you absolutely love. Lay them out on your bed or floor and look at what they have in common. Are they minimal in neutral color? Are they embellished with embroidery and sequins? Do you love stripes or prints? Once you find what you like the most, then you have a starting point and you can begin to decide what you want to keep, add or remove.
What I'm wearing here is in line with what I love. My blue and white gingham top is in a print, shape and color in my style wheelhouse. I have a pair of flared jeans that have a relaxed, effortless and pulled together feel. I'm sporting a bag and brand I really love in a style that works great for me! And finally, I'm wearing a pair of navy booties - right in line with neutrals I often wear. The whole look is the epitome of "my style."