I live and die by: “Inhale Fashion, Exhale Style”.
Trends do not play an active role in my clothing choices or my blog. I emphasize personal style over fashion because fashion is what they say you should wear and style is how you show off your personality through clothing and accessories. Style is internal. Style helps you convey statements without saying a darn thing. Style is how I tell the world who is Jen Jean-Pierre. It’s funny because not too long ago, someone told me that my outfit choices were dated and viewing my instagram did not make them “want to shop” so I could not be a fashion influencer. It was not in a hateful way but to point out that brands want to see people “in the know”.
WELL, DUH
Since 2009, I have labeled myself as a personal style blogger. So yeah- not a fashion influencer, I’m a proud style blogger. I have always wanted to inspire and motivate others to have fun with clothes. To allow the streets to be their runway and to NEVER, EVER become a slave to the business of fashion. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to sell. There is nothing wrong with changing your style every season because that is what the trend forecast dictates BUT that is not my community.
When it comes to personal style, mine has rarely changed. Minus the addition of more color to my wardrobe palette, I have been wearing nearly the same styles since I first “formally” fell in love with fashion. That was 1990. That was when I was gifted the Crayola Fashion Design Kit and my sister received these paper mannequin things where you could paste on different outfits. The outfit I fell in love with was a pinstripe double breasted, wide leg lady suit. Ohhh wee! I still get chills!
While alot has remained the same with what I choose to wear and am drawn to, as I have grown vintage, so have my styles. I would much rather find pieces of clothing that tell a story rather than one that the masses will be buying from the fast fashion retailers. And yes- I
still purchase from fast fashion but I have been trying my best to limit it. Shout out to Janelle!
But enough of my rambling. Here are some easy ways to develop your own personal style.
Grab a few fashion magazines and the minute an outfit stops you in your tracks or you find your eyes lingering on an item, rip the page out. Then put it to the side. After going through a few mags, take your pile of looseleafs and look through them. Write down any commonalities you find.
For my fellow digital mavens, you can also do this on Pinterest. Look up something like Street Style or Outfit inspiration or NYFW style and scroll through. As things catch your eye, add them to a board and then browse through that board.
This is a method that I developed whenever I helped people with their branding and implemented into helping others find what their personal style. It is easy to say “oh I like to look comfy” or “Im not into fashion” but really everyone is drawn to something and there is something for everyone.
If I were to do this I could tell you without a doubt that
moto style jackets
wide leg pants
leopard print
buffalo check
ankle grazing jeans
bell bottom jeans
plaid shirts
pointy toe ankle boots
studded shoes
camo print
leather pants
denim jackets
structured blazers
and wide brim hats would be in abundance.
The second way to aid in developing personal style is to get out of your own head. Stop thinking about it and go with your heart and gut. If you want to try something out, just do it.
Get all those thoughts of “it wont look good on me” or “Ive been told I cannot wear that for my figure” out of your mindset. You will never know until you try it.
I would suggest that if you are going to try something that is on the trendier side to not spend alot of money on it at first. Test it out at a fast fashion retailer just in case.
Or if it something a bit more classic, head over to your neighborhood thrift store and find something similar.
INVEST!
No, not stocks and bonds but in your wardrobe. Buy key staple pieces in quality fabrics and from brands whose reputations ooze high quality.
These pieces are typically the following:
jeans
lbd
classic pumps
blazers
dressy t-shirts
bras
ankle booties
knee high boots
leather jacket
etc….
This print on print outfit that I am rocking in this post was one that came out of nowhere honestly. I wanted to wear my buffalo check long overcoat to lunch with Jermaine but I did not want to rock my typical winter staple- turtlenecks.
I have been leaning towards monochromatic looks like this all red outfit and instantly came to the conclusion that the same print is monochromatic as well.
So I got out my buffalo print shirt and BOOM- loved my outfit!
I like big prints.
I cannot lie.
Shop MY LOOK
Here are the exact jeans I am wearing.
Want a little discount on them? Here you go!
Love seeing how you always have fun with clothes!
Such a great post and awesome tips for discovering our personal style! My favorite color is red, so I try to incorporate that in every outfit.
Love the tips on finding one’s personal style. I have all my magazine cut outs in a large sketch book. On Pinterest I have three boards dedicated to styles that I like. I love the plaid on plaid. Such a statement without trying hard. Have you ever tried floral on floral?