Saloni mini dress
Saloni mini dress
Saloni mini dress
Saloni mini dress and Cult Gaia bag
Saloni mini dress and Cult Gaia bag
Saloni mini dress and Cult Gaia bag

I think it’s a common misconception that personal style means being clearly defined having to fit into one particular “box.” I don’t think I ever have. Some days I feel preppy, others I feel edgy, sometimes more boho and romantic (this particular look had me feeling very “Miami chic!”). And that’s ok. Personal style (the operative word here being “personal) should be fun, experimental, and, most importantly, it should make you happy. I often get comments on some of my crazier outfits along the lines of “I love this, but I could never wear it.” Why not? Because it’s a little different than what you normally wear? Because your friends or coworkers might raise an eyebrow? In my mind, those should never be reasons that stop you from trying something new.

Instagram is so heavily-focused on a maintaining consistent aesthetic, I’ve (sadly) noticed this mindset hampering creativity. When I stumble upon a new influencer’s profile, I don’t want to see five different versions of essentially the same outfit. To truly inspire, I think your style should have depth and diversity. I want to see how you styled a certain piece differently than the rest of the pack. I want to see that cool t-shirt you’ve had since high school or that party dress you found in the back of your mom’s closet. It’s probably for this reason I find myself gravitating towards vintage-lovers, but you don’t have to be a vintage collector to be original.

Let’s go back and think about this in “real life” terms. What’s more exciting? Spotting a truly unique piece that introduces you to a cool new brand or comes with a great backstory from the owner? Or the outfit you’ve already seen styled in a storefront window or magazine? I’ll take the former any day. I also think about the coolest outfits I’ve seen walking down the street or riding the metro – rarely do they fit the mold of what’s “safe” and “expected.”

So I say let’s do less overthinking and more experimenting. Let your mood decide your outfit, wear those super-cool party shoes you’ve been saving for a special occasion, and exude confidence when someone comments your look’s a bit different. If they’re anything like me, they’re probably making mental notes on how to incorporate your new style trick into their own wardrobe!

Express earrings
Le Specs sunglasseson sale!
She’s Unique necklace (enter to win it in this giveaway!)
Saloni dress via Rent the Runway Unlimited (get 50% off your first month with code EPENDER50)
Sol Sana sandals – on sale!
Cult Gaia bag

Photos shot by Pablo Raya at Coconut Club.

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14 comments

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That dress is so much fun! When I saw it on your Instagram I showed my husband and was like “I WANT THIS DRESS!!” Ha ha. And so true, I love having fun with my clothes. I always used to say I wasn’t a print person but more and more I’ve found that the pieces I gravitate toward in stores are bold prints.
https://www.closet-fashionista.com/

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Girrrrl, you would love Rent the Runway unlimited! It’s the best for statement pieces like this one and if you love to shop (like I do) it’s super fun without the credit card hangover!

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I high key love this dress! I’m not a huge prints gal but I can appreciate a great piece. And you’re so right about personal style…why fit in when you were born to stand out?! I don’t want to look like everyone else. I want to look like me!

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I couldn’t have said it better myself!

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YOUR DRESS LOOKS SO AMAZING AND LOVELY
This is very nice, great share.

new post:
https://www.melodyjacob.com/2019/08/get-cool-stylish-and-modern-travel-bags.html

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Damn, I love how passionate you are about fashion. Unfortunately, Instagram is all about “the aesthetic” and creativity truly goes down on there. I know that my style is all about femininity, but I have days when I’m all about preppy style, office style and so on. Thank you for sharing this great blog post!

xo, Andreea | https://www.budistyle.com/en/

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I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’m hoping this “IG consistent aesthetic” thing is just a phase that doesn’t last!

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Omg you are absolutely gorgeous! What an adorable dress <3

https://lifewithmins.blogspot.com

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That is such a beautiful dress and I completely agree! I like that there are bloggers out there that set out to be fashion bloggers and influencers and have their own aesthetic and style they never change from, but I’m much more inspired by the real personal style bloggers who wear their fave pieces and rewear things differently each time – those are the bloggers and instagrammers I follow! As a bonus, their photos are less likely to be overly photoshopped too, haha!

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I agree with you. Instagram is so much about getting a clear identity right now, that influencers are losing precisely that.
I do wear the same colors most of the time, but always switching, renewing, reinventing. At least that’s what I try to think I do.
Hopefully personal style will revive its originality when people are done of ignoring creativity.

Lindifique

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Thank you for sharing, I totally agree with you hun, that’s why I have been posting more daily ootds on my feed as that’s when I wear my archives or style the same item in various ways 🙂

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What a fabulous dress on you dear! Love the chic style.

Jessica | notjessfashion.com

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So many time times I find myself feeling ‘bad’ about gravitating towards a color or a print. Like, how will I ever have a perfectly cohesive three color pallet instagram feed if every time I turn around I’m drawn to a new color or bright print? God forbid I share something vintage or old that can’t be linked to. Even though I haven’t completely given into those mentalities, I hate that it has even become a factor. Thanks for staying true to your unique style and proving you can still have a successful blog.
Chic on the Cheap

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Such beautiful pictures and marvelous dress however I cannot take my eyes off that fantastic bag.

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