creative style & self expression
how i defined my creative style
This is one of my favorite topics to talk about and truly why I fell in love with style.
When I turned 21, my closest friend at the time was super into thrifting. While I had thrifted off and on throughout high school and college, I hadn’t really gotten into my flow or unlocked the true possibilities of thrifting.
In truth, I was still holding myself back.
But soon I learned that thrifting was a super fun way to experiment with my own style, and get really creative with it too.
My friend and I basically gamified thrifting for each.
We would do our own (very frequent) thrift hauls and see who could find the craziest pieces. We’d then get ready together, pushing each other to create a bold, artistic outfit and encourage one another if ever our confidence wavered.
And it was so much fun!
We always stood out in our thrifted outfits. At the time, we were in Missoula MT, where more often than not people wore casual outfits of flannels and denim.
Then we would show up in sequins and shoulder pads!
style as self expression
Though I’d be lying if I said I don’t like to stand out (I am a Leo, after all), that’s never been the point of style for me.
The point is to express myself!
I’ve always thought of style as pure, unapologetic creative expression. It’s a way for me to show the world exactly who I am at first glance, without ever needing to say a thing.
Thrifting allowed me to try a bunch of different pieces and styles, and to experiment with creating my own unique looks.
I love creating outfits with thrifted clothes; it’s almost like a puzzle, trying to make a cohesive look out of multiple style and genres of clothes.
But the challenge is what makes it so fun. Trying new combinations, variations, different outfit shapes, mixing patterns, adding all the layers… there is so much potential in style, and the only limit is your imagination.
It’s the funnest way, in my opinion, to take up space.
getting started with creative style
There’s no one way to start defining your own unique, creative style.
You can create a style that’s bold, and full of statement pieces…
… Or, you can focus more on the tiny details, creating outfits that simple and understated, yet with impeccable taste.
While there are limitless opportunities for style, here are 2 ways that you can use style as a form of creative self expression!
Dress how you feel
If you’re a little uncertain of how to get started with creative style, putting together outfits based on how you feel is a great place to start! Take a moment to check in with yourself before you get dressed, and notice how you’re feeling. Maybe you’re feeling bright and cheery, or flirty, or a little melancholic… Just take a moment to identify it!
From there, create an outfit that reflects that feeling in the way that makes the most sense for you. Not only is this a fun way to put together an outfit, it’s also a really great way to take some extra time for yourself and check in with yourself daily!Experiment with themes
I feel like we’re usually encouraged to stick with one type of style, especially when we’re just starting out (ie., modern, boho, street, athleisure, etc.). However, I think that this is actually super limiting!
I would encourage you to dabble in multiple styles, especially when you’re just starting to explore creative style. You could have a super modern look one day, then have more of a Western vibe the next, and street the following. There are absolutely no rules or limits to what you can do! And bonus points to mixing and matching different styles within the same outfit!
As you’re getting started with creative style, I encourage you to try both of these ways for creating outfits!
Once you try both, ask yourself, which do you prefer? Does it depend on the day or your mood? Which felt more creative and fun and playful?
The big takeaway here is to simply have fun with it.
Style doesn’t need to be overcomplicated, or full of rules, or rigid. You can make it whatever you want to make it. And that can change depending on the day - you’re never locked into a certain style or vibe forever. You can change it whenever you want.
So go out there, experiment, and maybe even hit up a thrift store as you start to get super creative with your looks!
