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Your "Personal Style" is Influenced – But Is It Really Yours?



All AI images created in midjourney by www.pastfrwd.com
All AI images created in midjourney by www.pastfrwd.com

Last night, I watched a video on YouTube titled, How Fashion Trends Are Ruining Your Personal Style. As someone who has been infatuated with fashion since childhood, attended design school, and even crafted my own garments, I pride myself on knowing a bit more about fashion than the average person. But as I watched this video essay, I started to realize – she may be on to something.


She broke down how trends are born, how we view body image, and how even the colors we gravitate toward have been subtly engineered and fed to us through radio ads, magazines, TV, and now social media. Suddenly, it hit me: Is my personal style really even mine?


During the pandemic, I discovered the joy of comfortable clothing. With nowhere to go but the grocery store (masked and gloved) and an uncertain world outside, fashion became the last thing on my mind. But post-pandemic, I redefined my "style" to fit my new lifestyle – think comfortable chic. My work-from-home life doesn’t call for heels or fancy frocks, but my passion for fashion had dimmed, and this year, I decided to reinvent myself.

As I watched this video, I kept hearing buzzwords I had used myself: "reinventing," "finding my personal style." My Pinterest boards were filled with terms like "old money style" and all the "cores." It hit me: Am I just a carbon copy of an influenced consumer? Suddenly, I felt the need to re-evaluate what I really know about personal style. Without design houses, runway shows, and glossy magazines, would we even know what's "in"? Of course, it’s natural to be excited about something new, but the difference is in how we incorporate it into our unique style.


Here’s what I’ve learned about truly setting yourself apart and stepping out of the loop of "engineered" style:


AI image created through midjourney by www.Pastfrwd.com
AI image created through midjourney by www.Pastfrwd.com

1. Dress for Your Body – Create a Uniform

One of the core lessons in design school is that not every trend is for every body type. Knowing what enhances your features and fits you best goes beyond any fad. Look at icons like Carolina Herrera and Karl Lagerfeld, both known for their signature styles. Herrera’s crisp button-up shirts are iconic – I remember seeing her in NYC once, and her blouse practically glowed! And Karl? His classic black-and-white look is legendary. They both show that a "uniform" can be simple yet timeless, expressing an unmistakable personal style.

When you find your "winning uniform," it sets you apart, giving you a look that’s yours regardless of trends. So, experiment with silhouettes and colors, then settle into what feels like you.


2. Dress for Your Lifestyle

For years, my office attire defined my style. I often felt like I had to tone down my wardrobe to match my corporate environment, especially after pivoting to a government role. Gone were the days of fashion freedom, replaced with subdued blazers and sensible shoes. But as a full-time remote worker now, I no longer need that office-ready wardrobe. My first year working from home, I kept buying blazers and slacks out of habit, only to realize I didn’t need them.

Now, my style reflects my reality: part athleisure, part cozy chic. I believe this is one of the most important aspects of dressing – catering to your life as it is now. When you dress to suit your lifestyle, you feel more comfortable and confident. And as I always say, "When you look good, you feel good."


3. Wear What You Like

In design school, I was known for my favorite color combo – yellow and purple. Now, at 40, you’d be hard-pressed to see me in those colors together. But at the time, I wore what I loved. These days, it’s easy to feel pressure to wear what’s “in” or what strangers might compliment. Many of us dress for external validation rather than our genuine taste.

This week, I was in DSW when a woman asked me if a pair of fold-over cowboy boots looked good. She had a unique, eclectic style, and while I wouldn’t wear those boots myself, they suited her. But I realized in that moment, I was tempted to influence her choice. I told her, "They’re trendy," and watched as she put them back on the shelf. Reflecting on it now, I think I should have just said, "How do you feel in them?"


The truth is, wear what makes you happy. Trends come and go, but style is cyclical. Take the Y2K trend – what was once "out" is now back in full force. So hold onto your skinny jeans, or better yet, find the cut that makes you feel amazing and keep rocking it.


These are my three methods for reclaiming your style from the grip of trends. I’ll link the video I watched below, so you can dive in and form your own opinion. From now on, when someone asks my opinion in a store, my response will be, "How do you feel in it?" Because your personal style should be just that – personal.


What About You? Have you noticed how your personal style has been influenced? How do you approach finding and maintaining a style that's truly yours? Share your thoughts!




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