At a young age, I was told that anyone could make art. I always knew it was true, especially when my cousin told me she thought she was bad at it. Saying that you can’t make art limits yourself from all the art you could be making if you sat down with a pencil in hand.
I feel the same way about style. Sure, not everyone has taste, but everyone has a style that is unique to them. You can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.
Many people talk about shopping and want to tell you how to dress, suggest what you should wear, or tell you about an amazing deal. This makes me feel tired. Only you would know what looks best. I’m just here for an extra confidence boost.
Here are a few tips I like to consider when getting dressed- these are coming from someone who won ‘best dressed’ in high school and has spent the last eleven years in New York consumed by clothes, so much so that I’ve been told that my entire apartment is just a closet with a bed in it. I’ve broken it down into categories you can skim through the next time you have an itch you need to scratch.
Tees
My mom says I own too many T-shirts. She took a writing class this past July and wrote all about it. If you asked me, I’d tell you that a person cannot have enough sentimental belongings, including those with stains and rips that don’t fit properly. It’s fun to have things from your past because they show you where you once were and guide you toward where you’d like to be. For other moments, it’s nice to have a plain T-shirt. I often buy mine at Brandy Melville, which most women would never say out loud. If you’re looking for something new, I suggest this, this & this. If you’re looking for something old, I suggest this, this & this.
Bottoms
During the Summer of eighth grade going into ninth, my grandpa took me shopping for new outfits I could wear to school since we didn’t have a uniform. I’ll never forget how excited I was to buy skinny jeans at Pac Sun in the mall in Stuart, Florida. I now find them hideous and vowed never to wear them again… so here are a few baggy jeans I can’t get enough of. Note to self: when buying vintage Levi’s, search for them on eBay first…I guarantee you will find them for $30 or less.
Shoes
I think every shoe looks better with socks. Even sandals look cute with a little ruffly white ankle sock peeking out. Try it and send me a photo before telling me I’m wrong. If you think it looks bad, at least it’ll make you laugh and want to help your mom bring the groceries inside. I am disturbed when I see people wearing boat shoes without socks when not boating. I am scared when I see a man in Birkenstocks- or sandals, for that matter. My favorite purchase I’ve ever made was a $150 pair of tan vintage Chanel slingbacks from Poshmark. As someone who always loves a ‘little heel,’ I like these, these & these. For fall, I’m thinking about boots like this.
Bags
No matter the size of the bag, I like to fit as much as I can inside. I prefer a smaller bag to see how much I can stuff in it. I’ve acquired a few L.L. Bean bags and love how I can stuff my entire life inside and throw it around. I prefer the shorter straps, but everyone else prefers the longer straps with the zipper. When going out, I like to wear a little bag and add flare, like a bag chain with beads and sparkles. Any costume jewelry style necklace will do.
Accessories
I wear the same jewelry almost all of the time. It’s gold, it’s vintage, it’s what’s left of my family heirlooms. I like rings on my first two fingers, dainty gold necklaces, and thin gold hoop earrings. My stepmom says you can buy them for a great price at TJ Maxx. A few years ago, my cousin told me wearing rings on your middle finger symbolizes repeating cycles, so I try not to do that. I wear my grandma’s Cartier watch, which was given to me as a birthday gift. It won’t wind properly, but I wear it anyway because who really knows what time it is? I’m always late, regardless.
Everything else?
People often ask me about this bookshelf I have in my apartment…luckily it’s on sale right now. It’s not the most practical thing I own, but it makes the apartment look a little cuter. I’m in the market for a new throw blanket and pillows- I have my eyes on this one and this one.
Wearing slippers inside is an obsession I have. I can’t get enough of these.
Brands I’m loving right now:
COA
Don’t Let Disco
Flore Flore
Sandy Liang
Hades Wool
I wouldn’t try to convince you to buy something I wouldn’t want to physically wrestle you over IRL. I would never try to convince you to buy something from H&M or Zara. Like all the choices we make in life, there are many ways to do something.
When it comes to getting dressed, labels don’t matter, and the clothes definitely don’t matter. How you feel about yourself in the clothes is what matters. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
I might do this again. What do you think?