As easy as it sounds to wear what truly makes us happy there are plenty of factors that can influence someone's opinion. With the rise of social media and the constant visual stimulations, they offer we all find ourselves lost and confused about what we actually like -or need-. How much time do we spend trying to convince ourselves that a particular piece of clothing fits better than it looks or that we weren't actually influenced by someone else to like something we truly don't? No one can deny it, there is an overall mainstream idea of how a person should dress ( and look ) judging by their age, marital status, hobbies, and field of work. Maybe 2020 is the perfect time for us to focus on how fashion makes us feel rather than blindly following trends and "musts".
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| S/S 20 Rochester collection by Champion |
The art of shopping less
As we change and grow we all have a different perspective on what fashion is and what it represents. All the things we once thought we needed may now make us cringe or be considered "out" of fashion. There are some basic but key questions to ask ourselves before hitting the order button. Will this specific item fill a gap in our closet? Will we get much use out of it? Does the brand follow ethical techniques to create this piece of clothing we are about to wear? No matter your personal style these questions should always be a priority.
Moreover avoiding impulse buys at all costs will have a positive impact on our finances and closet space. How many times have you found yourself looking at clothes on the hunger - with tags still on- only to second guess your prior decisions? Having high-quality basics that can be worn countless times for years and years does not automatically mean designer items. Not everyone has the means or the will to spend that much money on one style, nonetheless adding necessary-only fashion to our wardrobe will inevitably help us create an admirable capsule collection, very beneficial in the long run no matter the price point.
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| Comfy casual styles with statement colors |
Take this pair of Dockers white platform sneakers for example that I wear pretty much every week religiously since last November even though I have quite a few alternatives. Why? Because they make me feel great. You have seen me styling more than a few looks around them on my blog and Instagram, they are simple and easy to wear with each and every outfit.
As soon as I unboxed my Buffalo CHAI sneakers on the stories I received so many mixed reactions. People loved how comfy and statements they were while others hated the chunky look they had. I feel so good when I wear them and I find myself reaching for them many times a month. That's what it really means to buy something that makes your heart happy as soon as you put it on as opposed to ordering something because someone else's opinion - and influence - managed to change your perception. that's how I feel fashion should be. A way to make us happy and more confident.
So why my style has changed so drastically over the last 5 years?
If you are an avid reader - and follower- of meets style and @konna.antoniadou you probably already know what I am referring to. For years I have been trying to convince myself that the clothes I was wearing were a reflection of my personality, false. Even though I really loved my midi dresses and white boho tops reality was my personal taste was heavily influenced by the society's opinion of what a 20-year-old should look and act like. I never actually felt comfortable squeezed into my tight dresses and over the knee boots but honestly, I didn't know any other way to be. I had a certain idea of how I should look all day every day. Even now, freshly turned 26, I get comments here and there from people who claim that I should be dressing more "age appropriately", meaning not athletic I suppose. Do we need to pay attention to what others have to say about our appearance and life choices? NO. That's why you should wear fashion that makes you happy.
