Mindsets to Apply Today For a Better Sense of Style

Based on everything I've learned in the last couple years, I would say that having a great sense of style can be broken down into two different ways. There's no such thing as right or wrong, or a good or bad sense of style. For today's post however, I want to explain a couple different pointers that come with how style is achieved. 

My first point has mostly to do with consumption and our habits surrounding that. I carry the strong belief that less is more when it comes to our wardrobes, and that you don't have to break the bank to find high quality pieces of clothing or accessories. This is one reason why I love thrift shopping so much, because most of what you can find out there is either brand new or gently used. Whenever I go out to places like Goodwill or buy something online on ThredUP or Poshmark, I always make sure that the garment is still in good condition with no holes, rips or stains. I would also consider what kinds of fibers or materials your clothes are made out of, and to only buy what feels most comfortable against your skin. That way, you'll know that what your purchasing will be something that lasts longer than what you would typically see in places like Forever 21, H&M or Charlotte Russe. 

Now I understand that the size of the closet shouldn't be what matters, but if you're holding onto things that haven't been worn in months or years, then perhaps it's time to reevaluate those items and see if you'll actually wear them. In a previous post I made a while back, I talked about the different concepts and ideas surrounding slow fashion, and while I probably had some misguided judgments at the time of me writing it, slow fashion is more so about caring for what we already have and being more mindful about what we bring in when we buy new clothes. Eco-fashion isn't so much about replacing what you have in favor of brands that are more ethical or sustainable in their practices, though if you have the money to help support those causes, then by all means, you do you. What I've come to learn and realize now in saying this is that even though I am part of the working class where I earn enough money to live comfortably, that doesn't mean I should constantly save up that money and buy it all on expensive things for the sake of maintaining an image. I've made this mistake at least two or three times and I realize now that this is the opposite of what it means to be sustainable. 

So even though my wardrobe is not considered "minimalist" in its color palette, I can still see the versatility in most of the pieces I wear and own. This is an aspect that I never really considered or thought about prior to adapting to the capsule wardrobe system. If you're someone who's into color like me but always pairs certain colors the same way every time, I would take some time to really look at a visual of the color wheel, as arbitrary as this may sound. Even primary colors can be mixed and matched into more than just two different combinations if you can allow yourself to really play around and experiment with the different shades and hues of each color. For example, if you have different shades of orange, red and green in your wardrobe, try mixing that dark/rusty orange with maroon or forest green. It's really all about seeing which hues compliment each other best depending on the intensity of their shade. One example of negative contrast would be pairing a light, rose pink top with a firetruck red skirt. These two shades would end up clashing together, competing for attention since the intensity of red shade is more vibrant than the lighter shade of pink. 

I hope these tips can be of value to you! Remember that in the end, all forms of style are subjective and individual to each person. You can be as expressive as you want, whether if you're into color or not. Thanks for stopping by and reading this post! 

A Birthday Message to Myself: 9 Valuable Lessons to Remember

With me approaching 29 this month, I figured, why not just give some insights as to what life has taught me all throughout my 20’s? I hope this can be inspiring or helpful to you in some way.

1. How you make others feel is your trademark, so keep on smiling and sending positivity out into the world. In saying this, you don’t have to be happy all the time, and it’s okay to have bad days as long as you try to be kind to yourself and to others.

2. Anger is a valid emotion, but don’t let it poison or consume you on the inside. There may be a million different reasons for why you feel this way, but which reasons are actually valid or accurate? Are they worth speaking up about, or are you just holding onto frustrations that are based on petty things or situations?

3. Most expectations you hold onto will only lead to disappointment, no matter how big or small.

4. Don’t let other people’s negative criticism get to you, for the only thing that’s within your control is how you handle it. More importantly, never allow your soft or kind nature to become hardened by what other people say or do. It’s okay to be more sensitive or intuitive with yourself both mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

5. How you feel about yourself is important both mentally, emotionally and physically. You don’t have to be perfect in all aspects of your health; you just need to nourish and care for your body as best as you can.

6. Go to therapy/counseling as much as you want or need to. You can’t fight all of your own battles alone, and it’s okay to reach out and talk to someone. If you feel like there's a problem that can be easily resolved, then use your resources to your advantage (ex. Take a bath, read a book, do some creative writing or write in a journal, meditate, etc.).

7. Everyone you know and interact with in your life has their own issues they’re struggling with, so don’t take anything personally or spread judgment. Not everyone is going to show up the same way you do or give you constant attention. Live accordingly.

8. For every complaint you have, there’s always something you can show appreciation for. It doesn’t have to take very long; 1 or 2 minutes at the least can be spent on gratitude.

9. Live in the moment as much as you can and enjoy the time you spend with others. The time you spend in your head, overthinking or worrying too much, will only bring more stress and anxiety into your life. By using your resources and taking care of yourself, you can then begin to make room for what really matters.