In thinking about style icons, I discovered that could not think of someone. Style Icons? Who's style do I love? Who do I want to dress like? Think, think, think. I'm drawing a blank.
You see, there isn't just one person, one style that says me better than what bits & pieces I collect to call my style. I gather my loves together and call that my style.
Often, my Mom & friends influence me. But, my style and love of color are very different than what they like. In fact, they're usually my first audience to shock. And shocked they are. I used to think that if they didn't like it, then I shouldn't either. Again with the backward thinking that I had to have approval to be me! It can be a little scary to stand out so boldly. But it also has it's benefits. :)
What do I love and who inspires me?
Actors/Musicians/Dancers Juliet Binoche Johnny Depp Doris Day Melissa McCarthy Yard Dogs Road Show Rachel Brice Meryl Davis (DWTS) Amber Riley (DWTS) Amy Purdy (DWTS) Movies Glass Bottom Boat Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Sherlock Hocus Pocus Mr. Selfridge Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries Populaire Chocolat Romantics Anonymous Legally Blonde Stone of Destiny I watch LOTS more. Only listing what inspires me. TV The Mindy Project Larkrise to Candleford Wild at Heart Doc Martin (Louisa) Almost Perfect (Red-head) Pushing Daisies Land Girls Bomb Girls Burn Notice (Fiona) Royal Pains (Divya) Characters and Fiction Pippi Longstocking Aramina Spookie Garden Spells Practical Magic The Secret History of the Pink Carnation Plus way more than I can list. | Outdoor Lifestyle Surfers Hikers Climbers Ultimate Frisbee Water Polo & Swimming SUP Beach Life Travel & Adventure Sunset Magazine Yogis Kino MacGregor Beach Yoga Girl (Kerri Verna) Laura Sykora David & Karen Ufer The entire collective of amazing yogis who regularly post to Instagram Brands REI Athleta Lucy Oilily Boden Ralph Lauren Roxy Chacos Keen L.L. Bean Olukai Patagonia Black Diamond K2 (I dreamed of working here when I was in Engineering School) Quilters, Bloggers & Designers Tula Pink Happy Zombie Jettshin Kathryn Alexander Enfants Terribles Sewing Clothes Kids Love Farbenmix Diane Ericson The Tilton Sisters |
Ultimately, it all comes down to feeling good, laughing, or rejoicing when I interact or observe any of the aforementioned.
Is that list a marketer's dream or what?! Talk about a profile. ;)
- People feel uncomfortable around me when I'm wearing them or they express their own fears as a back-handed compliment.
(The way another person feels about me is their business, not mine. If they are afraid, that is an issue for them to work on, not me. I do not need to take on other people's problems to get them to like me. And when I did, they usually hated me because I became an emotional basket case and they felt super great like they hadn't a care in the world.)
- People tell me I "should" dress up or I'm around people who are dressed up and feel out of place.
(couldn't stand out, could I? Or could I..... yes I can.)
- I read other bloggers posts and see what they've made and think it beautiful. Then turn critique on myself - "Why can't you be more like that?" or "The only way you'll succeed is if you follow their method, color choices, garment choices, blah blah blabbity blah." Which is immediately followed by, "I like what they make, and they look beautiful in it, but I wouldn't wear it, or it's not my style. Ho hum. I guess I better conform to succeed. Bleahhhhhhhhhhhh. This sucks." And then I stiffle my own creativity.
(Oh for serious? Gwen, really.)
- The fashion world and people I've surrounded myself with in past imply that an athletic style or "jeans & T-shirt" are not "a style". So why bother because people won't think you're actually a fashionista.
(Hello?! Wasn't there a Sporty Spice for a reason?)
It hasn't been until starting the Wardrobe Architect that I have allowed myself to live in the world of effortless athletic color as a real, honest-to-goodness style and fashion statement. So fashion world and arm-chair fashionistas who would rather critique than live, I am a style!
What is MY style?
What to I want and love to feel in my clothing?
I am Sound to Mountain.
I am Day to Night.
I am Work to Play.
I am Yogi.
I am Dia de los Muertos.
I am a Story.
I am Pippi, Araminta, Mindy, or any one I wish to be.
I am Magical.
I am Playful.
I am Adventure.
I am every Bright Color of the Rainbow.
I am Abundance.
I am Profuse.
I am as Colorful as the Flowers I so dearly Love to Photograph.
I am me. Just me. Lovely me. Full on.
Colorful Happy | Sporty Comfortable | Multi-tasking Effortless |