I feel like there hasn’t been one moment. But instead I think about where I am going, that culture/place/style, and then how I want to be. I embrace making sure what I wear has something and a feeling that is clearly a choice. As if I thought about it and put in care. I think it is okay if when I travel to Japan I think of embodying “edgy street style me” and in France I think of “relaxed neutral me with a flair.” And in San Diego where I love and live … where style is not a thought … I embrace being me! With style and without style on a Sunday at a brewery with a rubber band in a ponytail and casual jeans.
This hit so hard with me. I find that when I’m with my core group of friends we often dress similarly but not in a fitting in way. More in a similar mindset way and I feel perfectly comfortable. My personal style has evolved but not changed that much I don’t think over the years. Maybe in high school and college I cared what others wore but now I just don’t think about it that much. except for a cold shoulder shirt. I just can’t.
Well, I'm 72 years old. Have always --since I was a teenager-- used clothes as a way of communicating with the world around me, in the style, colors used, almost like dressed for the occasion, as if for "a play" called life. I've never cared much about what others think of what I choose to wear at an X given moment. In fact if at all. A constant? No logos for me. Ever. Just not for me🤷🏼♀️ and right now I'm in a quasi-pandemic role, while caregiving my husband 24/7. Only seldom dressing "up"
I remember in high school, I loved the idea of standing out — I was proud of it, maybe because I stood out in terms of my difficulty with learning comprehension and how the standard way of learning was *extremely* difficult for me, so, when it came to my style and what I wore, it was always very natural to stand out without necessarily trying to stand out. In college I found myself trying to fit in in a lot of ways but also became very comfortable just doing my own thing while still having empathy for others even though I struggled to fit in. My style now is very much me “hawt tomboy” — I do enjoy pushing myself because I want to continuously grow and evolve, but I make sure to do it in a way that stays true to who I am. And much of that comes from my younger childhood years and bringing it into my present style. I want it to be cool and not chaotic so having guard rails like The Creative Pragmatist has been super helpful for me and allows me to dress in confidence.
I love that it's evolutionary rather than a point you hit with birthday candles (despite turning 55 tomorrow and feeling solid in my ability to stand out while fitting in). It's definitely work worth doing— rather than in an annual closet cleanout, we are lucky to get this reflective soul exploratory daily with each adventure and every piece of apparel.
I'm 54, and moving from acting to writing/directing/producing, and have felt the tug to level-up in my dressing, too. At one point during a film I was directing a few years ago, I welcomed a new crew member to my set, and she had no idea who I was. You mean, I didn't have that authoritative/directorial vibe? I dunno. Once I told her I was the director, of course, she was happy and all that, but I started thinking...geez, do I not look boss-lady enough? Do I not stand out enough as that person in charge? Should I really care about this? I've been in the struggs, because my closet has been a mishmash of actor wardrobe that I know works (the generic "mom" cardigans and floral tops, the boss in an office scene with the Jcrew tailored jacket--jcrew has served me really well on set! lol the nurse scrubs, the doctor lab coat). Then I have my weird vintage and/or thrifted pieces I love (sequined butterfly disco top, anyone? it looks hawt!). But when I reach for everyday or director wardrobe, I'm always like...well, I don't want to stain it, or I'll just wear my jeans, bc I'll be moving around set, or I just want to be comfy and not think about my clothes). I'm still getting the hang of wearing my Tibi pieces with confidence, and I'm very much looking forward to wearing my Kat pants on set with a fun top for something I'm directing in May. I just want to feel as if I've "leveled up" in my look, while not losing myself. As always, Amy, thanks for these posts. I learn something, reading every one.
I feel like there hasn’t been one moment. But instead I think about where I am going, that culture/place/style, and then how I want to be. I embrace making sure what I wear has something and a feeling that is clearly a choice. As if I thought about it and put in care. I think it is okay if when I travel to Japan I think of embodying “edgy street style me” and in France I think of “relaxed neutral me with a flair.” And in San Diego where I love and live … where style is not a thought … I embrace being me! With style and without style on a Sunday at a brewery with a rubber band in a ponytail and casual jeans.
Yes - when you know yourself and your core principles, you can morph in each country without losing yourself
This hit so hard with me. I find that when I’m with my core group of friends we often dress similarly but not in a fitting in way. More in a similar mindset way and I feel perfectly comfortable. My personal style has evolved but not changed that much I don’t think over the years. Maybe in high school and college I cared what others wore but now I just don’t think about it that much. except for a cold shoulder shirt. I just can’t.
Well, I'm 72 years old. Have always --since I was a teenager-- used clothes as a way of communicating with the world around me, in the style, colors used, almost like dressed for the occasion, as if for "a play" called life. I've never cared much about what others think of what I choose to wear at an X given moment. In fact if at all. A constant? No logos for me. Ever. Just not for me🤷🏼♀️ and right now I'm in a quasi-pandemic role, while caregiving my husband 24/7. Only seldom dressing "up"
Another constant? Silver everything... jewelry, sneakers, shoes, and now hair. Wish I could afford your silver pants.
I remember in high school, I loved the idea of standing out — I was proud of it, maybe because I stood out in terms of my difficulty with learning comprehension and how the standard way of learning was *extremely* difficult for me, so, when it came to my style and what I wore, it was always very natural to stand out without necessarily trying to stand out. In college I found myself trying to fit in in a lot of ways but also became very comfortable just doing my own thing while still having empathy for others even though I struggled to fit in. My style now is very much me “hawt tomboy” — I do enjoy pushing myself because I want to continuously grow and evolve, but I make sure to do it in a way that stays true to who I am. And much of that comes from my younger childhood years and bringing it into my present style. I want it to be cool and not chaotic so having guard rails like The Creative Pragmatist has been super helpful for me and allows me to dress in confidence.
I love that it's evolutionary rather than a point you hit with birthday candles (despite turning 55 tomorrow and feeling solid in my ability to stand out while fitting in). It's definitely work worth doing— rather than in an annual closet cleanout, we are lucky to get this reflective soul exploratory daily with each adventure and every piece of apparel.
I'm 54, and moving from acting to writing/directing/producing, and have felt the tug to level-up in my dressing, too. At one point during a film I was directing a few years ago, I welcomed a new crew member to my set, and she had no idea who I was. You mean, I didn't have that authoritative/directorial vibe? I dunno. Once I told her I was the director, of course, she was happy and all that, but I started thinking...geez, do I not look boss-lady enough? Do I not stand out enough as that person in charge? Should I really care about this? I've been in the struggs, because my closet has been a mishmash of actor wardrobe that I know works (the generic "mom" cardigans and floral tops, the boss in an office scene with the Jcrew tailored jacket--jcrew has served me really well on set! lol the nurse scrubs, the doctor lab coat). Then I have my weird vintage and/or thrifted pieces I love (sequined butterfly disco top, anyone? it looks hawt!). But when I reach for everyday or director wardrobe, I'm always like...well, I don't want to stain it, or I'll just wear my jeans, bc I'll be moving around set, or I just want to be comfy and not think about my clothes). I'm still getting the hang of wearing my Tibi pieces with confidence, and I'm very much looking forward to wearing my Kat pants on set with a fun top for something I'm directing in May. I just want to feel as if I've "leveled up" in my look, while not losing myself. As always, Amy, thanks for these posts. I learn something, reading every one.