If someone were to ask me to describe my style I would most likely experience immediate onset of visible discomfort complete with raised brows, showing of teeth and one hand scratching a non-existent itch on my rumpled forehead. Next would surely come an attempt at stringing together some descriptive words and names of stores I like to shop, stirred in with several kind of’s, sort of’s, a little bit’s and a few uuuhhh’s stitched haphazardly in between.

If someone were to ask me to describe my style in one word I would say, “No.”

No matter how hard I try to keep things simple, I just can’t seem to stick to one style, one genre of clothing. Never will I ever say, “Nope, I’ll never wear a purple and pink, polka dot, silk ruffle-sleeve blouse.” I like to keep my options open, that’s the beauty of fashion. Nothing is off limits. It’s what I make it.

I got to thinking about those magazines that showcase a series of five or six different outfits under $100 categorized by one’s lifestyle. You know the pages…usually titled in big, bold print—sporty, trendy, life of the party, librarian, lion tamer, lumberjack. God knows I love me a good flannel. Ok, so I got a little carried away with the L’s. Is every woman expected to claim their rightful place as some version of a newly invented spice girl? Do we really need to slap a label on everything? I flip through each page and think to myself, “Not me, not me, not me, not me. Oh! But I love this top,” flip to the next outfit, “this bag and oooh yes, those shoes!” I think, “I’m not any one of these, I’m all of them and more.” ***Sips wine followed by a hair flip for good measure.

I go through phases where I obsess over a certain look and purchase pieces accordingly, and in the end those pieces get thrown into my Mary Poppins grab bag of a closet and shine proudly amongst all the other misfit children. I want to wear a pretty floral print dress with my converse, and I want to wear a blazer over my hooded sweatshirt with a pair of heeled sandals. (I would also be wearing pants in that scenario.)

Although I enjoy collecting items from several unique platforms, there is one common theme I tend to gravitate towards, comfortable and casual. I have a look that I often fall back on. (I think we all do, don’t we?) When I’m not feeling particularly motivated to be creative or I just want to live in my simplest form, I have a go to.

It’s impossible for me to choose one style to express myself, and the good news is, I don’t have to. Neither do you.

It’s ok to switch up your look without feeling like you’re overstepping some imaginary boundary, or worrying that you’re trying to be someone you’re not. After all, you are a multifaceted, multidimensional being, your closet should have permission to be also. If you like something, regardless of how it fits in with the rest of your wardrobe, you should wear it. Bury thoughts like, “it’s not normally something I would wear,” in the ground with the old Taylor. Get that thing out, whatever it is and strut that good-good down the middle of the f****** street. Sidewalk, if you live on a busy one.

Thanks for reading.
-CS