How I Found My Personal Style

I often describe my personal style as a rock concert meets your grandmother’s vintage floral couch. It’s feminine, edgy and very vintage inspired. But I’ll admit, it’s taken years to sum up my personal style in a few short words. For the longest time I didn’t feel like I had a personal style. It is eclectic. One day I’d be wearing a vintage floral dress, and the next I’d be in my Harley Davidson t-shirt from Goodwill and dirty converse. I wasn’t preppy, completely girly or even super retro. It was a mix of emotions, personas and habits that helped my personal style just fall into place one day.

I vividly remember on Valentine’s Day in Eighth grade when I finally felt comfortable enough break out of my fashion box and try something new. I paired my sister’s white lace dress over jeans, belted it and had a jacket. I felt cool, fashion forward and ready to take on the holiday. Within the first hour of school, a boy in my class asked if I was wearing a table cloth and said I looked weird. Thinking back at the situation now, it’s completely silly, but at that age, it made a huge impression on me. I felt scared to try new things and I made sure to go back to dressing within the confinements of my small town status quo. That feeling of insecurity translated into high school and even a part of college. I either felt overdressed, out of place or “too fashion forward” on a daily basis. I toned down my outfits and I rarely touched my favorite vintage finds or quirky accessories.

When I moved to New York though, I had a blank slate. Within my first year of living in New York, I feel like I finally embraced my true adult personal style. I stopped giving a damn what people thought and instead of feeling insecure when strangers on the street would look at my outfit, I held my head higher.

Finding your personal style can be difficult because no one else can do it for you. My personal style has evolved immensely over the years, but I started listening to what made me happy, feel good about myself and what I did and didn’t like. I’ve declared that graphic tees make me feel sexy and my favorite pieces in my closet are thrifted for less than $10 at hidden vintage stores. I believe the biggest thing that helped me embrace my personal style and break out of my shell, was when I stopped caring what other people thought. I still ask my friends for outfit advice, but I’ve learned to start listening to my voice first and trusting my gut, and it’s worked!

In today’s look I’m wearing a vintage leopard slip dress that I’ve had in my closet for almost 4 years, and it’s the first time wearing it! Eek! It was one of those pieces that I felt “weird” about wearing, but when I paired it with an even more obnoxious thrifted camo jacket, leather hightop sneakers and a day-old high ponytail, I felt like me. This is an Audree outfit. It’s kind of weird, kind of in your face and it’s perfect. What’s your personal style? I’d love to hear in the comments below! xo

JACKET | DRESS | NECKLACE | SUNGLASSES *same| PURSE *same| SHOES *same

 

JACKET ( C/O L TRAIN)| DRESS (VINTAGE)| SHOES (SUPERGA – C/O LULU’S) | SUNNIES (C/O ASOS) | PURSE (ONNA EHRLICH) | NECKLACES (VINTAGE) | EARRINGS (C/O MAISON MIRU) | BANGLES (C/O BUDHAGIRL)

PHOTOGRAPHY: SAM KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY