Coming to a clear definition of your personal style isn’t easy. It’s an ongoing process. Here’s one tip that can help: When creating a mood board or Pinterest board (a necessary step in defining your style!), don’t censor yourself. Don’t rule out images based on whether they would “work” for your body or your life. Go based on your gut instinct about how you feel about the image. Does it look cool to you? Does it resonate for you? Do you like it? That’s all you need, you don’t even have to know why. No thought, no judgement, just instinct. All the thinking brain stuff, like analyzing the collection of images and translating it to your body or your life can come later. The first step is to create a collection of images that you just like the look of, no justifications needed.
One thing I find getting in my way is fabric textures. I find myself pinning a lot of tulle skirts and lacy things, but know I can’t stand how they would feel on my skin. I love an organic cotton, and soft poly blends but find that they don’t usually create the most beautiful outfits.
I totally get this, I also have sensory issues that get in my way - I love the look of pieces with lots of drapey fabric (maxi dresses/skirts, voluminous pants, oversized cardigans, etc) but I hate how things like that feel on my body. I don’t know what the solution is other than to just admire those things on other people!
You reminded me to return to my board. I'm celebrating an anniversary of sorts today and wanted to treat myself to something to wear (going out to fancy smansy dinner tonight). I found a beautiful cotton, A-line skirt in just the right length. I bought it. How often did I wear a skirt this winter? Three times. Does a white A-line skirt make an appearance on any of my myriad Pinterest boards? Nope. Not one. Am I committed to revamping my wardrobe so that it's not so conservative? I thought so, but damnit, I bought the skirt! Time to revisit everything we discussed. Back to the board.
And I should say that I just made an online impulse buy of a dusty pink, tailored, linen skirt. I'll sit on that one for 24 hours and probably cancel. The thing is, though, that I did it.
"So, the next step, after creating a collection of looks you love and figuring out what drew you to them, is to create another collection with those same styles on bodies like yours. I make a conscious effort to pin a diversity of bodies and the algorhythm now feeds me more of the same."
--Any other tips on how to get to those images? I feel like every time I look at my style board, all I'm reminded of is that I am not thin, (I'm more mid size) and then I give up. Is the trick to just pin a lot of body diversity generally, perhaps in another board, and then somehow I'll find more images with my style + a wider range of sizes? Thank you!!
yes, you can use search terms like midsize, plus size, along with your style keywords. and the more you pin like that, the more will show up in your home feed.
I was literally just on Pinterest this very moment (realized this week maybe it’s a tool I can use more often to practice the skills I learned in my work with you!) and discovered the option to select a range of body sizes! It does seem valuable although I’ve found it so helpful to not use “this looks good on this thin person but wouldn’t on me” as a method to rule out, like I used to - it’s opened me up to things I might not have considered otherwise!
I just searched “fashion” and it prompted me to select a “body type”. I think it got highlighted because it was the first time I used the feature. Hope that helps!
One thing I find getting in my way is fabric textures. I find myself pinning a lot of tulle skirts and lacy things, but know I can’t stand how they would feel on my skin. I love an organic cotton, and soft poly blends but find that they don’t usually create the most beautiful outfits.
I totally get this, I also have sensory issues that get in my way - I love the look of pieces with lots of drapey fabric (maxi dresses/skirts, voluminous pants, oversized cardigans, etc) but I hate how things like that feel on my body. I don’t know what the solution is other than to just admire those things on other people!
I agree with you Anne!
Oh my gosh I love tulle skirts. I want one badly, but have absolutely nowhere to wear it so I just look at it periodically in my Pinterest folder.
You reminded me to return to my board. I'm celebrating an anniversary of sorts today and wanted to treat myself to something to wear (going out to fancy smansy dinner tonight). I found a beautiful cotton, A-line skirt in just the right length. I bought it. How often did I wear a skirt this winter? Three times. Does a white A-line skirt make an appearance on any of my myriad Pinterest boards? Nope. Not one. Am I committed to revamping my wardrobe so that it's not so conservative? I thought so, but damnit, I bought the skirt! Time to revisit everything we discussed. Back to the board.
And I should say that I just made an online impulse buy of a dusty pink, tailored, linen skirt. I'll sit on that one for 24 hours and probably cancel. The thing is, though, that I did it.
🤣
"So, the next step, after creating a collection of looks you love and figuring out what drew you to them, is to create another collection with those same styles on bodies like yours. I make a conscious effort to pin a diversity of bodies and the algorhythm now feeds me more of the same."
--Any other tips on how to get to those images? I feel like every time I look at my style board, all I'm reminded of is that I am not thin, (I'm more mid size) and then I give up. Is the trick to just pin a lot of body diversity generally, perhaps in another board, and then somehow I'll find more images with my style + a wider range of sizes? Thank you!!
yes, you can use search terms like midsize, plus size, along with your style keywords. and the more you pin like that, the more will show up in your home feed.
I was literally just on Pinterest this very moment (realized this week maybe it’s a tool I can use more often to practice the skills I learned in my work with you!) and discovered the option to select a range of body sizes! It does seem valuable although I’ve found it so helpful to not use “this looks good on this thin person but wouldn’t on me” as a method to rule out, like I used to - it’s opened me up to things I might not have considered otherwise!
hi caroline! 👋
yes such a good point! love that you were thinking about me right when i posted 😍
It was very cool synchronicity!! 😂💜
This is actually a setting you can adjust? How?
i think where i've seen it is in the search function as a filter
I just searched “fashion” and it prompted me to select a “body type”. I think it got highlighted because it was the first time I used the feature. Hope that helps!
Yes, I found it. Very cool!