I think what I have learned about myself and my style as I’ve gotten older is that, at times, I am too swayed by wanting to fit into a community that I mold myself into what I think they think is acceptable…instead of what feels right for me.
Hello, sweet friends! Today I want to talk about finding my style again in my 30s. I feel like dressing yourself in a way that feels joyful and authentic to you is one of the most wonderful things. Getting to express who you are through fashion is such a gift and something I have loved my whole life.
It’s interesting, though. I feel like my style has gone through a lot of different eras, as the kids say, and it’s made me sit back and reflect. In my early to mid 20s, I was in my corporate marketing and fashion influencer era, cue the photo in the orange trench or the one with the Burberry scarf with the matching belt and boots. Then, in my late 20s to now at 31, I have been in my homemaker, modest, Christ-centered, children’s librarian era. Where I’ve worn mostly long dresses or skirts paired with feminine but modest tops.
There are so many women in the Christian homemaker space I so look up to and inspire me, so I quietly started gearing my style towards how they dress. This was natural, and I wasn’t copying for copying’s sake; I just wanted to be like them and have them accept me into their community. And I do feel beautiful in these outfits (all of the outfits in the top row are from this year in the photos above), but lately I have felt like maybe I have been hiding myself and my true style away because it feels like it wouldn’t be accepted in the homemaker space. Especially since that’s what I’ve created for myself on my social media as well. But I want to find a middle ground. Because I am a mix of both eras. Fashion-forward girlie and quiet Christian children’s librarian.
Because y’all, I miss jeans. I miss putting together outfits. That includes jackets, jeans, shorter skirts, knee-high boots, and even a little mini dress! I do believe in modesty and honoring the lord that way, but I know I could find a way to still be modest and really lean into the style that feels like me. Dresses will always also have my heart; I absolutely love them and feel so pretty in them, but I don’t want them to be the only thing I wear… I just feel a little boxed in.
So I am challenging myself going into the end of summer and then fall to really find/lean into a style that feels most like me. Where I am not molding myself just to fit in. Because I think the true common theme of what I am actually looking for is a community of women that supports each other in their commonalities and differences. Not one where you have to shapeshift to fit in.
I will take you guys along this journey! Talk soon,
M
Harvest & Home 