alaina-joy

[alaina-joy]

New Level Unlocked! -- Personal Stylist.

When you realize how fantastic you can feel in your clothes, you’ll never be able to go back. Investing the time to develop your personal style pays off every day that you can strut your stuff with confidence, because you are showing up as who you truly are.

Today, I’ll be talking about how everything I’ve covered so far comes together in your silhouette, and the real fun begins. However, an important part of your silhouette that I haven’t really discussed yet is… your body,

So first, a moment for body positivity.

It is a fact that today, the beauty ideal is skinny. While the exact details of what is considered beautiful in bodies changes quite quickly, (for women, hourglass figures are hot now, but in the 90’s no one wanted a big butt), thinness as the ideal is largely unchallenged,

However, our culture is wrong about beauty. I believe, and as do many of us at heart, that all people are beautiful. True beauty is about far more than how you look anyways, but at the end of the day, we are all, beautiful.

While this is exceedingly difficult to believe, learning to love and appreciate the beauty of your body no matter how it looks (and your body will change throughout your lifetime quite a bit) is one of the most important battles I believe any of us could choose to fight.

Why is it such a battle? Because the beauty industry makes billions of dollars every year off of people who feel they are not beautiful enough. They spend a lot of money to make sure we don’t all just embrace ourselves the way we are.

Health is often used as the end all argument promoting thinness. This argument claims that it is not about “beauty standards”, or that beauty standards exist not to make people money, but to protect your health by motivating you to be healthy.

This argument is pure nonsense.

First, size and health are not a matching pair. You cannot observe someone’s size, and know how healthy they are. The science behind why people are different sizes is incredibly complex, ranging from genetic predispositions, individual health issues, and many other factors, lifestyle is only one part of the picture.

At the end of the day, skinny individuals can be incredibly unhealthy, just as large individuals can, but we only assume this of one body type. More complete exploration of these ideas can be found in Linda Bacon’s book “Health at Any Size”.

But, as established, this truly isn’t about health. It’s about size, because keeping people everywhere focused on being as small as possible generates a lot of money, (and distracts us from focusing all our brilliance and ingenuity on taking over the entire world.)

While many people are working to approach these issues on a societal level, that will take time. Unfortunately, many of us still need to get up every day and live in a world that wants to pick apart our appearance and size, and that noise only gets louder as we shop for clothes and try to develop our style.

Silhouette.

So, if the final aspect of personal style is silhouette, but that is NOT referring to the shape of your body, what is it referring to?

Silhouette is about the shape your clothes make on your body. Oversized! Fitted! Flowy! There are countless options, and you can achieve them all no matter what your body is like.

I find the silhouette is so powerful because it truly affects how you feel as you move about. A slick, form fitting dress makes me feel sexy. Baggy jeans and a t-shirt makes me feel relaxed, and so on.

So after considering the color, cut and texture of your clothes, accessories and every other detail, you can combine them into a silhouette that tells a story, sets a mood, illustrates A VIBE, the sky is the limit!

I cannot tell you how to build silhouettes that will feel good to you, this can only be discovered if you’re willing to explore.

Mess around, try new things, combine different pieces from your wardrobe, and find what works for you. Look for inspiration online, (bonus if you look for inspiration from beautiful people of all shapes and sizes.)

That’s all she wrote.

However, allow me to leave you with one final thought… It is so wonderful to look at life, and see that time and energy goes to loving family and friends, and chasing dreams, instead of fixating on being small enough to meet the ideals of other people.

I refuse to strive for others to recognize what I already know, I am complete magic, inside and out. And I think my personal style tells the whole world that story.

Yours can too.

[alaina-joy]

How To Shop For Your Personal Style - Part 2

I’m not allowed to buy gray clothes. Ok, so of course I’m allowed to buy gray clothes, I just don’t let myself anymore.

You see, one day I blinked and realized I had A TON of gray clothes, because when I would shop I would always be scared to buy fun colors, I thought I’d struggle to style the colors together, or wouldn’t wear them often. Gray felt “safe” so I’d always choose the gray option. The only problem? My wardrobe was boring! I realized, I didn’t even like gray that much! It didn’t make me feel cute or stylish, it only felt safe. That wasn’t what I wanted my clothes to do for me, so I made a simple rule, no more gray!

To date, I think I’ve only broken my rule twice, and I’m so much happier with my bright and colorful closet!

So in today's post, I’m going to show you how you can shop for your own personal style, and be intentional about the clothes you collect.

In my last post you learned how to mentally think through shopping as an idea, and so hopefully you have already set yourself up for success and you have chosen a store and a method of shopping that aligns with your personal values, but there are several other things you can do to set yourself up for shopping successfully for the wardrobe of your dreams. Successful shopping requires planning, curiosity, and patience.

First, have a plan.

As you get dressed day to day, notice the outfit ideas you have that never work out because you don’t have enough of a certain color, or don’t have the right shirt or pants for it. If you keep wishing you had a black turtle neck when you make outfits (this is on my list right now!), then write that down and start shopping for the perfect one!

It is so much better to shop when you have something specific in mind. It may not make shopping easier, in the sense that you may have to really look for a while to find what you want, but it will prevent you from impulse buying things you will never wear.

Additionally, if you just want to go shopping but don’t have a list of specific items you want, at least take a moment to consider what you already have. What could you add that would balance your wardrobe more? Do you have more solids or patterns? More tops or more bottoms?

Next, be curious.

This tip is especially important for thrifting, but really applies anywhere. Don’t rule clothes out on the hanger. If you think it could be cute, or you love the color, try it on! The worst that can happen is you don’t like it and don’t buy it. There have been times where I tried things on as a literal joke and ended up loving them and getting lots of wear out of them!

Also get curious with how you can alter clothes to fit better, for instance, don't be afraid to crop your own t-shirts! Ashley/bestdressed on Youtube has some great thrift-flip videos, where she transforms or alters clothes, and none of it is too tricky, go get some inspo!

Overall, let yourself try new things, and let yourself try things that you have ruled out because you didn’t think you liked that style or color. You might decide you were right, but you also might discover something totally new that you don’t have anywhere else in your wardrobe and that will truly spice up your fashion!

Finally, be patient.

So many of us become frustrated after a long day of shopping without finding anything, I know I do. But try thinking of it this way, your body is totally unique, and so is your wardrobe! The perfect piece of clothing to complement both you and your wardrobe will take time to hunt down, it just makes sense.

Don’t get discouraged and buy something that you don’t truly love or that doesn’t fit you perfectly, just because you are tired of looking. You won’t end up wearing that piece of clothing if you don’t like it, and you’ll just have less money to spend on the next perfect piece waiting for you around the corner.

It’s a mindset.

At the end of the day, all these tips are designed to help you realize you have control over how you approach shopping. The brands and trends are not in charge, you are!

You deserve to have clothes that fit you well, look good, and serve your needs and wants. Hold out for the right pieces, and enjoy the process.

Tune in next week, when I’ll be sharing a post that is very close to my heart discussing body positivity, self-love, and anti-fat bias in fashion.

[alaina-joy]

Shopping For Your Personal Style - Part 1

That’s right, today we’re talking about the S-word. SHOPPING. There are a lot of ideas attached to this word. Some people (understandably) dread it due to their financial situation, or their size, shape or relationship with their body. Others view it as a beloved pass-time or hobby.

Personally, I love shopping. I could spend days strolling through beautiful malls, and have spent hours upon hours pursuing the packed racks of local thrift stores.

However, I understand as much as anyone that sometimes you end the day having found nothing, or leave the much coveted item on the shelf because you can’t afford it, or don't fit into it.

Beyond all this, there is much social discourse on shopping. Women have faced ridicule for their “obsession” with shopping, and we all know that modern buying habits are actively fueling the pollution and destruction of our beautiful globe.

Shopping as a mindset.

So in this first post on shopping I’ll be discussing how you can approach this activity in a way that acknowledges the complex facets of this pastime, so you can focus on serving your personal style needs.

Because before you even enter the store there are some important things to establish in your outlook on shopping, and I've broken them down as: individual circumstances, collective action, and restraint.

First, individual circumstances.

While the idea I’m about to present can be taken to extremes and become harmful, it is important to acknowledge that many of the issues with shopping, whether they be the size-inclusivity of brands, or the environmental impacts, are systemic issues.

While we as individuals with values want to be mindful of these things, we are not ultimately responsible for anyone but ourselves.

We also exist in our own unique economic situation, and in unique bodies, so some of us may have fewer options in where to shop and be completely unable to avoid perpetuating fashion issues.

If this is ever you (sometimes this is me,) don’t be too hard on yourself. You deserve comfortable well fitting clothes that make you feel good. Take the guilt or anger you feel, and channel it into the next step.

Collective Action.

If we truly want change and to address accessibility and environmental issues in fashion, we need to stand together, and require more of brands.

When you notice that a brand doesn’t carry a wide range of sizes, comment, even if it doesn’t directly affect you or your ability to shop there.

Make it clear to brands that you care about the environment, and that they will win a loyal customer if they can truly demonstrate a dedication to reducing their carbon footprint and the waste they create.

Now, this is a lot of action, what is the collective part? We do it together. This means talking about these issues to each other. If you have friends or family who don't know about these issues, share with them, and get more people involved in advocating for change from brands.

Recognize it isn't about only you, but about lots of people doing what they can.

You can participate in all of this as a collective movement and still make the personal choices that you need to in order to clothe yourself.

Use restraint.

This isn’t said enough in the fashion world, but at the end of the day, you need to shop less. We all do.

The number one thing you can do to reduce the environmental harm of the fashion industry is wear what you already have.

When you do shop, try to resist brands that have truly terrible sizing ranges. There are so many options that are getting more size inclusive, vote with your dollars as much as you can, and resist supporting brands that refuse to cater to diverse body types. Same goes for fast fasion brands that are destroying the planet. Aviod whenever you can.

All that to say...

This is the information, and these are some ways to approach this complex issue. Now you get to choose how to personally engage with this activity, in a way that aligns with your own values.

The goal is to empower you to shop for your personal style without the mass of noise that exists in discourse on shopping tripping you up.

Be intentional, and set yourself up for success in your mindset and approach as you start shopping for your personal style.

As you may have guessed due to the title of this post, this is part 1 on shopping, as this topic is too big to cover in one go. Come back next week when I'll be focusing on what you need to know to shop for your personal style once you've set foot inside the store!

[alaina-joy]

Personal Style is FUN - Try Focusing on This One Little Thing

Do you ever get sick of wearing the same things over and over? Do you wish that your closet had more variety or flavor? 

Many of us feel this way frequently, and while shopping for new clothes would potentially solve the problem, it would be terrible for our planet and our wallet to always choose this solution.

The key to an exciting wardrobe, that always reflects your personal style… isn’t always in the wardrobe. Today, I’m talking all about the biggest little part of personal style, accessories!

So far in this series we’ve outlined three key factors of personal style: clothes, shopping and silhouette. Last week I posted about clothes, and I’ll be discussing the other two later in this series, but first I had to give accessories their moment in the sun.

For the purposes of our discussion, accessories include hats, jewelry, bags, sunglasses, belts, etc, and they are a powerful element of your personal style for a few reasons: they are investment worthy, accessible, and impactful.

First, they are investment worthy. 

What I mean is, when you buy a hat or a scarf or a bracelet, you will not outgrow it. Accessories can last a very long time when cared for carefully, which means you can afford to spend a little more on nice things, or collect lots of variety, all without overstuffing your wardrobe or breaking the bank. 

Investing time figuring out what kind of accessories you like, or investing money in higher end pieces that will truly last a lifetime, is a great way to explore your personal style without putting too much pressure on your clothes.

And on that note, accessories are accessible. 

Earrings always fit. While the fashion industry has a long way to go in providing size inclusive clothing options, many accessories like bags and sunglasses, fit everyone. 

So, no matter your size, (or if like many of us your size changes) accessories can be an accessible way for everyone to express themselves and build on their personal style. And if you want more detailed content about accessible, size-inclusive and sustainable style, follow @marielle.elizabeth on Instagram, she’s an icon.

Finally, accessories are impactful. 

Statement earrings, or bold sunglasses, can take a boring outfit from drab, to fab, in about 30 seconds. Minimal sophisticated gold jewelry can make a plain top elegant, and the right belt can completely alter a silhouette giving you more ways to wear your clothes. 

Earrings are a key part of my own personal style, and they constantly inspire me to form new outfits and approach style with a sense of fun. Sometimes I plan whole outfits around a particular pair, which helps me get creative as I plan outfits, instead of becoming frustrated or stuck in a style rut.

Your personal style is in the details, so play with this, and HAVE FUN.

Next time you get dressed, and you find your outfit boring, think about how you could add an accessory or two to liven things up. Try bringing in some contrasting vibes, or a refreshing pop of color. Give yourself time to try new things, and find what works for you.

If you are still worried about how to shop for clothes or accessories that reflect your personal style, tune in next week for my post about shopping for your personal style!

[alaina-joy]

Be Your Own Costume Designer

Listen, you are the main character in your story, so let’s get you dressing that way!

Having a personal style and dressing yourself intentionally can mentally and emotionally prepare you for your day, express who you are, and serve as a creative outlet, and it all starts with the clothes.

In this post I’ll examine how you can analyze your clothes in three key ways, and discuss some basic tips you can use when evaluating the clothes you currently have. I’ll talk about shopping in much more detail in a later post.

The Anatomy of Clothes

You can break down any piece of clothing into three elements: color, texture, and cut. These elements combine in a piece of clothing to give it certain qualities and appearance.

Choosing the right clothes for your style, requires you to know basically what colors, textures and cuts you like, however, that is just the first step. Most people don’t think beyond it, which is why many people don’t really have a remarkable or unique style.

For example, to me the color blue is very romantic, I have a blue turtleneck sweater that makes me feel like the romantic lead in a rom-com. Silk makes me feel elegant. Cropped shirts or jackets make me feel fierce, like a total baddie.

Most of us will feel very differently about the same kinds of clothes, and that’s what makes style so subjective, and so fun!

Personal Style Is A Brain Game

Now, think of a piece of clothing you love. Why do you love it? How does the color, texture, and cut, create a story or emotion that you enjoy? This abstract visualization of your clothes might be difficult for you at first, but it will get easier the more you try it.

Once you start to get to know your clothes, and what they say to you, you can really play. You can juxtapose a scrappy oversized band tee with a neat silk skirt, or you can pair nice trousers with a button down, you can match up your professional pieces, or you can wear a nice blazer with a sweat suit (one of my favorite moves).

Some other quick tips: 

Think about what your base color is and what your accent colors are.

One tactic is to define your “base” color as black or white, and your “accent” colors as either neutrals or colors. In my wardrobe I almost always go for black with colorful accents. The picture attached to this post is a great example. TikTok creator @ssiiena introduced me to this idea, definitely check out her page.

 Wear clothes that fit you, and that are in relatively good condition.

When you pay attention to how clothes make you feel, you’ll probably notice that nothing feels worse than clothes that don’t fit. They are physically uncomfortable of course, but they will probably also make you feel tired, or careless, or just messy.

Ok, good luck out there. Go figure out how your clothes make you feel, and if they aren’t making you feel like a total badass babe (or whatever it is you want to feel like) then stick around. 

You have a personal style that is unique and fabulous, and I’m here to help you find it.

[alaina-joy]

A Guide to Personal Style

Today someone driving past me in a parking lot yelled “I love your pants!” out their window at me. It made me jump, but I can’t blame them, I was wearing awesome pants.

I’m not trying to be insufferable when I say, I get unsolicited compliments from strangers ALL THE TIME on my style and what I’m wearing. Sure, I also get the occasional passive aggressive comment, (I’m looking at you grandma), but the fact is my clothes make a statement that many people can’t ignore.

This is because I have a strong personal style.

If you wouldn't feel confident saying that about yourself, but wish you would, you’re in the right place.

In this blog series I’m exploring what it takes to cultivate a wardrobe that is both beautiful and functional, but that most importantly, compliments and highlights who YOU are and what makes you special.

There are several different factors that contribute to a personal style, in this post I’ll explore these, so you can start to reframe how you approach style.

THE CLOTHES

Obviously this is where it all starts. What you actually put on your body, and how, definitely contributes to your personal style. However, anyone can own and wear clothes, and still not feel they are expressing themselves the way they wish.

That is because it really isn’t about what the clothes look like as much as what they feel like.

Learning to understand how different colors, textures, and cuts make you feel is the first step.

Are you totally confused? Don’t worry, we’ll dive into what I mean in a lot more detail.

SHOPPING

How you shop is going to affect your style a lot.

What kind of quality are your clothes? How unique are the pieces?

Changing how you shop to suit your personal needs and style is critical to building your dream wardrobe, and truly expressing yourself the way you want to.

THE SILHOUETTE

This is the shape that your clothes work together to create when on your body. Think form-hugging verses oversized, proportionate or exaggerated.

Silhouettes are one of the most exciting aspects of fashion.

You’ll probably find that two or three silhouettes are your go-tos, shapes that you return to over and over, and make you  feel powerful.

YOU DESERVE TO LOOK AND FEEL AMAZING

I’ll cover all these topics, and more, in the weeks to come, as I share my hacks for developing a personal style that works FOR YOU.

Getting ready for the day should make your life easier, not harder. It should be a moment you look forward to, not a chore that stresses you out.

Stick around, and you’ll be strutting your stuff with unquestionable main-character energy in no time.