Dressing for yourself can often feel like a difficult task. But we believe fashion should be treated as a form of self-expression– a vital piece of a much larger foundation to becoming the most confident version of ourselves. In an effort to uncover some of the subconscious inhibitors of personal style, we sat down to discuss our own thoughts and experiences surrounding the topic.

These are what we landed on:

1. Don’t feel pressured to limit yourself to a specific “look”. You’re allowed to be a chameleon. Monday might call for a _____ while Tuesday calls for _____ . We highly encourage throwing out the box that you’re feeling confined to, and to dress in a way that fits your current state of mind. We're all one of a kind, let's embrace that!

2. Play with your wardrobe! Many things that “shouldn't” work together totally do. Mix patterns, colors, and styles that you’ve never thought about before. Try digging out old garments that you’ve mentally discarded and style them with something new that you love. It’s a fun way to get creative and give new life to the clothing that dwells in the dark corners of your closet. You’ll find that your outfit selection will expand and so will your style. It’s an ever evolving concept.

3. Invest in tailoring/reinventing (or if you’ve got the time, learn to sew). Have you ever bought something a size too big, too small, or too long because it was on sale, or because it was 90% perfect so you were willing to accept the 10% of imperfect? Welcome to the club. There’s a good chance some of the things you don’t wear in your closet are being left behind because something’s off about the fit. Even though you bought it with the intention of loving it, you always opt for the better-fitting/more flattering choice in your closet. Many fixes are quick + cheap and are well worth the effort.  Tailoring makes your wardrobe investments that much more perfect (and you’ll wear the hell out of them). You can also completely reinvent a look by dyeing* it or altering the style completely! 

4. Remember that trends aren’t always bad (only when they come at the cost of the environment + human rights). While they can definitely deter us from personal style, they can also be empowering when they are sprinkled in here and there. If you find yourself loving a trendy item, consider giving it a try. Trends are rarely new and often circle back around, so we recommend sourcing items second-hand first. Check out online vintage shops, download apps like depop, and visit local thrift stores like Buffalo Exchange. 

5. Trust your intuition. If something brings you joy, roll with it.

We love hearing from y'all! If you have any comments feel free to drop them below or shoot us an email: hello@wearesoulstudio.com

*If you're interested in upcycling a piece with natural dye, we offer custom services by request and a diy upcycle kit.