Spirit Both Forward And Coy

photos by john

i often hear from others their dilemmas on dressing up. whether in the comments section of my posts, thru twitter or email, or even with personal interaction: people tend to voice their qualms about being more experimental and going for looks outside the box. normally i would say, never overthink it; simply wear what you want to wear and be happy with it — but i know it’s not quite that simple for everyone. even after years of dressing the way that i dress and maintaining this blog i still occasionally face my mirror in total self-doubt, questioning everything i think i know about personal style and wondering if i can pull something off.

in such instances i find it best to find a balance in the elements of your look. mix together pieces that are “out there” with items your are more comfortable with, creating an ensemble that is part-safe, part-adventurous. i can never say it enough: at the end of the day your happiness is most important. it doesn’t even matter that your outfit is not “crazy” enough or if you keep wearing the same style over and over again. your own personal aesthetic must drive your daily sartorial choices, whether outside the norm or smack in the middle of it. no one else can point you in the right direction but yourself (though you may find inspiration in others or, certainly, encouragement to be more audacious), so keep your head up and know that no matter what you wear, as long as you are happy and content with it, you are untouchable.

denim bustier – forever 21
skirt – c/o shana
blazer – c/o romwe
wedges – c/o ferretti
bag – rebecca minkoff
headband – c/o anagon
watch – may28th