I’ve been out of high school for a while now, and since then, many trends have come and gone. After looking through old photos and yearbooks, my main reaction to my style back then was “OMG I can’t believe I used to wear that!” It’s funny looking back at my old so-called style and seeing how much it has evolved over the years.
In my first year in high school, I was somewhat of a tomboy, mostly wearing baggy clothing and sneakers. By the time I reached my sophomore year, my clothes started getting tighter and I started putting more effort into my look. When senior year rolled around, I was wearing heels, I kept my hair and nails done and even added color to my hair. I thought I was doing something style-wise.
During my 4 years in high school, I had no idea about personal style. I usually wore what everyone else was wearing or whatever the current trend was. In my defense, I’d spent my entire life up until high school, in a private school, where every day I wore the same thing as everyone else, a uniform. Upon entering high school, I had no sense of style.
With that being said, if I could go back in time and give my sixteen-year-old self some fashion advice, it would be:
• If you’re not confident enough to wear it…don’t!
• Just because it fits does not mean it’s for you.
• Wearing name brand clothing doesn’t automatically make you a great dresser.
• You don’t have to wear name brand clothing and to be stylish.
• Just because everyone else is wearing it, doesn’t mean you have to.
• It’s OK to dress differently than everyone else.
• Fashion and style are two different things.
• Dress for yourself!
• If you like it wear it!
• Fashion is what’s trendy right now, while Style is something that is unique to everyone.
At what age did you discover your personal style? What fashion advice would you give your younger self?
Tia
My look is continually changing and I’m a recovering shopaholic. I’d tell my college self that I didn’t need to buy a new outfit for every weekend.
Jamila
TiaI’m still telling myself that lol.
STACIE
Definitely in my teens. I found pride in the fact that I could dress well without going broke.
Jamila
STACIEYes, it’s very possible and it took me a while to learn that.
Mimi Green
I discovered my style in High School, I didn’t have much of a choice. I wore some of the trends but my mother wasn’t spending her money on designer fashions. We also thrifted long before it was a thing. That helped me define my own style.
I love the quotes from Devil Wears Prada & Clueless. Love those movies.
Jamila
Mimi GreenI wish I discovered thrifting at a young age, I was so caught up on name brand clothing in high school.
Ty
I’m 42 and still determining my personal style. I love so many things, that I don’t think that I can even say that I have a “particular” style. Hmmm…I need to think about that? LOL!
Great post!
Jamila
TyThanks! I took me a while to figure out my personal style.
Jay | RelaxedThairapy
Like seriously, I think I have always had style. No really, I’m serious. My style has always been tomboy chic (although it wasn’t called that then) seeing how I was a basketball player. It’s still tomboy chic years later.
Jamila
Jay | RelaxedThairapyI wish I had style at a young age, I would’ve saved so much money lol.
Bijee
Funny, a lot of these rules some grown people need to hear now. I think everyone jumps on bandwagons of the latest trends and don’t consider their shape and size, the personal comfort or whatever and just go with it. It’s ok to dare to be different and I am always intrigued by people who have a style all their own and out of the box.
Jamila
BijeeI agree, people need to realize that everything is not one size fits all.
Donna Shana
I like the term ensembly challenged! Cute. I was definitely the girl who’s style was a direct reflection of my Mother’s style. Classic but forward.
Nice post!
Jamila
Donna ShanaThanks!
Kiwi
Ive been outta high school for a while and i suffered from some of the same teen issues you did. Name brands and labels was something a lot of us got caught up in and now i cant stand labels.
Kim
Awesome advice. I’ve honestly never been into following trends, and always wore what I’ve felt comfortable in. Most of the time what I wore was mood-based lol. If I wanted to feel sexy I’d wear something I thought was sexy, etc.
Kasi
Great style advice for your younger self! I discovered my personal style in middle school, so I don’t have any advice for my younger self in that regard. I definitely have some beauty advice for my younger self, though! Lol!
VeePeeJay (Vashti)
My style is “If I see it and I like it, I buy it” LOL. End of story. I think my sense of style is also always evolving.
Valerie robinson
Yes you nailed it! I had a pretty interesting style growing up. I’ve never been caught up in name brands and always look for cheaper versions of a particular style.
Kirstin N. Fuller (@thetravelindiva)
My Mother wasn’t into the designer brands especially with 4 kids. (lol) But she did teach us all that ‘everything everyone else wears is not for you.’ The best advice, is to invest in quality pieces that you can build upon.