020: Mad Scientists, Mathematicians & Masterminds

AKA: how to find your personal style

Listen, we’re not science people over here, yet somehow we’ve ended up sharing all these formulas. Does that mean we can call ourselves Fashion Scientists? Fashionable Scientists? Super Duper Cool and Well-Dressed Fashion Geniuses. Whatever title you wish to bestow upon us, we’re here to share some tangible advice about finding your personal style. 

DO Take it Personal

CM: There are like 25,000 articles, Reels, TikToks and the like all dedicated to this topic. I find that when the seasons change, I reevaluate my own personal style. I also think this 75 Hard challenge has made space for me to better hone in on this (though it’s really fricken hard). THUS, we present an attempted step-by-step OR guide to finding personal style. There are caveats of course, and you don’t have to take our advice, but we figure if we’re gonna walk the walk we might as well talk the talk.

Step 1: Forage

You know the drill, this is the gathering part before the hunting begins. Collect photos you already have of celebrity style you gravitate towards, influencers worthy of your follow, Pinterest boards you already have, etc. etc. and then you may go forth and spend the next month (or two, it’s your call) collecting. 

Step 2: Name It

We are NOT hunting yet. Your next step is to review. After you’ve set whatever time parameters needed above, it’s time to review your research. Here’s the trick: look past faces, labels, hair color and focus on the outfits. That’s what we’re here for!!!! Quick example, I adore Jennifer Lawrence (truly) and there are some aspects of her style that I’m head over heels for—the timelessness, the elegance, the effortlessness—but a lot of the time I love it just because she’s wearing it. This is a good time to select three to five words that describe the vibe of what you’ve gathered—do NOT JUMP AHEAD YET TO THE THREE-WORD METHOD.

Questions you might ask yourself:

1. Are my images classic? Modern? Eclectic? Trend-forward? Western? Sporty? Glam?

2. What do these looks have in common? Is it similar to what you see in your wardrobe? 

Step 3 (Optional): Play Paparazzi

I’m calling an audible optional, this isn’t necessary, but over the last month I’ve found it to be very helpful. AB and I take pics of our outfits every day and honestly that is when I can really tell if I’m feeling good in my fit. You can open this up to every outfit (like I do) or reserve it for the moments you’re walking out the door and feeling like your most stylish self. You’ll find the photos that make you wanna take yourself out for a night on the town are those that epitomize your real personal style, and are there to serve as self-inspiration for your future spin-offs.

Step 4: Autographs

This is my funny way of using a synonym that isn’t *technically a synonym. Anna Wintour’s oversized sunglasses, Audrey Hepburn’s cropped pants + ballet flats, now’s the time to sprinkle some sugar on top. Choose a few items that are part of your style identity (if you wanna), this could be a personalized necklace, snakeskin boots, a loud sweater. These will likely require the scientist in you to experiment a bit. They should show off your style! Bold accessories, pops of color, mixed prints and textures and the like are a great place to start playing.

Step 5: Repeat

It’s our favorite word!! Repeat! We’re still in the review stage of this process—science involves a lot of observation!!!! Take notes of the repeat items hanging in your closet, look at hemlines, necklines, colors, patterns, etc. These translate into items that make you feel happy, and above all, comfortable. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it honey. I tend to like square necklines paired with feminine sleeves—I have two dresses and four shirts in this style and they’re all in different colors. I like what I like!!

Step 6: Odds n’ Ends

Stick with me you stylish land mermaids, we’re almost there. There’s one thing left to take note of, any pieces stand out? Our hypothesis is that if you find an outlier in your closet, then it likely symbolizes a style you like buuuuut aren’t totally comfortable in. Add it to the evolve-and-style-in-the-next-six-months pile or donate it if you’re ready to part ways.

Step 7: The Three(ish) Words

We’ve been here before!!! But if you’re new around here, it’s time you met TikTok phenom and general fashion sensation and stylist, Allison Bornstein. If it feels right, follow in her footsteps and identify three words that define your style. We kind of did this in step two! Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. Use words one and two to describe what’s currently happening in your closet (you likely found these in step two), the pieces you feel most comfortable in or gravitate towards.

2. Bornstein recommends saving your last word for the aspirational you!! She says, “The third word is like your North Star. It is the near-future you! This word can also change and evolve. Actually, all of your words can and should change and evolve.”

Call upon your three words when feeling stuck or when the look isn't quite working. Also if you need some literal words, her word bank is stacked. A quick note: the words can contrast each other, and maybe they should, because that’s what defines personal style!!

Step 8: Trust Fall

Friend, trust your damn instincts. Your gut is probably right, so listen to it! Toss the outside noise, it’s super duper not welcome here. If your closet feels chaotic and lacks cohesion because multiple styles are coexisting but being worn separately, like I said above, these are aesthetics that make up your personal style!! Use your words or style choices to embrace these opposites and maybe even wear them together.

CM: I’m sure you are over my #1 top hit: some, all, or none of the above may apply to you. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, personal style is personal!!! And it will stretch and mold to the life you’re living as your life evolves.

Honorable Mentions

AB: That was a fabulous breakdown CM, thank you! I am going to widen the scope and think beyond the runway and favorite designers and shops. The actual notion of personal style is so interesting. CM really laid down understanding its building blocks that can apply to more than just your closet. Data collecting and being conscious of oneself lays a beautiful foundation for growth and discovery, and I am a huge believer that everyone is a creative. The cool part is that this development never has to end. It will get richer and more refined as you go. Ya know, kind of like how we're always in some sort of “era” now. Example, I cut my hair and decked out my diaper bag because I am in my mom era. In two months I move across the country to the south where I will enter my southern belle era, and what that looks like to me (a porch covered in plants and lazy dogs, as I wear a silk nightgown and matching robe, with a child on my hip.). When I find most of my personal inspirations, say from fashion editors or visual artists, it's always how they dress that sucks me in. It's the way Courtney wears her cardigan backwards to create a new look, or how I pair mine unbuttoned and cuffed with a graphic T shirt. With most women I meet with, sooner or later we get around to looking in their closet but mostly have good talks about clothes, getting dressed and well…  life. Personal style extends much beyond the wardrobe. Although it's my favorite place to express it, as I grow older I realize the importance (and fun) of adding a personal touch to everything you do. I call it living in your creative genius, *jazz hands*. I always encourage the hunting and gathering of personal style, but I want to remind you cuties it's not only one aspect of your life it's ALL aspects of your life. I wonder if you commit to adding it to every aspect if it doesn't lead you to exactly the fulfillment and joy of being you that you are looking for. Next time you make your grocery list add some doodles with it. Start a scrapbook. Curate a new playlist for heading to and from work. Cook with your heart. F around and find out.

Alyssa personal touches

Deep Cuts

CM: This sheer moment. Idk when sheer started to mean so much to me, but it does (?????) I saved this to my one-day-there-will-be-a-wedding collection, just for funsies. Also see: RDJ’s sheer shirt.

CM: Not sure if you caught the Oscars (I cried like six times, award shows are my weakness), but there was SOOOOOOOO much vintage hitting the red carpet. Some of my faves included Carey Mulligan and Jennifer Lawrence (of course).

AB: And my Oscars best dressed goes toooooo…. No one, because the best were at the Vanity Fair red carpet and they were Issa Rae, Kendall Jenner and Hailee Steinfeld. Worsts go to Camilla Cabeo and Vanessa Hudgens. 

CM: Also Zendaya is perfect and anyone who tells me otherwise is not welcome in my super cool Zendaya fan club. Point A anddddd Point B. Oooooof.

Before You Go

CM: Just thanks for being here. I really really really like each and every one of you. ALSOOOOO if you have any questions, or have some specific content requests, send us a love note!

AB: If any of you have any good red carpet roasts please drop a comment. I severely miss Joan Rivers. 

Fashion scientists, unite!!! Ciao for now. xx