I don’t ever want any of you to think that I’m telling you how you should dress. I can steer you in the way of what styles would suit you more, or what colors are around for the season. At the end of the day though, I want you to be authentic to yourselves. So to all of you ladies that have found your own style and have unabashedly owned it, this fashion crush is about you.

I always see women that don’t have the same style as myself. I love the look of a great preppy or all American type of outfit. It’s just not for me though. I like looking like I rolled out of 1974 with a little bit of current mixed in. I wish I could be comfortable in different styles, but as soon as I try I’m tugging and pulling and not enjoying myself. Which is fine, I like my style. I also appreciate other women for their own.

Sometimes I go out specifically looking for something different to work into the wardrobe I’m used to wearing. I always think I can try to change my style up, but with no luck. That new piece that isn’t me sits in my closet untouched, until I give it away to one of my friends who it will actually look right on. I will never make those purchases my first option, I will always grab something that I know I’ll feel good in.

Over the years I have experimented with my style. While I have enjoyed all of them, I always felt like they were work. Almost like I was acting in a play. They might have looked good, but they were always missing something. They never felt completely like “me”. At one point I wanted to be the “sexy girl”. Bleach blonde hair, tight and cleavage. That didn’t work for me lol. Then I wanted to be June Carter Cash with dark long hair. It involved having to dye my naturally blonde hair and eyebrows non stop. Not worth it. I also hit a Bettie Page jet black hair and pin up bangs phase. Super fun ? Yes. Me? Not quite.

It wasn’t until I had tried all of these things that I knew what I was comfortable with or how I felt I wanted to look. I was sick of wearing costumes. I wanted to just be me. It turns out me looks like a fake gold covered version of Stevie Nicks with a sprinkling of Penny Lane and a bit of Rachel Zoe on top. I know it might sound weird to you, but it makes me happy. I enjoy getting dressed now. Before I would take forever trying to choose an outfit. Now, its a grab and go because that’s everything that I own. I try not to fool myself anymore. I’ve tried to be ok with how I feel good, no matter if anyone gets my style or likes it. It’s not for them. It’s for me to feel good.

Having had the style struggle myself for a couple of decades, I tip my hat to all of the women who have found their own and display it proudly. Who have found that meld of comfort and who they are. It’s a hard struggle, especially if people around you don’t embrace your style choices. I know how hard it is, especially on days where you aren’t quite feeling like yourself. So good for you for being able to own it. It took me a long time to be able to do that, and I have always admired and envied women who got there before I did. So thank you for giving me the aspiration to find my own style, it made me look at getting dressed in a completely different way. And for those of you who haven’t gotten there get, be patient. When you do it’s going to be worth it.

xo Stephanie