Tracing My Style Evolution

Tracing My Style Evolution

My style has always been pretty eclectic. I’ve loved dressing up since I was a little girl (my favorite game was playing Princesses) and had unique tastes. Over the years, my style has been punk, Japanese gyaru, Japanese rock street style, urban, almost anything you could think of. Since I just turned 25 over the weekend, I thought it’d be fun to compare my style back then to trace my style’s evolution. I know you’re just here for the embarrassing past pictures, don’t worry.

pre-2011

I didn’t take a lot of pictures in high school, mainly because I didn’t own a camera phone. And thank goodness for that, since one of the only pictures I found from earlier than 2011 looks like this:

Y’all can laugh, it’s okay.

It was 2008 and I swore I was grown in my little heels and shorts! Completely over the top accessorizing and some rudimentary color theory applied to pair these powder blue shorts with an orange top. But listen, you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t killing it back then! Check the pose, sis!

Okay, so there’s your embarrassing point of reference. Next up is..

2011

In 2011, I had just graduated high school and was leaving for college. For my 18th birthday, I went out to lunch with my mom in this printed maxi. My style at the time was extremely feminine with a lot of boldly printed dresses. My must-have accessories at the time were a pair of huge earrings with a huge purse. It’s hard to believe there was a time when I didn’t wear lipstick, but I rarely ever wore it back then! My makeup skills were limited to heavy eye makeup and chapstick.

2012

In 2012, I was finishing up my first year of college. My style hadn’t changed too much, but I was trying to get more of that grown and sexy vibe. I was finally able to go out, so I was all about the high heels and club dresses. Not just at night, either! My style at the time was colorful and tight. I always looked like I was going somewhere (unless that somewhere was my 8:55am class. At that point, I just looked dirty.) If I could give myself any fashion advice at the time, it would be to go easy on the bodycon stuff!

I actually was going out when this picture was taken, but I probably would have worn that any number of places.

2013

2013 may have been one of the worst years of my life, but it was one of my favorite style years! My style at this time drifted back towards the punk elements I had been so into when I was younger. I wore a lot of black with punk motifs like crosses, skulls, and studs. The most prominent style on my campus was New England Prep, so I definitely felt edgy! My must-have accessories at this time were a black beanie and an oversized gold chain link necklace.

2014

My style lightened up a little more in 2014! I still was wearing my rocker motifs, but there was less all black ensembles. My style icons at this time were FKA Twigs and Rihanna, so I found myself trying to channel this crazy-sexy-cool vibe. I dont think it ever worked out haha but I sure tried! My must-have accessory at this time was definitely the oversized gold chain link necklace. I loved that necklace so much that when my cheap one started turning silver, I went back to the store and bought another one! Which also eventually turned silver, but that was all my college budget could afford.

Pretty much snatched this whole look from FKA Twigs.

2015

The last year I’ll do is 2015, since it was the year before I started my style blog! My style finally creeped out of the edgy slant it had been comfortable in for the previous few years. I (very) slowly started moving towards comfortable glam rather than suffering in silence. I also started getting hips, so I had to begin buying a new wardrobe. My office style was horrendous at the time because business casual was my worst nightmare. If you’re curious as to how I got over that, check out my last post on how I spiced up business casual.

Shout out to my graduation weave for holding it down this summer.

Three years later!

I honestly love reflecting on my style over the years, even when it’s totally cringe-worthy! It’s a fun peak into my mind at the time. Fashion is something that’s always been deeply personal to me, so these looks reflect who I was at the time. Today, my style has gotten a lot tamer. My must-have accessory is either huge gold hoops or crystal studs. My makeup is never complete without lipstick, and my heels have gotten comfier too! I would describe my current style as city chic, as right now I’m all about sleek style that’s comfortable enough to walk around the city in. That’s my style going into 25, but who knows where it will go next?

Here’s a bonus shot from before my birthday dinner!

I hope you enjoyed this blast from the past! How has your style evolved over the years? Let me know in the comments and be sure to follow me on instagram for your weekly #styleinspo!

Lots of love,

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