what is style?

The journey to discover what defines my style. By Kelsey King

Style is subjective. Like everything, good style is everchanging and relies solely on the opinion of the beholder. My style inspiration originates primarily from my social media feeds.

Although it’s cliché, defining your style is all about wearing what you feel confident in. I draw inspiration from influencers such as Devon Lee Carlson (@devonleecarlson), Emma Chamberlain (@emmachamberlain) and Ruby Lyn (@rubylyn_). What I feel most confident in changes day to day. I used to feel great pressure to dress to flatter my body, or fit the stereotypical feminine mould. These style icons of mine encouraged me to embrace and wear the clothing I wanted to, rather than focusing on how it may make me appear to others.

Over the past year I have tried to build a timeless wardrobe with basics that will never go out of style. This makes styling new pieces easier as I always have something to pair it with. Of course, there are always trends in fashion but it’s important to know that they go out of fashion as quickly as they come in. Finding high quality basics that fit and flatter perfectly is the first step to building your basics. For example, pieces like high quality tank tops, t-shirts, dress pants and jeans are a great start.

Along with this, sustainability is also something I consider when buying new pieces. Buying from smaller Australian brands is something that I consciously try to do when buying pieces online as handmade pieces are a far higher quality and usually sourced more ethically. It allows me feel like I am doing my part! My favourite Australian brands are With Jèan & Scarlett & Sam for more diverse pieces to add to my basics. High quality brands tend to be pricier, however this pays off due to the longevity of the use. To ensure I truly love pieces before I buy them and am not just purchasing due to unsustainable trends, I try to sit on pieces for a few weeks before purchasing.

I challenge you to test the waters with your fashion sense. Reach for items that push your boundaries in order to find what makes you feel most you.