Call it living in California for too long, but I'm a sucker for casual cool. Give me a flowy dress, a cozy sweater or jeans and a tee any day. I'm just not into anything that's super fussy. I recently read an essay in InStyle that Leandra Medine penned on personal style. "Look at street-style photography," she writes. "We often complain about how downright fake the photos from Fashion Week can feel. But we’ve been conditioned to believe that the craziest, loudest outfit wins. And here’s where we run into a problem: If you’re trying that hard to achieve originality, is it authentic? Isn’t genuine nonconformity effortless, like breathing or blinking?" Isn't it, though? How often do we text a friend to see what they're wearing to the party before committing to our own ensemble or dubiously change seven times before hesitantly walking out the door? On the contrary, do you ever feel like you downplay your personal style, so as not to attract attention? I'm curious, what do you feel most comfortable in? For an embarrassing jaunt down memory lane, do continue reading...
I can honestly say that when I go back through the last few years of outfit posts, there are very few regrets. That's not to say I think they're all awesome or that I would wear them all today, but they feel like me. They feel authentic. Head back, though, a little further-- circa 2012 and before-- and it gets a little spotty. I see my style in some and others feel downright costume-y. (Like this Fourth of July post. The pom poms?!) I was still styling full time then and I felt like each outfit post was a new editorial or job that I was creating the direction for, it had so little to do with my personal style. As a stylist always creating looks for other people around their personal style or looks around a brand's vision, it stunted my personal style awareness. It felt like my style was always changing. (I love this post that Catherine shared with us about using Fashion Feng Shui to identify your personal style.)
All of that to say, I've never felt more comfortable with the clothes hanging in my closet than I do now. You will likely never see me in a Harper's Bazaar NYFW round up or on the cover of The Sartorialist, but that's a-okay with me. I'm pretty happy with the skin-- and tee-- I'm in.
Photography by Katie Jameson
Tee, Sol Los Angeles via Anthropologie || Hat, Madewell || Jeans, Alexander Wang (Similar) || Bracelets, Noonday Collection || Sunnies, Warby Parker || Sandals, Hanna Andersson
Caleigh says
Great post! Casual can always look chic if done right. I grew up in a jeans & t-shirt world, it was actually looked down upon if a girl tried to look upscale, so it wasn't until university that I felt brave enough to try on a few different styles. I've always gravitated to flowy & airy clothes, & thanks to your friend's fashion feng shui post I realize I am definitely a water. Now my challenge is to find the courage to be a fish out of water in this fashion backward village I live in!
Jen Pinkston says
Yes, exactly! I love the idea that no matter how different, how casual, how elevated, that personal style done with authenticity is always right.
Katie says
Ha! I've gotten so casual over the years myself. Granted Austin does have a very laid back dress code, and I'm forever grateful. I agree with you, give me a cute tee and jeans any day of the week.
After reading Catherine's post on Feng Sui, i finally understood how I went from wanting to dress to the 9's all the time to a simple dress code. Now I can justify my want of buying all the sneakers on sale at the moment. Thank you for introducing me to her blog.
Jen Pinkston says
Yes, me too! Austin is definitely a laid back fashion city, but so was LA. I enjoy getting dressed up for a party or a date night, but it's still more effortless than fussy. 🙂
chel says
Barely showing in this outfit but you are glowing Jen...beautiful xx
Jen Pinkston says
Thank you so much, Chel! I really appreciate it 🙂
Jennifer says
I love your look! A lot of casual outfits are usually the best and actually look chic!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Jen Pinkston says
Agreed!