STYLE DEFINED BY AKINDA JOHNSON

Have you ever thought to yourself “I’ll be more fashionable, if I buy(insert trend item)” or “everyone has (insert trend item) I have to have it to be in style” or “because (insert Instagram influencer) wore it it’s cute”. We’re talking Gucci belts, 60s sunglasses, the next “it” piece...you get where we’re going. 

We proudly boast that fashion is an expression of self displayed through personal style. Yet amid the bean boots, black North Face jackets, and Lulu leggings it’s hard to claim that a style is “yours” when you’re walking down the brick streets matching your neighbor. So what is style and who defines it? 

Influenced by trends, influencers and fashion houses we often go with the masses buying the newest fad from fast-fashion brands who dominate our selection by making the pretty cheap and readily available. The quick-paced, trend inspired cycle weakens our own ability to define our style as we look to others to set the trend for what to wear. 

If our style is told to us through trends, do we actually have a say in our style? 

5 years ago did we really think that large, white 60s inspired glasses were “cute” or did we view them as childish, even bizarre? Fast forward to the glasses gracing the streets of fashion week and were seen on the faces of our favorite influencers, not long and they’re the go-to “statement” piece that goes with our personal “style”. The original intent becomes diluted as the majority of consumers claim that the glasses are essential to their style brand - can we really all have the same style identity? 

How do you define your style and more pressing, who defines your style? Is your style by trend or by your intrinsic artistic liking for certain pieces of apparel? Looking inward, I challenge you to compare how your style matches your brand identity. 

Who is in control of defining your style?