On Style, Identity, and the Quiet Confidence of Knowing Yourself

People often ask me where my confidence comes from. I’ve learned there’s no singular answer, it’s layered, lived-in, and shaped over time. But one truth I return to often is this: I feel most grounded in myself when I feel most like myself. For me, personal style has always been one of the clearest ways I articulate that.

There’s something deeply affirming about cultivating a style so distinct that it becomes a kind of signature. Friends will see a blush-toned dress or a pearl hair clip and think of me, not because I’m chasing trends, but because I’ve committed to showing up in the world with intention. That recognition, however subtle, is powerful. It says: you’ve made yourself visible on your own terms.

If you’re in the process of refining your own sense of style, not just what you wear, but how you express who you are, here are a few guiding principles that have shaped my own journey:

1. Start with what moves you. Your personal style is an extension of your inner world. Pay attention to what you’re drawn to. Colors that energize you, textures that comfort you, shapes that feel like home. Let your curiosities lead you. Whether it's fashion, architecture, old film stills, or a certain era of design, start collecting what speaks to you. Don’t worry about coherence at first, just follow what sparks.

2. Observe with intention. Inspiration is everywhere, but it’s most powerful when we look with discernment. Ask yourself why something resonates. Is it the mood? The silhouette? The story behind it? For me, inspiration often arrives in unexpected ways: a line in a song, the composition of a painting, a fleeting moment of elegance in the everyday. Let the world teach you how to see.

3. Try, learn, revise. Finding your style is not a one-time decision, it’s a practice. Give yourself permission to experiment without the pressure to get it “right.” Some outfits will miss the mark. Some will surprise you. Either way, you’re learning. With every choice, you’re refining not just your closet, but your sense of self.

4. Prioritize authenticity over aesthetics. The goal isn’t to be stylish, it’s to be you. Style should feel like a reflection, not a performance. Be wary of trends that pull you too far from yourself. There’s nothing wrong with being inspired, but let that inspiration pass through the filter of your own identity. That’s where resonance lives.

5. Let it evolve. Who you are today may not be who you were five years ago, or who you’ll be five years from now. Let your style change as you do. Growth is not a betrayal of your past self; it’s an honoring of who you’re becoming. Keep listening inward. Let your wardrobe be a living document of your becoming.

At its best, personal style is not about appearance—it’s about alignment. It’s a way of saying, “This is how I’ve chosen to take up space.” And when done with care, it becomes less about impressing others and more about reminding yourself of who you are.

Let your style be a mirror. Let it reflect you clearly. Let it feel like home. ​ Curious about the aesthetic archetypes my sense of style comes from? Click the pics below!

Bubblegum B*tch

McBling

Barbiecore