Find your hidden style patterns

Issue 4

Hello,

Increasingly I’m getting asked how to “do” the Misplaced Style project.

My goal is to find clothes that feel authentic to me. If that is your goal too, that begs the question: who is your authentic self?

Not a small question, and it will probably take a lifetime to answer. But questioning what you're wearing now and why you have those items may uncover clues to the next iteration of your personal style.

I’ve made a nice PDF with detailed prompts and thought starters to help guide your thinking. Some of the questions include:

• Who taught you about what is appropriate to wear when you were growing up? Do you still follow that advice?

• What triggers you to buy something new? Why is that?

• Who or what has the most influence over what you buy?

• What role do your clothes play socially? And emotionally?

As I did this exercise I was surprised to make the connection between giving up Instagram two years ago, and misplacing my style.

Giving up Instagram was good for my bank balance, I removed a large trigger of dopamine-seeking purchases. But what I’ve come to realise is that Instagram propped up my sense of personal style with its steady stream of inspiration, ideas and desire-inducing images. This wasn’t necessarily my style, but it was a style, and it felt like I belonged if I was wearing what Instagram influenced me to buy.

Huh.

Making this connection informs how I buy clothes now. As my finger hovers over a “buy” button, I take a micro-pause to ask myself if I’ve been influenced to buy this for the right reason, and if this item is authentic to me or just a quick fix to soothe a bad day.

I hope these journal prompts help you discover some of your hidden patterns, and you’ll start down the path to a more authentic personal style.

Let me know how you go!

Amelia