We Need to Shut Up About Personal Style
Prompt No. 64: Quick Hits and Acquisitions
A few days ago, surrounded by laundry drip-drying, a dwindling pile of household paper products, and my dog’s dirty blankets, I sat on the toilet seat of my guest bathroom and began scrolling through Pinterest. I wanted to get dressed, but needed inspiration; a quick dopamine hit off of something — anything — new. Although I am comfortable with the world of deconstructed, artisanal, and avant garde fashion (Rick Owens, Yohji Yamamoto, and Ottolinger have all been in my closet for years now), I have always offset the intensity of those styles with classic, if not preppy pieces. Still, doing away with the sartorial safety net of the latter has left me feeling somewhat lost, wondering how can I make my desired presentation my own. As I flicked through an endless grid of Aesop bottles, Acne Studios bags, and all things Ann Demeulemeester, something occurred to me. I think we need to shut up about “personal style.”
Not only does it not exist, the notion of personal style fosters individualism and a false sense of singularity. It promises to curb consumption by exempting us from trends, yet the intoxicating potential for discovery and self-construction ensures our participation, even as we age and evolve. Worse, today’s surveillance on and offline turns the process into a form of social control. While we may think our success or failure in achieving it rests with us as the wearer, we embark on this journey to communicate something of ourselves… to others. Attaining true personal style would introduce a new sartorial language, rendering the visual message mystifying and incomprehensible to most observers. Of course that’s not the goal, but it also cannot be accomplished with clothes from COS, Zara, or any brand at Dover Street Market. We are demanding originality of ourselves in a world incapable of creating new symbols and meaning. No matter how “considered” our selections may be, we are referencing something that’s referencing something that’s often times referencing something else.
So what’s the point? Power. As Michel Foucault said, “Power is not an institution, and not a structure; neither is it a certain strength we are endowed with; it is the name that one attributes to a complex strategical situation in a particular society.” We believe in the power of visual distinction. As a society devoid of culture and community, the U.S. is somewhat unique in its inability to see fashioning the body as primarily a collective practice. We can change that, though, and I will do my part. From here on out, I refuse to use the term “personal style” and will instead reframe the concept as personalizing style genres. I think it gets us a bit closer to the truth and each other.
That said, I welcome your thoughts. Please share your comments below or in the paid members coffee chat, open tomorrow (Monday) morning.
Orphaned Header: Shoutout to Cecilia for sending me the following from @\postmodernandvegan on Instagram:
I know we tend to acquire perspective here, not just things, but even I need a break from theory and discourse to just enjoy fashion and do a little window shopping. Having reduced my wardrobe to basic black (and a few pieces in natural and oak, courtesy of Lauren Manoogian and Rick Owens), I could not help but notice what little color has appeared during New York and Paris Fashion Weeks. If Miranda Priestly’s infamous cerulean blue speech is correct, the absence of color in the fall/winter 2026 collections means even less color in stores this summer. Although one might think I’d celebrate the severity that stomped down the runways (and in some cases, I am), I have a feeling the shift will prompt yet another round of handwringing over J.Crew. I know that sounds random, but hear me out! Whenever trends shift too far away from prep, a thinkpiece on the 40 year-old brand curiously emerges. Why? I have no idea. However, what I do know is that J.Crew could shutter and simply be replaced by any one of Ralph Lauren’s many diffusion brands, especially now that its creative director for menswear, Brendon Babenzien, left last month after only four years to focus on his label, Noah. That’s not exactly great news. Credited with bringing back J.Crew’s archival styles and catalog, Babenzien brought the brand into the modern era, notably fighting back against its aversion to black.
Listen.
I know I said the playlists would return — and they will — but I am simply dragging my feet on finding an alternative to Spotify. Quboz did not offer all of the songs I wanted to include, nor would it allow public access without a subscription. While I figure this out, please know that I am blasting the Doechii-approved single “VENOM” by Slum Princess. If you’re on the cool side of social media, you may have seen clips of the rapper’s video, which features her bobbing, weaving and swinging her braids in a black maxi dress. Once I’ve exhausted myself, I put on Cécile McLorin Salvant’s September release, “Oh Snap”. Highly suggest starting at the beginning with “I am a volcano.” Clearly, the vibe is angry and artsy.
Read.
Leaving Home Series (Vestoj)
Although positioned as “a series of conversations in which recent refugees reflect on material possessions” Leaving Home are three quick snapshots of the lives of people who have had to rebuild and fit in in new surroundings. Clothing, obviously, plays an incredible role. Absolutely worth your time.
Checkout.
Lauren Manoogian Panel Pants - $790
I will get these on sale or when in roughly six months to a year when they pop up on TheRealReal. I cannot justify full price when I hardly leave the house, but I love the proportions between the panel and the pant inseam.
Front General Store Vintage Silver Earrings - $98 - 128
One pair looks like the petal of a calla lily and the other like a curved nail. Front General’s selection of vintage silver jewelry is one of the best curations online. (Also: anyone with a size 7 finger should check out this modernist ring!)
SONYA LEE Jamie Bowling Bag - $425
This bag could usher in fashion blogging in 2026. It could revive Tumblr and Lookbook, if we let it! It’s been a while since a bag has truly impressed me. The Jamie is edgy, yet sophisticated in a soft, pebbled leather. Quite frankly, it looks more expensive than it is and of a higher quality than most high-end designer bags on the market. I assume the 20-somethings are snapping up the other models (a lot of bags are sold out), the Jamie feels appropriate for the millennials who miss (or maybe still have) their going-out tops and Bebe heels.
That’s it for this edition! See you in the comments, paid subscriber chat, or elsewhere on the Internet. Thank you so much for reading. -je.
Those Vestoj interviews are so moving, thanks for sharing. I once interviewed a woman who showed me the backpack she fled Afghanistan with and one could tell how much she hated/treasured that backpack.
I think of each style genre having a language and my goal is to acquire some degree of fluency…
the Foucault meme inclusion made me cackle!!! I'm glad it was A Sunday Journal worthy hahaha