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…
This is what I think is at the heart of “personal style”: personal history and experience. And those experiences do connect to the wearer’s sociological position so Jessica Elise is right that it’s inevitably connected to power and wealth. But it’s also connected to other things: a place you’ve lived, or a family member/friend, or even a museum exhibit or magazine feature that struck you, or, much less pleasantly, the need to flee home. Over decades these things accumulate and manifest in the fashion choices you make. Intentionally or otherwise.
I think personal style still does, and has always existed, and partaking in trends is part of that. Is it more rare with influencer culture? Sure—but Who Wore It Better existed in magazine culture because two people can buy the same garment and their personal style is what makes it look better. Some people just don’t know how to accessoRIZE to the occasion!
Everything being a remix doesn't mean nothing is original. I do think the idea of 'personal style' has warped and become less about expressing individuality and personality, and more about looking good and wearing pre-approved internet outfits. The antithesis of personal style, if ever there was one.
But personal style does exist. It exists in the way people show their personality through their style. Like another commenter wrote, "two people can buy the same garment and their personal style is what makes it look better."
Everything is a remix (except when it's not, and people are just copying the same bland outfits and wearing the same basic clothes.)
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…
This is what I think is at the heart of “personal style”: personal history and experience. And those experiences do connect to the wearer’s sociological position so Jessica Elise is right that it’s inevitably connected to power and wealth. But it’s also connected to other things: a place you’ve lived, or a family member/friend, or even a museum exhibit or magazine feature that struck you, or, much less pleasantly, the need to flee home. Over decades these things accumulate and manifest in the fashion choices you make. Intentionally or otherwise.
the Foucault meme inclusion made me cackle!!! I'm glad it was A Sunday Journal worthy hahaha
It was too perfect!
I think personal style still does, and has always existed, and partaking in trends is part of that. Is it more rare with influencer culture? Sure—but Who Wore It Better existed in magazine culture because two people can buy the same garment and their personal style is what makes it look better. Some people just don’t know how to accessoRIZE to the occasion!
Everything being a remix doesn't mean nothing is original. I do think the idea of 'personal style' has warped and become less about expressing individuality and personality, and more about looking good and wearing pre-approved internet outfits. The antithesis of personal style, if ever there was one.
But personal style does exist. It exists in the way people show their personality through their style. Like another commenter wrote, "two people can buy the same garment and their personal style is what makes it look better."
Everything is a remix (except when it's not, and people are just copying the same bland outfits and wearing the same basic clothes.)
LOVE “personalizing style genres” as a term and also as strategy
…of power à la Foucault