In the words of Coco Chanel: 

“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.”

AI01

DISCLAIMER: You might not be into fashion, and that’s fine. You also might not care to be into fashion, and that’s also fine. You can be fully, 100% you without fitting into what the world considers “fashionable.”

So, how do you find your “voice?”

The first step is to recognize and seek out things that resonate with you. These things can be simple – a force of nature, a person walking down the street wearing an amazing jacket, a moment in a conversation, or a word on a page. Take note of what moves you. When you begin to understand what compels and interests you, you can begin to find ways to incorporate it into the way you dress.

The second step is silencing your inner critic. There will always be a voice inside your head saying, you can’t do that. You can’t wear that. You don’t have a right to wear that. Listen to it and you’ll discover which lies you have been buying into. 

(Hint: pay attention to what goes through your head the next time you get dressed). 

Learn to break free from those negative voices. This is not so much a step as it is a process. I struggle every day with embracing the person I want to be. When I’m feeling insecure about an article of clothing, an accessory, or a way I’m presenting myself, I ask: Will NOT wearing this make me feel like I’ve compromised who I am? Will I regret not wearing this today? And, by not wearing this, am I losing a chance to be 100% myself, 100% (or at least, close) confident and mentally prepared for today? 

“Conformity is the only real fashion crime. To not dress like yourself and to sublimate your spirit to some kind of group identity is succumbing to fashion fascism.” — Simon Doonan

Find similar questions that will cause you to think, and ask yourself those when you’re second-guessing yourself.