For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by fashion.  Growing up, I was always playing “dress up” (usually in time period clothing, aka Little House on the Prairie) or accessorizing my Barbies and American Girl Dolls.  I have always loved the feel of clothing and been so interested in the way different styles look on the body.  I also have always loved mixing and matching different styles and prints. 

In my grade school and high school years I dressed wearing the current trends or whatever my friends were wearing. In college I began experimenting with my own style. I became heavily influenced by fashions of the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. I was obsessed with the Kennedys, Lilly Pulitzer, Audrey Hepburn, and Grace Kelly. Think miniskirts, shift dresses, bold prints, cigarette pants, and statement earrings. I even went through a phase where I was completely influenced by the “flower power” fashions of the late 60’s and early 70’s.

While in fashion school and my time living in New York City, my style became much more artsy.  I was once again influenced by trends, street style and the art world.  I actually really enjoyed this stage of my fashion experimenting.  But I eventually grew out of it and my tastes have evolved yet again. 

I do think it’s safe to say I’ve found my forever style. For the past nine years, my style can be defined as classic, all American, effortless, and preppy. I’m very much a mix of northern and southern prep. I like the easy, business, Ralph Lauren/J.Crew look of the New Englander, but I also enjoy the bright, patterned Lilly Pulitzer/Vineyard Vines look of the preppy southerner. And I still love a good trend, I choose to wear them subtly – maybe through color or an accessory.

I continue to be influenced by classic fashion icons like Audrey, Jackie and Lilly, but I’m also equally influenced by fashion bloggers.  Some of my favorite fashionistas to follow include Mackenzie Horan of Design Darling, Sarah Patrick of Classy Girls Wear Pearls, and Julia Dzafic of Lemon Stripes.  All of these women have a style that is timeless, chic, and classic.  The styles they wear will still look fabulous five, ten, and even fifty years from now.

At the end of the day, being comfortable and confident in your own skin and owning your style is the most fashionable way to be. Fashion is supposed to be fun, so enjoy the experimentation and find a style that works for you. And if your style changes ten times like mine has, just own it and love it. And maybe enjoy a few laughs.

Sláinte,

Shannon