Happy Monday to all of you lovely readers!
When you’re scrolling through Instagram, there’s always going to be people whose style you really vibe with. That’s the incredible thing about social media — it creates a community where you can discover, flourish and learn from other people. Today on the blog, I’m talking all about how I’ve been inspired by one of my favorite fashion bloggers.
On the topic of personal style and building a blog, one of the first people that I ever looked up to in this industry was Julia Engel from Gal Meets Glam. When I decided to start blogging back in 2015, it was her website that I went to for advice and her Instagram account that I wanted to learn from. She has been an icon of mine for almost four years now. Fun Fact: There is also going to be a Gal Meets Glam Collection of dresses releasing this spring, so you KNOW I already have the release date marked in my calendar!
When I was thinking about what I wanted to write this week, I immediately thought about the ways we recreate the looks of our favorite style icons. I recently bought this dress on MEGA sale at the Loft, and it instantly reminded me of Gal Meets Glam. The pastel pink, bright floral print and flutter sleeves give it such a feminine and elegant look similar to dresses I’ve seen on her blog.
Now, I’ve always been the kind of person to take an outfit from simple to totally unexpected, so instead of matching this dress up with a pair of sandals or some wedges, I chose something that reflected my personal style — platform converse high tops. I topped it off with my favorite Panama hat to really make the outfit my own. That’s the thing about taking style cues from people that inspire you — it’s okay to wear a similar outfit, but have fun and make it your own!
Fashion is sometimes seen as catty and pretentious, which more often than not gives it a bad rap. But, I’ve loved seeing how positive vibes have infiltrated the industry in the past few years. It’s not about competing with other people for who has better style — it’s about collaborating and learning more about yourself and how it reflects on your personal style.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how important it is to shed a light on the happier, less pretentious side of fashion as a way to show that it can be fun! I remember when I was in high school, I felt like there was so much unnecessary competition about being “fashionable.” When I look back on it, I wonder why I cared so much, but I realize now that the reason I cared was because fashion held, and still holds, such a big place in my heart.
Having personal style doesn’t mean that you have all of the it-items before anyone else does, and just because you have a ton of clothes in your closet doesn’t mean it either. I think that’s one of the reasons why people get turned off by fashion — for fear that they have to fit into a certain mold of expectations. Well, I’m here to tell you that’s not true!
You don’t have to be making a million dollars a year, and you surely don’t need brands sending you clothes to determine whether you have personal style or not! When you see someone who inspires you, start a conversation about it! Bring an openness and a positivity to fashion, not a competition!
Well, that is all for today, friends! I hope that your Monday is spectacular and that your week is full of good vibes!
Until next time!
<3 Alicia
Featured Items:
Floral Dress — Similar Here (Georgette Dress), (Fit & Flare Dress)
Panama Hat — Similar Here (Anna Felt Panama Hat), (Nubby Woven Panama Hat)
Platform Converse High Tops — Similar Here (Platform Leather Sneakers), (All Star Platform Sneaker)