This all started for me at Christmas when I was tasked with choosing what I want for the gifting holiday. Several conversations later and two days after the holiday I finally decided: I want a pair of Vans. Now, I understand that everyone has a pair of Old Skool Vans, that Old Skool Vans are the thing to wear and how could it have taken me this long to decide that I want these instant street cred sneakers? Well, I felt conflicted. Why would I want to be wearing the same shoes that everyone else has?
But then I thought to myself, I like these shoes and I want them in my wardrobe because they fit my style and I do not care if everyone I walk past has these shoes on too. The black pair were not really calling to me, but the style definitely was. And that's when it all hit me: navy blue. I picked them up, turned them over, looked them up and down and I knew that I had found the shoes for me. I was right. They were the shoes for me and I love them. I wear them constantly and I am overwhelmed by how happy these shoes make me.
Now, this story all comes down to a simple thing I always have to remind myself: it's okay to follow trends. Trends become trends because they look good, not just for the sake of everyone going to zara.com and picking out the exact same blue striped button down. The key to being stylish is being able to see trends and translate them into your own wardrobe. That's what these blue Vans mean to me. When you feel the need to try and talk yourself out of buying something because everyone has it, don't. Stop and think about how you would wear the look and about whether or not this trend is going work with your own personal style. Not all trends are for everybody. Do not feel obligated to try every cool thing you see Bella Hadid wearing while hanging in Downtown LA. Don't overwhelm yourself scouring the internet trying to find the best pair of green backed Stan Smiths, if you hate wearing sneakers. But know, and remember that if you love green and you love sneakers, wear the Stan Smiths.
Do not keep yourself away from something that you will love. Do not hold yourself back from a cool bag and funky shoes or an amazing sweater. If what is in is what moves you, put it on and rock it. Personal style is about what you feel best in, and if that's what everyone is wearing than so be it. I put my navy blue Old Skool Vans on with pride, every time I wear them. When I sit in the subway and I see someone else wearing them, I don't feel like a copycat. I feel confident in what I chose to wear and how I put it together, because we may be wearing the same shoes, but we definitely don't have the same style. As long as you stay creative and stay true to yourself, you will never feel like you are just a trend follower.
