Style vs. fashion, two different topics. Fashion is all about what the current trend is and what's selling in stores now. I'm here to discuss style and my style in particular.

Personal style is what YOU like, what you wear, what you gravitate toward and what represents you. Your style may be entirely about the current fashion, it may be athletic or "80s chic" or it may be completely distasteful, but what's important is that it's YOU.

I like to think that I am not a boring person. The idea of being boring or dull actually scares me. I try to keep things interesting for myself and for everyone around me, so in general, you can usually find me smiling and keeping busy. I'm a pretty optimistic, empathetic person, and I am always trying to look on the bright side of things and find the good in the bad that people encounter. Basically, it pleases me when people are pleased! I love seeing a smile.

I tend to spend a lot of effort into making other people happy, which I don't mind, but where I find myself attempting to satisfy no one but me, is when I get dressed in the morning. Clothes make me feel good! I have a lot of clothes, and I have no problem admitting this! I do not feel this is a superficial or vain act, trying to look good for others. I enjoy my clothes for the sole reason of pleasing me.

Clothes and accessories are an outlet that I've discovered to express who I am. Around my preteen years, I was awkward and uncomfortable as ever, just like everyone else. I was pretty damn shy, worried a lot about what people thought, and wore a lot of black (which if all black is YOUR style, it's awesome and perfectly fine). I first learned that clothing could be expressive when I started wearing band tees and noticed other people who liked the same bands could relate to me through my T-shirts. Showcasing what I liked through my style became more and more significant.

In high school, I added boots and platforms, patterned tights and socks, colorful leggings, skirts, and shorts, scarves in my hair, and lots and lots of animal print. I could put on my body what I was feeling. If I felt bouncy and energetic, I would throw on polka dots and florals, and if I was feeling down, I would wrap myself in a blanket-scarf and fuzzy socks. The animal-lover that I am, cheetah prints and giraffe-prints made themselves into my outfit on the daily. My style had become a crucial part of who I was.

I've become more daring and less preoccupied by what everyone else thinks of what I'm wearing and what I'm doing as time has passed. Mixing prints, patterns, and colors is one of my favorite parts about getting dressed; I just put them together as I feel them. I don't stress over if they go together or if others will approve; as long as I'm feelin' it, what else matters?

One comment I receive quite often is, "I love that on you, but I could never pull it off." I do not think "pulling it off" is ever a factor when it comes to personal style. Whether one "can" or "can't" wear something isn't a matter of whether it looks good on them, but whether it suits them. Does it match who you are, what your personality is? If you are a lady who likes to stick with jeans and hoodies, wearing lacy tights and a flowy skirt will probably not look right, but not because you don't look great. You won't feel right! It's not who you are, and I believe that is what's important. Being able to "pull something off" is too often confused with simply dressing true to yourself.

I will never put anything on that doesn't make me feel amazing. Personally, I need MY style in order to thrive. My need to keep things interesting is where the variety comes in, and as much as my style is just for me, I do get a kick out of the smile that some people get from my cat-print bags and frilly socks.