Marian commented on last week’s Inspired by: Lizzy Hadfield of Shot From the Street post “….I see where you find inspiration – like I don’t think I would have ever thought of emulating the style of 20-something Korean guys. Even Lizzy Hadfield….I realized that if I had seen her on my own, I would have admired her taste but I would have immediately dismissed her because she’s so young and slim and I’m turning 60 and I don’t have that figure anymore….”

Her comments reminded me of some things I’ve been thinking about re looking for and finding inspiration.

I know I talk about inspiration a lot! But it is such a significant element of “fashioning.” I am not naturally all that originally creative. But I can see something – an entire outfit, a book cover, wallpaper, a garden – and it will send my mind into “how can I emulate that from my own wardrobe” mode, One thing can spark many ideas. And I’m grateful for those things that strike me as OOH I LIKE THAT.

But the interesting thing is I don’t necessarily find outfit/style inspo where you’d think I’d find it. I never THINK “I’d like to create some different outfits, let me google “20-something-year-old Korean men” OR “young, slim British bloggers.” You’d THINK I’d be perusing the plus-size blogs…or even looking to see what the over-50 (oh, alright, over-SIXTY) crowd is wearing.

But for the most part (with a few exceptions), I do not share the plus-size bloggers’ taste in clothing. I’m not putting anyone down, we’re just different. I see a lot of body-con, bold colors, ultra-feminine looks. I do NOT see much minimal style among plus-size bloggers. On Instagram there was a handful of plus-size German bloggers…but I don’t speak German. And there are few bloggers I can stick with based on pictures alone. And if you google “plus size minimal style,” there is very little. Most of those clothing sites are $$$. $$$.

But once I opened my mind up to realizing I could take inspiration from anyone…not just those at my age, stage in life, body size, etc…but anyone, I was SO much more inspired! I was finally seeing outfits I really LOVED, instead of just those that were “suitable” or “appropriate” for my age, size, etc.

And yes, the vast majority of those who consistently inspire me are YOUNG. I keep expecting to hear a “you should dress your age” comment. Here’s the thing. I’m not trying to “look young.” I’m trying to dress the way my mind feels…and my mind FEELS like I’m…25? Ha. There’s also the feeling of wanting to dress more like a boy than a girl. I don’t see many women my age dressing in a more gender-neutral way (not sure that’s the appropriate term? but I think maybe? forgive me if I’m missing the mark)…or plus size women. Or men!

So I need to look outside my own identity to find style inspiration. Does that sentence make sense? I’m struggling a bit at getting my thoughts out in a way that others will understand.

Use a LARGE net when first looking for inspiration. Look at EVERYTHING. Be open to everything. Try everything. Try everything you want. Don’t start out putting restrictions on yourself, “I’m too old,” “I’m too fat,” “I’m too shy,” whatever. You’re not. You’re not “too” anything. Whatever you are is just right for you. If it’s ever not…you’ll change.

The older I get the more I want my theme (motto?) to be “no closed doors.” This goes for a lot of things, but…style, definitely.

Am I going to look like Lizzy or Taehyung if I wear similar clothes to them? Ha. Of course not. I’m going to look like ME. And that’s just how I should look.

Remember, it’s not about copying outfits word for word (well, I mean, if you want to, knock yourself out), it’s about taking the concepts and applying them to your wardrobe. There’s a quote by Austin Kleone: “Don’t just steal the style, steal the thinking behind the style. You don’t want to look like your heroes, you want to see like your heroes.”

What I’m Wearing

Button-down: Anthropologie, 2x. 2021

Jeans: Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda jeans, 20 short. 2021

Sneakers: Oh how I wish I had lilac Converse!

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