Today's post is one I've toyed with writing for months now! It's been something that has been playing on my mind for a while, but since reading Chloe Plumstead's post on "What The Spice Girls Taught" her, which you must all read, it spurred me on to finally put pen to paper and then fingers to keys and get some things off my chest about the world of typecasting.
As Chloe so beautifully (as always) said, I guess our first introduction into typecasting came from the Spice Girls, not something I'd ever thought of before (thats what I love so much about Chloe's writing, she makes you think things!)
We had the super cute and oh so feminine Baby Spice, Sporty Spice who was of course the tomboy of the pack, with Ginger and Scary being the loud and proud's of the bunch and Posh being, well, dead posh in that little Gucci dress. It was the hottest question amongst the playground, "which spice girl is your fave" and whilst most had a firm fave, I actually remember changing my mind ALL the time on who I liked the most. I think that says a lot about how I've shaped a personal style and more recently a career for myself, I'm forever changing my mind, forever adapting, evolving and forever fickle about the kind of things I like and don't like.
One day I wanted pigtails and platforms a la Baby spice, the next I was rocking my Kappa tracksuit and a skin tight pony tail and the next opting for crop tops and leopard print; the only one I didn't champion was Posh Spice, which again, says a lot about the person and the stylist I am today.
From then on I was forever trying to work out who I was when it came down to my style. My mum had ALWAYS championed that we didn't follow the crowd, however, as a 13 year old impressionable girl who is trying to avoid the mean girls, this was somewhat hard. I was desperate to blend in, something I learnt rather quickly wasn't something I was very good at. And whilst I tried and tested all the trends the cool kids were rocking, it was only when I was 15 and introduced to Enter Shikari, that I felt I really, truly, found my way in personal expression through clothing. I entered, albeit briefly, into the scene kid stage of teenage-hood, fit with fluorescents, OTT slogan's and hairspray, a lot of hairspray.
That then led me into the whole indie scene which is truly where I found myself and my love for styling once and for all.
As you can see from the above, my entire childhood was based upon stereotypes, and I totally get why. When we're younger we're desperate to find our space, to pave our way and to essentially fit in. We'll go down all these weird and wonderful routes of self expression depending on what others are doing, but to be honest, I wouldn't have had it any other way.
It's thanks to these two key stereotypes that I am the person I am today and I have a lot to thank them for when it comes to my personal style.
A question I am asked more than any other question, whether it's you guys, journalists or brands is "define your personal style" this question usually ends with "in three words!" It's a ridiculous question but one I always have the same answer for, "Different.Every.Day" and 'tis true, my style really is different every day!
Personal style is a depiction of the mood, weather and vibe I'm feeling that day, it's in the name, it's a personal thing that is genuinely affected by the surroundings I'm in.
So to define my personal style in just three words, well thats just down right never going to happen now is it?
VELVET SHIRT- URBAN OUTFITTERS, TROUSERS- RIVER ISLAND, BOOTS- c/o OFFICE, BAG- PRADA c/o NET-A-PORTER
The media and the brands in which we love to shop have a huge part to play in the typecasting of young girls and the way we feel we should dress. When I was working at ASOS as ASOS_Megan I was the "alternative trend girl" an alter ego I was pleased to have but a title that should have never been given. The other girls on my team were employed to relate to a different type of girl whether that be the "Scandi Girl" the "Glam Girl" or the "Grunge Girl" we were pigeon holed in order to appeal to a certain type of woman. And whilst I can totally see why this works in the world of retail, it certainly shouldn't be that way IRL.
I've been in a number of meetings where I've felt the brand or person was using me to tick off another box "thats the alternative girl sorted" and it makes me kinda sad that typecasting still happens in order for us to try to process and understand someone.
What I LOVE so deeply about personal style is that it is constantly evolving, heck it's human nature to change our mind, to try things out and to mix things up from time to time, we don't need to be put in a box as one kind of person and especially not to appeal to a type of person.
Personal style is all about discovery, it's about experimentation and it's about being inspired by everything around us (see this video here) It's not something we need to define with a title, we can be whoever we want to be and we can be inspired and take a little bit from whoever we want to also.
Similarly to when I was 8 years old and deciding what Spice Girl to be that day, I change the person I want to channel on a daily basis. Some days I'll rock head to toe pink fit with heart print and the cutest bag you could ever find, but then some days I'll rock my biker jacket with ripped jeans and leather clad boots and thats cool with me and clearly cool with you guys too.
We don't need to explain ourselves, we're just doing us and that just so happens to be a little different every single day. Personal style is a way in which to express ourselves to the world, however it certainly doesn't define us.
And whilst most stereotypes that come my way I will happily take with a pinch of slat, think twice before you label someone with something. Self expression through personal style is a beautiful thing, something that we have the power and creativity to mix up each and ever day to be the person we want to be that day, it's such a powerful thing to be able to control and something I whole heartedly commend those who are brave enough to do so.
So with that, I challenge you to not second guess yourself, don't doubt the sartorial choices you make or that others make, put on your whackiest combination and darling, just fucking own it! Let's banish these stereotypes/typecasts/pigeon holes once and for all.
x M
Hell to the YES! Love this post! I was the same as a kid- going from the Combat trousers with the netted sports top to an all pink velvet catsuit (yes I had one of those) I’m so excited for the river island studio event tonight but I’ve been worrying what to wear thinking everyone will be judging my outfit choice, but I’m there to have fun so I should wear what I want to wear- and feel comfortable in!! I’m even more excited about the event now! I can’t wait!!
Oh the nineties ey haha! What were we like ha!
I’m SO glad you had a lovely time babe and it was so wonderful to see you again and have a good chin wag! You looked bloody gorgeous! That skirt!!!!! xo
Everything about this is fantastic… The photos, your words, your face. Love eiiiiiit. Love you xx
Oh youuuuuuu! LOVE YOU MORE!!! x
Oh, Megan. I absolutely love this post. I’ve always been labeled as “the edgy girl” or “the tomboy”, but the truth is, I like extravagant fashion and being kinda extra as much as I like the tomboy look. Like you say, personal style is a way of self expression and that’s why I love fashion so much.
Also, these photos are freaking gorgeous. You never fail to inspire me, girl xxx
Emma
Thank you so much Emma, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! YES to self expression!
And thanks so much for the kind words on the images, I’m SO glad you like xo
I feel like my style is always evolving and one day I wanna be really girly glam and the next I want to be edgy and tomboyish. You go gal you look unreal as always! The the post xxx
I hear you SO much on this babe! Thank you so much for reading and taking the time out to comment, it means a lot! xo
I’m glad you posted this. I have this constant battle of not ‘knowing’ what my style is and therefore don’t buy or wear certain items because I don’t feel like they’re my style, even though I absolutely love the pieces. Its nice to see someone who I definitely see as having a definite sense of style feel like me, different. every. day. Because maybe that means I also have a continuous sense of style that I just don’t recognize. (reading this back it makes no sense, but oh well!)
I think thats the beauty of personal style, you don’t need to know! Theres not guide to “finding a personal style” it just happens! And absolutely you’ll have that clear identity of style without even knowing it, just doing you! xo
Fantastic post! I love that you just wear what you want, why have one style when you can have them all! Plus this has got to be one of your best looks, the shirt, the trousers, the hair, the lipstick. Gorgeous! x
Thats it!!! There are WAY too many clothes to have one distinct personal style, why not try them all! Ahhh babe I’m so glad you like, thanks so much for reading and taking the time out to comment, it means SO much x
THIS!!!!!!!!! “Different. Every. Day” gave me chills – but it’s so true! Why should style be labeled? Some days I walk around in a David Bowie tee, some jeans and a jacket, others I legit wear star wars and a cute skirt, and then sometimes a dress? I couldn’t even describe my style because it’s based on my mood; if I’m feeling like a boss bitch I’m going to pop on a blazer and some trousers, I’m a Gemini so I have a lottttt of personalities. Haha XX
https://ainsleylouise.com/
Ahhh Ainsley, thank you, as always for you lovely comment!
YES why should we be labelled ey!? xo
Megan I honestly never interact with the bloggers/youtubers I follow, and I’ve been following so many for the guts of 10 years now, but this post really drove home for me why you’re such a favourite! I have so many style inspirations I come back to for different moods, looks etc, but honestly your creativity and mutability is so exciting and refreshing, I can never get enough of your posts! It still blows my mind that you’re a relatively small fish in a pond where so many people seem to WANT to be pigeon-holed, because honestly I don’t see anyone doing what you’re doing with the same passion and boldness. TLDR; you’re my absolute favourite, don’t ever stop changing! <3
Oh wow Orlaith, thank you SO much for saying hey and for your awesome comment, that really does mean the world!
You’re SO right and I wanted to address that in my post, about people seemingly wanting to be pigeon-holed but couldn’t find the words to do it! Bu that will never be me! IT baffles me that people would want that as there’s too much beautifulness in the world of fashion and quite frankly not enough time to stick with just the one style, amiright!?
Thank you for commenting babe and I hope to see you around here much more from now on 😉 xo
You perfectly summed up how I feel about personal style: that you can’t sum it up!
During middle school and my first years of high school I’ve always tried to blend in, to not be in the spotlight, even with my fashion choices, which were always pretty bland and tomboyish. Growing up, I’ve never felt like my own personal style could be fitted in a specific box, but specific boxes were everything that media and magazines provided me with. Then I’ve “discovered” YouTube and its fashion side, and I was mind-blown. (LaSbii is an Italian youtuber with a killer style, and she influenced me greatly – you are a more recent discovery, but your style is right up my alley).
Now I’ve started uni and in the last year and a half I’m trying to expand my oersonal style and make more daring choices (I’ve always had an unconditional love for so-ugly-they’re-pretty shoes hehe), as well as embracing the more feminine side of my style: I learnt that people won’t take me less seriously if I’m wearing pink or a frilly dress.
Thank you for this post, Megan!!
Oh babe thank you so much for sharing this! It means the world! It’s amazing to hear that you’ve found the confidence to wear what you want (especially ugly/pretty shoes, they’re my favourite too!)
The boxes the media put personal style into is a truly irritating thing that is also totally unnecessary, hopefully one day these will be banished all together!
Thanks also for the italian youtuber recommendation! I’ll be sure to check her out now, thanks babe x
Thank you for these beatiful advises which are big encouragement! You are great from inside and outside, stay ačways like that! Big HELLO from Croatia!
Oh thank you Tereza thats so great to hear x
Yes Megan! This is the post I never knew I needed to read. But here it is! Thank you for celebrating individuality, versatility and courage. As someone who didn’t fit it from a race, culture or style point of view this has given me a much need assurance to carry on regardless. I can’t define your style nor should I. Thank you Megan. Keep em coming x
Oh Rabya, your comment is so beautiful and really, truly means the world! Thanks so much for reading babe x
Oh my god Megan that post just oppened my eyes so so much !
What I also feel is that sometimes this « label » that you carry can affect your way of shopping. Like sometimes I would see an item that I love, but I feel like it « doesnt fit » in the label I’m given or something and it makes me feel insecure to buy it whilst i absolutely adore it !
Thank you for your great advice you are such an inspiration to me. Living in Paris is great for fashion but sometimes I feel that you can be so heavily judged style wise and your videos & posts have helped me gain so much confidence and made me dare to wear clothes out of my comfort zone!
Thank you so much ???
I completely agree that labels restrict you from getting out of your comfort zone and trying something new, it’s a little voice at the back of you head for sure!
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, it really means so much that you’re wearing pieces that are out of your comfort zone and absolutely loving it, that is so great to hear! x
Love this post and I couldn’t agree more with you about personal style and I particularly hate questions which end with the ‘in one/two/three words’, it is just like the are you a morning or an evening person, introvert or an extrovert questions, the answer is always more complicated than that!
http://fannyanddailybeauty.com
ALWAYS more complicated than that! x
This resonated a lot with me. I wanted very much to be trendy but I didn’t like a lot of the styles that were popular, and they didn’t fit right on my body. Honestly, I think the biggest issue was that I didn’t like or feel confident in them, and the clothes owned me, rather than me experimenting with different styles. I think I’m still not very adventurous with fashion, but I now know to let loose and pick things I am confident in rather than blindly following trends! I love how you mix prints and aren’t afraid to switch things up! Fingers crossed I find your eye for fashion some day
Not being adventurous with your style is okay, as long as you feel great and feel you. Trends aren’t for everyone, and if they were this world would be a very boring place wouldn’t it. You’ve got this girl, just doing you is the best thing you can do! x
Beautiful look so stylish and chic and unique 🙂 I love the boots and the bag 🙂
http://www.ivanasworld.com
Thank you so much hun x
I’ve followed you for a while and I’ve got to say – I LOVED this! I’ve had the same thoughts with style as well – especially in regards to feeling like everything is a false dichotomy. We’re forced to make the choice between two absolutes, tomboy or girly, sexy or demure, trendy or classic. I’ve tried to branch out and just wear what I like and it’s just so much easier! Thank you for the inspiration on this Friday! xo
Oh Sarah I’m so glad to hear it!
I love the point about making the decision between two absolutes, you’re so right but it’s just so not on.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment, it means the world x
Love love love this! Why do we have to pigeon hole ourselves into a style? As you answered abouve, we don’t!. Forever inspired by your fashion Megan ?? great post!
We absolutely do not!
Thanks so much for reading babe, so glad you enjoyed x
Absolutely bloody love the outfit AND sentiment here – you’re so right.
x Camilla
camillaackley.com
Thank you gorgeous one xo
I love this post! I completely agree, I’m similar I don’t really have a set style I just wear whatever I like at that point.
Lauren
livinginaboxx
So true that we are always evolving. There’s that saying that the only thing constant is change, and really, change can make things more fun! 🙂 I got excited when I read that you listened to Enter Shikari, too. I love the indie music scene as well. Who are your favorite indie musicians at the moment? 🙂
Ooo good question babe.
You know what, I don’t have any new faves which is a shame, but all time faves (in the rock & roll/indie scene) include Peace, Tame Impala, Father John Misty, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, The 1975, Hello Operator, The Front Bottoms, to name a few 🙂 Hope you find some newbies 🙂 x
Yes yes YES to this! I love expressing myself through my clothes and I’ll be sooo honest when I say that you were the person that inspired me to do that. I pigeon holed myself for so long, only wearing monochrome outfits and ‘model’ casting attire, when I realised I wasn’t being myself or allowing myself to express myself in anyway. I love wearing ‘wacky’ things now. I love getting funny looks in the street whilst people wonder what on earth ive got on! If I love it, I’m going to wear it – it helps me learn who I am when I get to try out weird new things/outfits! Xxx
Oh babes, thats so cool to hear.
I TOTALLY adore your style and each and every bold af look you throw together! x
I completely relate to this, Megan! Thank you so much for iterating exactly how I feel. As style bloggers, we’re told to find our “niche” and stick to that 100%, and that’s so hard for me because I love waking up and deciding who I want to be today. It’s like playing dress up every day! I love your style and all the different ways you express yourself!
YES a game of dress up every single day is what it’s all about! x
YES – I think it took me years to find out that we’re all being cast into certain roles and groups. I love doing my thing differently daily, even if it’s all grey and blah.
Lauren x
Britton Loves | Cruelty-Free/Vegan Beauty • Lifestyle • Photography
You do you gorgeous girl! x
look this look on you, its so chic and you look amazing!
www,justabigail.com
Thank you poppet x
What’s the nail polish you’re wearing?
Thanks
Xx
LOVE THIS! It’s so hard not to pigeon-hole ourselves into one style but it definitely happens. Even now I sometimes struggle with escaping my comfort zone. But, let us wear what we love and love what we wear and live for the person we want to be that day!
Oh Emma that is SO beautiful! x
Wow, I read your post with such excitement. I’ve already discovered your blog some weeks ago and I really, really admire your outfits and texts.
I am a 15-year-old girl from Germany and I am now getting through this time you described at the beginning. Actually it is so hard to try out things in fashion because everybody at your school (even the teachers!) and your social surroundings will judge you, they all want everybody to look the same. Why? I don’t know!
Your post is such a motivation and I think every teenage girl, who reads it, will be braver to try out fashion at its best.
I hope, sometimes I am also able to write such wonderful things on my blog about my developed personal style!
Love,
Charlie from https://frischgelesen.de
P.S. I also love to read English blogs like yours. I started to translate my German blog posts into English, so it really helps me getting to know the English language even better. 🙂
Ohhh Charlie thank you for your lovely comment, it truly, truly means the world.
I’m so glad you’re finding inspiration to stand out and be yourself from my words, thats so wonderful to hear!
Keep it up girlie and let me know how you get on gorge x
This post is the truest thing I’ve read in a long time! I LOVE and adore fashion and it is probably has been my biggest passion from an early age. But as you said, when being a teenager it quickly turns into dressing in a certain way because of other people or certain idols. More often than not it result in expressing yourself in a way that you want others o see you instead of how you feel you truly are. Fashion is a beautiful way to express yourself- express, not describe. Thanks so much for this post Megan!
Also can I just say that to me you’re my fave style inspiration and that you encourage me to actually wear more daring outfits and combinations that I keep in my mind out and about.
Lots of love!