By Mari Sato
In the age of the influencer, the term ‘personal style’ seems to be attached to every product that comes across TikTok and Instagram. I often see influencers promoting garments that will supposedly help me achieve a ‘tomato girl aesthetic,’ or an ‘indie sleaze’ look, even the coveted ‘office siren’ style, all in an effort to bolster my personal style. But what do these aesthetics even mean? And how is brand marketing targeting the persecution of our individuality? SMU style icon Jenny Davis shares her approach to achieving an authentic personal style and how young people can develop their own personalized look:
Davis is an editorial fashion stylist, professor of practice in fashion media, the SMU Look advisor and author of “Style Wise: A Practical Guide to Becoming a Fashion Stylist.” Her style is eclectic with a thoughtful fusion of vintage and contemporary pieces. Davis can often be spotted on campus in a printed blouse, paired with colorful footwear, bold frame glasses and Birkin in hand. She has a very specific process for achieving a look that reflects the essence of her personality.
“Whenever I create an outfit I start from a formula.” Davis’ first step is to check the weather. She determines if the Texas heat will influence the pieces she pulls. Next, she always includes something from a female designer or locally owned boutique because it’s important for her to show her support for female and independently owned brands. Her looks usually include a vintage aspect since most of the pieces in her closet are preloved. Her key approach to communicating through fashion is her step-by-step formula. The technique is easily applicable and a great way to create a foundation for personal style.
Incorporating trends is also part of the process, but maybe not as important as we might assume. Davis approaches trends with careful consideration. Rather than blindly follow fads, she only incorporates trends that align with her values. She does this by viewing what is ‘in style’ through her perspective, which “helps you determine what a trend is going to be for you, so you aren’t as vulnerable when it comes to marketing.” Davis emphasizes the importance of knowing the meaning behind a purchase. Buying a garment from a certain brand with a certain style sends the message that you support that brand and its means of production. Before Davis buys something that is deemed ‘trendy’ she wants to “know what I’m representing.” This approach allows her to go beyond aesthetics and make getting dressed a form of self-expression.
For young people, myself included, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to developing personal style. Our individual aesthetic is something neither an influencer nor a Pinterest board can dictate for us; it’s something we must determine ourselves. Although this may appear overwhelming, it is an opportunity for creative freedom. As Davis puts it, “you can tell people about how you feel, about your values, about what sports teams you like, and what music you listen to.” However, personal style is not something that happens overnight. It can take decades to collect meaningful garments that represent your vibe. When developing your personal style, Davis recommends assessing two metrics: communication and fit. This will allow you to become more selective in your purchasing and add more significance to the pieces you decide to add to your wardrobe.
Social media will probably always push new trends and aesthetics and it’s easy to feel pressured to buy a bunch of new things to adopt that trend. But these may not actually resonate with who we are. Davis demonstrates that personal style is not about following the latest fad – it’s about curating a closet that reflects your values and individuality. When you invest in meaningful pieces your wardrobe becomes a source of happiness and creativity. Davis has cemented her closet as a source of joy.
“I love clothes, I have a lot of them and I’ve never been happier.”
