The February Challenge: Outdoors → 9-5 Wardrobe

Week Two: Identifying your personal style.

- From saddle bag to conference networking event -

Finding *Your* Style

One of my core childhood memories was being told I couldn’t wear my “party shoes” to the playground because it was raining. I was a deeply femme little kid. I refused to wear pants and my idea of nirvana was a friend with a princess dress-heavy costume box. As a preteen I obsessed over when I could wear makeup and how to get my hands on glitter nail polish. I was a girly girl, stuck in a granola kid lifestyle. Which had so many perks (thanks parents for the amazing childhood outdoors!) but few when it came to stylish shoes.

In my teen years, as my identity began to focus on the outdoors, it became more important to fit in. I wanted to signal that I was outdoorsy! I wanted to look like the Patagonia catalog! Like many teens, I was desperate to belong to something. I wore wool crew necks and Carhartts and Prana sports dresses for much of my twenties.

But that glitter-obsessed four year old was still in me and as I left outdoor seasonal work, I began to reconnect with her. I no longer had to dress primarily for weather and carrying aluminum dryboxes. I no longer cared much if I fit in. What did *I* want to wear each day?

Below are the tools I’ve used as I’ve begun to identify my own style. There is no right answer here, no final destination, and certainly no pressure to choose what I have chosen (western - queer femme - tailored).

As always, I would love to hear about which words best suit you. Put ‘em in the comments (along with any questions!) and I will cheer you on!

-Emerald