How not to be a style icon
A simple guide in seven parts
1
Be the one in sturdy shoes and trousers
Be the one wearing sturdy shoes that are meant for slow walking and pants roomy enough so that you can squat down and look at the ants together with small children, be the one who can sit down on a log with a friend to share a chocolate, without thinking about your outfit or the calories
2
Be the one with the bag
Be the one with the bag that's not this year's it-bag, the bag that's big enough to hold the library book that's so good you've checked it out three times in a row and the extra scarf for if it gets chilly while you're reading the book at the bus stop
3
Be the one with the natural hair colour
Be the one flaunting your grey hair as a crown of silver well earned, be the one spending money on a great haircut instead of chemical dye and be the one not shaming your friend for colouring her hair
4
Be the one in the sweater
Be the one in the sweater that defies style, the sweater that will never be featured in any blog article about "this season's must-haves", just the good old sweater in a colour that makes your eyes twinkle and your skin glow
5
Be the one who can take a compliment
Be the one who answers with a wink and a "Thank you, I know" when someone compliments you on what you're wearing
6
Be the one in the same dress
Be the one wearing the same dress over and over, not worrying about having been seen in it before, because you know it suits you just fine and you love that dress
7
Be the one who doesn't impress
Be the one who shows up in order to listen to others, not to impress them
This blog post was inspired by Pia Jane Bijkerk, author of “My Heart Wanders” and writer of infrequent but poignant newsletters. Sign up for her emails. And say hi from me if you contact her.
This was a beautiful post. I like this way of thinking of clothes and rejecting fast fashion. I love creativity, but we are also much more than just our exteriors.
I’m so glad you found it inspiring! And yes, we are so much more than our exteriors, even though it’s also fun to play with outfits and accessories.
As I have never been a style icon I loved this! As a very little girl I rebelled against the pale pink dress I was put in because “pale” was “in” for little girls. I never stopped rebelling after that. And I never wore pink again until 60 years later I found out I am a Bright Winter and discovered fuchsia.
Good for you, and keep that rebellious spirit!