Stylishly Evolved: Dressing for Every Version of Me
Someone asked me if I think my personal growth is influencing my fashion choices, and I would argue that it most definitely does. The woman I am becoming, or striving to become, is more bold and more strategic than the girl I was before. As I said in my previous post, I wear whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want; I dress how I feel. My style is a direct reflection of who I am – my many personalities, moods, and experiences. And since I am constantly evolving, so are my fashion choices.
SIGNATURE STYLES THAT DEFINE ME
I don’t think I have a “signature style” due to the fact that my fits are based on how I feel. My style is influenced by my MANY personalities, my life experiences, my lover, my friends, the music I listen to, my favorite designers, etc. I am FOR SURE a streetwear girly, though I’ve been tapping more into my feminine space, and I’ve been falling in love with that side of me. I will say I love pieces that are different and artsy! Fashion is wearable art, and I loveeeee when I purchase a piece that embodies that. Even though I see art in various pieces, it’s usually accessories that do it for me – pieces that add to my look. When I see a shoe, or a bag, or a hat, or some frames, or a piece of jewelry that just stands out and is so unique, when I think to myself “I have to have this,” (even though I think that about damn near every piece I own lol), THAT is what feels most like me. When I’m putting looks together, I like to think about how I can take it to the next level. I ask myself, “What can I add to this to give it a little more umph?”
I stick to streetwear looks for my everyday, but I opt for other style categories for special occasions. Lately I’ve been leaning towards classic, romantic, and vintage looks, but also looks that are bold and edgy. I’m so obsessed with the 90s and early 2000s! Those late 90s and early 2000s “it” girls from the tv shows I watched as a little girl play a part in my style, too. I’ve always been into how things LOOK. I LOVED Fran from “The Nanny” and Whitley from “A Different World.” And lately I've really been into vintage designer, especially Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, and Chanel. I have so many designer brands I love, but my top five would be Balenciaga, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and YSL for just their bags alone. ALL OF THAT is what my looks have been heavily influenced by. Here are some of my favorite looks as of late:
INVESTMENT PIECES
The pieces you buy are a self-investment, so be intentional. I noticed I wasn’t really “wearing” my clothes. Social media has gotten us so caught up in “I wore that already” or “I posted in this already,” and I hate that for us. So instead of focusing on what pieces I want to buy more of this year, I’m endeavoring to wear MY clothes. I bought them for a reason. I don’t care if I’ve worn it before, I’m going to wear it again...and again and again and again. Wear your clothes. Explore different ways to wear the same piece! Who gone pop you? Exactly!
One thing I really value is a quality piece! Pieces that stand the test of time. Yes, fast fashion is cool and it serves its purpose: affordability, but I truly prefer pieces that are high in quality, durable, and that will never “go out of style” for ME. I am very particular about the jeans, bags, and hoodies I buy. I have so many jeans and hoodies, and I will wear every single last one of them until I can’t anymore lol. Another piece of clothing that will never go out of style for me is a sweater!! I love a good cardigan, especially oversized. You can wear a cardigan so many ways and with so many different style categories. The best investment pieces are versatile!
TRENDS I’M LOVING (and Skipping)
I don’t seek out trends, but if I see something I like I’m going to get it. I’ve been really into prints, especially animal prints. I’ve always loved leopard and cheetah print, so the fact that they’ve been popular lately does something to my soul. I’m loving the fur trend – again, always have! I love the silver shoes trend, whether it’s sneakers, loafers, or a pointed toe pump, I love it! I like the lace trend, but I’m still exploring how I can adapt it to me. As a dancer, I’m loving this ballerina trend that’s taking place and I ABSOLUTELY NEED a pair of those Christian Louboutin Cassia ballerina pumps. Loving the wine color trend! The color is so bold and deep, and that feels like me. I love the bag charms!! Like I said, I love to figure out how I can elevate a look and the bag charms definitely accomplish that. I love stockings!! They definitely elevate a look and lately I haven’t worn a dress or skirt without them. And without this list getting long, I love the hot pants and playsuits trend, and yes, I wear stockings under those too!
One fashion trend I’m not a fan of is skinny jeans. To me, looks are all about ratios. I appreciate how pants fall over a shoe, or under a top, and skinny jeans just don’t do it for me. I literally only have one pair of skinny jeans, and they’re from 4 years ago. I don’t like the way skinny jeans look with allot of my sneakers. It reminds me of Mickey Mouse with his little legs and those fat yellow shoes. I honestly don’t know how we made skinny jeans and Jordans work!
MY FASHION MOTTO FOR 2025
As stated in my last blog, “When you look good, you feel good, so you do good.” I’m more productive when I feel cutesy, so I’ve been intentional with choosing my outfits for work. I plan out my looks at the beginning of the week, usually opting for comfort yet bold and authentic to me. Since doing this, I’ve been more productive and organized, leaving me feeling accomplished and more present! I also do my 5 minute No Makeup-Makeup routine everyday, and that adds to my confidence. I highly suggest having an outfit planner, and watch how it alters your productivity. Here are my outfits from last week:
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All in all, I believe your style should grow with you. As I continue to evolve, so does the way I show up for myself through fashion—and I know I’m not alone in that. So, I want to hear from you: How has your personal growth influenced your style? Are there any fashion risks you’re ready to take this year? What pieces in your wardrobe make you feel most like you? Let’s talk about it in the comments or over on Instagram (@azhamone)! Join my Stylishly Yours Channel here. Share your thoughts, tag me in your favorite outfits, or DM me if you’re feeling inspired. Let’s evolve and elevate together!
Stylishly yours,
Azha Moné
QUESTION FROM INSTAGRAM: How do you balance your job and your passion for fashion?
As a teacher I get to choose what I want to wear, unlike some jobs where you have to wear a uniform. So, I have fun exploring my own version of business casual and dance teacher attire. We have guidelines for what we can and cannot wear to work, and I often think outside those lines and just wear what I want 😂 That may sound bad, but I hate for someone to tell me what I can or cannot wear — that’s equivalent to telling me how to feel. Of course I don’t wear anything inappropriate for my position, but if I wanna wear jeans on a Tuesday, I’m gonna wear jeans on a Tuesday!! It’s a fun challenge for me because I think of pieces that aren’t considered business, and try to figure out how I can turn them into business casual. I’m an envelope pusher (:
Now, if you’re referring to how I balance my personal styling business with my job, that is strictly through organization and planning. I set aside time during the week to work on things for my clients depending on what I’m working on. I keep work at work, so when I’m not at work I can focus more on me, my passions, and my brand. The Reminders app is my friend, ChatGPT is my bestie, and Dola AI is my homegirl.