What do I wear? It’s the question we all seem to ask ourselves every single day. Personally, I always find myself staring at my closet hoping a new outfit will miraculously pop up. Style is something that has always been a subject of my curiosity. It’s something so personal yet so universal to our daily lives. With all these questions in mind, I decided to challenge myself to discover my unique style and learn a bit more about style from those around me. Thus was born my experiment to let my friends choose my outfits for a week. Correction—I let my friends style me for a week. This meant I left everything (hair, makeup, jewelry, and clothes) in their hands.
Monday: The first day of the week was left in charge of my friend and my roommate Rose. As my roommate, I was interested to see how she would choose my outfit since she knows what I wear most of the time and she actually sees the process of how I chose my outfits. In order to understand Rose and her process, I asked her a couple of questions that each friend was also asked.
Q-How do you define your personal style and style in general?
A– “I think I define my personal style as comfy and casual but put together. As for style in general, I would say it’s the way you carry yourself by using things like hair, nails, and clothes.”
Q-How do you usually choose your outfits?
A- “Most likely the weather but I also use my mood to determine what I’m going to wear.”
Q- What has the process of finding your style been like?
A- “It’s definitely been a bit difficult to transition from caring what people think to not caring at all, especially when some people subliminally criticize you. It can be hard to block it out but I get better at it as time goes on. I think I’m in a much better place now and my style is more unique to myself.”
Q- What is your advice for someone trying to figure out their personal style?
A- “Try and get out of the norm that you’re used to, stop caring what people think, and become comfortable with the uncomfortable. Try out some new things! It can help you feel more in control of yourself.”
Monday’s Takeaway- I really liked this outfit, it was super comfortable and cute. My midriff being exposed took a bit of extra confidence but I soon realized that was part of her advice to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. It was interesting to see how Rose chose my outfit, she seemed to put elements of her own style while thinking of what I’d usually wear through the sole use of my wardrobe. She seemed to really focus on what matches and how to create a specific vibe.
Original photo by [Ellen Argueta]
Tuesday- This day was chosen by my friend Kristin. I was super excited to see what she would choose and she was equally as excited which was so great! She even let me pick her outfit out in solidarity which was so fun. Here are her answers to my questions.
Q-How do you define your personal style and style in general?
A- “I would say whatever is comfiest. For me, style is people’s vibes. It can reflect what’s inside and can even connect you with people of similar interests. Sometimes people can even correlate dressing nice with you being a nice person.”
Q-How do you usually choose your outfits?
A- “I usually determine it by the weather but also the aesthetic and vibe, so if it’s like fall per se I would try to make it look more like a fall outfit.”
Q- What has the process of finding your style been like?
A- “I wore a uniform in middle school so at first the only way I could really express myself was through socks; I actually had a whole collection of cool patterned socks. After I left middle school it was a bit difficult to figure out my style but I eventually went from sweatshirts and jeans to trying a little bit more as I grew older. The pandemic was a bit stagnant for me because I just wore pajamas all the time, but by senior year I had mostly found my own style, with the help of Pinterest of course! I wear what I want now but I’m still open to trying new things which can be scary but the fun outweighs the fear.”
Q-What is your advice for someone trying to figure out their personal style?
A- “Am I allowed to curse…If so, I would say don’t give two sh**s what people think!”
Tuesday’s Takeaway- This outfit was really similar to what I’d usually wear, it really was true to Kristin’s style of being comfortable. I really liked her hairstyle choice, I hadn’t done it before and it actually made me put a little more effort into my appearance. Kristin’s process of choosing the outfit was so cool to see because she pulled out a lot of pieces and really thought out loud in terms of what the weather was, what the activities of the day would be, and what matched.
Original photo by [Ellen Argueta]
Wednesday: This day’s outfit was chosen by my friend Jules. From the get-go, I was intrigued by how sure of herself Jules was to find the outfit and I was super excited to see how it would turn out. Here are her answers to my questions.
Q-How do you define your personal style and style in general?
A- “Personally I would say comfortable but if I were to be super specific, I usually wear a crop top with sweatpants. For my definition of style, I would say that it’s how people express themselves through accessories, makeup, and ultimately details. The tiny details such as something as simple as colored glasses can really elevate an outfit to the next level and show that you really care.”
Q-How do you usually choose your outfits?
A- “I usually go by the weather but I try to be consistent in my style on a day-to-day basis.”
Q- What has the process of finding your style been like?
A- “I really value being consistent and I think over time I just stick to what makes me feel good, which is what’s comfortable for me.”
Q-What is your advice for someone trying to figure out their personal style?
A- “I would say wear whatever makes you feel most confident, which usually goes hand in hand with what makes you feel most comfortable”
Wednesday’s Takeaway- I could definitely see the theme of comfort in this outfit and I could see how it reflected Jules’ personal style, even down to the makeup and hair which is consistent to what I’ve seen her wear. I was astonished at how sure of herself Jules was when it came to choosing my outfit, she probably took the least amount of time out of everyone. She went in with a goal in her mind and accomplished it with no trouble, reflecting the consistency she values in her own style.
Original photo by [Ellen Argueta]
Thursday: This day’s outfit was chosen by my boyfriend Griffin. I was really interested to see what he would pick because he probably knows me best but he also has a different sense of style than me. Additionally, he was the first guy to choose my outfit so I wondered if that would make any difference. Here are his answers to my questions.
Q-How do you define your personal style and style in general?
A- “I don’t really try to think about labels but I would probably define my style as comfortably cool. For style in general, I would say that it’s somebody’s public persona including fashion, interests, and attitude.”
Q-How do you usually choose your outfits?
A- “It’s a multistep system but I just think of different factors such as the weather, what I’m doing during the day, and what my mood is to determine what I wear”
Q- What has the process of finding your style been like?
A- “I think that it went from wearing gym clothes in middle school and not caring much about clothes to a bit more dressy in high school with button-ups and jeans to now more of a sense of style that matches my personality. I try and wear what I feel goes well together and what makes me feel good. I also try and think about what people will appreciate because style can make an impression about who you are.”
Q-What is your advice for someone trying to figure out their personal style?
A- “Don’t be too picky, give everything a chance but try and remember that sometimes things work and sometimes they don’t. It’s a learning experience so just have fun with it.”
Thursday’s Takeaway: It was so interesting to watch Griffin pick out my outfit. He came up with multiple options but ultimately I saw him choose individual pieces that he felt drawn to and put them together. I think he made me realize that it’s important to value things that bring you joy to wear, whether it be a cool t-shirt or shoes you really like. The outfit contained some things I hadn’t worn before or thought of pairing together so the concept of confidence and trying new things was definitely a theme.
Original photo by [Ellen Argueta]
Friday: This day’s outfit was chosen by my friend Jack. He has a really unique style and I was so excited to see how he would style me. I had no idea what his process was so that was something I was pondering about. Here are his answers to my questions.
Q-How do you define your personal style and style in general?
A- “I don’t really know…I guess I would say that I wear whatever is chill and comfortable. In general, style is what looks good but also what fits a certain person’s vibe, everyone is different.”
Q-How do you usually choose your outfits?
A- “Mostly what is clean…but also what the vibe of the day. Usually, I pick one article of clothing or accessory and build off of it.”
Q- What has the process of finding your style been like?
A- “I think I’ve gone from comfortable without thought to comfortable with the thought.”
Q-What is your advice for someone trying to figure out their personal style?
A- “Experiment a little. Try and figure out what fits your body type; what looks good on others might not look the same on you but that is completely okay. It’s all about individuality.”
Friday’s Takeaway- I think this outfit was by far my favorite. I had never worn something like this before so at first, I felt like I was sort of playing a character in some kind of television show. Throughout the day, I found myself feeling super confident and comfortable whilst trying to reflect the vibe of the outfit. Out of everyone, Jack took the longest to pick out the outfit. He took about an hour and I tried on a lot of options. It was so cool to see how his thought process was, as he constantly valued what matched together and even took pictures of the options. His outfit was mostly with pieces from his own wardrobe which hadn’t been done yet, but he also valued what fit me specifically which tied to his theme of what works for someone else might not work for you.
Original photo by [Ellen Argueta]
Saturday: This day’s outfit was chosen by my friend Mia. I’ve known her for a long time and she’s chosen parts of my outfits before but never the whole thing. She has a distinctive collection of accessories and I always see her experimenting with fashion so I was intrigued by what she would choose. Here are her answers to my questions.
Q-How do you define your personal style and style in general?
A- “My style is many things but specifically, I would say that I enjoy men’s y2k fashion and bell-bottomed jeans. I really try and emphasize accessories over clothes because it makes things more personal. 1,000 people can have the same clothes but the accessories you have can make the outfit unique. I would define style as the way you express yourself through clothes which can tell your interests, opinions, and moods.”
Q-How do you usually choose your outfits?
A- “Of course the weather but I also like to think of what version of myself I’d like to present that day in terms of the gender spectrum.”
Q- What has the process of finding your style been like?
A- “As a little kid, I liked everything girly but then in middle school, I distanced myself from the girly side. However, I think now I’m comfortable with both sides of masculinity and femininity.”
Q-What is your advice for someone trying to figure out their personal style?
A- “There’s nothing wrong with looking for outfit inspiration but you need to find what is your own”
Saturday’s Takeaway- I think this outfit really made me feel more in touch with my feminine side. I felt super pretty and I especially enjoyed the accessories, specifically the bangle bracelets, sunglasses, and rings. Mia really valued the details and I could see her trying to pair things that she knew I’d feel comfortable in and matched my personality.
Original photo by [Ellen Argueta]
Sunday: The last day of the week was left up to my friend Luke. He had the whole week to see how my other friends did so I was curious to see what he would pick. Here are his answers to my questions.
Q-How do you define your personal style and style in general?
A- *laughs* “Casual and simple. In general, style is everything. It’s the way someone chooses to represent themselves to please themselves and others. However, you shouldn’t care about others’ opinions too much because it’s about making yourself happy.”
Q-How do you usually choose your outfits?
A- “Basic answer but usually the weather and what matches best.”
Q- What has the process of finding your style been like?
A- “It’s kind of been the same, I know what’s comfortable for me, and I kind of just stick to it but I’m always open to trying new things.”
Q-What is your advice for someone trying to figure out their personal style?
A- “Get good. It’s hard to find your personal style but you have to be patient, eventually, with time you’ll find what works best for you.”
Sunday’s Takeaway- I think this outfit was probably the most comfortable. Luke really focused on what my activity of the day was (library study) to choose my outfit which made the most sense to explain what his process was. I think he had the most laidback process, he spent most of it watching SpongeBob on the t.v. and tried to not put too much pressure on himself which really reflected in the casualness of the outfit. I think what I learned most from him was to not overthink the outfit because the stress will be reflected through your demeanor.
Original photo by [Ellen Argueta]
The Results Of My Experiment
Before I go into what I learned, I would like to extend a special thank you to all my friends for taking the time out of their busy schedules to participate in this challenge. I had so much fun being able to bond with them and I’m extremely grateful for their enthusiasm!
This experience taught me a couple of things. Primarily, I had to learn to put all of my trust in my friends to choose an outfit that would work for me. There was a lot of experimentation that I had to go through that was maybe a little out of my comfort zone but I had to give them a chance and try to see what they were envisioning. It was interesting to see what they would choose as they’re all such different people and different genders too. The gender factor brought up conversations between us on if there is a difference between how men and women see the style. Many of my friends responded with the notion that women take more time into their appearance than men. My friend Mia summarized it perfectly as she states that, “Over time in society, women’s presentation has had such a presence more than men as it could be more perceptive. Women’s appearance has gone through so much as it has been subject to the opinions of others and or used as a way to describe someone’s credibility. However, nowadays I think women have more freedom and it’s not so much of a focal point as both men and women have started to use style as a unique form as gender is more of a spectrum”.
Apart from these lessons, I tried to summarize the main pieces of advice my friends came up with and these are what resulted from that;
- Wear what makes you most comfortable but don’t be afraid to experiment.
- Finding your own personal style takes time, what works for you might not work for others. Emphasis on personal style, don’t care too much about other people’s opinions!
- Make it unique to you and most importantly, have fun with it!
Hopefully, now when you stare at your closet and ask yourself that ominous question, “what do I wear,” you can think of these pieces of advice, I know I will! Whatever you choose, I’m sure that as long as you’re having fun and being comfortable, you’ll look great!