The Art of Self Expression
Ch 1: Identity & Your Closet
Hi! Welcome to The Art of Self Expression, an exclusive mini-course for subscribers of ‘in good taste’. Here we will delve into the skill of translating your identity through what you wear, exploring the nuanced techniques of storytelling through fabric, silhouette, and proportion, & unlocking the simple truths behind curating a closet that works for you for years and years.
We begin here with Chapter 1: Identity & Your Closet.
Chapter 1 is accessible to all subscribers, while the following chapters will be behind a paywall.
IDENTITY
Who are you?
What do you enjoy consuming (food, media, literature)?
Who did you admire when you were young?
What is your self-concept (what is it that you in this moment believe about yourself to be true)?
Where does your self worth come from?
What is your cultural upbringing?
What matters to you?
How do you spend your time?
What do your dreams tell you?
What is your ideal state of being?
No one answer captures the entirety of “you,” but together, they weave a complex, multifaceted picture. This identity is not static; it’s a dynamic blend of memories, beliefs, desires, and values.
And it’s fascinating because even as some of your answers may seem to contradict each other, they are all valid aspects in forming the idea of you.
Identity is a fluid concept, constantly shifting in response to the focus of our thoughts, the consequences of our choices and, most visibly by our self-expression.
Identity and self-expression are closely intertwined, acting as both a mirror and a symbol of our values and self-perception.
It’s important to acknowledge that engaging in self-expressive work in this way can stem from a place of privilege, influenced by factors such as class, race, status, and luck. These dynamics can shape the opportunities, education, and freedom available for such personal exploration.
I named this mini-course “The Art of Self-Expression” with intention. Self-expression is a profound art form, perhaps the most noteworthy one we possess. It's about taking the reins as both the artist and the muse of your life through the vehicle of your unique, never before seen in this world, body.
Through the process of aligning your self expression to your inner most desires for yourself, you naturally attract opportunities, relationships, and experiences that resonate with your values, which are clearly visually communicated through how you choose to present yourself to the world.
YOUR CLOSET
If you're finding it difficult to see your “true” self reflected in your wardrobe, you’re not alone— many feel there’s a disconnect between their ideal presentation and what hangs in their closets.
Sometimes it’s easy to understand why- maybe our circumstances don’t allow us the option to consider or prioritize our self expression; financial constraints, work environments, or personal responsibilities often dictate what we wear. Others might feel overwhelmed by the constant recycling of trends and external influences, and some are unsure of where to even start.
While “aligned self-expression” isn’t necessarily a matter of emergency, we still have to get dressed everyday and what we wear greatly impacts the way we feel.
So where do we start when we feel disconnected from the clothes that we see and wear every day? The answer isn’t to throw it all away and start from scratch.
To thoughtfully & intentionally engage in this work, we will begin with a style audit & closet edit.
This is the first step of my Signature Styling Service and I’m going to walk you through the process so you can do this at home yourself if you choose.
Style Audit:
Thoughtfully journal answers to the following questions on the Style Audit (make a copy so you can edit it).
Next, if you haven’t done so already- start building a Pinterest Board (or other mood board) which visually represents your ideal style. Try to focus in on looks you would actually wear and can see yourself in on a daily basis. Sometimes we get confused as to why we resonate with a certain outfit, we like the color scheme, think the person is pretty, enjoy the landscape or vibe of the photo etc… Concentrate your “saves” on looks or pieces that you can actively see yourself living in. You can make a more general/ aspirational board simultaneously if you feel the itch. There’s more to finding & drawing upon inspiration later on in the course.
Take some time to let all of this settle. When you are ready (I’d give yourself a day or two) it’s time for your closet edit.
Closet Edit:
When you’re ready to get intimate with your clothes (& yourself), carve out an afternoon to spend in your closet to complete the below exercises.
See the Closet Editing Guide and Garment Inspection Guide.
I highly encourage you to take pictures & write about the pieces you resonate highly with (or journal the answers to the questions on the Garment Inspection Guide). If time allows, feel free to do the same with pieces you really don’t like and the ones you feel indifferent about too. All parts create your unique style point of view and are relevant data for you to collect & store to optimize your closet.
If you need more hands on help, book a discovery call with me or upgrade to Founding Member for a 1:1 45 minute style call.
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GAMES
The following tools, or games, are a bit more fun and much less time consuming. The below exercises are optional but highly advised. Feel free to “play” these during the downtime you have between your Style Audit & Closet Edit.
IDENTITY SHIFTING
DREAM 100
DREAM CLOSET
IMAGINARY SPENDING
Have fun and keep it light! Think of yourself through the highest most compassionate, loving & supportive lens possible.
Thank you for reading. If you liked this post, I’d love to know what resonated, please leave a comment below.
Stay tuned for Chapter 2 coming very soon.
If you need more hands on help, book a discovery call with me or upgrade to Founding Member for a 1:1 45 minute style call.
this was truly so helpful! thank you so much <3
This is amazing! Keep on styling friend ❤️