One of the most important styling muscles I believe you can build is the ‘trust the vision’ muscle. That little voice that says… you like this, there’s something here, even if it doesn’t make sense alone, or in the context you’re seeing it for the first time.’
We all have those moments where we just need to phone a friend, especially when we second guess ourselves over something we like. ‘Am I mad for liking this? Why do I like this? Is it just a good deal? Is it just because it’s trending/everyone is talking about it? Or is it a problem if no one else is talking about it/it’s not trending?’
Those have been questions I found myself asking recently over a few new items I was debating adding into my wardrobe. Logically I know the answer, I get to wear whatever the hell I want and so do you you, but what about those moments when you enter a negotiation with yourself, a discourse where by you try to determine if you are indeed crazy for liking something? It’s the moment when your self trust wavers.
More times than not the assumption is that if it isn’t a solid, indisputable yes, it’s a no. We should walk away. But what if we’ve got that wrong to some extent? I would argue there are indeed certain items (and certain circumstances) that warrant vision, based on the emotional pull of an item that in many other cases might not make sense?
Now that (overtime) I have built what I consider a hard working wardrobe, I’ve also built trust with myself regarding my personal style. My gaps (for the most part) are filled. I have a lot of flexibility to both create and feel comfortable. What this has created is space for the items that were meant to find me. Items that rely on vision, and an indescribable feeling that comes from my gut.
It’s not that i’m convincing myself to like something, it’s more that I really truly do like it, but within the context of an idea, or more specifically, the vision. For example…
I was enjoying an afternoon of thrifting on Sunday, when several opportunities (shown above) presented themselves. Three candidates in particular were suddenly in consideration to become part of my wardrobe. A pair of men’s black Prada loafers, a brown pair of Louis Vuitton buckled boots and what I presumed were three small silver rings.
I could have very easily relied on logic for each item, and leant into practicality. The loafers and the boots were a flat/low heel, the leather had already worn beautifully and would continue to patina. The rings if they were silver were just like some Agmes pieces I had saved on my wishlist. But that wasn’t the thinking I undertook - when I looked at each item, instead of seeing it in it’s singularity, I saw it as a vision:
The Prada loafers had me conjuring up looks with a classic tee, vintage Levi’s and a trench or chunky cable knit sweater. I loved the idea of the clunky masculine school shoe against a ladylike structured bag. I saw socks, I saw jeans turned up and oversized button ups. A myriad of options got my brain chemistry firing on all cylinders. In short, I was excited.
But when I tried the loafers on with my barrel legged white jeans, the shoes looked off, and it was here I had to come back to the vision. I had to use my imagination. With no fitting rooms, I couldn’t just go and change into a trouser or jean that fitted my vision. I also didn’t have socks with me. Instead I had to mentally open my wardrobe and think about how they would work and with what. Along with trusting that initial spark of curiosity. The same spark that made me pick up the shoes and not let them out of my sight in the first place.
You’d be forgiven for thinking Harry, surely you only liked them/wanted them when you saw they were Prada? However the branding had mostly rubbed off on the inside sole, and what first caught my eye was the clunky shape and the high shine leather. I could tell it was a very well made shoe. That’s what caused the spark, not the name. It was only when I went to try them on, and looked under the sole that I saw the Prada branding. All it confirmed were that these were indeed a very high quality shoe.
The next item I saw placed behind the cash register which caught my eye, were a pair of brown boots with buckles. Something about them reminded me of nineties Vivienne Westwood pirate boots. The toe was perfection, and chocolate brown boots had also been on my wishlist for a while. Granted these weren’t what I had saved and pinned—I didn’t even know this style existed!? But without knowing anything about them other than they sparked my ‘cabin in the woods’ vision I asked if I could have a closer look and try them on. It was then that I noticed they were by Louis Vuitton. Something about them also felt a little victoriana which intrigued me far more than the brand name. I tried them on and they fit like a glove. Again, I wasn’t wearing anything that resembled my overall vision, so I had to channel my inner ‘Yoda’ once more, and enter my closet in my mind.
In both scenarios the vision was clear and filled me with excitement. I was able to bypass the doubt my current outfit had provided and use my ‘jedi mind tricks’ to honor what I initially saw, and felt. When it comes to styling, we focus a lot on how something looks, but I would argue how it feels is more important. If it doesn’t feel right, (physical comfort and the overall vibe) I won’t wear it. It can look amazing through the lens of fashion, through the lens of what other people label as cool, but if I don’t feel it, then it’s not it.
As someone who sources and sells vintage bags it’s a muscle I rely on heavily, and want to keep in shape. There are times when I find a piece that most other people would pass on, and it’s these pieces that I see a vision, and the bigger picture beyond the item itself. I see how the piece would interact with an outfit, how it integrates into someone’s life, how it would make them feel and how it would strengthen the overall vision. What I can see in my mind is context, and the right context matters.
But I believe it’s a skill we can develop and a muscle we can build. All it really comes down to is self trust. In my next substack i’ll be sharing HOW you learn to trust your own vision, because I feel like that in itself is a seperate piece.
Anyone else get excited about reorganizing their makeup bag? After a huge beauty declutter, I upgraded my makeup bag to this* stunning vanity for some serious organisation, and so I could better see everything I have. (I chose the burgundy color) Let me know if you want a what’s inside my beauty bag?
I read this amazing Substack about Marty Supreme, which put into words exactly how i’ve been feeling about the film.
Getting my Donni Simple Pop Pants altered to lift the hem. It cost me $16, and has made them even more perfect. A reminder that alterations are life changing!
Thank you so much for reading and for supporting me and my work.
Harry x
*Some links contain affiliates and gifted items are marked with an *. You can Shop My Wardrobe here and learn more about The No Buy Styling Course here.
Those LV boots are STUNNING. I love the strap detail and the colour is gorgeous. I totally agree about trusting that intuition, and I had a very similar experience recently when I found something on my wishlist at a thrift store where it looked a bit dusty and unloved but I just new it was going to work. And back home in the context of my life, it makes me smile every time I put it on. Great post!
Those loafers….🩷