a POPPY recap of the year
As of this week, it's been a full year since I took the "plunge" and moved to the city.
Having lived in Florida my entire life, I wasn’t sure how moving to a new city would change the things I had grown so accustomed to and always known.
Some of the more stereotypical & arbitrary comparisons I thought of beforehand were: driving everywhere vs. public transit? perceived southern hospitality vs. northern attitude? warm weather vs. cold winters? laid back lifestyle vs. the city’s faster pace?
However, these were really not major thoughts for me. As someone moving to the Philly/NYC area to work in the fashion industry, (as silly as it is) my main concern was that my personal sense of style would conform to fit my new environment.
In this, I most specifically asked myself if i would be able to wear the thing that I loved most: COLOR :)
Silly right? I knew that I was about to be based in the fashion capital of America surrounded by inspiring brands, designers & people that push creative boundaries. But after spending so much time previously visiting the city, I also had this perception that East Coast city style was largely black, brown, neutral and a little less “funky” than other parts of the country.
Spoiler alert - fortunately, this was not the case at all.
After spending the past year here, I can confidently say my sense of personal style has flourished more than ever before.
Thinking back on where I was in life prior to coming here, there were definitely many contributing factors to this.
First of all, I went to Florida State prior to moving (Go Noles 4ever), and as much as I loved every minute, it played a part in holding me back in the 'fashion' sense. If you are at all familiar with the culture of a State College, specifically in a coastal state, the best way to describe it is: stylish with as minimal clothing as possible LOL.
I think that from a color and pattern perspective, you were free & encouraged to be creative with your outfits! But when it came to going-out, game day or socializing, too much fabric simply wasn't "in-style."
Prior to FSU, I was raised in a small town in Florida. Think less Miami/Tampa/Orlando, and more Northern Gulf Coast Florida bordering the Alabama & Georgia lines. Again, I loved my upbringing but the fashion restrictions were opposite to those at FSU. I would say the overall vibe was simple at its core, conservative, covering & a touch of southern flare. We also had a uniform implemented at my public middle & high school, which just further limited self-expression in so many ways (I could write a whole other post about that, but we digress). When I lived there, I still tried to stay true to myself as much as possible, keeping a colorful & bohemian touch to any outfits I was able to.
So reflecting on those factors, when moving up here it felt like a fresh start in a way.
While it may often be the 'norm' to wear darks & basics in the city, at the end of the day, you can wear WHATEVER you want. And in a place like this, it feels like even if everyone isn’t dressed exactly like you, they don’t really care. And more often than not, they appreciate it.
There’s such a diverse mix of people, ages, backgrounds, cultures and styles that it creates this incredible freedom to really dive into who you are in your truest form.
Among this, starting my job at Free People, a company I have always felt deeply inspired by, only fed into that sense of fashion freedom.
I've never felt like I had to wear Free People clothes to work every day either. Instead, I felt surrounded by a group of people in the industry who would genuinely love whatever I showed up in that day and appreciate whatever level of creativity I wanted to bring to my outfit.
I also live in the most absurdly "girl" apartment you have ever seen. Think "Cosmo & Wanda" :) Among my pink couch, green rug & disco chandelier, I have curated a home space that I personally love and feel energized by every day. I could advocate non-stop about why the place you call home matters and needs to reflect who you are.
A funny addition to all of this: I recently watched Sex and the City all the way through for the first time (a vital task for a new 'city girl' to complete). Watching icons like Carrie Bradshaw and Samantha Jones traipse through the city in whatever poppy color or crazy outfit they wanted only added to the inspiration I already get here.
All in all, moving here and embracing MYSELF just as much as I embraced the people and environment around me has actually allowed me to become more true to myself than ever before.
It is about finding ways to pop in whatever vibe you're feeling that day.
It is also about not conforming to one "fashion style." I would tell you my overall style is very boho chic, but that doesn't mean every day has to fit in that box!
Wear what you want. Continuously incorporate yourself into the outfit. Find inspiration in the colors, people and things around you; without becoming what and who is around you.
You can let your environment inspire you without letting it define you.
If you do that then no matter where you are located in the world, you are on the way to feeling in tune with the most poppy, creative & colorful version of you.
Please enjoy the few attached pictures of recent "pops" I've enjoyed in my current environment:)
xo kaley brianne
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