personal-style

If transitionally fickle weather was a mood, today would capture its essence perfectly. On a warm 16-degree morning, I'm nestled in my regular seat on the familiar train route from my hometown to energetic Oslo. As the verdant landscapes swish past my window, I'm filled with a deep sense of gratitude. I only experience this warm feeling of clarity when my eyes are cast over my glass and aluminum keyboard; the anticipation of emptying my thoughts into a freshly opened blog post evokes it.

Today, I can't help but muse over the enigmatic world of personal style and fashion. Perhaps it was the news article I was reading earlier, which unfortunately, was more of an HTML riddle than anything else. But it got me thinking about the myriad ways we unknowingly express ourselves every day, through our choices of clothing.

Fashion, more often than not, is an outer reflection of our inner selves. Just like a painter exhibits his essence on a canvas, we piece together our personalities, bit by bit, in the colors of our sweaters, the cut of our jeans, and the height of our heels. From the vintage lover discovering treasured pieces at thrift stores to the modern minimalist finding comfort in understated ensembles, personal style is a universal language -- unique yet unmistakable.

The beauty of fashion is that it is art in motion; it evolves and adapts. It fluctuates just like the Norwegian climate, ever changing, ever fascinating. Seasons may dictate a million trends, but one's unique style shines through, unaltered and resolute. It's a form of self-care that goes beyond mere vanity. It's empowering, it's embracing one's true self.

Yet, in the midst of it all, I feel an immense sense of gratitude for the simplicity that my wardrobe offers me. As a full-time journalism student living on a shoestring budget, my everyday outfits are as functional as they are simple. There’s comfort in every knit sweater I own, and there’s joy in every pair of worn-out denim I slip into. My wardrobe might not crack the high-fashion circuit, but it's a true reflection of my essence.

On this beautiful journey of personal style, it's important to remember that fashion is meant to be enjoyed. Style becomes personal when we appreciate what we wear, fashion every outfit with a sprinkle of creativity, and above all, wear our confidence as the trendiest accessory in our arsenal. Let’s continue loving and exploring the world of fashion, not because of its ever-changing trends but for its ability to let us reflect our unique self-expression.

To end off today's musings, let's remember to feel grateful - for every piece hanging in our closets, for each day that offers us a blank canvas to express ourselves, and for the opportunity to continue discovering our unique personal style. Remember, style isn't about fitting into the molds of fast fashion. It's about feeling happy, confident, and unapologetically yourself. Fashion, like life – is a beautiful journey, not a destination.

Tags: fashion personal style minimalist wardrobe

As the first, tiny snowflakes drift past the window of a shuddering train carrying me through the frozen landscape towards Oslo, I can’t help but ponder the striking duality the world around us exhibits. The stark contrast between the brittle cold suffusing my surroundings and the warm cocoon of my woolen attire, the disparity between my heart and my expression, even the colorful nuances that separate political beliefs across continents – they all seem to coalesce into a tapestry of stark contrasts and sharp contours, shaping our identities, forming our unique personal styles.

One cannot deny that personal style and fashion are far more than mere whims of vanity. They are an eclectic amalgamation of the multifaceted hues of our personality, celebrating our individuality, encapsulating our philosophies. Each garment we wear is a statement, whether we acknowledge it or not; a testament to our convictions, our dreams, our fears, and sometimes, our heartbreaks.

In that aspect, the world of politics isn't much different from the world of fashion. The news I had read early this morning was still swirling in my mind, casting a shadow of melancholy with each passing station. A flamboyant businessman heading towards victory in Argentina's presidential elections, with his radical views piquing the interest of the weary youth, echoes familiar voices from the recent past. His suit, flamboyant as his rhetoric, is his chosen uniform proclaiming his rebellion against the norm. Perhaps a studied decisiveness we often see mirrored in our own personal stylistic choices.

This got me thinking about broken hearts and fashion choices. They are both deeply personal, often misunderstood, and sometimes, a statement to the world around us. We tailor our appearances to cushion the blows life lands on us, seeking solace in the tactile language of fabrics and styles. Dressing up or down can be an armor against the heartrending numbness of a world that moves fast – too fast for some hearts to keep pace.

Betrayed by an Argentina that chose a flamboyant right-wing populist over stability, my heart laments silently under layers of wool and down. In search of solace, I resort to the quiet language of fashion, whispering stories of resilience and unspoken apprehension through my understated palette. Can I, can anyone, truly shield their heartbreak with a mere ensemble? Perhaps not entirely, but trying does provide a modicum of strength.

In the end, personal style is a dialogue - with ourselves and with the world around us. The clothes we wear and the politicians we elect are mirrors reflecting our deepest fears, our keenest dreams, our greatest strengths, and our most vulnerable hearts.

As I continue on this journey, the wintry landscape blurring outside the window seems to echo the cold, distant cheer of the world. The train ploughs through the landscape, a stronghold against the Baltic chill. We all brace ourselves against the world in different ways, and today, my fort-red lips and a charcoal coat are my chosen armor.

Tags: personal style fashion politics