Hello Darlings,  As  with every typical day, my post shower routine starts with a trip into my closet where I peruse through heaps of clothing.  Typically, nothing suits my mood for the day; classic "closet full of clothes and nothing to wear" dilemma. Incredibly enough there's never a day when I walk in and know exactly which outfit to wear. As part of my day there's typically a client event that adds to the pressure of always playing that part of being fashion forward. A concept that I dread! After all, what is fashion forward?

It seems that being in an industry that revolves around fashion always puts the pressure of looking the part. With street style and style blogging playing a prominent part in our current culture DNA, the two have evolved into a category that requires you meeting a certain criteria or adhering to a particular dress code. Somewhere  between acing selfie game, flat shoots and strong hashtag game is the it-bag carrying, stiletto strolling persona that lost touch with individuality.

Not that I'd like to bite the hand that feeds me, but after 8 years of writing this blog and having been around this culture, the trend has become overwhelming. As I stood in my closet panicking if my look was appropriate for the event, I became progressively angered. How was it that I was dismissing my own likes for a general expectation? Of course, that pressure is always coming from oneself and the ongoing battle is internal Hey,we all face certain pressures and I know every woman can relate.

No time in history has placed as much emphasis on external appearance and no time before have we been made as aware of our looks as now. From appearance trends of contouring, skin tight a la Kardashian dressing and plump puckers is missing individuality. Hell, in fact a person is missing from that because what's fun to look alike. Why have we fallen into a culture of categorizing our appearances?

As a final result I pulled out my favorite leather and wool Equipment sweater with a flared mini and sheer tights I figured that if I felt like wearing all black so be it. Fashion forward  or trendy enough, I simply did not care. If black is my favorite then I will continue wearing it regardless whether it constitutes me being placed into a boring or predictable category. Given that much of what I do is focused around style, I will also admit that it's an ongoing struggle to stay true to the woman that I am.

Some say that black is a fashion uniform but regardless of what magazine dub the next big trend, it's about individual like. This goes beyond an outfit choice or which hue suits your style, but rather an internal effects that external pressures leave us with.

Every woman has the right to look how she wants without feeling the need to conform to a norm that is attractive in the moment. Every woman has the right to be comfortable in her own skin rather than fall into a beauty  standard. Every woman has the right to herself. So I hope the next time you get dressed, you wear what you really want rather than trying to please someone or fall into a certain category. Just do you and take your world by a storm for the woman that you are!

With Love...

Marta

Photos by Arnold Lan