By Sinead Armstrong
The rise of fashion has been a prominent topic in the media for some time now, and the debate between fashion and style has sparked endless discussion. What is fashion? And how is that different from having “good style”?
Fashion, at its core, is collective — it’s what’s trending, what designers send down runways, what magazines declare as “in this season”. Style, on the other hand, is personal. It’s how you translate those trends (or ignore them entirely) to express who you are. Where fashion changes with the calendar, style evolves with you.
My personal style is inspired by my mood — how I’m feeling day to day. Sometimes it’s spontaneous, other times it’s intentional, but it always reflects something deeper. I find myself drawn to snippets from 2000s films, modern-day movies or even influencers I come across in passing on TikTok. Two of my favourite fashion influencers, Daniela Meyler and Mariahbtw, constantly remind me of the power of creativity and confidence in self-expression. I also look to celebrities with more of an eccentric flair — Helena Bonham Carter, for example, who perfectly emulates the essence of Vivienne Westwood with her chaotic stylistic view.
I look to these influencers and celebrities not to copy and paste their outfits onto myself, but to notice the little things — the shape of an outfit, or the way someone might use a belt as a scarf. They often challenge my perception of what a modern outlook on fashion can be. Still, I try not to dwell on the rigid idea of “having good style” because what I think is great, the next person might hate. As a collective, we should get more into the habit of calling it personal style in all settings.
Style is subjective; there’s no manual, tutorial or handbook on how to “have good style”. You collect fragments of inspiration wherever you go, whether you realise it or not, even in the most obscure places. Sometimes inspiration appears in the most unexpected things, like the colour of a pencil, or the rubber tip of an eraser.
Subconsciously, I think I try to challenge the patriarchy through my style — through how I present myself to those around me. We live in a time in which nothing is simple any more, whether it be the political, economic or physical climate. If our voices aren’t yet saying, “I challenge this”, “I disagree with this”, maybe our outfits can. Anything and everything can be inspirational if you give it a second glance, a listen or simply time to let it work its magic on you.
Ultimately, personal style isn’t just about clothes; it’s about identity, resistance and self-expression. Every outfit tells a story — sometimes softly, sometimes loudly —but always truthfully. Fashion fades, but the way you express yourself through it, that’s what lingers.