Personal Style Isn’t Dead—My Favorite Street Style Proves It
I'm already emulating these mood-boosting outfits.
Hi, I’m Lydia! If we haven’t crossed paths, it’s lovely to meet you. I wear many hats — fashion writer, content creator, model, to name a few. Since I started working in fashion as a teen, I’ve been lucky to see just how the industry has grown and evolved. I started out as a blogger, many moons ago. It wasn’t a career back then, but it stemmed from not seeing myself reflected in my surroundings, and wanting a place to gush and connect over fashion inspirations, culture, new collections and shopping lists. I’m hopeful this space will be similar! As someone who is both plus size and adores fashion, I believe that everyone should get to express their style without limitation.
Let’s unpack fashion's biggest question in 2025: Is personal style dead? No, really. Does it even exist? The internet has been amuck with accusations that “no one has personal style anymore” and “personal style is over.” Exhausted by micro-trends and “cores,” I understand the fatigue. In a sea of sameness, we all just want to feel something! It’s very easy to copy and paste a look you enjoy (especially with next-day shipping). But I’d argue that personal style is impossible to eliminate. After all, humans have been self-adorning for millennia.
Personal style is both a refuge and an escape for me. You can’t underestimate the pleasure of a favorite dress, a ridiculous-but-endearing shoe, or wearing a color you just want to stare at. I tend to skew toward what Dawnn Karen coined as dopamine dressing: I’m always on the lookout for expressive and bold outfits to inspire me.
Copenhagen Fashion Week is always a touchpoint for extensive personal style; the city’s casual nature means folks tend to wear “realistic” outfits here. Color and textures are always heavily encouraged my favorite street style looks from the recent SS26 shows proved. No lack of dopamine dressers here!
Left: Miranda Sanchez’s cool tones feel anything but boring. Extra points of the dimensional texture of these knits!
Center-left: Chloe King is consistently in feathers, sequins, bold knits and fun shoes! A dream closet. The little flapper nod with the sparkly cap is quite delightful, the cherry on a great look.
Center-right: Dopamine levels are sky high in Gabriella Karefa-Johnson's closet. Color and pattern always gets me going!
Right: A fun pair! The texture play on the left is so enticing to me, and I am a sucker for a Miu Miu-like schoolgirl look, like the one on the right.
On the heels of CPHFW, I’ve styled some looks on myself that give me that dopamine dressed feeling that I crave. It’s needed, especially as the days are getting shorter! And, it's proof personal style is alive and well.
The All-White Outfit
My look: Wilfred Hayloft canvas hat, Boheme Fisherman Tee, Shelter Jules Pant, Nike Shox, Wolf Circus alphabet pendant, Emanuele Bicocchi cross necklace. Punch Jewelery ring, Zaleska Jewelery ring, Inside Out Chains Dove bracelet
I am a big proponent of all-white outfits, year round. (Yes, past Labor Day.) This look is very comfortable, with easy fabrics and even sneakers. But I love the texture play and the silliness added by the cowboy hat. Yeehaw babe.
The Purposeful Pattern-Clash Outfit
My look: Vintage slip dress from Heavy Duty Vintage, No Less Than LA Culver Tee, Rosa Mosa fluffy slides, Baggu x Collina Strada Horse Purse, Inside Out Chains Fleur choker
Never fear being too ridiculous. After all, only the most unserious among us would carry around a Hurse (horse + purse). The pattern clash is an easy gateway to dopamine: Picking colors that are not nearby on the color wheel boosts the vibes.
The Daytime Feathers Outfit
Future Collective sheer white tee, vintage sheer Marabou top, Wray NYC zebra shorts, Maguire Bahia Pump, Maguire shoe clips, A Bronze Age bag, Inside Out Chains necklace
Feathers for the daytime? Yes, we’re going to do it. I’ve been revisiting Y2K silhouettes; the empire waist feels more like now when it's layered. Same goes for this version of shorts with a little heel.
