Hi Reader,
I have been doing a weekly styling series on my Instagram every Sunday with styling ideas that have been inspiring me recently and am thinking about shifting the series over to Substack. Sharing on Instagram, where 7 second reels and catchy captions rule supreme, can feel fleeting and surface level and I find myself continually craving a deeper connection, even if just with myself. So here goes!
I read a book a very long time ago that spoke about “the little sparkles in everyday life”. Its something that resonated with me and has continued to stick with me throughout the years as a reminder to look for and appreciate the small moments we encounter in our everyday life.
I have found it in the movement of the trees during a Spring breeze, a tiny flower growing in a cement jungle, kind moments between strangers... It’s been a way for me to take a step back and re-ground myself when I am feeling overwhelmed or moving too quickly. Sometimes it feels like we get so caught up on all the big moments in our lives and how we are making the “most” of our days or being focused on what everyone else is doing, that we forget to just stop and enjoy just being.
This idea carries over for me when it comes to style, where we get caught up in only dressing for the big moments in our lives, and not for our everyday. But everyday is what our days are filled with and YOU are the moment, always!
And its why I find I am most often inspired by the ✨ little details ✨
The tiny pieces of personality we choose to wear, whether its a detail on a garment that we fall in love with that become the reason we purchase or something we add to our outfits.
They may often go unnoticed to most, but to the individual, it can create a sense of happiness because its authentically tied to who we are, what we love and how we want to feel that day.
Whenever I notice peoples outfits, its these little details (and not what designer look they are wearing) that make me curious about a person! What made them make that choice on this day, what memory does that little detail hold for them, what inspiration did they draw from?
My little detail recently has been a stack of vintage leather belts:
These were purchased at least ten years ago - one secondhand, one I believe was from Zara or some mall find. I loved how they looked layered together and wore them on major repeat during my leather moto jacket and skinny jean era. It was just a little way for me to express my individuality during that time in my life.
I stopped wearing them for quite some time and they had recently been in storage the last couple of years so once I was able to unpack them, I decided to wear them and remembered why I loved them so much! (Now styled to reflect my current self in an oversized linen blazer and worn-in denim).
They are a bit Khaite Benny belt adjacent - a belt I love but can’t get myself to pay the price tag for even though I’m sure I would get so much use out of it. I’m happy to report that this version feels more like me, just like it did ten years ago:
lived-in: I believe part of your unique style POV is about the pieces that stay with you over the years…these hold memories from the excitement I had when I first found the item, the fun I had styling them together and the love I had wearing them for years
unexpected: the double stack feels interesting to me and I like that it isn’t a typical belt or a belt you can easily find these days (another reason why I love the older items in a wardrobe…over time, they become harder to source and become more tied to the individuality of ones personal style!)
modern: I always try to style items in new ways that reflect who I am today as part of my style language is progressing and evolving my style forward. The belts are old but they remind me of whats popular in the moment.
Some other images of little details I have been inspired by recently -
brooches and pins for personality to classic pieces
subtle jewelry choices - a pearl cluster tucked behind your hair, delicate key charms, a pop of color on the wrist
a subtle and not-so-subtle sock choice…even if wearing the most mundane outfit you own, its amazing what a sock can do to shift the vibe!
the details that catch our eye when selecting garments - the subtlety of a pant buckle, or the carefully constructed ruffle of a shirt
Sidse Alling’s creative details on her purses
Next time you get dressed, try wearing something with a tiny detail that you love, if only for yourself, and you may just inspire someone else who takes the time to notice the little details ❤️
Have a beautiful Sunday
xx
Angie
Ugh those belts!! Dying