style journal ~ finding inspiration

sharing the tools and sources I turn to for styling and outfit inspiration

After taking a little break from style journal, I feel ready to jump back in to talking about one of my favourite subjects. I generally hibernate in January, exiting my home mainly for school pick-ups, groceries, and a walk if the temperature is above zero degrees. The hibernation feels good (other than days when the evenings drag on). This is the month where turning to style inspiration versus shopping for new clothes is incredibly helpful. In that spirit, I thought it might be interesting to share styling inspiration that helps me get dressed every day. 

---

Before I dive in, I would like to send love to anyone impacted by the fires in Los Angeles. We were there last summer, and it’s wild to think how life can take such a drastic turn. Losing your home, precious belongings, life’s work, and all the memories made in a place is awful. I follow so many inspirational and creative people in and around Los Angeles, and I have been tracking their experiences closely this week. Please know that your Canadian neighbours are thinking of you.

---

pinterest

I usually have a seasonal Pinterest that I add to throughout the year. I love having this as a reference point because it keeps me focused on what I like versus being overly influenced by new trends. Whenever I feel meh about my clothes, I go in there and sift through my favourite images to get re-inspired.

seeing these women out in cities, dressed beautifully, makes me feel re-energized to get dressed ~ love the winter whites in the far right corner

lots of cozy options ~ apologies for the lack in diversity, but Pinterest doesn’t do well in that department

lookbooks

I love clicking through online lookbooks or fashion photography by various retailers (think J. Crew, but also designer brands I would never buy clothes from). Seeing clothes styled in a story is much more interesting than singular images of an item. I find them visually interesting, and they give me ideas on how to pair things in my wardrobe that wouldn’t have occurred to me otherwise.

this image reminded me that I have woolly pants just like these, and how good they’d look with a bulky sweater and my black boots

washed black, deep brown, and gold ~ a really pretty colour combination

PS: This article on Net-A-Porter about building a capsule wardrobe had loads of great tips.

social media

IG and TikTok are obviously huge sources of style inspiration. There are several creators on those platforms, often not even in the fashion space, whose aesthetics and wardrobes I adore. For example, @tessmadalyn on TikTok is a food creative who has the most stunning knitwear collection and also wears colour beautifully. The reality is that fashion influencers can start to look the same because they’re wearing what’s current, so finding people who have unique styles along with mainstream influencers is my go-to combination. 

substack

Substack for deeeeeeeeep dives. So many great follows on here. Currently, I’m devoted to

Anna Newton

. She’s analytical to a level I didn’t know could exist, but I have learned so much through her attention to all the details about curating a functional and well loved wardrobe. 

stepping into shops

Window shopping is another favourite source of inspiration. It's about seeing how clothes are curated and displayed in the store. I also love seeing how salespeople for a brand have incorporated the clothes into their personal style. Aritzia is a good example. The store is mostly filled with basics, but I always find the girls working their creative in the way they put together outfits. 

film

I often think of how the actresses are dressed in my favourite films and shows. For example, Anne's knee-high boots from Devil Wears Prada paired with the short black dress, Audrey Hepburn in her full skirts and cinched waist, Blair Waldorf's headbands in Gossip Girl (ha!), the list goes on. I can definitely trace how these fashion moments are reflected in my personal style.

this outfit

celeb style

A few celebrities for their on point style (not to forget the stylists who make it all happen).

beauty imagery

Beauty images. I usually prefer a restrained look and think a person's face is the most interesting focal point. A beauty moment can sometimes make me feel more excited to get dressed than an outfit pic. For example, a bare face with a red lip might make me think of a simple, oversized navy sweater with cropped black jeans and loafers. Or an undone braid feels perfectly juxtaposed to a blazer over straight-legged jeans. 

a beauty image I come back to time and time again

this ruby red lip needs little else

undone hair, simple makeup is such a great jumping off point to style a look

people watching

Last but definitely not least, people watching. Few things are more enjoyable (to me) than walking through the city or sitting at a coffee and taking in the atmosphere. I find cities and the people who live in them infinitely interesting. After an afternoon wandering one of my favourite streets, popping into small boutiques, and lazily perusing sweaters with a coffee in one hand, I'm always left inspired to dress up and show up as my best self. 

enjoying my pear galette and flat white with a podcast and interesting mix of people

I'd love to hear your favourite sources of style inspiration in the comments. It's beautiful to take in images and experiences and integrate them into our own sense of fashion. I'm curious if your mind works similarly. 

X

Sana

If you enjoyed today’s newsletter, leave a heart or a comment. It always means a lot to hear from you. Writing takes time and effort, and it makes me happy to know you enjoyed or gained something from it.