We like to think our style choices are all about personal expression. They are, but there are many factors that guide you. The contents of your closet is a glimpse of your surroundings as well as an expression of your soul. Your environment has a sneaky way of shaping your wardrobe, from the cut of your jeans to the color of your raincoat. Where you live influences what you wear. Sometimes it’s a combination, consious or not, of “What do I feel like wearing today?” and “What should I wear today that won’t make me look completely out of place?”
Take New York City, for example. The unofficial uniform is black. Black coats, black boots, black coffee. I I have a theory that that’s not just a fashion statement, but a camouflage. Black hides subway grime, coffee spills, and the stress of renting a one room apartment in Mahattan. It also makes you look instantly chic, even when you’re just sprinting to catch the F train. New Yorkers don’t necessarily love black; they’ve just realized it’s the most practical choice for navigating a city where the sidewalks are basically runways and everyone’s judging you.
A quick 6 hour flight to Los Angeles and wearing all black screams OUTSIDER. L.A. style is all about light, breezy fabrics and colors that look like they were stolen from a crayon box . Linen trousers, flowy dresses, sneakers you dont actually wear to the gym. It’s sunshine fashion. After all, it’s hard to commit to head-to-toe black when your environment is palm trees, neon sunsets, and an forecast above 80 degrees every day.
Then there’s the Midwest, where the seasons dictate everything. As a teenager, I lived in Ohio. I have first hand knowledge that people don’t just own a coat, they own several coats and choose according the temp. Mid West woman also has the coat specifically warn for going from the car into Target. Personal style here is rooted in practicality, but don’t underestimate it. While living in the midwest, I became an expert in layering! Scarves, sweaters, vests, jackets. Sometimes all at once. It’s less of an outfit and more of a survival kit.
On the Eastern Shore of Maryland, a place like St. Michaels or Easton, style is dictated by charm and a little bit of brackish air. Think nautical stripes, boat shoes, linen button-downs. It’s as much a lifestyle as fashion. An unwritten rule is the outfit should look equally at home on a sailboat, at a crab feast, or shopping in one of the quaint downtowns. You’ll never go wrong with something that suggests you own a golden retriever or enjpy paddleboarding on the weekends!
Your environment doesn’t just make subtle suggestions, it shouts at your closet. The climate, the culture, the unspoken dress code of your city all shape how you get dressed. Of course, there’s always room for rebellion. In fact, I celebrate it. Imagine the fun of a Southern woman who wears combat boots to a garden party, the Manhattan dweller that takes the subway wearing a pink tulle skirt and heels . But even rebellion needs a reference point, and that usually comes from what everyone else is wearing.
Your wardrobe is personal. it’s also geography. Your zip code is just as much a style influencer as your favorite fashion blogger. Need more guidance? Give me a shout!