Happy Friday!! I am super excited to introduce my guest post author to you all today. Jenna Laird is a preschool SLP that I found on Instagram (don't you love social media?) Jenna is hands down the cutest dressed SLP I have ever seen. I love her style... she has inspired my new addiction to J. Crew :) I was thrilled when Jenna agreed to write a guest post for Fave Fashion Friday. I know you will enjoy her post, too!
PS- for the record, I totally agree with Jenna's philosophy:
“when you dress better, you feel better, and when you feel better, you do better.”
Fave Fashion Friday:
Finding Your Personal Style
Jenna Laird
instagram:
mrslairdypants
Kristin’s blog is definitely one of my go-to’s for
therapy materials, so when she approached me to write a post for Fave Fashion
Friday, of course I said yes!
I am a speech
therapist and currently have a preschooler-only caseload. I love it! From their funny stories and
adorable giggles, to getting down on my hands and knees to play an intriguing game
of Mr. Potato Head, it is a dream! With that in mind, I also have a true
passion for fashion and a love for all things design. When I started working in the field, I was
always worried about looking professional because I wanted to be taken as a
professional, and just as important, be treated as a professional. Since then, I have learned that it is just as
important to look and be professional as it is to feel comfortable and true to
who you are. My philosophy has always
been that, “when you dress better, you feel better, and when you feel better, you
do better.” It sounds a little
dramatic and simple but I really do believe in the importance of personal
style. Maybe you are a lover of bright, fun, and patterned clothing just like
me. Or maybe you are not. Either way, I am sharing a few tips on defining your
own personal style. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Often I feel like I am
in a fashion rut. Maybe it seems that I
wear the same thing all of the time [uh,
hello polka dot button up shirt]. Or things just aren’t looking the way they
did in my head [why did I buy those pants
again?]. This is when I happily turn
to catalogs, magazines, Pinterest, and personal shoppers at retail locations.
Did you know that many retailers today offer free styling appointments? Bring in your favorite pieces you
already own and they will help you style them with what you have or may even
entice you to add a few new things to spice it up! Don’t be afraid to look for
other resources even if it is just the Internet for a little inspiration. If we
always had to rely on our own fashion advice, where would the fun be in all of
that? Personal style should be something that is an exciting confidence builder
that helps you feel true to you.
Clearly we all do not have bottomless
bank accounts that allow us to go out to buy an entire wardrobe every time we
feel like there’s nothing to wear. This
is why having our personal style is so important and where our creative juices
come out to play. We are all talented and creative in our professional lives,
so it is only natural to get creative in our personal lives! Your closest holds a world of possibilities!
Sometimes you just need to take another look and think of different ways that
you can wear the same items. Maybe you
have a really cute button up that you wore last week with a pair of trousers.
This week layer it with a cardigan or sweater with a different color or style
of pants. Maybe add a scarf for a pop of
color and don’t be afraid to mix patterns together [i.e. think stripes and
polka dots]. Personal style isn’t about breaking the bank. You don’t need to dress fancy, you just need
to stay true to you!
When searching for
your personal style, it is important to keep your inspiration in mind. Maybe
you love a new trend but don’t think that it will look good on YOUR body. The important
thing to remember is: try it on. If it isn’t you, than at least you gave it a
shot and leave no doubt in your mind. For myself personally, I like pieces that are
somewhat timeless but still fun. I love a patterned button up or a bright
colored sweater because it means that I can make a number of outfits out of
four or five pieces. Let’s not even talk
about my love for colored ballet flats!
Switch a different color out and hello
colorful and snazzy new look! Perfect for working with my little preschool
friends! I am a fan of jewelry but when working with kids I realize that it is
not always practical. In that sense, I
may just wear a pair of gold studs or a pendant necklace and put it in my shirt
when I am working with a student who may find it a bit distracting.
At the end of the day, having
personal style is all about defining you as an individual. It is not about
focusing on what we don’t have. It is about having confidence and accepting
yourself for who you are flaws and all.
Now let’s get out there and have a little fun! Like my personal style or just need a little
outfit inspiration? Follow me on Instagram: mrslairdypants.
