The Journey to Authentic Style: How I Learned to Dress Like Myself.

Photo credit: Style Rave.

Do you ever find yourself scrolling through your favorite celebrity’s Instagram, saving pictures of their stylish, edgy, or over-the-top outfits?

Do you tell yourself, “One day, I’ll recreate this look!” and even keep an eye out for similar pieces while shopping?
Have you ever bought an outfit inspired by a celebrity, only to feel completely disappointed when you finally put it on?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this post is for YOU!

Love me a Lady in Red. 

Dressing Like Myself: How Fashion Became a Reflection of My Growth

In my teens and early 20s, I would have answered yes to all of the above. But after marriage and motherhood, my style changed drastically—sometimes in ways that still surprise me.

For example, I used to be the "heels to the office” girl, but now? If I can get away with wearing flats, low-heeled sandals, or even flip-flops, then that’s exactly what I’m choosing.

Now, before you panic—this is not me telling you that your style will completely change once you hit a new life stage. Instead, I want to encourage you to embrace change when it happens.

Adapting to a new lifestyle doesn’t mean losing your sense of style or settling for looking drab. If anything, it's an opportunity to reinvent your wardrobe and make it work for your new reality. That’s exactly what I did! Instead of forcing myself into styles that no longer served me, I built a wardrobe that is comfortable, stylish, and practical.

Here are five staples that helped me redefine my personal style:

1. Classic Wardrobe Staples

I invested in high-quality, plain-colored tees and jeans—simple, timeless, and easy to style. I also added comfortable, stylish dresses that actually feel good on me, rather than some trendy pieces I once convinced myself were comfortable just because someone I admired wore them.

💡 Pro Tip: It’s great to gather style inspiration from celebrities or mood boards, but don’t forget to do the work of figuring out what actually fits your lifestyle. We’ll dive deeper into curating a personal capsule wardrobe in another post, but for now, start by identifying your go-to essentials!

2. Simple Jewelry Collection

Tia.luxe has been my go-to for timeless, classy jewelry. I love gold pieces because they complement my warm skin tone better than silver.

💡 Pro Tip: Knowing your skin tone (warm, cool, or neutral) can help you pick the right jewelry and even clothing colors that suit you best! When you dress according to your undertone, you’re more likely to always look effortlessly put together.

3. Classic, Flat Footwear

Photo credit: Shopee.ph

Let me emphasize flat. 😂

When I was pregnant, I wore heels to work up until 8 months! But after having my baby, I completely fell out of love with them. Now, unless it’s an absolute necessity for an event, I opt for sandals, sneakers, ballet flats, or very low heels.

Comfort is non-negotiable for me these days, and my shoes need to reflect that—beauty standards or not.

4. Skincare + Scent = Little to No Makeup

Photo Credit: lqueenwrites,com

Pregnancy left me with hyperpigmentation and postpartum weight gain. When I finally started to feel like myself again, I invested in skincare instead of relying on makeup. Now, I can step out confidently with just moisturizer, lip gloss, and my favorite scent.

💡 Pro Tip: Find a signature scent that makes you feel amazing. I lean towards sweet, floral, and gourmand scents, and even in a casual outfit, a great fragrance makes me feel like a million bucks. Bonus points when people ask me what I’m wearing! 😉

5. Handmade Fashion

Handmade mesh top by #CBRHO

If you follow me on @rhdesignss and @crochet_by_rho, you’ll know I recently started a crochet fashion brand. Being able to create my own pieces from scratch is a game-changer!

Now, not everyone is into making clothes, but having a few custom-made pieces in your wardrobe will set your style apart. You get to wear something unique, made just for you, and perfectly suited to your body and taste.

Final Thoughts

Personal style is not about following trends—it’s about wearing what makes you feel confident, comfortable, and authentic. Over time, I’ve learned that fashion should reflect who you are, not who the internet says you should be.

If you’re in a season where your style is evolving, embrace it. Let go of the pressure to dress like someone else and start dressing like YOU.

Have you experienced a major shift in your style? Let’s talk in the comments! Share this post with a friend who might need to hear this. 💜💜💜

XoXo, RHD 💜💜💜

🏷️ #AuthenticFashion #BeYourself #PersonalStyleTips #FashionJourney #WearWhatYouLove #Women'sMonth #Womensweek