Fashion has made a big swing from a strict set of rules to the idea that we should all just wear what we want. But personal style is still dictated by outside forces. And a lot of people don't even know where to start. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image of Clinton Kelly and Stacy London by Donna Svennevik/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images. If you have a question for us, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545, or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Chapter 1: Why is personal style so difficult to define?
I think you can, like, change the clothes you already have to be more in fashion. You know, you can cut off your shorts. You can... embroider a shirt. You can do things that make clothes keep up with fashion without shopping. And you can observe fashion and know what's in fashion without having to go out and like buy it.
How do economic realities factor into the fashion industry and predictions about what's going to be new? You know, I mean, I can't even fathom what tariff fashion is about to be.
Well, I think it'll be interesting. I think a lot of companies, you know, again, because they're these big institutions that have to move a lot of product. I think someone who I talked to at sort of a mid-tier mainstream fashion company was telling me that their lines are going to have to be a lot smaller. They can't just make these huge dumps of seasons.
They have to start editing and be really specific. And I think to make one brand stand out from another is— This might mean that the clothes will have to start being more signature, more interesting. That's like a best-case scenario, which would be nice. Who knows? Maybe they'd just lean into trends and basics and whatever they know will actually move product.
I mean, ultimately, it's going to hurt small designers, which is the sad thing that most... Interesting creators committed to high quality are probably going to suffer. But it's going to make a huge change. It's going to be massive.
Okay, so we've learned where style comes from. But now, what do we do with it? How to dress yourself after the break.
Does this look good on me? And do I feel good wearing this?
So we know finding our personal style is hard. A lot of it isn't even in our hands. But some of it is. That's what we went to our next two guests about. Two very stylish and very online people who think about this for a living.
I'm Laken Carlton. I go by the ethical stylist. I am a stylist with a focus on, obviously, ethics, sustainability, but also kind of unlearning all of those rules that we've kind of been indoctrinated with.
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Chapter 2: What are the frustrations of finding personal style?
Favorite brand.
Diane von Furstenberg.
He spoke style by Michael Andrews Bespoke.
Wait, can I change my answer?
Can you wear black with navy?
Yeah.
Yes.
Okay, and what is the longest you've held on to one piece of clothing?
I have a blouse that I actually wore to my very first job interview. That was my grandmother's. It was huge on me then. Now it's a little too small on me now. But I have had it for about 15 years. 31 years.
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