A Jolt of Inspiration

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Being inherently predisposed to the beauty of fashion, as one can easily suggest by the mere fact that I am writing a blog on clothing, I am trying to maintain a certain style that would help me stand out in a good way. Sometimes though, I have to admit, I need some inspiration in order to get out of the routine of wearing the same color gammas, combinations, and styles. Luckily, to freshen up the clothing perceptions, we need nothing more than to just go out and sink into the street style of the places we live in.

Street style has become a jolt of inspiration for many of the world-class designers, like Oscar De La Renta and Tom Ford, because of its uniqueness and diversity. In the cosmopolitan cities, one can come across people from all over the world blending their own culturally influenced way of clothing, with the urban style dictated by the city. Actually, the Internet is getting cluttered with thousands of websites and articles devoted to street fashion. And it is amazing that you can draw on the outfits of people your age, that you can relate to them, and find out what works best for you!

Dayana Yancheva, Personal Archive.

Today’s story began when I met with Dayana Yancheva, a Political Science and European Studies sophomore at AUBG. An incredibly positive and amiable person, she never fails to get in the center of attention with her distinctive laughter and sharp tongue. However, we did not meet to talk about her personality, but about her looks.

“For me fashion is a way to express my identity. I don’t like clothes that everyone wears because I believe that such fads take away from who I am.”

Dayana holds on to the thought that fashion should not turn into an addiction because every form of such deprives people from their individuality. Clothing is just a way to express an idea, state of mind, attitude, and personality. It does not take long to measure someone only by looking at his or her outfit – the sports person, the fashionista, the style-failure, the hipster, the laid-back, the stringent, the bohemian, the workaholic, and so on and so on.

As every girl though, Dayana has her little dirty fashion secrets.

“I have an overwhelming passion for jackets. I don’t remember a moment when I liked a jacket a lot and didn’t buy it.”

Moreover, the slideshow below provides just a minor glimpse at the enormous amount of scarves that she owns. Her bed gets so crowded as she shows me her personal favorites, that one cannot really see the sheets below. Luckily, I won’t be held responsible for the mess we left after our chat.

“I like having a lot from everything. I have clothes that can match every whim of mine, and I should say I am a girl of moods!”

Dayana clubbing with a friend.

It is not only clothes that Dayana matches with her fancies. Her hairstyles are remarkable for their eccentricity. Her preference for short hairstyles does not limit her, but gives her more freedom to change her appearance quickly, anytime she wants (see Dayana’s hair transformations above). For her, style is all about freedom of expression.

In order to be fresh, good-looking and innovative when it comes to fashion, one should not be a slave of the temporary fads. Style has nothing to do with wearing the latest offerings from the catwalk; it is something inherent that cannot be learned or acquired. Street fashion has gained such popularity because its icons are not a bunch of skinny women and childish-looking men, but actual ones, who we meet every day, everywhere. Its icons have their own individuality and are proud of it; they pick out the clothes and accessories that would best underscore their features and make them feel good in their own skin. Yes, the fashion industry is a great source of information on the newest must-haves, but it is the real people that truly inspire.