Soulful Style: Expressing Identity

Soulful Style: Expressing Identity

Self-Reflection Questions:  

• What's your style? 
• How do you express yourself? 
• What makes your soul sing? 
• How do you show up?
• How do you want to show up?

Let's not confuse style with something else.

Fashion is not style.

" Miranda: You have no sense of fashion.

Andy: I think that depends on…

Miranda: No, no, that wasn't a question."

'The Devil Wears Prada'.-

Clothing itself is not style. 

Garments provide a covering for our bodies, so perhaps you don’t think what you wear is important beyond comfort and protective use (check out knight armory).

Style is the how and the why, it represents the attention and expertise behind how and why something is done, which gives it both purpose and meaning.

Think of style as a statement, an illustration, a representation, or a symbol of something else. Think of a military uniform, a physician's white coat, a queen with her crowns, jewels, velvet robes, and a scepter representing her power and authority, or the craftsmanship and meaning of a Native American woman's dress.

Expressing yourself through various roles & relationships

Identity is often tied to our various and often changing societal roles, relationships, careers, religion, politics, personality, even food preferences, etc. 

We step in and out of various roles in our lives, we bring our unique selves to the roles, and we express ourselves within them, but they do not define us. 

Consider how you show up in your current role, activity, or to an event. 

Q: When have you felt that you were expressing a true representation of your soul? 

“Style is the method on how to create your art.

Visual identity is a representation of you, what your beliefs are and what are your ideals in your art,” - photographer Dave Teru.

When our roles change it can be unnerving, and we may feel lost. We must begin again, to find ourselves, and many books are written on the subject of being your own North Star. I understand this temptation, to think that all my truth lies within myself. In fact, I know myself pretty well, but I am not an expert, for one simple reason. I did not create myself. I did not knit myself together.

Identity and Soulful Style

My own identity anchor is based upon my belief and relationship with God: We are created in the image of God, blessed with free will, agency, and responsibility. Therefore, how we live, relate to one another, and express ourselves is important and should be handled with care.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12–14).

Credibility and Soulful Style

Style is more than personal expression, it is a way to communicate and relate with others. 

It is a visual means of communication and should be an authentic representation of our true identity through chosen symbols of expression (clothing etc). 

Communication is not a one-way transaction, but an art of give and take, an opportunity to create understanding between people based on shared meaning. 

Expressing ourselves authentically through style helps others to see a glimpse of who we are internally so that we can build trust and develop connections based on truth. 

We use style to both psychologically validate our true identity and to inform others of our nature, position, values, expertise, and responsibilities in society. 

It may be fun to dress up as a fantasy self for a costume party (culture is not costume), but what happens when we purposefully misrepresent ourselves?

Self-Reflection Questions: 

• What does your own style currently say about you? 
• Is this message clear and reflective of your truthful identity? 
• Does it represent your values, goals, aspirations, and position accurately? 
• How does it reflect your personality, strengths, interests, or God-given gifts?
• What can you do to be intentional about how you represent yourself to others?

Dare to Step into Soulful Style 

Make it a daily practice; Cultivating your personal style can take time and courage.

Showing up as your true self can feel risky; Not everyone will like or get you. 

My style, interests, opinions, and values may not be your cuppa tea. That's okay.

Dealing with criticism is part of the human experience, and can be useful, even helpful.

Style can be polarizing, a powerful visual force to attract people and things that support your identity and mission, and to repel those that do not. 

Don't get dressed up for nothing! 

I invite you, no matter where you are in your life or style journey to know you are loved, and that is at the core of your soul identity.

Your life has both purpose and meaning, so let it show, rain or shine.

You were created as an expression of eternal love, so show up in style and live accordingly.

💗Wishing you Amazing Love & Awesome Style
P.S. Clicking the links in my articles takes you for a deeper dive and provides resources!