by Alissa Ackerman | Sep 9, 2019 | Fashion Anthropology - Style Around the World, Featured Blog Posts, Interviews, Recommended Bloggers, Style Stories, Symbolic, Story Pieces
“No matter what style I choose to wear, whether it’s streetwear or a whimsical style, colour and confidence will always be present.” – Tajinder Kaur
Tajinder is determined, talented, genuine, beautiful, and has a unique and vivid sense of style. What first brought her blog to my attention is the mix of her quirky style along with her beautifully raw poetry–It’s an example of a fashion blog that is truly a “must-read” and not just a “must-view”.
Read her Style Story to learn more about her:
by Alissa Ackerman | Jun 17, 2019 | Featured Blog Posts, Interviews, Style Stories
Gwendolyn Bielicki is a fashion reseller on Poshmark, designer, mom of three young women, and a wonderful friend who is incredibly inspiring and thought-provoking when you get the chance to get a glimpse into her mind.
She’s an overcomer of depression, anxiety and OCD. A quiet but wise, quirky, imaginative soul with so much beauty to offer the world. Soulful, unconventional and by the beat of her own drum, the word that most reflects her style is “Reckless”.
by Alissa Ackerman | Mar 25, 2019 | Featured Blog Posts, Interviews, Style Stories
“I have a funky, fresh, out-there personality and I feel like my clothes reflect that … I think that my clothes let people know that I’m open and that I’m ready to talk with people …” – Heather.
Idaho lifestyle photographer, Heather James, calls her style “Dork-Chic”. It’s quirky, but easy-going; Full of bold and happy patterns, but with toned down, depthy Fall colors that she considers to be super peaceful.
by Guest Blogger | Jun 4, 2018 | Fashion-ology, Guest Posts, Personal Style
Guest post by Kelsey Davis from The Lux Authority:
Everyone claims their own unique style, but only some have been able to do so without the fear of ridicule. Gender neutrality is not something new, but the specialized clothing is and will undoubtedly continue to succeed, shape lives, and overturn viscous stigmas.
by Alissa Ackerman | Mar 2, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty
On February 14th, 2018, the first ever Fashion + Self-Love party came to completion.
Two weeks were set aside, here on Story Behind The Cloth, for the purpose of celebrating self-love and -care through fashion. We celebrated through giveaways, games, and daily guest posts from 14 of my wonderful blogger friends. It was a beautiful experience and i’m so thankful to everybody who helped host and those who celebrated with us!
This post is for those of you who may have missed the party, or parts of it–Or for anybody who may want to reminisce and look back on the encouragement that was given during the event.
by Alissa Ackerman | Feb 14, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Games, Games, Activities, Checklists, etc
Today Savana Rae talked about loving ourselves and having confidence despite how social media (especially INSTAGRAM!) can often make us feel.
Now’s your turn to find and photograph clothing that will put this idea to action!
Photograph one or more pieces that fit one of these criteria:
1. Your favorite OOTD from your Instagram posts
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt22
2. An untouched selfie–No filters, no edits–Just your beautiful self
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt23
3. That clothing piece that makes you feel unique and wonderful just as you are
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt24
by SavanaRae | Feb 14, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Fashion Psychology, Fashion Tips, Guest Posts
Guest post by Savana from Official Savana Rae.
Instagram has so much interesting content and impressive content creators. However, the bar is set very high. When the bar is set as high as it is, growing may become an issue. It mainly drives attention to the biggest accounts–which undermines the rest no matter how good your content may be.
I have noticed that a lot of people have been affected by this, and a big loss in confidence has increased in my fellow influencers and those who follow me.
I want to give you some self-love advice that I myself follow when I feel low, because let’s face it–we all have THOSE days.
This guide to increase self-love is one that I find incredibly useful, as my mom reminds most days that we all need to love ourselves first so that we can be at peace. Think about it this way, if you didn’t love yourself, how can you feel at peace?
by Erriel | Feb 13, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Guest Posts
Guest post by Erriel from Erriel J’s Life Chronicles.
I am only 21 and I enjoy being single, honestly. Not having to worry about someone else and just focusing on yourself for a while is refreshing, honey!
For Valentine’s Day I am treating myself to a “self-date” which means I will be taking myself out on a date! But, what do you wear on a self-date?
Here are my top 3 outfits for a Valentine’s Day Self-Date!
by Alissa Ackerman | Feb 12, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Discovering Your Style, Games, Games, Activities, Checklists, etc
Today Eliza talked about the benefits of loving yourself deeply and unconditionally, and how a little tiny bit of narcissism can ACTUALLY be a good thing.
Now’s your turn to find and photograph clothing that will put this idea to action!
Photograph one or more pieces that fit one of these criteria:
1. That piece you feel most attractive in
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt19
2. A piece you don’t own but think you would look STUNNING in
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt20
3. Outfit that describes who you see yourself to be
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt21
by Eliza | Feb 12, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Guest Posts
Guest post by Eliza from Aesthetic Distance.
Narcissism gets a bad rap in the media and pop culture. When we call someone a narcissist, it is almost never a compliment. They have a reputation for being sociopaths. We say we can’t stand them, but research shows we actually tend to view them as more confident, intelligent and attractive than other people. Sure, at the extreme (which is called Narcissistic Personality Disorder), it can lead to a lack of empathy and a sense of entitlement. But then why are so many narcissists successful and well-respected? Since we live in a world of “the personal brand,” I’m here to dispute the bad reputation of narcissism and talk about the good parts of being a narcissist.
by Alissa Ackerman | Feb 11, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Discovering Your Style, Games, Games, Activities, Checklists, etc
Today Imaan talked about experimenting with trends and new clothing styles for self-discovery.
Now’s your turn to find and photograph clothing that will put this idea to action!
Photograph one or more pieces that fit one of these criteria:
1. That piece you didn’t expect to like or look good in
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt16
2. That piece that helps draw you out of your comfort zones
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt17
3. A trend that you think you might try
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt18
by Imaan | Feb 11, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Discovering Your Style, Fashion Tips, Guest Posts
Guest post by Imaan from The August Clause.
Identity is something that I have struggled and still do struggle with, and I can confidently
say that I have an existential crisis almost every second day. I took my personal experience
of struggling to fit into a specific mold and tried to make sense of it, with the one thing I
love– fashion.
The more I started to incorporate small, subtle trend pieces the more I saw the way I dress
evolve, and funny enough, the more I started to understand myself.
by Alissa Ackerman | Feb 10, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Games, Games, Activities, Checklists, etc, Personal Style
“This or That” Fashion + Self-Love Party Game Round 4!:
Which are your favorites of Gwen’s Poshmark items?
Like to vote for your favorites!
by Gwen | Feb 10, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Discovering Your Style, Fashion Tips, Guest Posts
Guest post by Gwendolyn from Reckless Resale.
We like clothing labels.
Could you create a label that fully describes your content? Would you be able to list all your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs? You can imagine the lengthy list of instructions on the label would require.
Practicing self-love naturally affords you with increased confidence, poise, and self-assurance.
Practicing self-love naturally assists you with defining your own personal style, labeled only by yourself.
Here are some simple steps to help you create that personal style:
by Alissa Ackerman | Feb 9, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Discovering Your Style, Games, Games, Activities, Checklists, etc
Today Lia talked about Uplifting your attitude through your fashion and beauty routine.
Now’s your turn to find and photograph clothing that will put this idea to action!
Photograph one or more pieces that fit one of these criteria:
1. A piece that makes you really happy
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt13
2. Best to wear on a bad day
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt14
3. Your favorite pair of heels
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt15
by Lia | Feb 9, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Blogging Community, Fashion Psychology, Fashion Tips, Guest Posts
Guest post by Lia from A Southern Girl, Lia.
Fashion and the clothes you choose reflect and affect your mood and attitude.
The magic begins when you find a super cute outfit, you put it on grab some heels and Bam! You see a different person in the mirror and so you start acting like one too. Your confidence starts showing and you start building a high self-esteem. Don’t forget that little dance we all do in front of the mirror when we are feeling fabulous.
I hope that my step by step routine is of help to you!
by Alissa Ackerman | Feb 8, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Discovering Your Style, Fashion Psychology, Games, Games, Activities, Checklists, etc
Never Have i Ever – Self-Care Edition.
1 point for everything you HAVE done!
Have you made good progress in taking better care of yourself?
Share: How many points did you get??
What are you missing?…Which one will you work on today?
by Alice Allen | Feb 8, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Blogging Community, Discovering Your Style, Fashion Psychology, Fashion Tips, Guest Posts
Guest post by Alice from A Lot on Your Mind.
Two psychologists, Hajo and Galinksy (2012), coined the term ‘enclothed cognition’ which argues that your style reflects and affects your mood, health, and overall confidence. If our clothes affect our mood, why don’t we choose the clothes that express our best selves and will make us feel legitimately beautiful?
Here are some tips to owning your personal style:
by Alissa Ackerman | Feb 7, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Games, Games, Activities, Checklists, etc, Outfit Inspiration, Personal Style
“This or That” Fashion + Self-Love Party Game Round 3!:
Which of Lindsey’s outfit remixes do you like best?
Like to vote for your favorites!
by Alissa Ackerman | Feb 7, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Discovering Your Style, Games
Today Lindsey talked about cutting back spending and making the most out of the wardrobe you already have.
Now’s your turn to find and photograph clothing that will put this idea to action!
Photograph one or more pieces that fit one of these criteria:
1. That piece you forgot about, but totally need to wear again!
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt10
2. That piece you don’t wear anymore, but can’t get rid of
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt11
3. That versatile piece that you can wear in a multitude of different ways!
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt12
by Lindsey | Feb 7, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Fashion Psychology, Fashion Tips, Guest Posts
Guest post by Lindsey from Have Clothes, Will Travel.
Living in a day and age where everywhere we turn there is pressure to buy the latest and greatest fashion makes it very easy to fall into the “retail therapy” trap. And to make it even more difficult, our brain actually releases the pleasure-inducing chemical dopamine when you buy something new…
…getting addicted to this high is not only bad for your overall self-esteem, it can, obviously, be very damaging to your wallet.
However, I’ve taken a few measures to correct this…
… the trick to it all is creating the illusion you have a ton of clothes by swapping out key pieces when styling your outfits with clothes you already own.
by Alissa Ackerman | Feb 6, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Discovering Your Style, Games
Today Josie talked about how clothes can comfort heartache.
Now’s your turn to find and photograph clothing that will put this idea to action!
Photograph one or more pieces that fit one of these criteria:
1. The coziest piece you own
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt7
2. That piece that saw you through hard times
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt8
3. That piece you really want to buy
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt9
by Josie Mills | Feb 6, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Blogging Community, Fashion Psychology, Fashion Tips, Guest Posts, Outfit Inspiration
Finding Comfort in Your Clothes After Heartbreak:
Guest post by Josie Mills from Open Mind Fashion (OMF).
I kissed a few frogs on the path to meeting my prince, my husband. And along the way, some left me green and croaking for a while. In those tough times, I would become even more aware of the textures & qualities of my clothes–my clothes became a form of solace, and dressing up would help me get through the next day even though I wanted to die.
by Alissa Ackerman | Feb 5, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Discovering Your Style, Games
Today Charlene talked about finding confidence by dressing outside your comfort zone.
Now’s your turn to find and photograph clothing that will put this idea to action!
Photograph one or more pieces that fit one of these criteria:
1. That piece that you like, though others may not
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt4
2. An item that kinda scares you (in a good, comfort-zone pushing, sort of way) to think about wearing
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt5
3. A piece that makes you feel like the strongest version of yourself.
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt6
by Charlene | Feb 5, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Discovering Your Style, Fashion Tips, Guest Posts
Guest post by Charlene McElhinney.
I rocked some tight fishnet styled jeans with some extremely
high heels and an awesome studded bikers jacket. It was totally out of my comfort zone, but
let me tell you, I felt like a total bad-ass. I felt incredible. Confidence burst out from
somewhere within me and it was evident in the finalized photos. And it all came down to
what I was wearing. It helped me to get right in to the zone, it helped me to feel fierce, it
allowed me to express myself in a way I’d never done before.
by Alissa Ackerman | Feb 4, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Games
I figured that today calls for something different than the other games we’ve had on social media. I’ve created a body-positivity printable for you to reflect on yourself and start thinking more kindly about your body. This is for you to do on your own time–you can share it or keep it private. But do fill it all out! Sometimes, it’s not easy to love our bodies–But I swear to you: YOU CAN FIND SOMETHING TO LOVE ABOUT EVERY PART OF YOU.
by Alix | Feb 4, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Guest Posts
Guest post by Alix from All Lady A.
We are all too aware of the huge difference between the same sizes in varying stores.
All too often do we pick up one pair of jeans and venture to another store to find pretty much the same pair of jeans requires us to choose three sizes up so we can actually get the leg past our knees.
Whatever your size, all of this can take a huge toll on our self-esteem. While it’s important to remember is the number on the label is just that, it’s difficult to convince yourself it’s just there to help you find clothes that fit when they’re all so drastically different.
by Alissa Ackerman | Feb 3, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Discovering Your Style, Games
Today Deanna talked about savvy shopping, and the importance of not letting our clothes get in the way of living fulfilling lives.
Now’s your turn to find and photograph clothing that will put this idea to action!
Photograph one or more pieces that fit one of these criteria:
1. That piece you’ve worn basically a million times
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt1
2. The best deal you’ve ever gotten
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt2
3. That piece you can live in and do any activity without worrying about wrecking it.
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt2
by Deanna | Feb 3, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Blogging Community, Fashion Psychology, Fashion Tips, Guest Posts, Outfit Inspiration, Personal Style
Guest post by Deanna from Lucky.Love.Life.
I’ve never been one to believe that you have to spend a paycheck to look nice.
You don’t need an $850 dress, or pair of shoes, or handbag, to fit in or look amazing. Buy what makes you feel cute and inspired but remember your life is about experiences, not things. You need confidence, charisma, and a rockin’ smile. No matter what you are wearing, you’ll be dressed to the nines.
by Alissa Ackerman | Feb 2, 2018 | #FashionSelfLoveParty, Discovering Your Style, Fashion Psychology, Games
Never Have I Ever – Fashion Blunders Edition!
We’re about to get REAL…
The most honest people win!
1 point for everything you HAVE done.
Share: How many points did you get?
Which one do you think is the hardest to overcome?