This is a photo of Vanessa from Big Girl, Small Budget, Tiny Town. She is wearing a kick-ass outfit with some bold colors and fun proportions. Vanessa and I have different shapes, sizes, budgets, proportions, and shopping resources, but when I look at this photo of her, it inspires me. It makes me want to wear yellow and orange with a pink-printed scarf. It makes me want to try a tunic over a midi. It makes me want to do a short layer over two longer layers. And yes, it makes me want to visit the Badlands, but that's not the point! The point is that, despite all of our differences, this image of Vanessa's from back in October has sparked my imagination and prompted me to think of ways I can interpret her look for myself.
This is a photo of a runway model in the Emanuel Ungaro FW10 ready-to-wear show. She is wearing a kick-ass outfit with some unusual colors and fabulous prints. This runway model and I have different shapes, sizes, budgets, proportions, and shopping resources, but when I look at this photo of her, it inspires me. It makes me want to wear mustard, coral, and green together. It makes me want to try leopard with colors other than my standby reds, teals, and purples. It makes me want to do a big solid sash with a tank, blazer, and printed pants. And yes, it makes me want to purchase those SPECIFIC pants, but that's not the point! The point is despite all of our differences, this image of a runway model in a show from several years ago has sparked my imagination and prompted me to think of ways I can interpret her look for myself.
This is a page from a Madewell catalog showing 10 looks. I don't own any items from Madewell and feel like much of their merchandise is a bit overpriced. But many of these looks appeal to my personal aesthetic. The women in this spread have different shapes, sizes, budgets, proportions, and shopping resources than I do, but when I look at these images, they inspire me. Even though I have absolutely no intention of buying any of the items showcased. This catalog page makes me want to swap out those bright blue jeans for my bright red ones, and pair them with a gray cardi and boots. It makes me want to wear my black opaques with rich brown boots all winter long. It makes me curious about tying a fringed scarf around my neck, cowboy style. And yes, it makes me think I probably need a pair of bright yellow ankle booties, but that's not the point! The point is despite the fact that I don't own these specific items, this image has sparked my imagination and prompted me to think of ways I can interpret these looks for myself.
Sartorial inspiration is everywhere, if you're willing to latch onto it, and even women who are different from you in practically every way can still inspire your own unique style. Even stores whose merch you don't own can spark outfit ideas. Even women with far more or less money than you can inform your looks. Even decor, nature, and graphic design can drum up ideas for color and texture pairings. Inspiration is everywhere. Really.
Sally McGraw is the author of Already Pretty, a daily blog about the intersection of style and body image.
