Editor’s Letter: This Month We Celebrate Freedom of Expression Through Style

We talk a lot about personal style on Who What Wear—our purpose is to give women the tools they crave to continue to develop their style. I can hear people up the back thinking ‘but what’s so important about personal style?’, well I’m here to tell you it can be powerful, and even liberating. This month, we’re celebrating freedom of expression through style—unpacking how women break away from what they understand as ‘normal’, and develop their own unique style. You’ll hear from influential women within the Australian fashion industry on how their style has developed through the years, the impact their surroundings have had on the way they dress, and how they express themselves through certain pieces. 

I hope you feel inspired to think of fashion as more than just ‘clothes’, and as the powerful tool it is. Fashion is freedom, and I think sometimes we forget the true impact it can have. Not only on how you’re perceived by those around you, but how it makes you feel. Feeling comfortable in what you’re wearing and radiating that confidence could be the difference between nailing a job interview, making new friends, or creating a lasting memory.

To kick off the series I’m sharing my story, and how I broke away from my understanding of ‘normal’ to develop my personal style. I grew up in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, where in the early ‘00s, surf shops were basically the only place for a teenage girl to shop. I love the beach, but I’m not a bikini gal 24/7. From a very young age, I understood the impact of how you dress can have on the way people perceive you, and I knew that I was yet to find my feet. I spent my formative years trying to fit in—ignoring my Greek heritage, dyeing my hair platinum blonde, wearing what my friends wore. I look back now and I don’t recognise the girl in those pictures. When I started to really dress for myself in my mid-twenties, I found my confidence. I felt comfortable in meetings, I could speak easily to those I’d normally feel nervous around, and I found my own places to shop.

We are so fortunate to have the ability to dress in a way that allows us to express ourselves and continuously evolve. I know that my style journey is never ending, but I love where it’s at right now. I find joy in scrolling Instagram and hunting for an unexpected emerging label, I feel comfortable in my current uniform (shop it below), and outfit repeat almost every day (in my early 20s, that would = blasphemy). The latest ‘It-bag’ no longer haunts me. I’m not trying to ‘keep up’ with anyone. I’m conscious of where my clothes come from and I’m aware of the impact I have on landfill. I curate, and shop mindfully—I take a supremely edited approach to my wardrobe, and only let in pieces I know will bring me joy (the Marie Kondo approach).

Follow along this month as we tell the style stories of some of Australia’s most recognised women. We’ll shine a light on the intersection between style and culture, while we explore different ‘style tribes’ and how style is perceived around the world.

Before we kick off, here are some of the pieces I'm wearing, and have my eye on right now.

Related: This Sustainable Denim Line Only Makes One Style and I’m Convinced I Need It

Opening image: Getty Images