Australian fashion people on how they avoid dressing the same as everyone else
In partnership with Converse
Words by Fashion Journal
“You’re not just wearing clothing, you’re wearing your personality, influences and creativity, which show fragments of how you perceive yourself.”
The cliché is true: in fashion what goes around, comes around. Because trends are inherently cyclical, the pieces your parents cringe at from their teenage wardrobes are now on the TikTok For You Page. And one day, you’ll have the same experience.
Personal style should be reflective of the clothing that makes you feel amazing. If we all followed the ebbs and flows of internet microtrends, fashion would become incredibly monotonous. Our style icons hold that title because they’re uninformed by other’s opinions and confidence, regardless of how ‘in’ their outfit may be.
For more style suggestions, head to our Fashion vertical.
Converse’s newest silhouette, the Run Star Trainer, offers a fresh take on a well-loved silhouette. The heritage sneaker brand is known for pushing outside of the trend cycle, and this shoe is no exception. In the spirit of uninhibited personal style, we sent a pair to two of our favourite creatives whose style we admire, then asked them and other Australian fashion people to share how they avoid dressing like everyone else.
Laura-Mae Will, co-founder of Lucky Tooth Gems
My wardrobe has developed over time to really represent my sense of identity and ideal self. As a young adult, inspiration for my personal style really came from evaluating what I admired about how the people that I loved dressed. However, this didn’t necessarily mean taking exact pieces from others, but rather really understanding what I liked about the composition of the outfit, the vibe that it gave off, or the feeling it evoked in me.
This has allowed me to draw inspiration from all around while still feeling like each outfit is uniquely me. The inspiration for my style and Pinterest boards have honestly remained the same since I was in my late teens/early twenties, so while I’ve watched trends come and go, I feel confident in my strong sense of personal style.
Charlotte Heloise, founder of Club Venus
The secret is hidden somewhere in my wardrobe. It’s so dark in there it really has become a beautiful maze. There has to be an element of experimentation when finding your own personal style, that’s a given. But overall my consumption has really slowed down over the last few years. [I’m] prioritising new additions that build on my sense of self, rather than changing it. I see that journey throughout my closet now and I love it.
There are garments in there that I’ve had for 10 years, most of them Club Venus samples, upcycled work or pieces invested in from my local designer cohort… [ I have] multiple kilts inherited from my mum, even. There’s a bustling rack full of high-quality black basics that I can always rely on. My collection reads like a discovery tour of the self… I think what I end up wearing is pretty unique, but it’s all in the way you consume. For me, that’s slow and steadfast! Punk.
Izzy Wight, Fashion Journal’s Features Editor
Living in the fast-moving, cyclical fashion economy we are today, trying to be constantly unique would be exhausting. There’s always going to be someone on the internet with a similar ‘vibe’ and your outfit is always going to be referencing something else, even if you don’t realise it (cue The Devil Wears Prada cerulean monologue). Converse’s Run Star Trainers, for example, take design cues from nearly 20 heritage silhouettes.
I’ve always loved cowboy boots, and they’re constantly dipping in and out of the trend cycle. American writer and brand consultant Harling Ross Anton often speaks about the concept of personal style, and a piece of her advice has really stuck with me: shop like a collector, not a buyer. Punctuate your wardrobe with pieces that you dream about at night. Your outfits will always feel personal.
Rong Jake Chen, founder of Graedance
My personal style has developed as a reflection of community and connection. Growing up feeling very much ‘other’ as a queer person of colour, fashion became a safety mechanism for me. It allowed me to connect with people who shared my interests and provided a way to express myself when words weren’t enough – as it’s built on identifying people in your community, I don’t see a problem with dressing similarly as long as it informs who you are.
Finding my personal style has been a journey of fantasy and escapism, filled with trial and error. I’ve always been curious by nature, eager to try new things and see what resonates with me – and this is why I’d say always pick and choose from parts of trends that work for you. Lean into what feels comfortable and what gives you confidence. Over time, certain elements can inform a signature look and it might stick and if it doesn’t, no big deal. Have fun and evolve.
Connor McWhinnie, content creator, designer and artist
Yellow is one of my favourite colours, so the Run Star Trainer was so easy to style. I think the question of how to dress differently implies that you’re trying too hard when the way you dress is already unique. Your personality is reflected in the way you speak, act and dress, exploring the different parts of your identity. You’re not just wearing clothing, you’re wearing your personality, influences and creativity, which show fragments of how you perceive yourself – that, automatically, is dressing differently to the billions of people around the world.
Poppy Iona, content creator
As 99 per cent of my clothing is secondhand, it guarantees I’ll show up in a different outfit than everyone else. I draw most of my fashion inspo from movie and TV characters from the ’90s and 2000s. [I love] the chain-smoking aunts wearing garish red lipstick, the quirky side characters with a wardrobe of Betsey Johnson and the killed-off-in-one-episode hot girls in full McBling swag. Most days I am in head-to-toe red, leopard, clashing prints and some other straight-from-the-’90s ensemble. When the ‘mob wife aesthetic’ started trending this year, my knee-jerk response was, ‘What do you mean red and leopard are now suddenly IN? I’ve been wearing them this whole time.’
I quickly realised, though, that it’s a blessing because now I see way more people wearing Adriana from The Sopranos-inspired outfits in person and online! I will say though that no matter what the high street stores are selling to emulate a TikTok trend, you will always be able to find a more interesting vintage version that has 20 times more personality. Thrifting also makes you much more creative in your styling, as you can’t just make an outfit from three pieces from the same collection designed to go together, like in stores. Nothing beats searching through racks and racks of ugly clothes and finding that one piece that completes your look!
Giulia Brugliera, Fashion Journal’s Managing Editor
My wardrobe is super minimal, I’ve been wearing a capsule wardrobe since long before it was a ’thing’. When quiet luxury swooped in, it was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because my wardrobe was now suddenly on trend, a curse because it meant everyone else was dressing similarly in tailored pants, cashmere sweaters, white cotton shirts and oversized blazers.
I’ve tried to remember that trends come and go, but as long as I’m dressing true to myself, it doesn’t matter what others are wearing. The difference between my wardrobe and others’ is that I’ve been wearing these pieces for close to 10 years, it’s not a flash in the pan for me.
I suspect this is why I’ve been drawn to Converse’s new Run Star Trainer. The shoe, while new, pulls from almost 20 heritage Converse silhouettes giving it a timeless feel that also somehow feels modern. I also love it because it’s a sneaker that’s still lovely undiscovered.
Nina Lee, founder of Extra Silky
I have always loved wearing black! From when I was an early teen I always shopped secondhand and op shops, so I came home with lots of black lacy singlets or other garments from the ’90s or early 2000s. I always drew influence from Japanese Gothic Lolitas and also grew up in the punk scene, where black is uniform! As I’ve matured, my attire has gone a more timeless and comfortable route with a sprinkling of my gothic and punk roots.
I’ve always been a curvy girl, so I don’t care for trends or what others are wearing, I just hope to always look chic, dressing well for my body type in all my fave styles. Because I love black, I try to mix it up with textures, like lace, velvet, pleats, faux fur, diamantés, etc. I love to also enhance my style with fancy shoes or bags. I’ll definitely be wearing all black forever, even my wedding dress was black!
To check out Converse’s Run Star Trainer collection for yourself, head here.
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