How to get your own unique style – a style interview with Kristin

Creating a style that is uniquely your own is always a challenge. Kristin feels she has succeeded finding hers and in this stylish interview she explains how she accomplished this and how her hair plays a major role.

Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?

With age, the answer to this question gets longer and longer, so I will give you the stock answer that is on my freelance profile.

I’m a fashion blogger, a freelance writer, a former professional musician (saxophone), obsessive tennis player, U.S. Air Force Veteran, and hold a Master’s degree as a Nurse Practitioner. I have worked at everything from publicity to retail to healthcare to make ends meet, and have been fortunate enough to travel the globe. I am now based in the Scottish Highlands, owing to the fact that I met and married a Scotsman. Life is funny…

As a point of reference which age group do you belong to or perhaps you are willing to share your age?

I’m 41. I have no hang-ups about getting older. It is a probably eventuality for all of us.

Can you tell us a bit more about your blog Highland Fashionista and why you created it?

Like most of the members of my immediate family, I am happiest when I am creating something. With fashion, you get that little buzz of creating something that is uniquely your own every time you put a look together. I wanted to share my passion and love for fashion with “regular” people just like me, while simultaneously indulging my need to create.

How would you describe your own style?

This is something I have always struggled with. For a long time, I sort of longed to have an archetype…I felt that I needed a “signature” style and that I was without style identity. Having the blog has really cured me of that. The best barometer of what your style really is is sometimes other people. I have had so many people telling me that something is “so you”, I now realize that I do indeed have my own style. It’s Kristin style. That’s not really a great description, is it? Lets call it sporty ecclectic with an edge. Is that pretentious?

What would you consider the most important components of your style?

I like to take something and mess up its hair a bit. Pairing something structured and prim with something casual. I like to keep a balance and add humour to a look; t-shirt and a floor-length lace skirt. A tux jacket with a pair of ripped-up jeans. You get the idea.

Where do you live and how does that influence your style?

Scotland. Wet, wet, wet. I pretty much avoid suede (although I did just buy a pair of over the knee boots). Looks that can be layered are key where I live, as on the West Coast of Scotland, the weather is pretty changeable.

Do you feel you have a signature style?

See above response.

You have fabulous grey hair and have clearly chosen to go natural. Can you tell us a bit more about that choice and why you chose not to dye your hair as so many of us do (including me)?

My choice to stop dyeing actually started out of a place of pure vanity, believe it or not. I saw supermodel Kristen McMenamy in the August 2011 vogue edition of the age issue, and she had this amazing, silver, long, stunning hair that was quite arresting. She is a few years older than I am, but I thought, now there’s is a way to really do something different. Basically, I did it because it would be uniquely my own, and I think it makes a statement about how you see yourself.

Do you see your hair as an important component of your style?

I suppose I do. Or at least I did when I started. Sometimes I forget it’s there, if that makes any sense. I’ll remember it when I am out and about and someone says something or I’m getting a curious look or something. I suppose for someone who has decided to make this type of hair statement, I should probably spend more time on styling, come to think of it…

What inspires your outfit choices the most?

How I am feeling on any given day is the thing that usually inspires me, although when I am travelling and have more limited choices, I tend to go for uncomplicated, simple things and just add one kind of “funky” element.

Do you take things like color profiling or body type into account when you dress?

I used to think about these things more than I do now. Having the blog has really taught me not to limit myself in that way, and to try new things.

Has your style changed at all after turning 40?

If anything, I am more adventurous that I was at 20. That comes with age I suppose. I’ve kind of stopped caring what others think when I turn up in a pair of spiky heels, a fringed jacket, and a neon top.

Do you believe in dressing ‘age appropriately’ and what does it mean to you?

Age appropriate is less important than personality or occasion appropriate. The answer, in my opinion, is to really know yourself. The rest will fall into place.

Would you say that at this stage of your life you are now more, or less interested in fashion, style and the way you look?

I suppose I am as interested in how I look as I have ever been, but there is a shift away from dressing to look like the group and towards dressing to look like me. And I am definitely more interested in fashion; the history of it, what makes a well-constructed garment, past precedents and future directions…I love it all. I get a real kick out of a lot of the freelance fashion writing I do, I learn so much from it and it is an endless source of inspiration.

Why is the way you look important to you?

The way you look is how you present yourself to the world. It is, in essence, your way of declaring how you feel about yourself and
those around you.

Which of the outfits on your blog are personal favorites and why?

That changes with the winds of time, but I really love my leopard Thakoon coat. I also once did a post that was inspired by my orchid flowers that I grow, and I had a ton of fun putting together looks based on these flowers.

Do you follow trends? And if yes, which trends excite you at the moment?

I do follow fashion trends. I don’t always try every single one of them, but I like to know what is current and think of ways of incorporating it into my wardrobe if I like it. It’s fun. Gives you something new to look forward to.

Do you have any fashion and style tips for women over 40?

Don’t dismiss anything out of hand. Try it, all of it. Concentrate on being the healthiest, happiest version of yourself you can be, and let it flow.

What are your plans for your blog and how do you see it develop over the coming years?

To be honest, I take a very laid-back approach to my blog. It is rally important to me that I keep my writer’s voice and the blog’s identity intact, so I have a very slow and careful approach to the content as to not get saturated with advertising, giveaways, etc. I love to write, so even though it is a fashion blog, I really enjoy providing that content, however brief.

Anything further you would like to add?

Nope :). I think I’m all out of ammo….

For more inspiration and Kristin’s fabulous writing check out her blog Highland Fashionista!

How do you make your style unique? Which of Kristin’s outfits is your favorite?

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