Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Recently, I was able to nail down the difference between what feels like my personal style and what feels like wearing a costume. My style has evolved, which is *completely* normal, and I’m leaning towards more classic, easy, relaxed, soft, neutral options instead of colorful, patterned, or feminine things. There are trends that I see around on people that look good but whenever I try it on myself it feels like I’m wearing a costume...almost like I’m trying too hard to look different from myself, if that makes sense.
After years of learning this the expensive way by buying and ultimately donating many “like new” items in my closet like chelsea boots, loafers, blazers, tiered dresses with shoulder ruffles, etc. I’m glad to have had this realization that I know how I want to dress these days. It makes shopping easier, it makes getting dressed easier, and I feel more like myself than ever!
Personal style is creative and an expression of you + your life at that time, and I kind of love the freedom and flexibility to adapt and evolve instead of feeling boxed in to one style category your whole life.
I shared a bit more about this on stories today, saved it to a highlight above, if it would be helpful to hear me talk through this. It seemed to resonate with folks so I wanted to have a place for it to live in the feed!
The TLDR; if you try on something in your closet and it feels like a costume, toss it in a donate pile. Pay attention to the clothes you love and narrow down why you love them! There isn’t a right or wrong way to dress, but the goal should always be to feel fantastic in whatever you put on, whether it’s a trend or not.
🔗 LINKS: instagram.com/reel/DRvh4T4DlM9/?hl=en
➡️ MOST RECENT VIDEO:
youtube.com/watch?v=sJh7mNQyqUM&t=192s
✨ FOLLOW ME ON ✨
Instagram: instagram.com/k8_smallthings
Blog: thesmallthingsblog.com
LTK: shopltk.com/explore/k8_smallthings
Facebook: facebook.com/thesmallthingsblog
➡️ DISCOUNT CODES:
Miranda Frye Jewelry:
15% off + free shipping, code SMALLTHINGS
mirandafrye.com/?sca_ref=5436846.wom4ZdHNod
Barefaced:
10% off for new customers, code KATE10
go.shopmy.us/p-15735039
Dermstore:
15% off, code SMALLTHING15
dermstore.com/c/offers/welcome
Jouer Cosmetics
20% off, code SMALLTHINGS20
go.shopmy.us/p-36104632
Loopy Cases:
10% off, code SMALLTHINGS10
rstyle.me/+wrYQsMmJQQNSQJq93lhwgg
Monica Vinader
20% off, code KATEBRYANMV
go.shopmy.us/p-21763903
Paige:
15% off, code SMALLTHINGS15
go.shopmy.us/p-13149437
Sanctuary:
15% off, SMALLTHINGS15
go.shopmy.us/p-17247529
Sardine
15% off, code SMALLTHINGS15
go.shopmy.us/p-24107571
Splendid:
20% off, KATEB20
go.shopmy.us/p-18393361
Stakt
15% off, code SMALLTHINGS15
go.shopmy.us/p-36104528
SWEED Beauty:
20% off, code KATE-20
go.shopmy.us/p-6788150
Tommy John:
30% off, code KATE30
rstyle.me/+vlpcxSKZ3j4rivWzKvTTIA
Tower 28 Beauty
15% off, code KATE15
go.shopmy.us/p-23573600
YSE Beauty:
15% off, code SMALLTHINGS15
go.shopmy.us/p-9303581
Recently, I was able to nail down the difference between what feels like my personal style and what feels like wearing a costume. My style has evolved, which is *completely* normal, and I’m leaning towards more classic, easy, relaxed, soft, neutral options instead of colorful, patterned, or feminine things. There are trends that I see around on people that look good but whenever I try it on myself it feels like I’m wearing a costume...almost like I’m trying too hard to look different from myself, if that makes sense.
After years of learning this the expensive way by buying and ultimately donating many “like new” items in my closet like chelsea boots, loafers, blazers, tiered dresses with shoulder ruffles, etc. I’m glad to have had this realization that I know how I want to dress these days. It makes shopping easier, it makes getting dressed easier, and I feel more like myself than ever!
Personal style is creative and an expression of you + your life at that time, and I kind of love the freedom and flexibility to adapt and evolve instead of feeling boxed in to one style category your whole life.
I shared a bit more about this on stories today, saved it to a highlight above, if it would be helpful to hear me talk through this. It seemed to resonate with folks so I wanted to have a place for it to live in the feed!
The TLDR; if you try on something in your closet and it feels like a costume, toss it in a donate pile. Pay attention to the clothes you love and narrow down why you love them! There isn’t a right or wrong way to dress, but the goal should always be to feel fantastic in whatever you put on, whether it’s a trend or not.
🔗 LINKS: instagram.com/reel/DRvh4T4DlM9/?hl=en
➡️ MOST RECENT VIDEO:
youtube.com/watch?v=sJh7mNQyqUM&t=192s
✨ FOLLOW ME ON ✨
Instagram: instagram.com/k8_smallthings
Blog: thesmallthingsblog.com
LTK: shopltk.com/explore/k8_smallthings
Facebook: facebook.com/thesmallthingsblog
➡️ DISCOUNT CODES:
Miranda Frye Jewelry:
15% off + free shipping, code SMALLTHINGS
mirandafrye.com/?sca_ref=5436846.wom4ZdHNod
Barefaced:
10% off for new customers, code KATE10
go.shopmy.us/p-15735039
Dermstore:
15% off, code SMALLTHING15
dermstore.com/c/offers/welcome
Jouer Cosmetics
20% off, code SMALLTHINGS20
go.shopmy.us/p-36104632
Loopy Cases:
10% off, code SMALLTHINGS10
rstyle.me/+wrYQsMmJQQNSQJq93lhwgg
Monica Vinader
20% off, code KATEBRYANMV
go.shopmy.us/p-21763903
Paige:
15% off, code SMALLTHINGS15
go.shopmy.us/p-13149437
Sanctuary:
15% off, SMALLTHINGS15
go.shopmy.us/p-17247529
Sardine
15% off, code SMALLTHINGS15
go.shopmy.us/p-24107571
Splendid:
20% off, KATEB20
go.shopmy.us/p-18393361
Stakt
15% off, code SMALLTHINGS15
go.shopmy.us/p-36104528
SWEED Beauty:
20% off, code KATE-20
go.shopmy.us/p-6788150
Tommy John:
30% off, code KATE30
rstyle.me/+vlpcxSKZ3j4rivWzKvTTIA
Tower 28 Beauty
15% off, code KATE15
go.shopmy.us/p-23573600
YSE Beauty:
15% off, code SMALLTHINGS15
go.shopmy.us/p-9303581
