On Self-Worth: Cultivating a Strong Sense of Self Through Your Style
I discuss fashion’s role in building self-esteem and honoring our authentic selves.
Full look description below.
I used to revel in taking people by surprise and proving their assumptions and biases wrong. In a way, it defined me. I was the Black, White and Japanese girl from Taipei, Taiwan. The one who made people curious. The girl who stood out in any room. In reality, letting these pieces of my identity define the entirety of who I was disconnected me from others, and from the very heritage that brought me here and influenced my thoughts and beliefs.
Now, having a strong sense of self means, to me, understanding where you end and others begin. It’s knowing that beyond the perceptions of family, friends, acquaintances and strangers there is an unshakable essence that is you.
How we adorn our own bodies speaks to the essence within each of us. And ultimately, our style is an external reflection of who we are and who we are becoming internally. I remind myself of this when the inevitable ups and downs of life occur. Throughout my short career in media and fashion I have seen many.
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San Francisco-based jewelry brand Goldstories is inspired by heritage and creating future heirlooms that can be worn for every day. Here, I wear their evil eye pendant:
All smiles. Wearing a Goldstories pendant with a Scanlan Theodore scarf and sweater, here.
When I sat down with Goldstories founder and designer Subikksha Balaje, we quickly found connection through our Silicon Valley backgrounds. One of my first jobs in media was at a San Jose tech company. At the time, my aesthetic was something like Scandal-chic. In other words, power pants, clacking heels and slim-fitting dresses clearly created to be worn around the office.
My service and purpose in the industry was far from defined, but it gave me an idea of who I wanted to be. While empowering, it felt like a costume to some extent. Not who I was, but who I was trying to be and what I believed that person looked like.
After landing my dream job as an assistant fashion editor at The Wall Street Journal, I learned the importance of dressing for yourself—That knowing trends isn’t about being trendy, but knowing what will be on the shopping racks come next season. This way, you can invest in pieces that will make you feel good for life. Goldstories echoes this sentiment by creating wearable art that is designed to be worn for generations, and for every occasion.
Wearing my Goldstories pendant, Scanlan Theodore sweater, scarf, belt and shoes (cute similar ones). Plus pants from Officine Générale and Able hoop earrings.
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Below are several looks, ranging from formal to casual, I have styled with my Goldstories pendant recently. Here, what I wore to attend fashion week this season:
A semi-casual look that I wore to attend an Amanda Pearl press preview:
In a LouLou Studio no-lapel blazer, Scanlan Theodore camisole (cashmere version), Sunday Best (via Aritzia) skirt, Ferragamo shoes, Kate Spade bag with Able and heirloom accessories. Plus the pendant, of course.
I’ll be honest, I used to despise necklaces worn over turtlenecks because I thought it made the neck area look too busy, but I have found the pendant works nicely over a thin top:
Above, wearing a Kapital coat, Scanlan Theodore turtleneck and belt (similar), BDG (via Urban Outfitters) kick-flare jeans, Uniqlo mid-calf socks, Rothy’s flats and Able hoop earrings, circle ring (similar) and ivy ring. Below, the same turtleneck with a Uniqlo denim coverall and bag, Everlane jeans, Bombas socks and Tod’s sneakers (similar). Wearing the pendant throughout.
Ultra-casual looks, here:
Uniqlo denim coverall and thrifted top plus Madewell jeans and New Balance sneakers, up top. The same top and jeans with Oofos sandals while holding a Starbucks cold cup, below. I added Able accessories, the Goldstories pendant and a Vogue Runway tote bag, throughout.
One piece of fine jewelry can go a long way. I sometimes add this necklace to more pared down looks for a little zhuzh:
Above, Uniqlo denim coverall and T-shirt, with Madewell jeans, Scanlan Theodore belt (similar), Tod’s sneakers (similar) and Vogue Runway tote bag (throughout). Below, a similar ensemble with a Uniqlo x Ines de la Fressange sweater. Pendant worn throughout.
Perhaps most importantly, wearing fine jewelry for every day provides a pretty serious self-esteem boost. Now, I’m not saying break your bank so you can be dripped out daily, but if you have that one piece of fine jewelry that only gets pulled out for special occasions, see if it might work with some of your more casual pieces. You might be surprised.
A close look at Goldstories’ evil eye pendant, here.
This piece, which depicts a nazar, is said to protect the wearer from the envy of others (the haters!). I will say, having a few diamonds around my neck does make me feel less prone to people’s envious words.
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With that, thank you so much for being here. Until next week, honor your heritage, dress for you and let yourself enjoy it. x
Yours Truly,
Kyoko
I am not compensated for the features listed in All-Year Season. My sincerest thank you to Goldstories for supporting the creation of this post.
