Individuality and the Signature Style Trend
It’s a long holiday weekend for many of us, which means the sales are plentiful and generous. That doesn’t mean you should go wild and buy things just because they’re marked down. This is a good time to buy things that you know you need for your wardrobe. Was there something missing this season that you wished you had, or did a favorite item bite the dust? These are very valid reasons to peruse the sales, but please be mindful of buying something just because the price is right. I share a lot of sales with readers for informational reasons, not to encourage overconsumption.
Mobile Phone Addiction
Last week we had an amazing dinner at a very unique restaurant. Baan Lao has been rated one of Canada’s 10 finest restaurants and won many culinary awards. It’s tiny with only 10-12 tables and a fixed menu.
When you eat there, you get a refined dining experience with very personalized service. Our waitress described each course in detail, down to where the ingredients were sourced and how Chef Nutcha prepared it. Then two servers would place a plate in front of each of us with pecision timing. The courses look more like works of art than food, yet are incredibly tasty.
I hate taking photos in nice restaurants because I find it offensive. I had my back to the room, but my husband could see the rest of the diners and commented that everyone else was glued to their phones. I turned to find the other couples all staring down into their phones. Not briefly, but constantly. They weren’t talking to each other, not enjoying the ambiance or the amazing experience. The young lady next to me, who was clothed in head to toe Chanel, only spoke a few words to her date (wearing a logo, collarless tee shirt) as they left the table.
Call me old fashioned, but staring into a phone during a fine meal seems like a waste of money, rude to your date, and unfair to the chef and the waitstaff. The waitress and everyone who served us was obviously proud of what they were doing and it showed in their attention to detail. At the end of our meal, the chef came out to meet us and check that we had enjoyed everything. Then they presented us with a thank you card signed by everyone who took care of us, including Chef Nutcha. It was charming, heartfelt, and you could just feel how proud everyone was of the meal they presented us.
What are your thoughts on mobile phone addiction? Clearly, it’s rampant among the young, but older poeple are struggling with it too.
Individuality and Signature Style Trend
Believe it or not, one of the biggest trends emerging for 2025, is signature style and individuality. It’s all about making a look your own with unique styling, one of a kind pieces and/or unexpected pairings. I’ve been feeling bored with the sameness I see everywhere, so this one really speaks to me.
Creating individuality starts with giving yourself permission to be just a little (or a lot) different from everyone else. It means going off script and using details that speak to your own taste rather than a head-to-toe look that a brand puts together. Pin on a brooch from a local artist or try combining colors differently. Swap that safe black handbag for one that stands out. It’s a great time to add sentimental accessories and personal touches that reflect who you are. It’s about boldly saying, this is how I like to style my…fill in the blank, no matter what other people do. Individuality is in, and blending in is out!
Look the Week
I could not resist this fun Swiss frog brooch from the Metropoliton Museum Of Art store and love it nestled into a fuzzy, soft cardigan. I added gold earrings, an olive colored east west bag, olive oval sunglasses and a leopard print tee. Classic trousers and penny loafers to finsh this look of the week…which is anything but ordinary.
I will be leaning more heavily into my accessories to add personality and plan to experiement with different shapes. How will you be expressing your signature style this year?
Hi I agree that everyone is glued to their phones entirely too much. I think it’s very rude. I also have pins and brooches i have collected over the years that i wear. And as for the red glasses-if not now when??? Try them-you’re not committed for life!!
That’s true. If not now, when?
When we’re on our phones at a restaurant, it’s usually looking up things we’re talking about. Or something on the menu we aren’t familiar with. Or what movie do we want to see when we get home. Then the phones get put on the table face down.
If you want a very interesting read, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt – is a must! – all my millennial children received it in their stocking 🙂 for guidance for their children’s screen use.. having just returned from a 2 week trip to Austral Asia, I couldn’t have managed without my phone, but really tried to be intentional about its use while with some one else.. it shouts “this is more important than you”..Young people are addicted, but seniors are just as bad because we are so slow in comparison . The one thing I find really annoying in a group setting is the NEED to “fact check” – men are the worst!! – I’m trying to train my husband!! LOL
Yes! Im terrible about the fact checking. It’s hard to control.
Very enjoyable post. Regarding phones, at meals out…no! My husband and I eat out often, and I insist that phones stay off the table and in a pocket or purse. My family (kids & husband included) are addicted to their phones, but I’m with you; if we’re out for a nice meal it’s rude & ridiculous to be on your phone during the meal. That’s when it’s time to take a break and have a conversation over a nice meal!
Those dishes you had were so beautiful! Works of art! I can’t imagine letting a phone detract from the enjoyment of it!
I love the individualist trend. My friends tell me that I’m the only one they know that wears scarves. I love scarves and have many, so they would be my most outstanding individual statement. Many times I’ll plan an outfit around a scarf.
Jewelry is a wonderful way to distinguish yourself as well. I love to wear statement necklaces. I’ve just uncovered some old charm bracelets, and my mother’s charm necklace! I’m figuring out how I’ll style them. I also like a pop of color bag, bright colored shoes or a pin to accessorize with. It’s just fun! Since everyone has their own unique pieces, you can’t help but stand out! Great to hear that a trend that’s happening!
Scarves are pretty fabulous but many women don’t have the confidence to wear them.
We went to Disney in FL a couple of years ago and they’ve got things worked out so you order and reserve everything with your phone. Why pay all that money if you’re going to spend the whole time on your phone? We switched parks and something went wrong with the app and there we were, at Disney standing in line at the “help” desk. Never again! Maybe it’s because I’m retired, but if I’ve paid good money to do something/be somewhere I spend my time enjoying the experience. My phone is for when I have nothing better to do.
As to individualism. We dog-sat in Brooklyn New York a few weeks back. I lost the hat band on my boiled wool fedora so I tied a silk scarf around it and heart-shaped brooch (it was pre-Valentine’s Day) to pin the ends to the hat. I had people in Brooklyn and Manhattan stopping on the street to tell me that they loved my hat. I was glad I’d picked that pin out of the junk pile of Auntie’s stuff a few years back!
What a clever idea Rose! I love adding pins to my hats
I guess trends have caught up with me. I have always dressed for myself, with individuality. I wouldn’t say I inspire pointing and laughter on the streets, but I have never been one for blending in. Does this mean we will hear fewer “rules” for dressing?
We will still hear plenty of rules because many people prefer them. Not everyone is comfortable standing out.
Being on your phone while in the presence of others, be it your dinner date or the cashier in the grocery store, is just plain rude. It sends the message this call or text or adorable cat meme, is more important than you. Unless there is an emergency the phone should stay off. Basic manners, people.
To make my look more personal I plan on buying more handmade jewelry. Thrifting is another way to find unique pieces that aren’t obviously from a chain in the mall.
I love unique, handmade jewelry!
What beautiful food! I’ve never been to such a lovely place. We have three Mexican restaurants and a couple of bars that serve burgers so not exactly fine dining here. Because of my diet limitations, we rarely went to restaurants even when we lived in Des Moines, IA. We’ve been in rural Colorado now for 30 years. Brent is vegan and I eat meat so I cook about every two weeks for myself and freeze single servings. Brent makes all of his own food. I would never consider being on the phone even at home while eating dinner. I do keep mine near because our large family of blended adult children and grown grandchildren are always having something going on. Just not during dinner. I call them back. Be aware that angora sheds really bad. I wore a white sweater in blended angora and wool with a black suit many years ago to my grandson’s wedding. What a mess! Take a roller with you! They are beautiful and warm but will shed on everything. I never wear any of my beautiful scarves because I don’t know how to keep them out of my food or in my way when doing something with my hands. We live our lives and don’t just stand and pose. How do you do it?
It’s tied short enough that it stays around my neck
I absolutely adore that look you featured with the angora sweater & a frog snuggled into it. Great classic look Jennifer with a bit of fun! Thanks for the idea!
I have two comments on this topic of phone addiction, one humorous and one quite serious. The serious: If you read Jon Haidt’s The Anxious Generation, he posits that there is a whole generation who does not know *how* to be with other people at all–those who grew up in the age of ‘a computer in their pocket, i.e. an iPhone. It’s really sad social commentary. Think about college classrooms in the old days where you would go in and begin talking to people. Now, everyone just whips out their phones; no conversing with each other. He argues that no one should have a smart phone as an adolescent (especially girls), and though there are some counter arguments (like safety in school shooting incidents (aack!), he makes a strong case. It’s worth reading.
The humorous: I remember reading a comment on your blog Jennifer where someone asked you why you were always so wedded to *your* phone when trying on outfits in dressing rooms–not realizing you were taking selfies! How else could you get the pic!
I haven’t read that so will check it out. I still do get that question on my try ons 🙂
I love this post and look forward to more about developing individual style since I tend to be stuck in my comfort zone with a more “uniform” traditional look with what I’m buying and wearing.
I’m a retired psychotherapist and I can attest to research that has found excessive use of mobile phones is an addiction (like the misuse of drugs and alcohol) which triggers the release of the brain chemical dopamine and alters your mood. You can also rapidly build up tolerance so that it takes more and more time in front of these screens to derive the same pleasurable reward. Heavy phone use is often symptomatic of other underlying problems, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or loneliness; and it can also exacerbate these problems. So excessive phone use has become a significant, pervasive mental health issue for those who have developed a dependence on or an addiction to their phones; unfortunately, most are unaware it is a compulsive disorder that is hazardous to their health. And like other mental health issues, it can be treated with counseling and/or medication.
Thank you for weighing in with your wisdom on this. It is a pervasive problem that is only getting worse.
Love your Look of the Week! I have been wearing brooches for some time. I do think they are a work of art. Many great pieces at vintage stores and flea markets.
As for cel phones at the table, that is a no no. How rude to be on your phone while someone else is at the table or while you are enjoying a beautiful meal. Society needs to get back to manners.
I guess that phone addiction is one reason to practice mindfulness LOL. I remember decades ago telling my husband that I didn’t want to go out to dinner unless we talked to each other. Lots of couples don’t. I LOVE that included a Met pin. They are gorgeous and help the museum at the same time.
The museum shop has some wonderful accessories and such creative pins!
When we take grandchildren out to eat, we have a rule about phones. They MUST put their phones down and talk to us. Initially they did not like it, nor did the males want to remove their hats ( hat hair!), but now they know we expect it and they oblige. Your restaurant pictures look so interesting and I’m sure your servers appreciated your attention to them rather than your phones.
I think it’s a wonderful way teach dining etiquette to our grandchild.
Jennifer I absolutely agree…phone are not welcome when in any social occasion…rude, distracting, and it causes one to miss the precious moments in our lives. It’s so engrained in our society, sadly. Im doing the big closet cleanup this week while we in North Texas have our below freezing blast. Need a comment on hand care if you ever decide to post one 🙂 Take care…
Sandra
I like your look of the week! I’m going to be trying to add more personality to my outfits. It’s been challenging because these wide leg pants that are so popular right now just do not look good on me. I’ve just been wearing straight leg jeans but would love to go back to skinny jeans.
Narrow and slim legs are very popular so go for it!
Call me old fashioned too! Phones are great tools and resources for us to use when needed, but in my opinion our time together face to face and our engagement with the world around us outweighs screen time any day. Enjoy the experience of dining at a nice restaurant with someone you care about – social media will still be there after dinner!
You said it better than I did!! Thank you Alexis.
I cannot believe people would go to an expensive restaurant and look at their phones! what ever happened to talking to each other! So many of us have become isolated and the phones have been a big reason. People call me and say they never can get me, but that’s because I am not glued to my phone! Nobody calls anymore to talk, just text! So annoying! I dress rather plainly, classically, (for example, I never wear patterns, only patterned scarves) but I show my individually with my accessories, especially my jewelry.
Accessories are so perfect for that! I get the same reaction from people if my phone is turned off!
Hi I recently got new glasses-far from my usual all black no trim-to teal with burgundy yellow red green and turquoise trim. No colors I even had in my wardrobe but this is the new me and I will be wearing all the colors. Except yellow not my favorite with grey hair. Big change from black grey and navy!!
They sound fabulous!! Good for you. I want red frames but never wear red. I’ve been toying with the idea for years. This may be the year.
Good morning! I love the dark olive bag. Love the color and shape. I’m a cool summer and wear classic medium contrast neutrals. Like you, I’m craving color and a less conservative look. (Bring on the fringe and flares!) The colors in today’s outfit don’t work for me as a whole, but could I do an olive bag? I love your personal style—is this a bag you chose for yourself? Thanks, Jennifer.
I adore the olive too but I think it would be clashy (is that a word?) with too many of the colors I’m beginning to introduce to my wardrobe. It does come in other colors. Part of what makes this bag so fun to me is the color. It’s a challenge but that is part of the “new personal style” trend. Make it unique. Wear what you love.
How did this latest trend “get approved” by the fashion industry??? Isn’t that what the fashion industry is all about? Getting everyone to wear what they want us to wear? Lol! I love it!!!
Lol!
It’s sad that some people are more into their friends than being in the moment with the one they are with at the time. Maybe take a snap or two of interesting architecture but put the phone away.
It looks like a wonderful culinary experience, Jennifer.
I use scarves to add personalization to simple outfits. They are great for travel, since they take up so little space. I own some that are 40 years old and still look current.
I adore scarves for that reason too.
Yes, the cell phone addiction we see is awful! I just retired from teaching at a university so I have a particularly dislike for cell phones as some of my students could not seem to put them away even for a short class period. I too am shocked that people will spend a LOT of money to eat at an exquisite restaurant and then spend their entire meals looking at their phone – they’re not paying attention to the food and drink OR their dinner companions. Why?
Your dinner sounds fabulous! If you like Thai, I wonder if you’ve eaten at Maenam, in Vancouver? We did a couple of years ago and just loved it!
We have eaten at Maenam and agree it’s fabulous!!
I have to admit that occasionally when we have a long wait for our meal we will both get our phones out till our food arrives. After that we put them away. But if we are with friends, the phones do not come out and I don’t feel they should . Love the frog brooch! Enjoy it!!
I thought that frog was so cute. I’m excited to get my bee brooch back!
Hi Jennifer. I’ve really noticed the cell phone use at restaurants too! At first I thought it was a generational thing, but I’ve noticed older people doing it too. So sad that people can’t just put the phone away and enjoy being together.
I felt guilty taking the food photos but my back was to the room so no one noticed and I was quick about it. Don’t get me wrong, I take lots of pictures of food, but not at a place this special.
Love your glasses! They look great on you!
Thank you!
Hi, Jennifer. I love the idea of adding individual touches to an outfit. My granddaughters knit and crochet, and I have noticed that they create original outfits by adding their one-of-a-kind hand crafted items to their outfits. One granddaughter Maddie quite frequently wears black pants and a top and then adds a unique, colorful third layer that she has made. It gives her a signature look.
That’s marvelous!!
Thanks for more focus on individual style. I am so bored with the white tee, black pant sameness. Love the color in your outfit of the week.
I do love classic pieces, but it’s also fun to accessorize to add personality. We own the accessories so we should enjoy them.
Completely agree with you about adding touches to an outfit as expressions of individuality. I often wear a piece of paper jewelry – yes, it’s a thing! – and find that it makes for a great conversation starter. (Just posted examples on my blog if anyone is curious.)
It’s so wrong to stay on a phone throughout a nice meal. On the other hand, snapping pics of beautiful courses probably gives restaurants welcome publicity since people love to tag and share on social media.
Paper jewelry sounds amazing Annie. Do you make it?
I do! (and not meaning to toot my own horn, but I wrote a book that teaches others to make it too. It’s on Amazon… The Art of Quilling Paper Jewelry).
Amazing Annie! I will check it out
I agree that phone addiction is a problem with people of all ages and that we all would likely benefit from putting our phones down more. However, I won’t go so far as to say that just because people were on their phones during a meal that they were not enjoying the experience or were not appreciative of the meal- perhaps just in a different way than you were. People can and do enjoy things in different ways. I also don’t think it matters that one of the diners was wearing a collarless tee shirt. I suspect the wait staff didn’t care as long as they received a nice tip. It sounds as though you and your husband enjoyed the meal and you looked well dressed as always which is really all that matters.
I think signature style and showing your individuality is something to look forward to this spring and hope the trend sticks. It’s a bit like going to someone’s home that reflects the people who live there. I think it’s fun when people decorate with items they have collected and love, not concerned about what’s currently “in”.
Wearing items that reflect your individuality gives others a little glimpse into you and could make for some lovely conversations and connections.
I totally agree Stormy
Phone addiction is real! Set time limits on apps / social media helps…
I use an app to let me know when I’ve been scrolling IG too much. It always surprises me.
Love your posts. Looking for some advice for what to wear to a funeral. Thinking of black slacks and blouse with the blue sweater jacket. Thoughts?
I’m sorry for your loss. I have some info on that here. Your idea sounds perfect.
First, the photos of your meal look amazing. The folks in that kitchen are artists! My husband and I try to avoid “dining alone together.” We are guilty of reading papers and looking at phones during breakfast and lunch, but at every evening meal, without fail, it’s just the two of us and a conversation.
Your style comments lead me to a request. Could you do a post about scarves? I have several from my working days that I love, but don’t know how to wear them in more contemporary way in casual lifestyle. Thanks.
I am working on one now so stay tuned.
Wonderful ! I am wanting to buy some nice scarves as I don’t own any right now. Especially to wear with black / navy as I have a lot of clothes in that color .
Great post. I agree on the disappointment of seeing people using their phones instead of enjoying the moment of the occasion. The food looked amazing.
I will be working on my accessories to add my style to my outfit. Thanks
I think accessories are the most creative part of putting an outfit together.
Yes I do see this terrible phone addiction playing out in all sorts of places- the market; hair salon; theaters, And yes, especially restaurants ! Its getting worse not better. I leave my phone on mute when I’m anywhere interacting with another (present) person.
I mute my phone often then people complain that I never pick it up! You can’t win.