Style vs. Fashion

Fashion & Style or two distinct different things.
Let's flashback in time to 2 weeks ago when I made this life changing discovery...

I was sitting in NYC, yes New York City. Specifically, a mathematics classroom in Columbia University (sigh). I was there for the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Spring Convention with my high school. Anyways, I decided to take a fashion blogging class instead of design class because I am a lazy yearbook-er. The class was called "Writing Fashion & Beauty: Frivolous vs. Functional". It was taught by Gerit Quealy from Huffington Post and NBC's Life goes Strong. I learned alot in the 45 minute, mind blowing proportions actually. It even inspired me to start this blog. One thing Ms. Quealy said, however, has been engraved in my brain ever since she held her lecture:

Fashion is in the clothes. Style is in the wearer.

When she first said it, I was confused. I didn't even know they were two distinct things. I thought they were synonyms! However, after 2 weeks of deep deliberation, I think I finally understand what she meant. Fashion is follows the trends, it doesn't set them. Style is the true trendsetter.

Fashion is merely the replication of an individuals style. The mistake we make is trying to dress fashionably when we really should only dress with style. After all dressing “in-fashion” is merely mimicking someone else’s style. How much better is it to represent oneself with personal style rather than someone else’s. With that said, it isn't a bad idea to take hints from an individuals style’s that we admire. From there you can evolve it and make it yours.

As the lovely Rachel Zoe once said

"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak."
 

Anyways to sum it up:

 Basically, Style is significantly more awesome. You should aspire to be stylish not fashionable. Anybody can go buy fashion but style must be earned.