MIA HOLTON
Personal Style is Dead: Here’s How We Can Revive It.
Once upon a time, personal style meant something. It wasn’t about achieving the perfect aesthetic or dressing for views. It was intricate, not polished. It was unpredictable, and it was yours.
Now, thanks to the algorithm, style has been standardized. The same “it girl” look gets replicated thousands of times over. Everyone’s wearing the same Amazon-linked corsets, the same Zara basics, the same designer dupes— all optimized for TikTok hauls and curated Instagram photo dumps. We’ve traded originality for reach.
And don’t get me wrong, I adore a curated Instagram feed (chef’s kiss), but I can’t ignore the patterns— personal style has been quietly replaced by content strategy.
We’re no longer just choosing outfits; we’re building “looks” for the grid. Clothes aren’t worn because they feel like us, they’re selected for how well they’ll photograph, how clickable they are in a thumbnail, how easily they can be linked for commission. Wardrobes have become marketing plans. The question isn’t “Do I love this?” but “Will this perform?”
But here’s the truth: style and strategy can coexist, as long as the style comes first (duh). If you’ve been feeling like your closet is full but your outfits are empty, it’s probably time to unplug from the algorithm and plug back into you.
The Revival Plan.
1. Detox from Trend Cycles I know… this one’s tough. Trend cycles are part of what makes fashion so much fun. The good news? Fashion is always evolving. Trends come and go, so save your favorites, go thrifting (you can find pieces from any era), and invest in styles that will never go out of fashion. Start paying attention to fashion’s trend cycle, not TikTok’s trend cycle (yes, there’s a big difference). If you find yourself buying something only because “it’s trending,” pause and ask: Would I still wear this if no one saw me in it?
2. Get Offline Inspiration The best style references aren’t on Instagram or TikTok— they’re in old magazines, thrift store racks, your grandmother’s photo albums, or the stranger walking her dog in the perfect coat. Physical media is everything. I started a magazine collection a year ago and have found some of my best inspiration within those pages. Offline is the new luxury!
3. Rewear Without Shame Outfit repeating isn’t just sustainable, it’s the foundation of signature style. Your most iconic looks are the ones you wear into the ground. If you’re tired of looking at a piece in your closet (or, like me, it just doesn’t fit), put it in a box and store it away. I promise that in a year, you’ll forget about it, and when you pull it back out, it’ll feel brand new again.
4. Build a Style Vocabulary Instead of chasing microtrends, figure out your personal “keywords”— colors, shapes, textures, and details that make you feel like you. This is your style DNA, and once you know it, shopping (and getting dressed) becomes effortless.
5. Ignore the Comment Section The internet will always have an opinion, but your closet is not a democracy (and sometimes you’ll have to remind people of this). Dress for your own main character moment, not the crowd’s approval. Because I promise you… the crowd is so lost.
Personal style isn’t truly dead— it’s just been buried under fast fashion, influencer culture, and the pressure to be “relevant.” If we stop dressing for the algorithm and start dressing for ourselves again, it’ll come back to life.
The resurrection starts in your closet.
