Dare to be Different

September 8, 2016September 5, 2016 / Elizabeth T.

It may just be the beginning of September, but I’m already quite prepared for fall (if you can’t tell by my choice of wardrobe)! I can’t wait for the leaves to slowly turn vibrant hues of red and orange, and oh my, the moment the autumn breezes start, I know I’m going to be outside, enjoying every moment of it!

Although there are still some hints of summer, I can definitely see the beginning of fall arriving in LA, evident by the earlier sunsets and (slightly) cooler weather (because mid 70s and lower 80s are considered “cool” in the City of Angels).

And since it’s technically “almost” fall, I thought it appropriate to break out the sweatshirts! 😀 My favorite lately has been this “Dare to be Different” sweatshirt because of the meaningful message.

I don’t know what it is about the fall, but autumn always makes me a little more sentimental than usual, and I can’t help but think about things like purpose and meaning and things like that (which actually isn’t really a good idea for me because my mind will just start to spiral out of control hahaha). I like how this sweatshirt’s message serves as a reminder to me to not feel too confined by what society perceives as “right” or “wrong.” Instead, we should all accept and embrace each other’s differences and know that everyone has their own dreams and passions, goals and purposes.

The message on this sweatshirt also reminds me that I should always be courageous and not be afraid to chase those passions because we shouldn’t ever lose the part of us that dreams. It can be scary some times, especially with the world telling you that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way, but at the end of the day, we need to face all of our fears, doubts, and worries with a brave heart. Hahaha but enough of my rambling for the day 😛 My thoughts are just everywhere today.

Now back to the outfit – I know all of my layers may be pushing it just a little bit, since it’s barely the beginning of September, but I just couldn’t resist adding some elements of fall in to my ensemble, like the red flannel shirt around my waist, the leather jacket draped across my shoulders, and the black knit beanie on my head.

By tying a plaid button down around my waist, I give the minimalistic look a pop of color, as well as accentuate the figure just a little, especially since I’m wearing a loose fitting sweatshirt. And of course, just a side-note style tip – one of the reasons I always love tying a shirt around my waist is because it also helps to conceal just a bit of my legs when I’m wearing shorts (and quite honestly, I’ve always been a little self-conscious of my thighs since I think they can be just a bit slimmer).

I also added a leather jacket around the shoulders to give the whole ensemble just enough edge, elevating it from a casual look to an instantly chic outfit. Leather is one of the most classic elements of an autumn wardrobe, and though it’s not quite chilly enough to wear it yet, I still wanted to add it to my outside by draping it over my shoulders to give the entire ensemble a more put-together fall vibe.

I’ve also been a big fan of this cozy black beanie because of the super cute patchwork! 😀 A little secret – this was actually found in the men’s department in H&M, but I loved the boyish, street-style charm of it so much that I just bought one for myself!

And of course, an autumn ensemble wouldn’t be complete without a pair of booties, right? I’ve been really loving these suede ankle booties because they’re so comfortable, and the little heel really helps to elongate my legs!

On Me

H&M “Dare to be Different” Sweatshirt in Grey (Sold Out)

Hollister Easy Plaid Shirt in Red Plaid (Sold Out)