finding style inspo outside of the algorithm

letting the ether dictate how we dress

Before we get into this post, I wanted to share the launch of a paid subscriber tier on Hardly Revolutionary (woooo, yippeee, so exciting!) For $5 a month, you can become a patron of the blogging arts.

You’ll get access to some really fun exclusive posts I’m working on (ex. interviews with indie designers and garment reviews!), the HR chat here on Substack where you can start threads on whatever niche interests you’re obsessing over, a wee discount on my poetry books should you be interested in my creative writing, and more!

I’m so incredibly grateful to anyone who has read and engaged with my writing (free, paid, it doesn’t matter) just the fact that this little community exists makes me feel so insanely happy and fulfilled so thank you from my big ol’ Cancer rising heart! ily <3 When I start my commune of banshees who live in the woods you’re all invited to join!!!

Okay now onto the blog post 🤭

When I started the 75-Hard-Style-Challenge a few months ago (don’t ask me if I continued it), I was really caught up on the “rely on your own brain for inspiration” rule. So much so that I wrote about how using Pinterest for outfit inspiration might actually be detrimental to developing personal style. During that time, I spent some time looking for sources of outfit inspiration outside of the algorithm.

In my quest for inspiration I sought out the extraordinary in my everyday experiences; one day, I drew inspiration from the total solar eclipse, the next from my favorite vallenato. I found that these sources of inspiration, which heavily influence my writing and existential philosophy, feel so much more authentic to emulate. The ritual of getting dressed began to follow a flow of creativity that often leads to my best creative work.

So, these are some places I like to look for outfit inspiration that aren’t usually served up to me by an algorithm (with one exception, but I think you’ll find it has a very human touch).

1. NATURE

When I first heard about the “dressing like your Venus sign” theory, I was disappointed to find that mine suggested leaning towards earth tones and minimalistic aesthetics. While I love the earth, I believe it deserves more than being reduced to the colors of dirt and trees (though beautiful in their own right). So, I decided to interpret “earth” differently and focus on what I love most about her: the ocean, the plants in my home, the moon phases. Take a good long look at that houseplant in your apartment—what would she wear?

This outfit was inspired by lying on the beach and looking up at the clouds:

2. MUSIC / POETRY

Muere Una Flor is one of my favorite songs ever. When I listen to it, I imagine horses running through a field, with mountains in the distance. It reminds me of Medellin in that way, and the Andes. I have a corset with some mountain imagery on it (quite the literal interpretation of my song-induced vision) and so I put it on and continued to play with the idea of what I would wear if I was slaying in the Colombian mountains. If you listen to your favorite song close enough, access the part of your brain that memorized an entire poem in the sixth grade, or play whatever you have on heavy rotation atm, it’ll whisper to you wear that skirt that flows really nice in the subway wind.

3. YOUR INNER TURMOIL

There’s no better way to express yourself than to subliminally force everyone to know how you’re feeling. On days when I feel the weight of prolonged suffering, I wear billowy black clothing; on days when I catch a glimpse into my future descent into madness, I mismatch patterns. Your mood becomes your moodboard—dress like it.

4. YOU FROM THE PAST

I am constantly in conversation with past versions of myself, especially my teenage self lately. This week at Sustainable Baddie, I equated Tumblr aesthetics to their modern equivalents and created keyword banks for anyone wanting to tap into their inner teen’s style, in a contemporary way, through secondhand clothing. This has led me to lean into the indie sleaze revival a bit, especially now that I have a growing bloomer collection and the heat is becoming more and more unbearable. What did you want to wear at age 5, 15, 25? Let those versions of yourself dress you up, while gracing them with your aged wisdom.

5. LET A FICTIONAL CHARACTER POSSESS YOU

We all have a fictional character, whether from a book, a show, or a movie, that we’d love to be. You don’t have to look up their outfits online or try to mimic something they’ve worn. Just ask yourself, what would this fictional character dress up in today? Some people I like to let possess my body are Tita from Como Agua Para Chocolate, Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Dorian Gray.

6. CHOOSING THE COLOR PALETTE OF A BELOVED ARTWORK

If you’re the type of person who wears color; choose an artwork in your home, an old photograph, or your favorite painting off the top of your head and pull three or more colors from it. Look at your wardrobe and pull pieces that match. I enjoy looking at Hilma af Klint paintings the most.

7. 4K WALKING TOUR VIDEOS

Okay, I know this one is technically a social media source, but because it documents real-life people on the streets of whatever city you don’t find yourself in, it’s like you’re exposing yourself to a new surrounding, which changes the way you dress. You're in this city now—what are you wearing? What are the people around you wearing? Do you want to blend in or stand out as a foreigner? My best friend introduced me to these in college as background ambiance while we studied. They’ve since become a manifestation method for me. If they’re on in the background enough, I’ll somehow be transported into their realm and become a stylish person walking the streets of Tokyo.

What’s your favorite non-algorithmic source of style inspo?