“I believe that finding your personal style is all about living your life,” says Dahana, an artist and graphic designer based in Strasbourg, France. She explains that inspiration can come from everyday experiences: “You see something while walking around and think, ‘Ooh, I want to incorporate that color or texture.'” Here, Dahana shares five looks that she describes as having a “dress-only-for-myself vibe.”
Outfit 1:
– Shirt: Elwood
– Skirt: Catheclisma
– Dress: Catheclisma
– Shoes: Adidas
– Bag: Marni
– Scrunchie: Haas Amsterdam
Dahana recalls a moment from high school when she chose to wear Doc Martens with a dress to a wedding instead of heels due to foot issues, sparking her love for experimenting with unconventional pairings. She enjoys mixing sneakers with dresses, especially for fancy occasions.
Outfit 2:
– Shirt: Elwood
– Denim jacket: Estudio Niksen
– Pants: Estudio Niksen (similar)
– Bag: Sunnei
– Shoes: New Balance
– Earrings: Sunnei
– Rings: Thrifted
Dahana’s go-to outfit for a confident and unstoppable feeling is a combination of dark denim jeans and a jacket. She opts for this easy-to-put-together look when she’s short on time.
Outfit 3:
– Shirt: Celosia-re (in white)
– Skirt: Handmade by my mom (similar)
– Shoes: Ganni
– Bag: Polène
– Sunglasses: Chimi
In seasons like spring and fall, Dahana enjoys layering with cute jackets or colorful sweaters. For summer days, she focuses on accessorizing with jewelry to elevate simple T-shirt and shorts ensembles.
Outfit 4:
– Shirt: Sandro
– Skirt: Samsoe
– Shoes: Keen
– Bag: Sandro
– Scrunchie: Handmade by my mom
Dahana views fashion as a form of self-expression, which helped her navigate through difficult moments. After rediscovering her love for fashion a few years ago, she now feels confident and happy with her style choices.
Outfit 5:
– Dress: Eliza Faulkner
– Shoes: Ganni
– Bag: Jigsaw (similar)
– Sunglasses: Ace & Tate
– Scrunchie: Nasty Gal
Dahana’s approach to shopping involves considering whether she can find a similar item at a thrift store before making a purchase. She also values the sentimental aspect of handmade pieces, like the skirt her mom created for her.
Dahana emphasizes the importance of considering hair as part of an outfit and likes to add colorful scrunchies for a pop of color. Inspired by a braiding artist on Instagram, she appreciates the artistry of different hairstyles.
Thank you for sharing your style journey, Dahana. To see more women share their weekly outfits, check out the profiles of a gardener who overcame a stutter and a stripes-lover who reflects on the loss of her father. (Photos by Vanessa A. Photography)
