Style Without The Snobbery

Not everything is a critique - some of us just prefer clothes with a point of view.

I know my tone can come off sharp sometimes. But if you’ve read my previous pieces, you know I never write at anyone - I write about the state of things. When I spoke about brown girls being overlooked in fashion or the endless performance of “quiet luxury,” it wasn’t about individuals, it was about a system that rewards sameness over substance. This piece isn’t any different. (Being offensive is certainly NOT the MO here! But if you are easily offended, rest assured, these are just my thoughts and I don’t know you).

Because lately, it feels like personal style has flatlined. Everywhere I look, I see Pinterest clones - people dressed by brands rather than inspired by them. Style influencers with wardrobes that feel algorithmically generated. It’s not that they look bad - it’s that they look like everyone else. And honestly, I’m fatigued and so bored by it.

I’m Not A Snob. I Just Like What I Like.

The truth is, I don’t judge what anyone wears. I’m not keeping score. But I do have a taste that leans toward intention over impulse - pieces made with thought, that have weight and structure, that don’t need a logo to speak. I care about design, proportion, and quiet details that reward attention - whether its a piece from COS or Khaite. Not because it’s elitist, but because I believe clothes should mean something. There is a human process before any garment even reaches the stores, which is why I take a mindful approach to consumption when it comes to shopping for myself, personally.

It’s real people that make your clothes - not robots, and when it comes to high street and fast fashion, we must also remember that garment workers don’t even get a fraction of what you pay for the product. Which is why every piece I purchase - no matter how expensive or cheap - is well considered before it comes home with me.

Moreover, fast trends don’t hold my interest because they lack a story. I’m far more drawn to a jacket that’s been cut with precision or a piece that feels personal - something that could belong only to you. That’s not snobbery. That’s discernment.

Inspiration Over Imitation

These days, I find more inspiration in art, architecture, and conversation than I do online. Menswear, in particular, fascinates me - the discipline, the restraint, the way structure meets ease. That’s what makes me think about style, not a carousel of “must-haves” that’ll be irrelevant in six weeks. I also find inspiration in my own closet - these are pieces I purchased because I like them. Therefore, I should wear them to death in as many ways as it is possible - because thats where creativity lies.

Social media has made fashion fast, flat, and fleeting. Everyone’s chasing virality instead of vision. But the best dressers, the ones whose style actually lingers, are the ones who know who they are. They don’t wear trends - they wear conviction.

When Style Becomes Content

The irony is that the more we talk about “personal style,” the less personal it’s become. Getting dressed used to be an act of self-expression. Now, it’s an upload schedule. You can almost tell who’s styling themselves and who’s been styled for the algorithm - it’s the difference between authenticity and arrangement.

And it’s not just about influencers. The industry feeds it. Brands chase metrics. Somewhere in all of that, we lost the human part - the quiet joy of getting dressed for yourself.

The Kind Of Style I Believe In

I’ll always champion individuality, whether that comes from a Savette bag, a Bode shirt, a top from Mango or something handmade and imperfect. I’m not precious about labels - I’m drawn to point of view. I’ve written before about craftsmanship and longevity, and those beliefs still hold.

The most stylish people I know aren’t trying to prove anything. They repeat outfits too. They invest in things that make sense for their lives. Their wardrobes evolve, but their essence stays the same. And that, to me, is the real goal: to dress like you know yourself, not like you’re auditioning for relevance.

And Lastly…

So, no - I don’t think everyone needs to love Jil Sander or Loewe, or care about fabrics and construction. But I do think we all benefit from stepping off the trend treadmill and asking what genuinely moves us.

Because at the end of the day, style should be about connection - not comparison.

Until next time…

Amrita x