What’s Your Style Really Saying?

A Journey from the Outside In

By Mahkameh Hataminejad

Tags: Identity, Culture, Style, Scandinavian Lifestyle, Self-Discovery, Personal Growth, Fashion & Psychology

One morning, I stood in front of my closet and suddenly saw it for what it really was: a collection of random pieces I had bought on sale, without thought or intention. No style.Just clothes. Nothing in there reflected what I actually loved to wear. Most of it didn’t even feel like me. And that was the moment I realized style isn’t something you copy or collect. It’s something you remember.

For years, I had shopped out of habit grabbing whatever was practical, discounted, or popular. I had blended in, focused on functionality, pushed creativity aside to survive adulthood, motherhood, and the long Scandinavian winters. But that morning, it all caught up with me.I didn’t want to blend in anymore. I wanted to wake up.

The Closet Is Never Just a Closet

We often think of “style” as a surface thing. A luxury. A trend. A way to signal taste or belonging. But the truth is: your style is your story told without words. Before you open your mouth, before you explain who you are, your presence is already speaking. The way you dress, the textures you choose, the way you walk or hold your shoulders it all speaks for you. Some people dress to hide. Some dress to impress. And some are learning to dress to express themselves. That’s where real style begins.

Falling in Love with Nordic Simplicity

Living in Sweden has taught me a lot about style, especially the quiet beauty of the Nordic aesthetic. Here, fashion often whispers. There’s a deep calm to it natural colors, soft layers, clean lines. It’s not about standing out, but about being honest. There’s grace in simplicity, elegance in function. Scandinavian style reflects a philosophy: Lagom not too much, not too little. Just enough. It’s about quality over quantity. Comfort over clutter. It’s the feeling of a warm cinnamon bun by the window, a thick knit sweater on a cold day, a morning walk in the forest. And I love it. But what I love even more is the space it gives me to combine.

My Style, Season by Season

In summer, I lean into something more wild and sensual  soft linens, open shoulders, flowy crop tops, boho textures, earthy tones.Think barefoot in the grass. Sun on the skin. Loose shorts and light dresses that move with the breeze.A little romantic. A little raw. In winter, I crave structure and warmth, oversized knitted sweaters , wool coats, thick tights, and boots that carry me through long, dark streets.The Swedish winter taught me how to dress like a shelter. I no longer try to pick one fixed “style.”Instead, I follow my seasons  both outside and inside.

Rediscovering Yourself Through Fashion

We live in a world overflowing with style options: minimalist, vintage, avant-garde, streetwear, cottagecore, grunge, boho…But these are just languages. They don’t mean much unless they come from something true. The real question isn’t: what’s trending?It’s: what’s in me?

Ask yourself:

• What do I reach for when no one’s watching?

• What textures make me feel alive, soft, or strong?

• Am I dressing for my past… or for the woman I’m becoming?

These aren’t fashion questions. These are identity questions.

So, What’s Your Style?

If you don’t know yet that’s okay. Style isn’t something you find on Pinterest. It’s something you uncover in the quiet, in your body, in your life. Start small.Clear your closet. Try something unexpected. Wear your grandmother’s earrings with jeans. Try red lipstick just for yourself. Listen to how it feels in your chest: Does this feel like me?If yes, keep it. If not, let it go. That’s where the magic begins.

A Final Whisper

We all go through seasons where we lose touch with ourselves.But your style  like your voice  is never really gone. So, next time you open your wardrobe, don’t just get dressed.Tell your story.And wear it well. 

Author bio:

Mahkameh Hataminejad is a writer, teacher, and content creative, based in Sweden. She writes about identity, beauty, and the emotional stories we carry in our everyday lives. She is currently working on her first book and shares her journey through personal growth, style, and self-expression.