UK style blogger in black beret, tortoiseshell sunglasses, white shirt and black faux leather biker jacket

Here we've got an outfit made out of basics: a pair of blue jeans, a white shirt, leather jacket. They're all pieces I think it's fair to say most of us have in our wardrobes. No matter how classic Vogue and the like might tell us a blue jeans and white shirt combination is, I've never felt it's quite "me". It's what I imagine a woman in her thirties, living in Paris, with two young kids and a bloody good Instagram account to wear. But last weekend, as I was heading out to meet some friends for coffee, I found myself pairing these pieces together, and ended up creating a look I quite like, thanks to some stylish combinations I'd rediscovered when looking through social media for some style inspiration.

Recently, I've seen a few Insta babes rocking the sunglasses and beret combo, and decided to give it a whirl. Revolutionary? No. But did it work for me? Hell yes. I felt like the coolest girl in the world strutting around my gorgeous city of Liverpool with my new shades (you may have seen them on my recent Insta haul) and good old black beret. After having a quick scroll through Tumblr, too, I found that I'd reposted this look, or at least similar, a fair bit in the past, so it must have been subconsciously playing in my mind. It's funny how something you seen so much, even if it was a good few years ago, can still be on your mind without you even realising. In fact, scrolling through my old Tumblr blog, I realised my aesthetic hasn't really changed as much as I might have thought.

Liverpool fashion blogger outfit with white shirt, blue jeans, snake print boots, black beret, tortoiseshell sunglasses, orange circle bag

UK style blogger social media style inspiration Instagram

I used to swear by Tumblr for style inspiration, and after having a nostalgic scroll, I'd say it's still a pretty good place for a bit of aesthetic inspo. But now, everyone goes to Instagram. It's no wonder, really, with the millions of stylish instagrammers posting their daily looks on there, not to mention the ability to shop their look with the swipe of a finger. Oh how I wish I had the swipe up feature. Instagram is one of the first apps I open when I wake up, it's the app I scroll through whilst I'm waiting for my train and it's what I open whilst I wait for the kettle to boil. It's easy, it's quick, and it's hella stylish. But I think it's important that we don't rely on our favourite app too much for outfit ideas. As I mentioned in a recent post on keeping your identity on Instagram, it can be all too easy to end up an Insta clone.

We're all influenced by what we see, whether we like to admit it or not, and that's why no one ever looks truly original. When people ask how they find their personal style, I do encourage people to experiment with trends, then just see what feels right and go from there. Nowadays, it can't be argued that trends bubble up from the streets, or should I say Insta feeds, more often than trickling down from the fashion houses. I like that, bringing power to the people, and the fact it opens up a whole load of sources of style inspiration. Take blogs, vlogs, zines and street style for instance. This is where you'll find what real people are actually wearing, and where to find the next big thing.

beret and sunglasses style inspiration

Whilst I look to social media, blogs, Youtube videos and the occasional magazine for style inspiration, for me, the best place to look is on the streets. One of my favourite things to do in the whole wide world is to sit down in a coffee shop, near the window, and watch the world go by, jotting down styling ideas and coming up with new outfits. Just last week I saw a girl on the train wearing kick flare jeans, rainbow socks and ~those~ Topshop chunky trainers. I made a note and you can bet I'll be putting my own spin on it soon enough.

outfit style inspiration with black beret and faux leather biker jacket, white cotton shirt, blue slim leg jeans, orange circle cross body bag and snake print boots

beret Debenhams (similar) - sunglasses TK Maxx (similar) - faux leather jacket Warehouse (similar) - shirt Topshop (similar) - jeans M&S - boots ASOS (old) - bag Next

So, where do you get your style inspiration from? Is it the usual, or something a little different? I'd love to know, links and all, down in the comments. Speak to you soon!

p.s. Thanks to Jessi for taking these photos!

Good vibes guys ✌🏼

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