Style, Stories, and Intentionality

Marianna Jaross

I love how fashion can tell a story.

We know stories of women being corseted to be a ‘desirable’ shape, we know when hemlines shortening mirrored a sexual revolution, and when clothes are used to communicate an aspect of our identity that might otherwise remain hidden.

Fashion and stories go hand in hand.

I don’t think this always has to do with the clothing itself: I think it also has to do with the energy that we emit alongside of the clothes that feel good to us.

I remember a woman who once told me: “I can make practically anything look good.”

I know people like this: Who can shift the energy of a room just by walking in.

From my perspective, it is the combination of authenticity, owning what we are wearing, and energy that makes our presence most magnetic.

I also think this is not age dependant.

If I were revamping my life, aligning to my values, and using clothing and style as a potential tool to propel change, this is what I would do.

1. Declutter.

It is hard to bring in new energy if we are not being curious and intentional about the items in our lives. Minimalists subtract so that only the essential remains, and so that they can focus on what truly matters to them. Others, may keep and curate select items that they find inspiring.

Both groups are intentional about what is in their life, and this is the key.

Before we add or curate items, we need to create the space before new items (and energy) can come in.

2. Be inspired by others rather than copying them.

We can look towards others for inspiration, or to expand what might be possible for us; but directly trying to emulate someone usually falls short.

We have our own unique essence, talents, skills, and style. When we lean into these, something interesting and unforgettable is created; because we are our most magnetic when we are the most aligned to who we deeply are.

3. Notice what makes you feel most comfortable and like ‘you.’

For me personally, there are specific items or trends that will not look good on me, simply because they do not feel good on me, or they represent an identity that is not — or no longer — aligned with what I want for my life.

Clothing and style can be an intentional portal into what our values are: This might be glamour, comfort, freedom, or some other essence we are trying to import into our lives.

4. Be curious and gently challenge yourself.

There can be negative self-talk that arises when we are trying to be more mindful about our clothing, or the items we surround ourselves by: Sometimes our default of “I could never wear that,” or “that part of my life is over” might actually be an invitation to become curious about what might be holding us back.

Sometimes, we can gently challenge ourselves, and experiment with something that might be different to what we are used to.

5. Have fun.

Clothing, fashion and style is something that might evolve or be fine-tuned over time as we grow. We can take the pressure off by staying playful and curious about what works for us, and what does not.

Fashion, style, and the items in our house may seem surface-level, and like most things, any extreme focus on one thing can be unhelpful. This is also not about spending money or chasing trends.

The point here is to use these elements to design an intentional life for ourselves: How we show up for ourselves, the undercurrent conversations we are having with the world through how we carry ourselves, and whether the space we curate for ourselves is mirroring what is important to us.

The items we wear and have around us can hold keys for inspiration and alignment if we let them.

©Marianna Jaross 2025

Please note: This article is independent of my professional associations and workplace(s).