Jan 13 min read

Forget Trends, I'm Defining My Style in 2025

It's officially 2025, and the energy is different. Not merely because the last digit of the calendar year has changed, because the ball dropped, or because we shouted once the clock hit 12 (hello church!). The energy is different because divine timing says so. Time is often said to be an illusion, but it is very real. Being that none of us [humans] created time, we try so hard to negate it because of its complexities that we can't control. One of the best ways to combat what we deem as mystery is to respect it through stewardship. Whether you're into traditions like resolutions or vision boarding, the new year presents a fresh start, and if you're a creative like me—this turn in time is like a blank canvas waiting to be adorned with all the colors reflective of your greatest ideas and aspirations. And for the sartorial set, achieving new levels of fly is definitely on the agenda for 2025.

In a world where trends define our every move, from the way we eat to the way we dress, it's easy to become lost. TikTok has garnered the authority of a respected fashion magazine, and Instagram is an endless portal of mood board material, which is why it's important to know who you are. Before and since turning 25 last year, I felt myself changing at an unexpected pace (that frontal lobe thing is real y'all). My perspective. The things and people I cared about changed. My relationship with God. Just growing up overall. And, of course, my style. I went through a metamorphic journey where the pieces I used to obsess over were turning into regretful purchases that quickly found themselves in my Salvation Army donation bag. And I finally found the reason why.

Working in fashion media has brought many perks and positive experiences to my life, but I was starting to let the trendy advice I was responsible for giving readers daily influence the way I approached my style offline. I remember being assigned a Barbiecore story at the height of the aesthetic's reign, and after completing the shopping guide, I chose a pair of Barbie pink platform boots as part of a gifting I received from a brand. All because, unbeknownst to me at the time, I was temporarily attracted. Less than two years later, I roll my eyes at the sight of those same boots. It was then I realized how much I have to separate the role of fashion editor and the role of who I am.

Personal style isn't shopping your favorite fashion influencer's closet and putting your spin on the look. Style is the way you express yourself through aesthetic choices such as your clothing or accessories, not the aesthetics themselves. Through expression, you develop a sense of self rather than becoming another trendy person, which makes room for limitless opportunities with it. We look up to stars like Rihanna and Aaliyah, who can make anything look fly, from oversized jerseys to unconventional red carpet gowns, but they've mastered the concept that makes or breaks style: being yourself. Personal style is timeless because you're not letting the current times dictate what you wear. It's a reflection of what's on the inside, which time can't define.

And that's exactly what I'm leaning into this year. Reconnecting with myself, tailoring my style based on my intuition, discovering new levels to the game, blocking out the trends, and finding what truly gratifies me sartorially and in my life's journey altogether—all part of becoming an ever-evolving Naomi.