Chunky Sneakers + Recycled Clutch.

Photos by Aidan Bradbury-Aranda

earrings: Crossroads Trading Co.

top: gifted

shorts: H&M

bag: Lena Wolek

sunglasses: Warby Parker

sneakers: Lacoste (via Crossroads Trading Co.)

If there was ever one set of pictures that perfectly captured who I am today in style and aesthetic, it would be this one. Comfort is a key element of my day-to-day style and the colors, vibrantly captured in these photos, speak to my soul.  Yesterday I went through a new wardrobe purge, and as another trash bag lays on my floor awaiting donation day, I find myself re-evaluating my belongings, what each individual piece means to me and how to maximize wear and focus on building upon an already existing wardrobe.  Even before leaving for Europe (travel shenanigans coming soon, I promise), I've tried to be more in tune with my body and its needs while I shop. Consumer culture is losing more and more of its charm. Don't get me wrong, Zara and Forever 21 will still have a special place in my heart, but a deal no longer attracts me simply because it's a deal. As I continue growing into my personal style and discovering my signatures - bright solid hues, interesting accessories - many of the things that once caught my eye simply because they were new and shiny now fall flat.  I don't think I could ever commit to fully giving up on the splendor of fast fashion stores, but I'm mindfully reducing the volume of my purchases and complementing the few lucky garments that make it into my wardrobe with some precious sentimental value items. The -plastic bag- bag (orig. with a strap - I just tuck it in cause I find the clutch to be more of a statement) is made by Lena Wolek and gifted to me as a birthday present by my lovely boyfriend. Lena is one of the artists profiled in Out of the Bag, a short documentary he directed, which highlights the ways in which three Los Angeles-based artists are exploring their relationship with plastic through art.  Most of the other pieces I'm sporting are pretty special as well. Two of them - my sneakers and earrings - were thrifted, and a third, the top, is a hand-me-down from one of my closest friends. At the end of the day, one (wo)man's trash is another (wo)man's treasure. And as both a poor 20something and former BUY SELL TRADE store employee, I fully support this statement.