I'm in My Goop Era

The quest of finding my own taste and no longer appealing to the masses

via Goop.com

We are currently living in this weird mono-culture where everyone I see is clones of one another. Trends aren’t new; as a millennial, I know the '90s and the early aughts like I got my masters in it. Even back then, with all the magazines and MTV crazes, I found people had some identity/ point of view. Even the preppy kids who wore Abercrombie from head to toe still brought themselves to the table. Now we have TikTok (which I LOVE) telling you what you need, what trend will get you more likes, this slick back bun technique is better than the 100 others, and rebranding brown eyeshadow to “Latte Makeup.” I’m not knocking on the creativity of these trends, but my question is, why?

Goop, the ultra-chic and elitist lifestyle brand by Gwyneth Paltrow, is something I am using as a jumping-off point for myself. To me, it is a sign of something I aspire to be. When the site first launched, it was just a newsletter sharing GP’s favorite things. It was super niché and geared to a very small, waspy elite white woman. GP was then accused of being unrelatable, and her products and the clothes she sold were not for the average woman. I understand appealing to everyone, but why must someone like GP appeal to the masses? I currently can’t afford anything Goop sells, but why should it be seen as something that has to be consumed by everyone instead of a select group of people? Which got me thinking about my brand/style. Why do I feel the need to be liked by everyone? My internal dialogue has forced me to write this. I wanted to share my tips and things I am doing to find my style and truly get into my “Goop Era.”

Finding what I like.

I found this podcast from the NYT: The Ezra Klein Show, “How to Discover Your Own Taste.” I found this to be super helpful.

I also love Allison Bronstein, a stylist who blew up on TikTok with her series on finding your three words regarding style. I’ve worked with Allison before; she is one of the best people out there to help you discover your style. She also wrote an incredible book called Wear it Well.

Who I’m following

I do love social media. Despite its negative connotations, I love that it has become a source and inspiration for information.

For me to want to follow someone on a social platform, they have to be authentic to who they are. I don’t care if they are swimming in Hermès or shopping at Target; I will follow as long as they are honest and don’t apologize for what they have or don’t have. I don’t need to have to relate to you to want to engage with content.

1. Morgan Stewart McGraw is a great example of this. She is super luxe and is unapologetic about it. She never once apologizes for having money or buying everything from The Row’s Fall 2022 Collection. I love her because she has a style of her own in a world where everyone looks the same. She isn’t afraid to wear colors or different silhouettes.

   

2. I am lovinggggg Nara Smith. She’s a model but has been known on TikTok for making her family homemade meals from scratch and wearing gorgeous pieces. I’m not following her for her style, but I love her way of beautifully presenting very typical content while wearing a beautiful outfit.

I am only sharing these two examples because they represent where I am now. Both are vastly different but have a sense of identity and confidence. I am searching for that confidence to be different but not be different for the sake of being different. What comes naturally to me? What am I naturally drawn to? I’m a work in progress, but the urgency I feel to find my style is a sign I need to find my authentic self. The deeper I get into my 30s, the more I see different things about myself and eliminate things that no longer serve me. Personal style or taste is a window into your true, authentic self.

xx,

Lindsey