Confidence: When you genuinely feel good in what you’re wearing, it shows. You stand a little taller, smile a little wider, and engage more readily with the world. This confidence is a powerful motivator.
Intentionality: It’s not accidental. Even if it looks effortless, a “good style” usually comes from a conscious decision about how you want to present yourself and what message you want to convey.
Timelessness (within your sphere): While not necessarily classic, a good style often builds on foundational pieces that work for you, rather than just chasing every fleeting trend. It has a lasting quality that feels inherently you.
In a world saturated with fleeting trends and external pressures, truly cultivating a “good style” that feels authentic to you is a powerful act of self-expression and self-respect. It’s not about being trendy; it’s about being you, beautifully and confidently.
My life began, it felt, in a land of nowhere. There was no clear map, no guiding hand, just the vast, sometimes intimidating, expanse of trying to figure out life alone. Every step felt like a discovery, often a stumble, in a world that seemed to demand I fit into molds that weren’t my own.For many, fashion is about trends or status. For me, it became something far more fundamental: fashion is like a fun time. It’s not about being someone else; it’s about considering myself as everyone else – a human being worthy of expression, worthy of feeling good, worthy of a little joy each day. It became my personal protest against the feeling of being “nowhere.”In a world that sometimes felt chaotic and isolating, fashion offered a unique kind of therapy. It was the daily ritual of liberating my condition with fashion everyday. No matter what internal storms I was weathering, no matter the external pressures, the act of choosing what to wear became a small, powerful act of defiance and self-care.
To dress up and look clean wasn’t vanity; it was a declaration. It was saying, “I am here. I am present. I am making an effort for myself.” It was a deliberate choice to stay positive, to project an inner strength even when I felt vulnerable. Every outfit became a personal armor, a cheerful flag, a silent reminder that I had the power to shape how I felt about myself, one garment at a time.
It’s not about being the most stylish or the most trend-conscious. It’s simply about the profound, everyday joy of selecting an outfit that makes me smile, that makes me feel like I belong, that helps me dress up and look clean, and stay positive. Because when you’re figuring out life alone, those small, intentional acts of self-expression can make all the difference in the world.
You see, every styling comes from what I’ve been through in my life. My wardrobe isn’t just a collection of clothes; it’s a living testament to the battles fought, the lessons learned, and the quiet triumphs endured. Each fabric, every color, every silhouette I choose holds a whisper of a memory, a reflection of a moment that shaped me.
There’s a stark truth I’ve learned: no one can save my life. The ultimate responsibility for navigating the currents of existence, for finding the strength to keep going, rests solely with me. It’s a solitary journey, but not a hopeless one.
Instead, I’ve learned to accept every defeat of life in the dark. Those moments of sorrow, of loss, of struggle – I don’t pretend they don’t exist. I acknowledge them, I feel them, and then I choose to rise, often, through the simplest act of defiance.And that’s where my fashion truly comes into play. I wear my simple fashion outfits, hopeful to stay alive. It’s not about grandeur or impressing anyone. It’s about the fundamental human need to find beauty, comfort, and a sliver of control in a world that often feels overwhelming.
In the morning, when the weight of yesterday’s battles might still linger, choosing a soft cotton shirt, a flowing pair of linen trousers, or a vibrant Ankara print isn’t just getting dressed. It’s an affirmation. It’s saying: “Despite everything, I choose to engage. I choose comfort. I choose color. I choose to put one foot in front of the other.”
“My name is Kelechi Irole, and I’m not here to change anything. I’m just here to tell my story of my dark moments.”
When you dress in a way that makes you feel good, it naturally boosts your confidence. This confidence can then empower you to face challenges, engage with others, and pursue your goals with greater self-assurance.
“Dress up and look clean, stay positive.” This isn’t superficial; it’s a strategic move. It’s about cultivating a positive mindset and projecting resilience, even in the face of life’s “defeats.” It’s an active step towards feeling more capable and hopeful.
And within that “run-to” space, you’re “trying to figure out my image style.” This isn’t just about looking good; it’s about looking for yourself.
In moments of darkness or sadness, our sense of self can feel fragmented or lost. Trying out different styles, experimenting with how you present yourself to the world, becomes a journey of self-discovery. Each outfit is a hypothesis, a question asked: “Does this feel like me? Does this express what I need to say today? Does this bring me a moment of light?”
My simple outfits are my armor of authenticity. They’re a quiet declaration that even when the path is dark and the defeats are real, I am still here. I am still capable of finding beauty in the everyday. I am still hopeful to stay alive, one simple, honest outfit at a time.
fashion isn’t just clothing; it’s a deeply integrated part of your life’s narrative. It’s a language, a therapy, a journey of self-discovery, and a daily act of hope. It makes your life meaningful by giving you a tangible way to express your inner world, cope with its challenges, and continually affirm your unique existence.
What does “a good style” mean to you personally?
