I remember always taking my aunt's magazines and looking through them as a kid. My favorite thing to do was cut things out and use them as props. From perfume bottles, to lipsticks, mascara, and even video cameras. Looking at it now, it was manifestation.
And don't even get me STARTED on Barbie and Bratz. I remember fantasizing about Barbie's closet and all the outfits, shoes, and accessories I could only dream of having. And Bratz? Their fashion, makeup, personalities, magazines, and blogs had me OBSESSED. I mean, I was literally consuming fashion and beauty content before I even knew what that meant.
I was the little girl who threw on probably the most ridiculous outfits, kept every sticker she could get her hands on, had fashion design and jewelry business play sets, and loved going to garage sales with my tío and abuela. I was collecting random little things, putting together outfits that probably made absolutely no sense, and cutting out pictures of things I couldn't even use yet.
But honestly, now it all makes sense.
Because somehow, those little interests never really went away. They just grew up with me.
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
The girl who used to cut pictures out of magazines now gets to help create one. I write, photograph, and film for the nation's largest student-run publication! I mean, that's incredible. And the little girl who was fascinated by cameras? Well, now I'm studying digital media and journalism, and I genuinely can't imagine not having a camera somewhere in my life.
The same girl who loved throwing together the most questionable outfits and was obsessed with fashion design now looks forward to fall just for the layering, accessories, and endless opportunities to dress up.
And the jewelry business play sets? Oh, those were just the beginning. I genuinely don't think I know how to put together an outfit without adding some kind of jewelry. Rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, you name it. At this point, it's become such a staple of my style that it's one of the things people recognize me for. Which is kind of funny when you think about it, because little me was already obsessed with collecting, creating, and accessorizing before I even knew what my personal style was.
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
And honestly, I think the same goes for beauty in general. From playing with those little makeup palettes from Claire's and Justice to now experimenting with my own makeup looks, it's funny how much has changed while somehow staying the same. Whether it's trying a different hairstyle, adding another piercing, or finding a new way to accessorize, there's something so fun about being able to customize your appearance however you want. It's almost like playing dress-up all over again, except now I'm the one getting dressed up.
And the little girl who was fascinated by cameras? Well, now I'm studying digital media and journalism, and I genuinely can't imagine not having a camera somewhere in my life.
…I still collect cute stickers with nothing to do with them, so I’ll work on that…
But that’s the beautiful thing. Even as we grow up, you can still see the old in the new.
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
Maybe that's why I was so obsessed with Barbie's closet and the Bratz girls growing up. One showed me all the possibilities of what I could wear, while the other made me love the idea of having a look that was completely my own. I mean, the Bratz girls weren't just known for their outfits. Their makeup, hairstyles, and accessories were just as much a part of their personalities. And I think finding your own style is a little bit of both. Experimenting with all the possibilities while figuring out which ones actually feel like you.
And now, years later, I'm still doing the same thing. Just with my own closet, a few more piercings, and a Pinterest board full of outfits I swear I'll recreate someday.
I think that’s something we tend to forget when finding your own style, or at least I do. Sometimes we get so caught up trying to figure out what "aesthetic" we fit into, or what version of ourselves we want to become, that we forget to look at the things we've always loved.
I mean, think about it. The colors you were obsessed with as a kid, the characters you wanted to dress like, the accessories you refused to take off, or even those questionable outfits you insisted on wearing out of the house. Maybe they weren't as random as we thought.
And don't get me wrong, our styles change. THANK GOD, because I don't think anyone needs to see some of the outfits I was putting together as a child. But I think there's something so interesting about how little pieces of our past can still show up in the way we express ourselves today.
Finding your style doesn't have to mean finding one aesthetic and sticking to it. Maybe it's more about figuring out what makes you feel like yourself, even if that changes every other week.
And maybe that's the fun of it. The hairstyles change, the makeup looks come and go, and the jewelry collection somehow keeps growing. But somewhere in all of that experimenting, there are still little pieces of the person you were growing up.
Because honestly, I don't think we ever really stop playing dress-up, but instead we have become the dolls we used to dress.
Strike Out,
Natasha Chinea
Editor: Kaya O’Rourke
Saint Augustine
Natasha Chinea is a writer, photographer, and Videography Director for Strike Magazine, Saint Augustine. She’s drawn to culture, identity, and the aesthetics that define us, with a love for visual media and storytelling. When she’s not working on a new piece or adventuring with her friends, she’s planning what comes next - all within her signature “organized chaos.” You can see more of her creative work on Instagram @natashascreative.co.
