Which Is the Real You: Your Interiors or Your Clothing?

We often define personal style as what we wear, with our homes being a natural extension of that aesthetic. All it takes is one scroll through a VSCO-filtered blogger’s feed to ascertain this: Their clothes and decor look like they were all sourced at the same shop. But what happens when you’re undergoing a bit of an identity crisis?

Personal style is such a tricky thing to explain because it can’t be boiled down to just one look. Although you might put on a vibrant sweater and printed trousers to get energized for the day, you may rely on your home to help you wind down. For many people, the two simply serve different needs, and if you’ve been having trouble reconciling one with the other, never fear. We’re here to deliver some emotional salve in the form of three creatives who have mastered the art of living a double life. 

Blair Eadie, blogger behind Atlantic-Pacific

Her fashion style: “Quirky and colorful; of the moment and experimental. I am a maximalist who loves a lot of glam!”

Her decor style: “My home tends to be more subdued: clean lines, muted shades, mid-century pieces. While I still use a bit of color, I try to create a space that’s more classic and less trend-driven; I like to invest in pieces I know I will love for years to come.”

How she explains the gap: “I believe that they serve two very different purposes, and I don’t think that they necessarily need to intersect. My clothing is what I want to show the world and my opportunity to be creative, but my home is where I go just for myself, to escape and recharge. It’s more permanent, and I want it to feel familiar. My outfits aren’t always (read: never) practical, but my house certainly is.”

Which one she considers the real her: Her wardrobe. “When I get dressed, I’m always choosing a different character to play—each day is an opportunity to take a risk, try something new, and experiment with pieces I love. It’s an extension of my mood.”

Isadora Tang, founder of OTEM

Her fashion style: “It’s built around comfort: I tend to wear a lot of neutrals and black, and the same pieces of jewelry every day.”

Her decor style: “My home is super-bright and colorful, with lots of layered textures and patterns. It’s filled with art and objects and plants—definitely the opposite of minimal.”

How she explains the gap: “I want more structure or polish in my dress than in my home. With my home, I’m more willing to play with colors and patterns and jumble them all together in one space without worrying about it being ‘too much.’” 

Which one she considers the real her: Her home. “I’m a natural maximalist, but I admire minimalism, so I tend to express both ends of the spectrum. I think the difference is that my home is almost like a dynamic artistic creation for me; I’m creating this larger story. Versus my clothes, which are more about functionality.”

Laura Jackson, TV broadcaster and founder of Hoste

Her fashion style: “I feel like I’m a walking contradiction: A frilly blouse under dungarees, or a floaty skirt with hiking boots. I love whimsical and dreamy looks, but could also controversially be seen in a tracksuit on the weekend.” 

Her decor style: “It has layers of life, travels, and collections, all in one place—the living room walls are patterned with a 45-year-old wallpaper that was there when we moved in; the fireplace is full of trinkets; and the sofa is covered in blankets collected from my trips. It feels messy and lived-in, and it’s constantly evolving. It’s growing with us.” 

How she explains the gap: “A home is built on layers; it’s not something you can just buy from one shop. It takes years to build one, whereas I can get dressed in a matter of minutes!” 

Which one she considers the real her: It depends on the circumstance. “I just renovated my kitchen, and when my sister walked in to see it for the first time, she said, ‘This doesn’t feel very you!’—so maybe my kitchen doesn’t represent my personal style. I don’t know! I tend to go with my gut. Overthinking anything is draining.” 

See more ideas for decorating your own space:  Jonathan Adler’s 5 Tips for Making a Mantel the Star of Your Living Room This Once-Popular Design Feature Is Gaining Momentum Again These Flintstone-esque Built-In Nooks Are the Bookshelves of the Future