This post was inspired by a post by Kojo of Citizins a while back.  It went something like, "If you take a look at pictures of yourself from a couple of years ago and realize your style hasn't been consistent, go ahead and put the fashion magazine down .... and stop calling yourself a stylist". 
Something like that. Well, that's how I remember it at least.

In no way do I claim to be an authority on fashion and trends, and for good reason.  I barely know what's "hot" these days. You may attribute it to growing old, but I attribute it to finding my style.  All my life up until a  a few years ago (not two), I followed trends. I had the du-rag, baggy jeans, bandana, tall tee, iced out chain (cubic zirconia)...the whole nine. Not that there's anything wrong with being dressed like that, but I never felt comfortable dressed like that. It wasn't until late in my senior year in college that I actually found my style--wearing clothes that actually fit my physique and personality.  How did I find my style? By following fashion, of course! Reading Kojo's post validated what I felt about my personal style.  I realized that my choice of clothes had been consistent for a few years and I felt no need to "update my wardrobe".  I think most people suffer from this syndrome where they follow fashion up until they find their style. Once they do, it's smooth  sailing from then on out. Other's are just addicted to fashion. Always chasing the new high. Err...trend.  I truly believe that your sense of style is an extension of your personality.  When someone isn't dressed in their unique style, you can easily tell.  Looking through a line in front of the club, you can almost immediately tell those who ran out to the mall the day before to buy their outfits and the ones who had them in their regular rotation. Girls usually look uncomfortable in their heels and high-waist jeans and fellas look weird in their extra-skinny jeans. A girl who has been rocking 6-inch heels since she could strut is easily distiguishable from the wannabe.

Fashion screams, "Hey! Look at me". Style only acknowledges presence.

A person who knows their style can visualize an outfit on-the-fly while someone who doesn't needs to see it on a maniking. If you usally buy clothes just because it's "what's in", you'll usually find yourself staring blankly in your closet trying to assemble an outfit because somehow that extra "smedium" Affliction t-shirt just seems off with those baggy jeans.  Once you find your style, you no longer care whether your shirt is from WalMart or Bloomingdale's. When you buy clothes, you care more about how comfortable you feel in them versus what people will think. Heck, if you REALLY know your style no one will know where you got your clothes from! Mixing and matching is also a huge part of knowing your style.  You are able to buy your clothes a-la-carte versus buying the whole Gucci Fall lineup. Your outfits all seem to talk to each other. Hmm...does that orange skirt gel with that blue top? How about a brown purse? White open toe sandals? Why not!

The misconception people have about style is that they need to be up on the latest fashion. No. If you like rocking a Will Smith afro from the Fresh Prince, or the one-leg-up one-leg-down jeans from Marion on In The House, go right ahead.  Your style is your personality. Fashion doesn't define you. Or maybe it does. Go through your pictures from a couple of years ago and decide.