Living a fantasy is easier than you think—and no, I’m not talking about jet-setting to the Maldives or having sweet nothings whispered in your ear under the soft glow of the Eiffel Tower on a summer evening. I’m talking about curating a dream closet, enriching dreams people. This is not just fashion, it’s growth… in the form of mood boards and vintage.
Image Courtesy of Lushome (www.lushome.com)
For me, my fantasy has lived nicely in one little app, Pinterest. It’s been my ride-or-die since day one, telling me hard truths (like platforms are so out) and exactly what I needed to hear (like capris are so back). This app allows for visual discovery, a bookmarking platform where creative geniuses, like ourselves, can ‘pin’ images that inspire them. Pinterest doesn’t just reflect my style, it tells me what’s next, reflecting a person I am eager to become. It’s where I lived out my “clean girl summer” and had the time of my life living out my inner “rockstar gf.” It had me daydreaming about living in A24’s latest and greatest indie film. Every board is like a telescope into your soul, defining personal style one pin at a time.
Pinterest Is The New MTV
Back in the day, our parents used to look to MTV for style inspo, now we look to Pinterest for looks that just scream us. It’s not a shopping app, but a visual idea bank. It’s where trends are born, recycled, and reborn, not because a money-hungry corporation or influencers who have completely changed the rules of the game, told you so.
Living under the thumb of social media can be… overwhelming to say the least. Opening Instagram and TikTok feels more like a game, where you must dodge the “next big thing” daily. Things are getting flashier, coming out faster, making it almost impossible to keep up. You can’t even scroll in peace anymore, and let’s be honest, sometimes it feels like battle armor is necessary just to open the app. But the only line of defense you have is the swipe of your thumb. Brands from left and right (some you love and some that are rather… suspicious) flood your feed with microtrends that go stale faster than a fresh loaf of bread. These brands are waving money in people’s faces, making us feel like we need them to survive—and all I have to say is oxygen is much more effective and roughly…100% cheaper, give or take.
Not Pinterest. No, that’s the land of the free, a home for those who brave mainstream social media sites. No influencers pushing products, no brands with a random 62% off sale (riiiight), but just unfiltered fashion, designed just for you.
The Power of a Mood Board
Images Courtesy of loveziggyofficial, Instagram.
Pinterest is powerful not because it sells you a product, but because it sells you a lifestyle. Think “Coastal Grandma” or “Fisherman Chic,” vibes come first, labels come last. The mood boards don’t put value in brand names, they put stock in you. It’s about whether you’re vibing, and if so, Pinterest is passing that check every time.
And hey, from me to you, don’t get caught up in these quirky, kitchy names. You’re not locked into these boards for life. I mean, I can’t even commit to one outfit in a day. The indecision of it all is half the fun. Wake up as the “coquette,” clad in lace, pink, and ribbon, and later step out rocking your best “2014 Tumblr core” with fishnets, band tees, and some Dr. Martens.
Tips and Tricks For Turning Your Board Into a Reality
Know Your Colors:
Don’t let the internet fool you. You don’t need to drop buckets of hard-earned cash on a Korean color analysis to know that you look better in ivory than in eggshell (but I’m so here for it if you do!). All you really have to know is your hair, eye, and skin color. Once you find your perfect palette, pinning becomes second nature.
Know Your Body:
Say it with me: “No one else gets to tell me what I feel good in.” Knowing cuts and silhouettes that you actually love (and not what is simply trending atm) is half the battle. From there, building a wardrobe designed specifically for you comes easy.
Organize By Vibe, Not By Rules:
Don’t get it twisted, there are never too many boards for you to have. One for your “Gothic Americana” days, and one for your “Lana Del Rey-core” moods. To the untrained eye, these seem very similar. But to those who live and breathe fashion? Couldn’t be more different.
Now here comes the fun part. Some people would mistake this as the hard part, but trust me, it’s the fun part. Bringing these mood boards to life, without offering up your firstborn or selling a kidney on Depop. Once you’ve filled your board with things that speak to you, the next step isn’t hitting ‘add to cart’—it’s hitting the thrift store.
Image Courtesy of Glass Onion (www.glass-onion.com)
I know, I know, no need to yell. Thrifting can feel like diving headfirst into a graveyard of sad shoulder pads and haunted velvet—and yes, sometimes you’re literally sorting through garbage. But think of yourself as a stylish archaeologist. A paleontologist of fashion. You’re merely sifting through layers of chaotic junk to find the treasure: your newest, most cherishable piece of clothing. And as a bonus, you’re not willingly handing your money over to some mega-corp CEO who is, at this very moment, more than likely rubbing their hands together like a cartoon supervillain.
Thrifting is also an event. Make a day out of it. Can’t find the will to get yourself out of bed? Throw on some headphones and go thrifting. Miss an old friend? Call them, and offer to go thrifting. It’s retail therapy and bonding time and environmental activism all at the same time.
Pro Tip: Don’t sleep on the basics. They’re more loyal than your middle school Tumblr phase (And I bet she never really left you). A solid basic and a thrifted gem? Now that’s just an unstoppable combo. Think of that sustainable piece—like the white dress that saved your life, or those shoes that guide your next steps (not just physically, but in life)—and pair them with your latest thrift or vintage find. That’s how you tell the world: “Yes. I have style, and an interesting personality to match.”
Belts and boots? Well, they’re the treasure of the season. And Pinterest? That’s simply the map. You don’t have to have a completely thrifted, curated, or designer outfit to fit your dream aesthetic; you just have to know how to mix what you already have with what you need. That’s how you stay authentic to who you are, while adding a little bit of flair.
Image Courtesy of Free People (freepeople.com)
Trying to give “Ethereal Boho Princess” this festival season? I’m glad you are, and so is every thrift store. They have endless options of beat-up boots, wooden bangles, and fairytale blouses and slips practically begging for a new owner. Start with what’s already in your closet, your favorite mini skirt or that one necklace that gives you power, and go from there.
One last thing: When you think you have enough accessories… think again. Add more. Be fearless. Be extra. Be bold enough to up-cycle what you already own. Pretend you’re a blend of Fancy Nancy and Edward Scissorhands. That’s what fashion is about these days: being who you are, not who others want you to be. Pinterest exists to serve you, not for you to serve it. So cut it, twist it, add it, style it, or rip it to shreds and start all over again, but make it yours.