The theoretical discussions about personal style are only one among the numerous reasons why I love this forum as much as I do. YLF posts I have read over the last few days (Hello, Suz and Una!) have sparked some introspection on my part; I have been thinking quite a bit about my style, and the statements I want (or don’t want) to make with it.

First off, some “basic” facts about me. At the risk of sounding like a *really* boring person (from a fashion perspective, at least), almost everything I own is a basic! My wardrobe is full of nothing but staples – jeans, button front shirts, khakis, and cardigans – in safe cuts and colors. My clothing budget is limited, but I do have more resources now than I did as a struggling graduate student a few years ago, and I have been trying to prioritize quality over immediate gratification in my clothing purchases. Typically, I don’t wear a lot of accessories; when I do, I favor scarves and delicate pieces of jewelry (think small pendants and tear drop earrings).

Identifying the items of clothing that do count as *my* basics has been a style journey in and of itself. Moving to a new country 12 years ago turned my definition of “basic” upside down (given my current lifestyle, salwar kamizes are now optional, special occasion pieces rather than everyday wear, for example). Finishing school and starting work in a new (academic) profession added an interesting wrinkle, as did dressing a body that’s considerably different in my 40’s (and changing!) than when I was younger.

At the same, it’s a little hard not to be disappointed with the “basic” nature of my wardrobe. My challenge now is one of figuring out how to add character to my outfits. Right now, I fall too easily into the trap of looking boring -- or worse, frumpy -- when I am wearing nothing but basics. Also, as an Indian woman married into a Mexican family, living in California, I also want my style to reflect my multi-cultural lifestyle.

I often toy with the idea of mixing in accessories (scarves, jewelry) that'll both point back to my ethnic origins and add some character to my outfits. I’ve tried a few times, but he results have been sub-optimal. I don't yet know how to do it in a way that's elegant and understated; right now, it usually feels a little too much like I'm trying too hard, and that doesn't feel right.

They say it’s about the journey, not the destination. But, even so, I’m struggling to find the next step. And I’m turning to this warm, wonderful community for wise insight: I’m looking for baby steps to inch my style evolution forward, so please weigh in and tell me what you think. As always, thank you for listening and for stopping by to share your thoughts.