I had an afternoon to walk around town in Southampton and was able to peek into a lot of stores I never have been in - Alice & Olivia, Haute Hippie, Brahmin, and lots of designer boutiques. And I spied so many items I loved, but either couldn't afford or knew wouldn't work for my body type and climate. Still, I had to admire all the floaty boho fabrics and funky prints.

And then I turned a corner into a store that was all Theory AND Helmut Lang, and every single item called to me. If I had a billion dollars, I would buy all my clothes in that store.

It made me realize (or realize AGAIN) that I truly DO have strong preferences for androgynous, simple, asymmetrical, stark, strong silhouettes. It has become easier over time for me to stop myself from impulse purchases that won't work for me. There is a part of me that doesn't want to be so rigid, but the larger part of my style self knows that ultimately I like what I like and there's not much I can do about it.

Self-acceptance? Or stuck in a rut? Either way, I'm pretty happy with having seen all these brands in person, even if I can't afford any of them, because it gave me a real sense of knowing myself better.

Have you ever had a realization that a certain designer really is what you aim for style-wise?