Glow Girl Journal: Style is a Choice, Not a Crowd

 

One of the best lessons I’ve learned in my soft luxe journey is that real style isn’t about buying what everyone else has—it’s about curating pieces that feel true to who you are. ✨

When I was in my 20s, fashion was all about what's in. I didn't always follow the crowd, but sometimes I would buy whatever's in or considered fashionable at a time even though it wasn't my color or my style. I guess it's a little bit of the fear of missing out and not knowing exactly my style was. I was young, naive, and easily convinced. 

It's easy to get swayed by trends or by what “the rich crowd” is into. And that’s fine—nothing wrong with wanting nice things! I want nice things, too! But here’s the thing: style is only luxe when you choose it for yourself, not because of the pressure of who else is wearing it.

🌸 My philosophy?

If I love it, it fits my wardrobe, and it makes sense for my lifestyle → it’s a yes.

This is my style - soft, luxe, feminine

I love structured bags that are both practical and stylish that I can use over and over again. 

I love long skirts even though I'm petite. They make me feel like a Queen. 

I love wearing pieces that make my look pop like that statement headband. My hair stylist saw it and said, "Wow! I love your headband!"

I love bejeweled things and I will wear glitter and shimmer and sparkle in the middle of the day, with the sun at its peak, unapologetically. 

Flaunting Heritage as Luxe

But I also love supporting local crafstmanship and artisans and to raise awareness about them that's why I also love buying native pieces such as that bag from the Baguio market and that shirt and those earrings from Museo Kordilyera. 

 

I'm proud of my culture. Have you seen our Filipiniana? Have you seen the fabrics woven by Cordillera women? Or the leather goods from local artisans? Have you seen the beadwork of indigenous women? They're beautiful! 

Just look at those Inabella earrings. They're made with handwoven Cordillera textiles. I am a bead jewelry maker and it blew my mind when I saw these! How the heck were they able to wrap the textile around that tiny piece of material and make the textile stick and not fray or get deformed? And did they cut it out of a big piece of woven material? How did it not unravel? Sooo many questions! But the main point is, some people like flaunting brands. I like flaunting my heritage. I'm proud of these men and women and I know the hard work that goes behind each piece. Oh, trust me. I know. I've spent many sleepless nights making bead jewelry by hand to sell to my teachers and classmates and in bazaars to pay for tuition. 

If it’s just to “keep up” or prove something → it’s a no.

That’s how I build a wardrobe (and a life!) that feels authentic and timeless, not just trendy.

Because at the end of the day, glow isn’t about what’s in your bag or on your feet—it’s about the confidence of knowing you chose it, not the crowd.

And I'm damn proud of my choices. 

Glow Girl, what’s one piece in your wardrobe that makes you feel like yourself — no labels, no trends, just you?