Taste is not teachable

thoughts on developing personal taste and style

Every night for the past couple weeks as I lay in bed and close my eyes I repeatedly find myself coming back to the questions: “Who am I?” “What do I really like?” “What is it about ___ that I like?” This could be because of my recent uptake in creative expression both online and offline. Maybe the more I delve into creating, the more natural it is to wonder if I’m truly being authentic. Maybe it’s the insecurities creeping through. Idk.

Anyway,

You know that one person who has impeccable taste— personal taste and style more so. Like everything they do, wear, eat, surround themselves with, even their couch. It all just makes sense and you think each pick is so them. This isn’t to say that anything they wear or pick is not borrowing style from anyone else. It just feels right for them. That’s what I aspire to be. I want someone to walk into my physical space and look at the art on my wall or notice the way I display books on my little cube organizer in front of my bed and say “THAT IS SO YOU.”

It might sound a bit ironic talking about this considering many of my friends and family members frequently comment on my photos or tell me that my style is “aesthetic.” But I wonder what is it specifically that is aesthetic? I really don’t know at the moment what is the intended meaning of that term when used by them. Maybe I should ask some day. In the meantime, I’ve brainstormed some habits that can be helpful as I think more deeply about developing my personal taste because life is just a series of constant rebranding.

Create an everything list

The Notes app is sacred to me. It holds personal intrigue, thoughts, likes. But… it’s also A LOT. I tend to like a lot of things online and save them in various places and folders. There is nothing wrong with that. It would be kind of cool to have that one list to reference. I’m committing to creating an Inspiration list of sorts in my Notes app—a list to document random ideas I want to hold onto and refer to at a later time, things I want to learn more about, life hacks I’ll forget if I don’t write them down, references, words I forgot existed, that quote that made me pause…everything. It could also be a fun way to reflect and see how my interests, tastes, and thoughts have evolved over time. I also believe appreciation for external things is a form of taste in itself.

Craft a point of view before engaging and reflect on the why

How many of the opinions you share are truly yours? I’ve been wondering this about myself. Social media’s notorious influence on opinions is undeniable. Echo chambers and the amplification of extremism online all contribute to opinions. As I navigate my journey on developing personal taste + style, I want to pause and understand why I like things. What is it about the design specifically that I like? Why does this sweater make me feel the most me when I wear it? What feelings or emotions does it stir within me? Am I doing this because someone else likes this or because I like this?

When we slow down and ask ourselves questions, we grant ourselves the opportunity to fully appreciate the intricacies of the experience. Simultaneously, we create a set of high standards. After all, when we understand what resonates with us and what doesn't, decision-making becomes a more natural and intentional process. It empowers us to make choices that reflect the authentic version of ourselves.

Play

Play goes beyond mere entertainment. It serves as a crucible for the formation of personality; allowing opportunity to explore and experiment. Whether it’s trying a new recipe with ingredients you haven’t used before or testing a new art technique, we learn what we like and dislike through these trial and error processes. Play often nurtures creativity and encourages unique perspectives to develop. It is in these moments of exploration and interaction that we can discover what captivates our senses (bonus: what fuels our passions and purpose).

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Development of personal taste is an ever evolving process. It isn’t something that can be easily taught or standardized even. It is an intricate blend of personal experiences, emotions, and culture. In other words, this development is meant to be an individualistic journey; however, I think it is equally vital to acknowledge the collective dimension of this process. Style and taste are often formed through the integration of a diverse external space. Personal aesthetics and preferences can serve as powerful signals to the world, that can attract individuals and spaces that resonate with your uniqueness. I like to remind myself that my evolution has the potential to be a bridge and connect with the community I desire.

With that belief, I am unlearning that style isn’t about adhering to a set of rules or imitating someone else’s taste; it’s about the ongoing exploration of what sparks us and moves us. The best part is that there is no finish line. There is no need to rush. How exciting and comforting is that?

-Amrita