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Writer's pictureTotally Twila

2022 Review: becoming "that girl" (Twila's edition)

Updated: Mar 23

Hey Skwad!

So, compared to my 2020 Review and 2021 being too unnoteworthy to write about, 2022 (bar some missteps as with every year) has somewhat been spectacular! Despite not completely achieving all my goals for this year, I definitely had a good attempt at all of them, which is good enough for me!


~Totally Twila's ~ goals for the year:

  • Keep a diary (to work on, understand myself better and organise my thoughts)

  • Do 'Couch to 5k' and just stick to it

  • Have clear skin and learn a quick makeup routine (especially as mask-wearing stops)

  • Do my hair the night before

  • Take ballet classes and overall become a lot more graceful (it's debatable as to whether I will ever accomplish the latter)

  • Paint nails regularly and remove/change when chipped ✅

  • Build my portfolio while I can and take as many opportunities as I can ✅

  • Be more spontaneous and enjoy my early twenties (just make some memories)

  • Write letters and build relationships with those who bring me joy ✅

  • Become more well-spoken and expand my vocabulary (not just English!)

  • Put the effort in for my grades ✅

  • Indulge every once in a while and build my dream wardrobe (see my aesthetic guide below!)

  • Regular bedtimes and get 8 hours sleep minimum each night ✅


One of my biggest goals this year, however, was to do some reevaluation (urgh I hate this word) and "self-discovery". By this, I mean revisiting goals and plans I made a few years, or even a decade, ago and seeing if they still hold up and are in line with the person and experiences I've now had. Reviewing whether trying to achieve those goals would still make me happy or if they are actually holding me back and causing me more distress in trying to accomplish an impractical dream. And believe me, there's been several tears and lots of late-night diary entries as I've wallowed and been haunted by the fear of disappointing my younger self, amongst others, struggling, but forcing myself to accept this new reality. However, to quote the poem, Why She Disappeared:

Without your past, you could never have arrived - so wondrously and brutally - by design or some violent, exquisite happenstance ...here. - Taylor Swift

Another has been to work out who I am as a person WITHOUT outside influence, especially with regard to my sense of style and self-presentation. Hence, I cultivated a list of things I've always found aesthetically pleasing and got to work on trying to track down and slowly but surely cultivate these pieces into my wardrobe.


Other than general 1950s style, some inspiration I take is from Marina & the Diamonds' Electra Heart alongside Lana Del Ray's Born to Die eras as well as Taylor Swift throughout her original RED and 1989 records. With regards to influencers, my greatest inspo's include Puerto Rican Jessica Ville (aka @jbunzie). JBunzie is a vintage dresser and cosplayer and seemingly loves all things feminine and girly. She is also a great example of why you don’t have to stick to one aesthetic or time period when dressing vintage, her wardrobe hopping from the 50s to the 80s to the 90s. Although I did discover her through her cosplays and makeup transformations on her main channel, her second channel is full of vintage and princess-y content, ranging from hair to home décor! Another social media starlet I adore is Freddy Cousin Brown (aka @Freddie), whilst her style can be a bit bohemian for my tastes, I simply ADORE her posh London accent, her passion for all things British and how classy she is (I sincerely wish her all the luck in the world with her new fashion brand FlossyByFreddie and honestly would love to see her 'Coco' dress in the post coming my way)!


Some other micro-celebrities I follow include: @carlacrnt_, @sophiasdaydream, Romy Victory (@romyvictory), Angélica Monique (aka @itsangiebby) for content on the girlier and classier side. Whereas vintage creators I love include @missctighe, Joey Velázquez (@greaserboyjoey), Tessa Dupuy (@mrstdupuy), @_mr.loveday and @my.ragtime.gal. As I said, I have a tendency to get swept up in it all, so I do try to go through my following list every so often and trim it down as I can't possibly have the time and energy to keep up with 100s of people's streams of content.


So, with all this inward reflection, you may be asking yourself:

Alright then, so how would you describe your style?

And to that, I present this:


the ~Totally Twila~ aesthetic guide:

  • Matching beret and overcoats

  • Silk pyjamas/nighties & fluffy, glamorous “just murdered my husband” dressing gowns

  • Red heart-shaped sunglasses (especially as I turn 22 in the upcoming, aka Taylor Swift year, it's just simply a must!)

  • Lacy, white, wrist gloves a la Lana Del Rey

  • Black fluffy mules (the epitome of feminity in shoe format)

  • Black silk or sheer elbow gloves to be paired with little black dresses

  • Black ballet flats, cardigans and turtle necks with 3/4 sleeves (inspired by the iconic Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, but also they are a wardrobe staple that just goes with everything)

  • Old Hollywood glamour: hair rollers, white faux fur shawls and a neverending supply of red lipstick/nail polish

  • Co-ordinating workwear sets with sheer, black, tights and black velvet Alice bands/hair bows

  • A silver initial charm on a chain around my neck (if you know, you know 😉)

  • Bobby socks, saddle shoes and anything with a white Peter Pan collar for a scholastic look

  • Pearls everywhere (on hair accessories, jewellery, bags, clothing... you name it, I want it)

  • Fluffy dresses, cardigans and jumpers in pastel colours (think Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, not Professor Umbridge from Harry Potter)

  • Red-soled heels to match my lipstick and nails (as well as my phone and my purse, etc, etc!)


 

I hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!


Sending you all hugs and happiness this festive season,

XOXO Totally Twila

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