Her Campus Rhodes (HCR): When did you feel yourself starting to develop a personal style as opposed to following trends or dressing how others wanted you to dress?
Kim Macharia (KM): When I was in middle school. I started shopping a lot at Hot Topic, and I definitely wanted to have stock in Hot Topic as an adult. In high school I started shopping at thrift shops with my friends, mixing and matching different items and developing my own style.
HCR: Can you describe your style to me?
KM: I don’t think I have a specific style, I just try to look good! I used to look to magazines and things for style inspiration, but now I tend to just work with what I have in my closet.
Shirt: Aeropostale
Jeans: Charlotte Russe
Necklace: Stolen from Mom
Shoes: Dirty Laundry
HCR: What/who are your style influences or icons?
KM: I like people with eclectic styles like Rihanna and Zendaya.
HCR: How do you decide what to wear every morning?
KM: I like to make sure that I wear all of the clothing I have, so I usually look in my closet to see what items I haven’t worn in a while, and match things that go well with that together.
Dress: Urban Outfitters
Long Sleeved Shirt: Charlotte Russe
Shoes: Steve Madden
Tights: Charlotte Russe
Necklace: Market in Kenya
Earrings: H&M
HCR: What are your must-have fashion items?
KM: Colorful scarves and big earrings.
HCR: What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who is trying to find their personal style?
KM: To not be afraid of whether something is going to look good on you or not. Most things look good on everyone, you just have to find the right way to wear it!
Shirt: Goodwill
Jeans: Primark
Cardigan: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Steve Madden
Choker: Francesca’s
Earrings: Primark
HCR: And finally, what is the worst fashion mistake you’ve made?
KM: In eighth grade, I wanted to get into the punk rock lifestyle, so I decided to rock a plaid skirt and a tie, but I didn’t know that if you wear a small, feminine tie, not a men’s tie. So I borrowed one of my dad’s ties, and I got dragged by a few of my good friends. Middle school was a time.