Personal style isn’t about appealing to everyone. Sometimes it’s about knowing exactly what you like and being perfectly comfortable with that.
I’ve never been interested in being relatable when it comes to personal style or beauty. I know what I like, I tend to return to it, and I don’t feel any obligation to explain why something appeals to me simply because it costs more than someone else thinks it should.
That doesn’t mean I believe expensive things are automatically better—quite the opposite. I find many of them completely unnecessary. But I’ve also spent enough time around fashion, branding, and design to appreciate the difference between something merely expensive and something with a recognizable identity.
Some clothes make an entrance, some jewelry becomes part of someone’s personal signature, and some fragrances seem to announce their wearer before they say a word.
Those are the things I find interesting.
I dress relatively simply—black, cream, tailored pieces, uncomplicated silhouettes. I don’t have much interest in changing my appearance every time a trend comes along. I prefer becoming recognizable through consistency.
And while I’m perfectly happy for someone to disagree with my preferences, I’m not especially interested in defending them.
The Saint Laurent Jacket: Because an Entrance Matters
Few things are more useful than an exceptionally tailored black (leather) jacket.
Saint Laurent has built much of its fashion identity around the authority of tailoring, and its appeal is easy to understand. A sharp shoulder, a defined silhouette, and just enough structure can make an otherwise ordinary outfit look entirely intentional.
I particularly like wearing something beautifully tailored with pieces that are almost aggressively simple. Black trousers. A fine knit. Good shoes. Very little jewelry.
The jacket does the work.
It’s also the kind of purchase that makes more sense to me than a closet full of unrelated statement pieces. I would rather own something with a strong identity and wear it repeatedly than buy something new simply because it’s being discussed.
A good jacket doesn’t need an introduction. Ideally, neither do you.
Explore Saint Laurent jackets.
The Cartier LOVE Bracelet: The Appeal of Being Recognizable
I have always appreciated jewelry that becomes part of a person’s appearance rather than something she changes according to the occasion.
The Cartier LOVE bracelet is an obvious example. Its design has remained recognizable for decades, which is precisely what makes it interesting.
More elaborate pieces of jewelry exist, and there are less expensive ways to wear gold. But the appeal of the LOVE bracelet isn’t dependent on novelty. Its familiar shape and distinctive screw motifs are enough to identify it.
That kind of recognition is difficult to manufacture, whether you’re talking about jewelry, fashion, or a person.
I also like jewelry that can sit comfortably beside a very simple wardrobe. I don’t need every accessory competing for attention. A single piece that feels established and unmistakable is often more effective than several pieces trying to make a point.
And personally, I have never understood why women are so frequently encouraged to minimize their preferences in the interest of appearing approachable.
If you like beautiful jewelry, you like beautiful jewelry. It really isn’t a moral issue.
Baccarat Rouge 540: The Luxury of Being Remembered
Fragrance is interesting because it can become recognizable without being visible.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540 is a strong example of a fragrance with a distinct identity. Its ambery, woody, and floral character has made it one of the more recognizable names in contemporary luxury perfumery.
I find the idea of a signature fragrance much more appealing than a large collection of bottles used indiscriminately.
There’s something wonderful about discovering what suits you and returning to it. The same principle applies to personal style, beauty, and even the way you present yourself professionally.
People often mistake consistency for a lack of imagination. I see it differently. Knowing what works and having the confidence to repeat it requires a certain degree of self-awareness.
Of course, fragrance is intensely personal. Something that smells exceptional on one person may be completely wrong for another. Baccarat Rouge 540 is worth experiencing firsthand before deciding whether it belongs in your own routine.
As an example of how a luxury product can establish an unmistakable identity, it’s compelling.
The Point Isn’t the Price
What interests me about these three products isn’t simply that they belong to established luxury houses. Each has an identifiable point of view.
Saint Laurent understands the authority of tailoring. Cartier understands the value of a design that remains recognizable over time. Maison Francis Kurkdjian understands how fragrance can leave an impression long after someone has left the room.
None of those ideas depends on constantly reinventing the product.
And that’s probably what I appreciate most about good personal style. It becomes more convincing when someone stops trying to appeal to every possible audience.
You don’t need to buy luxury products to have standards, and spending more doesn’t automatically demonstrate better taste. Knowing what matters to you—and being selective about what doesn’t—is far more interesting.
I have no interest in being relatable for its own sake.
I’d much rather be recognizable.
