049: How To Translate Pinterest Boards into Real Life
(and a little surprise!)
Before I dive into this week’s newsletter, I’m excited to announce that I’ve officially started a YouTube channel! Honestly, typing these words feels surreal. Twelve-year-old me, who would stay up late watching Zoella and Jackie Aina, would never believe I finally got the courage to start my own.
I launched a TikTok account two years ago, and I’ve appreciated how much my confidence has grown in both my voice and what I have to offer. However, constantly chasing the beast of short attention spans and squeezing my message into 30-second slots started to feel inauthentic. I noticed I was diluting the value of my content just to keep up with the fast-paced nature of the app. So, I’m thrilled to pivot to YouTube, where I can embrace the liberation of long-form content. As a lifelong chatterbox, I’m excited to find more reasons to yap!
My channel will focus on style and fashion content, continuing to offer my insights and hopefully empowering you to centre your wants and desires when getting dressed. Over time, I plan to expand into more lifestyle content, and I’m truly excited for this next step in my internet journey.
Click the link here to watch this week’s video, which ties into the Substack topic of the week, where I share tips on drawing inspiration from your Pinterest boards. Now, let’s get into this week’s post!
The new year often inspires a re-assessment of one’s life, and if "improve my personal style" was on your list, this post is for you. While this is a valid goal for boosting confidence and improving how you carry yourself, it will be futile if you haven’t developed the skill of figuring out what you truly like. Dissecting your desires is key to strengthening your personal style, and I’ll be discussing how to apply this to your never-ending Pinterest boards.
Dissecting your desires means understanding the “why” behind the outfits or pieces you’re drawn to. Instead of just asking where someone got their clothing from—focusing on consumption for consumption’s sake—take a step back and explore what specifically about an item catches your eye. With this knowledge, you’ll be empowered to make smarter shopping decisions, which is the bedrock of a strong sense of style.
For example, if you often find yourself pinning simple jeans-and-tee looks, take a moment to figure out whether you prefer low-waisted or high-waisted jeans, or if a specific wash appeals to you. Having a clearer awareness of the themes and patterns you’re attracted to will help you recreate outfit inspiration with a higher success rate. You’ll begin to build a wardrobe filled with clothes you genuinely want to wear, which takes the frustration out of getting dressed.
To demonstrate, I decided to put my approach to the test by recreating three looks inspired by my Pinterest saves.
Skirt and a Graphic Tee
One gap in my wardrobe is that I only own two skirts: a corset skirt and a micro-mini skirt. Naturally, they’re not my go-to options on a daily basis. However, I’ve always loved the combination of a graphic tee and a flowy skirt because of the high-low styling. In both inspiration images, I’m drawn to the delicate, feminine feel of the skirt, which contrasts with the simplicity of the casual t-shirt. This tension creates a more compelling outfit combination, making summer dressing feel less restrictive—especially in a city.
Since I don’t own any skirts that fit this style, I had to think outside the box and focus on the theme I wanted to recreate: pairing a t-shirt with something more feminine and graceful. I decided that this tube dress from Cos could produce the same effect, without me needing to buy a new piece. The floor-length, sheer fabric of the dress adds elegance, contrasting with the oversized, boxy nature of the graphic tee. The outfit’s multifaceted nature mirrors the complexity of one’s personality, and that’s where the beauty lies in this pairing.
I further enhanced this tension by adding a cap—both as a pop of color and to introduce a masculine edge to the feminine dress. The Aeyde pumps were the perfect finishing touch, with their pointed toe cutting through the fabric of the dress and complementing both the black of the dress and the white of the t-shirt.
Elevating Shorts
As a woman blessed with prominent thighs, shorts and I haven’t always gotten along. Every time I try on a pair, I feel like I’ve stuffed two sausages into their casing, with my thighs spilling out the bottom. That’s why I recently filled this gap in my wardrobe with a longline, oversized pair from Emmanuela Graham. The founder kindly gifted me these last year (full review here), and since then, I’ve fallen in love with their relaxed, boardshort-like fit.
Wanting to style these shorts more formally, I drew inspiration from images that redefined oversized shorts in a fresh, elegant way. One image particularly caught my attention, showing how the draping and silhouette of a top elevated relaxed shorts, finished with heels for a sexy touch.
For my recreation, I paired my Emmanuela Graham shorts with a vintage cape borrowed from my mom (sorry, Mum). The cape’s versatility was key as I could adjust it to drape naturally over my body and secured it with a fish brooch for a polished finish. This allowed me to channel the themes I admired, draping and an interesting silhouette, using pieces I already owned.
To complete the look, I chose my Manolo Blahnik nude heels, which let the outfit stand out while keeping everything cohesive and polished. This approach reminded me that great style doesn’t always require new purchases—it’s about reimagining what you already have to create something fresh and unique.
Jewellery, Jewellery, Jewellery
I was irresistibly drawn to the bold use of jewellery in both outfits, like a moth to a flame. Rihanna’s stacked necklaces—forming a dramatic, sculptural statement around her neck—captivated me completely. Paired with a tailored jacket and denim, which felt like an extension of my personal style, I knew I had to recreate the look with my own twist.
Building the base of the outfit was simple. My trusty Citizens of Humanity jeans offered the perfect balance of baggy and flattering, while this vintage jacket introduced the tailored structure I needed. For shoes, I chose my By Far pumps—classic black heels that allowed the necklaces to take centre stage.
To channel Rihanna’s dramatic jewellery, I stacked four necklaces, layering them to achieve a bold, cohesive effect. I loved the result. I’d never thought of mega-stacking my necklaces like this before, but it completely transformed the outfit. The accessories infused my classic jacket and casual jeans with personality, flair, and a fresh sense of individuality—reminding me how a simple styling trick can breathe new life into familiar pieces.
By approaching your Pinterest boards with this mindset, you’ll unlock endless inspiration, from art to interior design, and be able to build a style that feels truly authentic to you.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s video and newsletter. I’ll speak to you again next week!
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I started reading this post this morning and immediately threw on a black maxi dress under my grey sweatshirt. I had wanted to wear a maxi skirt but only have a white one that didn't work great for winter. Thank you for the endless inspiration.
*runs to youtube*