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Nothing beats this past year for Philly football fans.  I wore green for months.  I was lucky to go to the Eagles/Vikings game in January, qualifying the birds for the Superbowl.  While I was decked out in sports gear, I went to a local boutique in West Chester early in the season and picked up this Eagles junkfood brand shirt.  While not fine fashion, I was happy with the character of the shirt.  Paired with an emerald green brushed wool scarf I've had for a few years, and a chunky black sweater, this outfit appeared a few more times for the Superbowl game, and the parade to follow.  The best part of the outfit was the hat.  My dad bought it for me a few years ago for $5 from a street vendor and saved it for when the Eagles started to win for good luck.  He gave it to me before the playoffs this year.  While not fashionable, I'll wear it proudly forever!

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College Trip - Washington D.C. April 2018

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College Trip - Washington D.C. April 2018

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My cousin, Aidan, is making his final college decision, and I went with him to look at schools in D.C. this past weekend. I wore Level 99 denim, J.Crew suede wedge boots, a Madewell scarf, and my leather jacket that I bought while studying abroad. While most of my pictures don't show this, from October to April, I am usually wearing a huge blanket scarf. While not just for necessity, I'm always cold, I love the additional interest that a scarf adds to an outfit. Most of my scarves are oversized and knit, from madewell or Free People, however once it gets warmer, I have a few silk scarves that I wear on occasion.

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My cousin Jenna and her now husband Cody came to PA to celebrate their engagement with family this past January. The event was casual at a local pub during an Eagles playoff game. While I refrained from Eagles gear, I did stay comfortable in a kimono style cardigan from Anthropologie, with Level 99 denim and Madewell short boots. This sweater was a Christmas gift, and was on my wishlist since Anthropologie advertised it in the fall. I love the geometric pattern and length. It's a statement piece I love wearing.

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My best friend from F&M graduated with an M.S. in Social Work from Penn in May 2016. I wore a blue J.Crew suiting dress, one that I bought for a promotion interview for Morgan Stanley. My professional versus weekend wear is reflected well in this photo, as this dress is the most structured and corporate piece I own. For formal meetings, I usually wore this with a blazer, and with opaque tights in the winter.

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During my first fall living in New York, I spent a lot of time with college friends on the weekends. For a typical night out, I wore skinny jeans, wedge boots, and a flowy top. This specific top is from Anthropologie. I was drawn to the sale price first, but the colorful panel of beaded embroidery on the front, and the flowing three quarter length sleeve fit my ideal wardrobe perfectly.

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New York January 2018 - Promotion Celebration

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New York January 2018 - Promotion Celebration

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This past January, I was promoted from Manager to Director at Morgan Stanley. As a promotion day tradition, the HR department throws a celebratory happy hour after work to honor the promotes. Below, I am with the three other young women promotes on our team, with our boss in the center. Because promotion day is a serious day, I wore a Theory black blazer, J.Crew wool skirt, and Theory silk shirt. Those are my commuting shoes! As you can see, the rest of the group also followed the black/grey/white color scheme of the day.

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After taking a road trip to San Diego on one of my trips to L.A., Sam and I stopped for lunch in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, and had lunch by the beach. In early November, the weather was getting cooler, so I opted for one of my favorite off-the-shoulder Free People thermals, jeans, and Madewell sunglasses. If I could, I would wear a Free People thermal every day.

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My boyfriend lives in Los Angeles, therefore I make many frequent trips. This past March, I traveled to L.A. with his twin sister and his mom to surprise him for his 28th birthday weekend. We spent the Friday of our trip walking around Santa Monica. I wore a J.Crew denim jacket, JCrew black cotton tee, Anthropologie wide legs pants, and Sam Edelman sandals. Mid March is still mild weather in L.A., so I was comfortable in layers, and my favorite current trend of wide leg pants.

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For a boat ride down the Hudson and around the harbor in New York City with my family, I wore a J.Crew linen sweater, BDG cutoff shorts, and Kate Spade sunglasses over a J.Crew bikini.  This is how I wish I could dress every day - for warm weather, in elevated comfort apparel.

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My last apartment in New York was located in the Financial District of Manhattan. My favorite place in the city is the Seaport at Fulton Street, and I took Sam there during one of his visits, even on a fall night when nothing was open. I wore all Madewell: a denim vest, grey sweater, black denim, and short tan boots (my favorites). Madewell is my favorite brand for comfortable basics

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My parents came to visit me in New York soon before my move back to PHiladelphia. ON a night to dinner in Tribeca, I wore a black tank with Madewell blush velvet cropped pants, and a Kate Spade crossbody.

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This picture was taken on Day 1 of the festival.  I wore a Free People floral swing top and my favorite sunglasses from Madewell.  My necklaces were one of my few successful purchases through StitchFix.  I specifically purchased this top with Coachella in mind, but have enjoyed wearing it since. I liked the festive pattern and flowing silhouette.

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The beautiful bride is one of my dear friends from college, who eventually became a co-worker.  I attended the wedding in LBI with two other co-workers, and saw many college friends there as well.
I chose my linen with pink sequins J.Crew dress for the beachy wedding, as the reception took place in a beautiful boathouse on the bay. The silhouette fits my usual attire, not too fitted, comfortable, but details that make it unique. At this point, my tan wedges have been featured in every event that took place over the summer for about 5 years!

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This was the only time my family didn't intentionally match!  I'm with my cousin Sam and step-cousins Lauren and Megan at a family barbecue. I wore a beach coverup as a maxi skirt, with a chambray button down, tank, and flip flops. All pieces were J.Crew. Because I worked there seasonally for three years, I acquired a lot from the brand. As their aesthetic and quality changes, I drifted from the brand, but still have a few classic basics from J.Crew.

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For a college friend's 21st birthday celebration in New York City, I opted for a Free People tube top and BCBGeneration pleated mini skirt. I was drawn to the soft geometric print of the skirt, and I love the movement of a pleated chiffon.

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On a summer night out in New York's Financial District, I wore my favorite Carmar denim, a J.Crew jacket, and a Madewell sleeveless mock neck sweater. I really love sleeveless sweaters, and this is one of a large collection

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While special events and family vacations display an evolution in my style, my photos from every day activities reflect my personal style the most.  The majority of my wardrobe is from Madewell, Free People, and Anthropologie, with pieces kept for years after I worked at J.Crew as a Sales Associate.  My personal style is classic, with an eclectic twist. Similar to my Special Events wardrobe, I like to wear one piece that pops, while keeping the rest of my outfit as neutral as possible.  For example, the picture from LA in March 2018 doesn't show my full length outfit.  The bottom hem of my pants has large printed white flowers under all of those polka dots, therefore requiring the very basic top half of my outfit.  However, the common thread in all of my casual clothing choices is comfort.

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As the opposite to my travel photographs, the milestones in my life so far are usually marked with a uniform of some kind.  These big events were all graduations, therefore a cap and gown are culturally expected.  Even the clothing underneath is traditionally formal.  While the cap and gown is far from stylish, a sense of accomplishment and excitement comes from wearing them.  My parents have been the most influential people in my life, and have supported me through every stage and every decision I have made. They have instilled in me the greatest value in education, hence why I have decided to further my education with a master's degree now.

Following my own graduations, there was also a great sense of pride and love when my cousin and friends received degrees. Sam's graduation was such a wonderful day, and makes me hopeful for him as he graduates from high school this year.  Additionally, celebrating graduations with friends are also exciting!

To all events, both my own graduations and those for friends and family, I usually wear a dress, once wearing wide leg pants, almost passing for a skirt. It is engrained in me to choose an outfit nicer than jeans and sneakers, but even more elevated than that, when attending an event or a milestone such as a graduation. If I am celebrating something other than a birthday, I avoid jeans, and use the experience as an excuse to wear something nice.

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For me, special occasions and events also suggest an expected form of dress, however are not as strict as milestones with expected garments.  Special events to me include past school dances, celebrations with friends, events with family, and most recently, weddings.  My most frequent outfit for this type of event are dresses or skirts. Like the travel group, many pictures usually document the occasion, so the same thought is put into my outfit for these exciting moments.
I attribute my style journey to being an only child.  Instead of shopping with a big sister, or any siblings for that matter, I shopped with my mother.  I still do.  But it took me a little longer than others to grow into my own style because I shopped at kids versions of the stores my mom loved.
In high school, I branched out with my style more than ever before, but I still kept the same values.  My hemlines were a little longer, and necklines a little higher. College was where my style came into its own, and my conservative silhouettes translated to classic styles with a flare that brought me joy.
My current casual style is eclectic, but my formal clothing still holds true to my roots.  I own a lot of neutral colors, classic silhouettes, and basic but interesting pieces.  Each of these more formal looks usually include a focal point, in some cases it's sequins or embroidery, floral details or an additional accessory. More more casual events, I like prints over embellishment for a playful element to an outfit. If I'm dressing up for any occasion, I enjoy playing with fabric, patterns, and details to ake the outfit memorable and noticeable.

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Travel has always been one of my favorite experiences, and I have always embraced planning outfits for vacations. While the act of packing is awful, I always prepare a week in advance to plan outfits and accessories. My travel pictures reflect my personal style the most in this journal, as I choose my favorite pieces that are also appropriate for the local culture. And because many pictures are taken on trips, I plan appropriately so that I am happy with the pictures that remain after we return home.

Travel alone and travel with family is very different, and I experienced that during my four months in France.  I made my own schedule, chose my own outings, and therefore dressed for the activities that I was interested in instead of what could accomodate a group of 12 people.  In turn, I dressed for me.  My time in France shaped my personal style more than any other life experience.

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Our family gatherings are usually casual, however I've always enjoyed picking out a more elevated outfit other than jeans and a t-shirt to see family.  From when I was little until now, I have worn nicer shirts and jeans, or casual dresses to celebrate holidays and birthdays with family.

I am lucky to be so close to my family, and see them often. My grandparents instilled in us a strong work ethic and value in a strong heart, and confident outward appearance. I think their values and guidance, which translated to my parents who passed it to me, guides many of my decisions, including dress. Part of why I dress in a more elevated casual way when I'm with my family is because it makes my grandmother happy. I grew up valuing making my family proud, and part of that has definitely been connected with how I publicly present myself and the decisions I make that are visible to others.

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For my graduation from high school, I was lucky to have both aunt's (my mother's sisters) with me, as well as my cousin Sam. Underneath my dress, I wore a silk sleeveless patterned dress from Anthropologie (that I just donated after keeping for almost 9 years!), however I have no pictures without the cap and gown. The traditional graduation garb was so exciting to wear, especially after so many years of hard work. The symbol of the cap and gown outweighed the dress that I picked specifically for the occasion.

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Where the picture to the left was taken in the first week of my study abroad experience, this was taken on our last night in France. The building behind my roommate and I was our home for four months, and was three blocks from the center of town.
By the end of the trip, I had made a few purchases, one being my brown leather jacket I picked up in Vienna.  Once the cold months came, my day to day outfit consisted of jeans, a sweater, my leather jacket, a scarf, and brown combat boots.  Here, I'm wearing Madden Girl boots with the fleece lining visible when I folded them over for a shorter look.  I wore them every day in France, and continued to for the rest of college once I returned.

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For our first New Years Eve after college graduation, one of my closest college friends traveled from her new work location in Los Angeles to visit me in New York to ring in 2014.
I wore a Bloomingdales label Aqua long sleeve sequin dress with black booties.  I had previously worn this for a winter formal the year before in college.  The sequins weren't as popular in fashion at this point, but I wanted to rewear a dress that had very limited appropriate occasions.  New Years Eve is a great excuse for sparkle!  I also loved the long sleeves on this dress.  When I first bought it in December 2012, I was drawn to the statement of a long sleeve.  Thankfully, this statement trend has stuck, and I still love finding a striking long sleeve piece.

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For senior prom, I opted for a light yellow, one shoulder trend BCBG Max Azria dress.  I was never one for form fitting clothing, so I was most comfortable in the empire waistline of this dress.
Pictured below is my best friend through grade school, Caroline.  We met in a ballet class when we were 4, and still keep in touch today.  I enjoy looking back on photographs of us.  We have certainly changed!

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In 2007, my family visited Italy for two weeks to celebrate my aunt's 50th Birthday.  We started the trip in Tuscany, and ended in Rome.  Pictured here are me and my parents in Vatican City. Because we were visiting many duomo's on this trip, we were conscious of respectful dress requirements, therefore always having a second layer option to cover our shoulders.
I'm wearing a skirt that used to belong to my mother when she was a teacher in the 80s.  Although 16 years old, I liked the idea that I was making the piece my own.

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Here, my cousin Sam and I are in the duomo in Pisa, Italy.  I prepared for our tour with a cardigan sweater.  My cousin did not, and was required to cover her own outfit out of respect for the culture.

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For my sophomore homecoming dance, I chose a strapless dress, a popular neckline at the time, and paired it with a strand of pearls and a low bun.  Two of my friends pictured below wore noticeable Jessica McClintock strapless dresses, with a shorter hemline than the option I chose by BCBG.

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A few years older, my cousin and I dressed in matching Limited Too outfits for our Easter Egg hunt.  I remember being so excited to wear my white bell bottom pants.  At an age where Limited Too was very popular with my friends at elementary school, this is one of the first outfits I can remember being excited to wear.

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My family returned to Bermuda in 2006.  In this picture, I am with my cousins Sam and Jenna.  We are all a similar age, between 14 and 15 in this photograph.
I wore an American Eagle madras bubble skirt in this photo, two trends that were in style during that time.  Early high school was when I started to be aware of fashion trends, but was young enough that pairing trends to create outfits was usually very basic.

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In the summer of 2009, my family visited Nemacolin, a resort outside of Pittsburgh, PA.  We all planned one dressy evening where all the women wore black.  Great opportunity for coordinating family photos!
I wore a black maxi dress by the Bloomingdales label Aqua.  The silhouette was in style then, with a strapless neckline and single ruffle detail.

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I learned from high school graduation, and took a few photos with my gown unzipped! Here I am with my incredibly supportive parents. I opted for a patterned silk shift dress, different than many other young women in my graduating class. Where most wore white, I chose a mint green, lavender, and navy geometric print dress. I wore tan Dolce Vita wedges, my go to shoes with any dress.

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For my French major thesis, I decided to incorporate my voice into my studies.  I have studied classical voice technique since 2006, with my final years in private lessons at F&M studying soprano opera arias.  My thesis discussed the role of music in the French political climate of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  While completing research on the topic, I also prepared a senior voice recital of 19 french art songs and opera arias, and completed original translations of the text for both the recital program and my thesis.
The project culminated in one of my most rewarding and humbling events to date, as family from both my mother and father's sides, many friends from college, professors, family friends from home, and instructors who had supported me in music since I was a child, were all able to attend.
I wore a full skirt, strapless black evening gown by Adrianna Papell.  The contrast of the ruched bodice with the floral applique skirt was elegant and classic, the reason why I chose the dress for this occasion.

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Most recently, my cousin Jenna (pictured in the Bermuda 2006 photo earlier in the story) was married on March 31, 2018 outside Phoenix, Arizona.
To this wedding, I wore a navy ASTR Label dress, with flat, studded sandals. The halter neckline, with the single ruffle detail at the neck and under the arms were great details paired with the popular skirt trend. The dress was maxi length, but gathered to a shorter length in the front. The long skirt was sheer with a slip underlay that came to just above the knee. The dress was comfortable and occasion appropriate, and I could dance all night wearing flats!

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One of my sorority sister's from college was married last Spring over Memorial Day weekend, 2017.
I used Rent-the-Runway for the first time, and wore a mauve Elizabeth and James dress.  The form fitting silhouette, neckline, and color were popular then, and I would rent this dress again if the occasion presented itself!

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My boyfriend, Sam, and I first bonded over our love for music, and attended the Coachella Music Festival last spring.  The festival has certainly become a spectacle for wild and extravagant fashion.  While I was not as trendy as most, I put comfort over style for a 12 hour day standing in the desert.
I wore a Free People tank top, Madewell patterned silk skirt, and Converse sneakers.  During the day, my outfit kept me as cool and comfortable as possible, and in the evenings, I was happy I had a jean jacket to keep me warm in the desert temperature swings.  I was pleased with my basic pieces that reflect who I am while being festival appropriate as well.

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While studying at Franklin & Marshall College, I joined a greek organization, Alpha Phi, to be more involved in campus activities.  The Alpha Phi foundation raises money and awareness for Women's Heart Health, therefore, we planned an annual Red Dress Gala to raise money for the foundation.  Family and friends were invited every year.
My parents never missed a year.  I wore the same red dress by Cynthia Steffe all three years, but styled the dress differently each year.  For my junior year event, I paired the dress with opaque black tights, a skinny J.Crew patent leather leopard print belt, and a statement silver bracelet.  All sisters were required to wear a red dress so that we could stand out at the event as part of the organization, but our families were encouraged to also wear red.  My mom looked great wearing all black with a pop of red in her lace camisole and wool scarf.

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Trip to London during study abroad (December 2011)

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Trip to London during study abroad (December 2011)

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While I was studying in France, I took many weekend trips to other countries.  During the beginning of December, I traveled with my roommate to London. Harrods (pictured here) was first on our touring list.
It was much colder in London than Aix, so I was happy I had bought my puffer coat in Vienna a few weeks earlier. Here, I am wearing short black lace up boots, black leggings, and exposed sweater socks. The boots and sweater socks combination was popular back at school the previous winter, so I continued the look for function and for fashion while abroad.

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Study Abroad experience in Aix-en-Provence, France (2011)

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Study Abroad experience in Aix-en-Provence, France (2011)

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My favorite memory of college was studying abroad in the south of France during my junior fall semester.  I lived in Aix-en-Provence, France with my host mother and her daughter, and another student from Franklin & Marshall College.
I was so excited to study in France, primarily to learn the language as a French major, but also for the fashion.  Because I was there for almost four months, I had to be smart about packing.  I had many basic colored shirts, a lot of black, and denim bottoms.  Because the south of France does not get truly cold until December, I could get away with many light layers.
This photograph was taken during my first week in France.  I wore scarves almost every day to elevate my otherwise basic wardrobe.  I also carried my Longchamp bag everywhere.  I was happy to see that the fold away tote was also a staple in French wardrobes as well, and ended up bringing a new color back home to the states with me.

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New York City (2015) and a trip to the MET Opera

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New York City (2015) and a trip to the MET Opera

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After moving to New York in 2013, I was lucky to engage in many cultural experiences that the city had to offer.  My parents made frequent visits from home.  One of my favorite outings with them was going to see "The Magic Flute" performed by the Metropolitan Opera at the Lincoln Center.  I had previously studied and performed one of the most famous arias of the opera, and therefore was thrilled to hear it performed live.
Growing up, my parents exposed me to many performances, most often the Pennsylvania Ballet every winter.  Even as a child, I loved dressing up for such an occasion.  This has been instilled in me, and I always wear a dress to any performance we attend.  To this particular show, I wore a black fitted dress (with a defined shoulder hidden here by the coat), with black opaque tights, Franco Sarto black booties, and a tweed coat.  My dress was on trend with the defined shoulder, one of the many 80's inspired trends that would resurface in the coming years.

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Sam's Graduation from Boston College (2014)

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Sam's Graduation from Boston College (2014)

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A year after my own graduation from college, my cousin Sam graduated from Boston College.  I wore a navy, long sleeve, faux wrap dress, and the same shoes that I wore to my own graduation.

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Franklin and Marshall College Graduation (2014)

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Franklin and Marshall College Graduation (2014)

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A year after my own college graduation, I returned to my alma mater and supported my friend, Juliet, at her graduation.  As a spectator, I dressed casually in wide let printed pants from Anthropologie, a white tank top, JCrew leather tote, and the same tan wedges from my own graduation (and cousin's graduation).

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Many years earlier, the same side of the family took a trip to Bermuda, which was the first of three trips to the island together.  Here, I am with my cousin, Sam, who is one year younger.  We are both only children, but dressed like sisters in matching outfits throughout our early years.

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My maternal side of the family gathered for Thanksgiving in Berwyn, PA.  I shared the holiday with my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins.  I have many memories growing up celebrating holidays and special occasions, and traveling with this group. These faces will appear in more of the photos I shared.
For Thanksgiving in 2014, I wore a black shift dress, burgundy tights, and knee high leather riding boots.  The color of my tights was popular at the time, and I had just invested in a classic pair of riding boots that I paired with most of my elevated casual looks.

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My name is Carolyn Menan, and I am from West Chester, Pennsylvania.  My immediate family has always lived in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia.  My parents’ siblings, as well as my grandparents, have all lived within a 45 minute radius of each other since I was young.  My father is 100% Greek.  My mother’s side of the family is also of European descent, with my maternal grandmother being predominantly Irish, and my grandfather a mix of Scottish, English, and German.

My parents have lived in the same home in West Chester since 1985.  I attended public school from elementary through senior high school in the same school district.  I completed my undergraduate education at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, not far from home.  During my time in college, I was fortunate for the opportunity to study abroad in the south of France, in the small town of Aix-en-Provence.  After graduating in 2013, I lived and worked in the Financial Services industry in New York for over 4 years before returning to the Philadelphia area and working from home for the same firm until starting the Retail and Merchandising Program.

My personal style has evolved through my changes in location.  My clothing as a young girl was classic and basic, jeans with t-shirts and sweaters, with the same aesthetic translating to more formal occasions with dresses, mary jane shoes, and cardigans.  I started experimenting with my personal style late in high school and into college, choosing pieces that were a little more focally interesting, but still with the same classic aesthetic.  My time in France inspired my casual clothing aesthetic to take shape.  I tend to prefer neutral colors, but enjoy playing with shapes.  My style took another turn after moving to New York, as I had two drastically different wardrobes. My professional clothing was fit for Financial Services.  My wardrobe consisted of suiting dresses, blazers, silk shirts, and pencil skirts.  I wore heels every day. My other casual weekend wear stayed consistent, but evolved to take further inspiration from bohemian styles while still preserving the classic aesthetic that I adopted at a young age.  I enjoy flowing silhouettes, and am not afraid of small patterns and color.

At this juncture in life, I can say that fashion has played a role in my personal journey.  I have always loved putting together unique outfits, and shopping for new pieces.  Only recently did my New York dual wardrobe serve as one of the many indictors to help me realize that my job was no longer serving my best interests. I could see the role that I was trying to fill in suits and heels wasn’t the role that I wanted to fill in my future.  I’m excited for this new journey where my personal interests can mesh with my future career.