Style Isn’t About What’s “In” It’s About What’s You

Two weeks ago marked something really special...the very first Trunk Sale planned entirely by me. Every little detail, every vendor, every moment of connection; it felt like everything Rags stands for came to life. I got to meet so many amazing people in our community!!! All with different backgrounds, stories, and of course, styles. That’s what made this event so powerful: the reminder that style is not about following trends. It’s about finding what makes you feel like you.

The photoshoot we hosted during the event wasn’t just for content or brand photos, it was to show just how beautiful individuality really is. No two looks were the same, and that was the point. Some came dressed in oversized denim and graphic tees, others in funky lace, layered neutrals, or sequins. It wasn’t about dressing “cool” it was about dressing in what made them feel confident. That’s what Rags is about. When I started this brand, I knew I wanted to give secondhand clothes a new life, but I also wanted to give people a starting point in their style journey. A place where they could explore what makes them feel seen, heard, and understood, all through clothes.

Yes, we all get inspired by trends. They give us new ideas, a spark, a starting point. But trends aren’t what style is about. At least not to me. Style is about waking up and putting something on that feels like you. It’s that moment when you catch yourself in the mirror and feel a quiet kind of confidence, like, “yeah, this is me!” Not because it’s popular, not because it’s what everyone else is wearing, but because it feels honest. It fits not just your body, but your soul. For me, it’s the simplest things: a boxy graphic baby tee that only I have or a pair of jeans that finally fit the way I want. That’s what makes me feel like myself. And that feeling, that moment when a piece just clicks with you, that’s everything. It’s what made me fall in love with thrifting. I remember early on, pulling on a random pair of thrifted jeans and just knowing they were mine. Not because of the size or brand, but because they felt like a second skin. Like me. That kind of confidence doesn’t come from following a trend. It comes from finding the pieces that speak to you. I didn’t always shop this way. In high school, I ordered off Shein like most broke teenagers. The variety was overwhelming and honestly, I didn’t have the courage to stand out yet. I wanted to fit in. I didn’t even know how to dig at the thrift store; not just through racks of clothes, but through layers of myself, if that makes sense. I was trying so hard to be liked that I forgot how to just be. But then I started thrifting. Slowly, awkwardly, learning how to search, and how to style. I had to ask myself “how can I wear this three ways?” and that changed everything. Once I started finding pieces I actually loved and styling them in ways that felt personal, I couldn’t go back. Because being different? Being me? That’s way better than blending in. WAY. F**KING. BETTER.

Rags was born from that experience. From the part of thrifting that felt hard and overwhelming at first. I wanted to create something that gave people a starting place, because I know how discouraging it is to walk into a thrift store and not know where to begin. That’s why we organize by style. So even if you still have to dig (because that’s part of the magic), at least you’re digging in the right place, a place that already feels like you.

And I’m not gonna lie “look good, feel good” is real. On my hardest days, when my anxiety is loud or my self-doubt overtakes my confidence, the simple act of getting dressed in something that makes me feel truly like me is enough to shift everything. It’s not materialistic. It’s self-love. It’s showing up for yourself. Even if that just means a hoodie and jorts. Or a full thrifted look that you curated and love. It’s all valid. It all counts. I remember in high school, I was absolutely struggling in stats class. So, every test day, I would get up and actually get ready; pick out an outfit I loved, do my makeup, feel good in my skin. And I swear it helped. Not just with the test confidence, but with the way I carried myself walking in. I actually felt so much better taking my test and would in turn get a better score! There’s something about feeling aligned in what you’re wearing like you’re not hiding or pretending. You’re just… showing up as you. That’s what style should feel like. Like you’re wearing you.

At the end of the day, style is meant to reflect your soul. It’s about waking up, putting on something that makes you feel like you, and stepping into your day with confidence. The feeling where your clothes feel like an extension of who you are, that’s what Rags is all about. Not what's trending. Not what everyone else is wearing. Just you, in your truest form.

This event reminded me why I do what I do. Thank you to everyone who showed up, whether in person or in spirit, and for being part of a space that celebrates self-expression. I truly believe this is just the beginning.

With so much love,
Maci
Founder of Rags