Is Your Fashion Style Authentic?

Is Your Fashion Style Authentic?

A few years ago, I stood in front of my closet surrounded by gorgeous designer ware, perfectly tailored suits, and sparkly accessories that looked fabulous on a hanger but felt… dishonest when I put them on. Have you ever had that moment? The nagging tug inside whispering, this isn’t me.

That was my wake-up call. I realized all those expensive pieces weren’t an expression of my soul—they were costumes I wore to please others, to match “fashion rules,” to project a polished version of me that wasn’t aligned with who I really was. Sound familiar?

Rethinking Fashion and Authenticity

How often do you buy what magazines, bloggers, or glossy-store mannequins tell you to love? What if you flipped the script and asked, how does this piece make me feel instead of how do I look in it?

Try this experiment:

• Slip into a dress, a pair of jeans, or even a simple T-shirt.

• Before you glance in the mirror, pause.

• Do you feel lighthearted, confident, maybe even a little giddy?

• Or does it feel heavy, awkward, unnatural?

That tiny shift in perspective—from appearance to energy—is a radical reframe. It’s where authentic fashion style is born.

Iris Apfels Lesson in Attitude

Iris Apfel, the forever-bold centenarian fashion icon, doesn’t follow “what’s in.” She follows who she is. She’s proven that style isn’t about trend-chasing; it’s about expressing your individuality with audacity and joy.

And here’s the truth: your fashion style is wrapped in your personality type. When you align what you wear with your natural traits—your soulful self—you stop doubting and start delighting. You don’t need Iris Apfel’s closet; you need her courage to be unapologetically you.

Learn more about Iris Apfel here.

The Mindset Shift: Internal Over External

Too often we look outward—scrolling influencers, envying celebrities, second-guessing ourselves. But when you doubt who you are, self-doubt seeps into everything. That’s why I teach personality typing with soul alignment. It guides you back home.

Your authentic style doesn’t come from Chanel or H&M—it comes from paying attention to how clothing makes you feel. Do you feel empowered in your favorite “supersuit”? Do your soft Hanes tees feel like a hug? Both are valid because both are yours.

Authenticity isn’t about price tags, trends, or fitting in. It’s about knowing yourself deeply enough to say, this is me, and wearing it like a badge of honor.

You must know who you are and stick to it—no flip-flopping and changing around every three seconds. You’ll find it’s hard work at the beginning, but it pays off. People should celebrate their originality and not want to be part of a herd. – Iris Apfel

Advice that Iris Apfel and I Agree On

So you’ve probably guessed this already, but I’m not a fashion icon like Apfel, but I know what I like and don’t like, so I guess I’m my own fashion icon. 👗 People often comment on my quirky fashion sense. I’m not sure if they like it or think I’m weird. 🤪

Anywho, a  Vogue article featured Apfel and her new Cafe kitchen design. Gorgeous, of course, but this question stopped my scrolling and got me reading.

Vogue: What would you say to somebody who wants to learn to express themselves authentically?

First, they have to find themselves. You have to know who you are and then work at it. Style is a matter of attitude, attitude, attitude, but you have to possess individuality to have an attitude. You can’t be like everybody else and copy what everybody else is doing.

Vogue: Describe your personal style and what makes it so distinct.

“It’s big, and it’s bold, and it’s a tangible expression about how I feel about things.” – Iris Apfel.

Well, that sums things up rather nicely, wouldn’t you agree?

Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Stylist

Here’s your invitation:

• Step beyond the mirror.

• Pause before you purchase.

• Ask yourself, Is this item aligned with my soul’s expression?

When fashion becomes a dialogue with your true self, your wardrobe turns into a daily ritual of self-celebration.

Gentle Next Steps

If this blog has you rethinking your closet—and your confidence—let’s take it deeper:

• Visit the learning library to read more about your vibrant authentic style, here.

• When you’re ready, schedule a 1:1 mentoring session where we’ll map your unique personality blueprint and its style expression.

• And for those craving full immersion, join me for my 1/2 day mini retreat Walking Into Wisdom onsite or video—where self-expression isn’t just discussed, it’s honored and embodied.

Because the greatest outfit you’ll ever wear isn’t on a hanger. It’s the unapologetic, radiant, soul-aligned you.

Please Share: Is Your Fashion Style Authentic?

It’s always my intention to encourage you and plant seeds to help you think differently. To tap into the unique aspects of your true self through Spiritual Personality Typing. By doing so, we can collectively raise the vibration of the planet. If you know someone—a friend, co-worker, or family member—who is struggling with self-understanding or seeking their true self, please share this post with them. You never know who might need this message today.

You can also find me on Pinterest, Instagram, and LinkedIn. for more inspiration and resources.

Travel A Tonic for Self-Discovery

In the midst of my tsunami, I birthed a new vision of travel: intentional journeys guided not by reviews or trends but by soul itself. My book, Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide, introduces an evolutionary way of traveling — experiential, meaningful, beyond bucketlists. You discover not just the destination, but the deeper destination within yourself. Travel is no longer an escape. It’s expansion.

My debut book is part memoir (my story of self-discovery through travel), an introduction to Spiritual Personality Typing℠—(an evolutionary personality paradigm a reimagining of Myers-Briggs) through the lens of spiritual alignment—and a personalized travel guidebook… all these roads lead to self-discovery.

If you’re interested in exploring your unique travel personality type, feel free to contact me me for a one-on-one travel session.

Dive Deeper? I Got You

If this speaks to you even a little bit, check out my podcast interview Reinvention Rebels with host Wendy Battles
🎧  Reinvention at 66: Nina Zapala’s Journey to Embrace Imperfection and Ignite Her Purpose
👉 Listen here.

Thank you, Wendy, for believing in my mission — even before I fully believed in it myself. 🩵

Additional Resources:

👀  Learn more on topic on my YouTube Channel. Click here.

🔖  Does Your Personality Type Embrace Trends or Set Them.

🔖 Be Grateful For Your Personality Type: read it here.

📚 Or grab a copy of my debut book: Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide

A Time For New Beginnings

Who Is Nina Zapala?

I published a book and founded Spiritual Personality Typing℠ during what I call my midlife tsunami — a season that shook every illusion and surfaced my deepest truths. Out of loss and upheaval, I awakened to what truly matters: the union of psychology and spirituality, the marriage between soul and self, the path to becoming characteristically authentic.

Old-school typology only tells half the story. Without soul, life becomes lifeless; we bow to ego, chasing material illusions. But with Spiritual Personality Typing, you remember who you truly are, why you came here, and how you are meant to serve. For women 60+, this is not about ‘anti-aging.’ It is about full-on authentic aging — walking courageously, unapologetically yourself, wildly free, while bringing forth your sacred legacy

Here’s what I now know: “Every wrinkle holds a story, every scar a sacred map. When we deny our authentic self, our soul withers; when we embrace her, we bloom into timelessness; unapologetic, authentic.

Join The Movement

The best way to feel part of this community is by subscribing to Nina’s Newsletter. I offer a weekly word of enlightenment to keep you inspired. Remember, words are the framework for your life, so why not build a vocabulary of inspiring ones? This content is exclusive to my newsletter, which only you, as a subscriber, can enjoy. The time is now for self-discovery. Spiritual Personality Typing ©️ helped me, and I know it can help you, too. And seriously, how would a weekly word of encouragement hurt? It won’t! Sign up to receive my e-newsletter.

Are you ready to rediscover yourself? Join me on YouTube and Twitter, plus I’m on Pinterest — let’s connect. Linkedin is another way to stay in touch, and you’ll find me on Instagram as well.

I want to start a revolution with like-minded women committed to a life defined by a DIVINELY fabulous personality with a healthy heaping of spiritual undertones. The world needs YOU!

Stay Tuned

I’m working on finishing up a book or two and will need to get a printer, develop a Podcast, and so much more. These are all new things for me, but I’m excited, exhausted, and a bit overwhelmed. 😇

Photo Credit: Iris Apfel