I’ve never officially coined myself as such, but it was the two words that came to my mind when I thought about the history of my style.  I did an Urban Dictionary check just to be sure (total sarcasm people, but for kicks, see below): 

"Guy’s girl:  That girl who can just chill and be one of the guys.  She’s into sports, beer, action flicks, and doesn’t give a damn what others think.  However, unlike the tomboy, she has her gang of girl mates who she shops with and does girly stuff." (Source: Urbandictionary.com) 

So yeah, I guess you could say this describes me.  And anyone who’s known me throughout my life would probably agree:  A guy’s girl. 

The guys of my youth:

Maybe it’s cause I was the first-born and my dad and I were (still are) super close.  My dad helped me out with everything, from homework to coaching me in softball for years, to perfecting my volleyball serves, to somehow getting the message across when my skirts were too short. 

My cousin Brian lived next door to me on one side, and on the other side of my house were two boys also my age, Keith and Craig.  So we all grew up together, playing mostly non-girly games.  You could probably label me as a tomboy in my youth.  I definitely rocked the backwards hat for longer than I’d like to admit.  But that’s what my inner circle wore.  Don’t get me wrong though, I still had what seemed like the largest Barbie collection in the world.  And yes, I thought Ken was hot AF.  But sitting right next to the Barbie bin was a bin of Legos, and right next to the Legos, a bin of cars.  I really was into just about everything. 

Anyways I guess with all of that, I just took a liking to chillin’ with the boys.  I think cause it was just that, chill.  I showed up to hang out and play games as I felt best myself.  I never really worried about having to win guys over with my appearance because they all liked hanging out with me for my personality.  I think?  (c’mon, we were like 8 years old). 

High school:

Once I hit the teenage years, my parents might argue I was anything BUT chill, but whatever that’s called hormones.  And yes, I still crushed on the cute guys in school.  So at this point my parents (poor dad) had their hands full because I basically always had a boyfriend.  I couldn’t help it, I just liked hanging out with the guys!  I liked what they talked about.  They talked about ACTUAL STUFF, rather than gossiped about each other.  Actual stuff was way more interesting to me.  And I’m not stereotyping girls NOW, I’m merely telling you what I actually experienced BACK THEN.  20+ years ago.

College:

I joined a sorority in college.  Three months of that was all I could take.  I made some amazing friends through it, who were very much guy’s girls like myself.  And basically, we just enjoyed hanging out at the frat houses drinking beer and playing games with the guys.  That didn’t sit well with the more senior sorority girls as you could imagine.  Things started to suck, people were mean, and I asked myself, why would I want to spend my free time in such mental state?  So I quit, and then I could hang out with my frat guy friends as much as I wanted.  Bye Felicia. 

The last two years in college I lived with my two best girl friends, on a floor of otherwise guys.  The guys were our “bros”, and we, although girls, were their “bros”.  Again, one giant group of friends that just enjoyed watching football and drinking beer together.  We wore some makeup.  I’d say we were attractive.  But we just enjoyed hanging with the guys.  Nothing more.  We still call each other “Bro” to this day by the way.

Me, today:

So my style today has been what it always has been, 100% me and however I’m feeling at the time.  I’ve never condoned wearing something outside of my comfort zone solely to solicit a response from someone else.  Though sometimes you just have to do it in the working world (i.e. wear a suit to an interview, please).  But such is the premise of Suits & Sneaks.  I prefer to feel myself and wear what I’ve got.  I can polish things off where needed, but otherwise I’m using my confidence in dressing as the real me, to make wearing jeans, sneaks, and a hat look cute. 

If the whole “polish off your look” part leaves you feeling a little clueless, well that’s what I’m here for, so holler at me anytime.  And definitely subscribe and follow me on Instagram.  I give lots of examples on how to effortlessly spruce up your sweats, ripped jeans and then some.  But more than anything, let your confidence come from within.  Be proud of who you are now, where you came from, and the direction you want to take.  A light on the inside can almost always be seen on the outside.

Chat soon!

Kristin