Sarala Life — Life in Chapters: Careers, Canines, Cabernet & Courage

Style has always been personal to me. Not just in the way of “what’s trending” or what fits into a certain aesthetic — but in the way something makes me feel. Clothes, for me, have never been just fabric. They’ve been armor. Celebration. Softness. Reclamation. And for me, throughout phases in life I’ve never not had more than at least three varying sizes of outfits in my closet to fit my mood, my weight, my confidence, my bloat… and the list goes on.

Clothes and jewelry have always been more than fabric and metal to me — they are my armor. Whether I’m walking into a boardroom, stepping out at sunset on vacation, or curling up alone with coffee in my living room, what I wear helps me carry myself. A well-cut dress or a bold pair of earrings isn’t just aesthetic; it’s intention. It’s how I say, ‘I know who I am today.’ Fashion, at its core, is not about impressing—it’s about expressing. Powerfully, softly, or joyfully. As women, we show up in many roles, but how we choose to show up starts with how we feel. And that begins the moment we get dressed.

One of my favorite things to wear is a statement dress. Always has been. It could be a vibrant local design piece that swishes as I walk, or something sleek and minimal that quietly owns the room- off rack – no problem, Amazon- even better. I remember wearing a deep red pleated dress to a bubbles brunch — the sun was out, the vibes were light, and I felt… seen. Not because of the dress itself, but because it felt like me. Free, confident, joyful. That dress didn’t just fit — it understood the assignment.

The second thing? Earrings. Sounds simple, but I grew up around women who understood the power of detail. My grandmother wouldn’t leave the house without a proper pair. My mother always said, “Put on a little something by your ears — it wakes the whole face up.” And it’s true. I can be in a plain tee and jeans, but throw on the right pair of earrings and suddenly I’m put together. Elevated.

There’s a kind of quiet boldness in picking pieces that reflect your mood and spirit. For me, clothes have become bookmarks for memories. I remember what I wore when I felt my most heartbroken. And I remember what I wore when I felt like a phoenix rising. Fashion doesn’t just reflect your style — it reflects your story.

At the end of the day, what I really love to wear is confidence and comfort. Confidence that took years to build. Comfort that doesn’t mean lazy — it means aligned. And if that looks like a loud dress and bold earrings, so be it. I dress to reflect the woman I’ve become — layered, evolving, imperfect and proud.

And that, to me, is style.