Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Photos Courtesy of Ciara Strickland
Ciara Strickland knows a thing or two about style. You can catch her on Instagram, @thenewmixx, serving several dressed-to-the-nines looks. Her page showcases her versatility, as she effortlessly switches between fitted suits and casual ensembles.
In a few words, she sums up her personal style as “femininity with a taste of masculinity.” However, Strickland doesn’t want to put herself in a box, as she says her aesthetic continues to change over time. It's about having a clean, polished look while also keeping comfort a top priority for her. With summer quickly approaching, her go-to trends for the season are loafers and linen and seersucker fabrics.
These trends may seem gendered to most people, but it doesn't matter to Strickland. She says wearing androgynous clothing is freeing. Comfortable in either masculine or feminine looks, she’s confident in whatever she wears. Although, she says she didn't understand what her gender expression was when she was younger.
"Growing up, I didn’t really know what [androgyny] meant but now that I do, I want others to know it’s okay to be yourself."
In 2018, Strickland set out to create The New Mix, an androgynous fashion blog, with the assistance of her wife and friends. The native Tennessean had relocated earlier to Virginia as an active duty service member for the US Navy. After her contract was up, she began working there as a civil servant and started her blog. She attributes her inspiration for the project to her parents.
Since they had government jobs, they often had to dress professionally. Suits were a common staple in their wardrobe and heavily influenced Strickland's taste. Watching them get dressed, she picked up on pattern and color coordination. To her parents, style was a way of life.
“My step-dad always said, ‘Dress like you’re going to meet the most inspirational person to you, so be camera-ready,’” she says.
Looking at her blog and Instagram page, it's evident that Strickland stuck to her step-dad's words. Her work regularly features her wearing GQ-esque outfits. When asked what her blog means to her, she says, "I wanted The New Mix to not only be an outlet for myself, but to bring any form of inspiration for anyone looking to transform or empower themselves."