Normcore, cottagecore, barbiecore, and more extreme styles like yami kawaii, angelcore, or visual kei have always existed. It was only a few years ago that we started giving them names. The personal style you choose can change over time—it can become a language of community and instant recognition. But have you ever thought about what stands out beyond what you wear?

Lately, social media has sparked a debate: can I truly be myself and still stand out without belonging to a specific core? My answer, after watching thousands of videos, photos, and runways inspired by these trends, is simple: the most important thing is to see yourself—to amplify your presence—and if a trend helps you do that, it becomes unstoppable.

How to do it? Choose a core as inspiration for your Pinterest or Instagram boards. The best advice I’ve ever received is this: if you want to dress grunge, don’t fill your feed with influencers who already embody it. Go to the archives, the books, the original photographs where it all began. Understand the movement, customize your clothes, and let your main references be the people who actually lived that aesthetic—not the ones reinterpreting it.

In a world where almost everyone chases what’s aesthetic or viral, what truly matters is finding yourself—so your style doesn’t feel like a costume. Recall the colors you loved as a child. Play your favorite playlist. Close your eyes and imagine: what outfit or interior setting would make you dance? If you could share a coffee or a slice of pizza with your favorite artist, what would your look say about you? What story would it tell if Dalí were the one shaking your hand?

Yes, we could use more authenticity and exploration, but it’s also worth appreciating how social media trends can help us discover our identity. Still, you don’t want to be a copy-paste of an inspiration board. You don’t have to define yourself too strictly—you can belong to a thousand cores, mix them, deconstruct them, or amplify them. It’s your choice. Rules exist to be broken.