1. GirlTalk with Amanda Markley

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    The stage can be a place of opportunity for musicians, or any performers, to put on a sort of mask and act somewhat different than they would on social media or in their day-to-day lives. Seattle based singer/songwriter Amanda Markley shares with us how that is exactly what she wants to stay away from. She tells us, “I want my fans and followers to see the real me, and I try to stay authentic to myself when I am choosing what to wear or what to post.” Staying true to who she is, Markley has taken over this edition of GirlTalk as a guest blogger, sharing her taste in fashion both on and off the stage. Check out her post below and let us know what YOU feel most comfortable in by tweeting us at @_lucyoutloud!

    What you wear is one of the first things people notice about you and it should be a reflection of who you are, but should also be something that makes you feel comfortable and empowered.

    When I’m not performing, my style could be described as very casual. This winter I spent most of my days in black leggings, a comfy sweater, and nikes.  I’m more of a jeans and a t-shirt girl than a dress and heals girl for sure, but I do like to dress up every once in a while and get extra girly. I will also be the first to admit that I wear more black and grey than any other colors. You don’t have to worry about always wearing brand names either if you’re trying to dress like a rockstar. The best fashion advice I’ve ever received is to take one nice piece of clothing and create an outfit around it using pieces that you found on a budget. It can be so hard to keep up with whatever the current trend is of the day, but I believe that the most important thing is to find a style that suits your personality, and that you love, no matter what other people think about it. When you feel good about your style, and are comfortable in your own skin, you feel stronger and more confident all around.

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    Photoshoots are where I get to really go all out and where things that I would never think about wearing in my everyday lifestyle. I am very lucky because my sister, Michelle Moore, is an extremely talented photographer, and I love shooting with her. When we get together for a photoshoot, we can let our imaginations go wild and dream up amazing themes, like our last set which was inspired by the show Vikings. Living in the Pacific Northwest helps a ton as well because there are so many beautiful places to explore and take pictures. My favorite brand to wear is Free People because their clothes are so dreamy and always seem to fit my style.

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    Being onstage is where I feel the most empowered and I feel like it’s where I truly belong. I wouldn’t want to hide who I am when I am up there performing. Some days I feel like being more casual, while others I’ll feel like dressing it up with nice boots or an edgy leather jacket. When I was on tour I kept it more casual, wearing my converse or vans everyday, even wearing a hat onstage at times. To me, it is more important to show the world who I really am rather than trying to make myself look like the other singers I see out there. When it comes to me and what I’m wearing, it’s 100% me, never a mask of what the world wants to see.