Lucy Hale on Finally Hitting Her Fashion Stride: 'It Feels Nice to Show Up as Myself' (Exclusive)

The actress opened up to PEOPLE at the Longchamp x Robert Indiana launch event in N.Y.C. about the ups and downs in her style evolution and feeling confident in her 30s

Lucy Hale is finally hitting her stride in the fashion department and she's not afraid to own it.

“It feels nice to show up as myself and have my clothes represent that as well," the Puppy Love star tells PEOPLE exclusively at a Longchamp event held at its New York City flagship store. “I'm 34 and I’m definitely in alignment with who I am as a woman. Something happens around this age where you just feel a little bit more confident."

It took almost a decade for the actress to get to this empowering stage of her life, though.

“In my early 20s people were starting to notice me and I tried to really glam it up more than I felt comfortable doing,” she says as she reflects on a time when her sartorial choices didn’t necessarily sync up with how she really felt inside.

But these days, she looks at her personal style with a refreshing perspective. "Now I think, 'How can I reflect what's going on in here," she says while pointing to herself, "in the way that I dress? Do we ever really figure it out? I don't know, but I feel like I'm close to it."

Related: Lucy Hale Looks Back on Her Most Memorable Hair Transformations

As of late, the actress has thrown herself into the "quiet luxury" trend, a minimalistic approach to dressing that went viral on TikTok this summer for its effortless sophistication.

She loves to shop for vintage finds and breathe new life into the pieces that are passed down to her, but she also gravitates towards classic, yet retro staples that never go out of style. And Longchamp fills that space in her wardrobe well.

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“This brand just encapsulates timelessness. I vividly remember having the Longchamp Le Pliage bag and feeling so elegant [carrying it]," she says.

Hale’s favorite accessory — which comes in a variety of silhouettes including a travel bag, cross-body, tote and pouch — received a colorful makeover for the Longchamp x Robert Indiana collection. The bags and accessories featured in the line are all centered on the late artist's work inspired by the word "love," which Hale admits is something we "all need a little bit more of."

Related: Lucy Hale Says She Spent Too Long 'Not Loving My Body': 'I'm Trying to Make Up for That'

Related: 'Pretty Little Liars' Reunion! Ashley Benson, Lucy Hale and Troian Bellisario Have 'A' Blast at Casino Night

When asked about the things in life that make her feel the most loved, Hale doesn't have to look far for the answer.

"I think everything starts with unconditional self-love. Then, you can truly give love to others. It's obviously easier said than done. It's a journey."

One way she's letting that shine through is by embracing her natural beauty, something she's come to feel good about, even in the public eye.

"Makeup is lovely, hair products are lovely, skin care is lovely, but that's not what makes a person beautiful. I don't think you fully realize that until you evolve as a person," she shares, adding, "You just own who you are. It's cool to be different."

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