When I started my front-end journey 10 years ago, Bootstrap was my go-to. Its grid system and ready-made components helped me build UIs quickly and get comfortable with responsive design.

Later on, I levelled up—using SCSS and Gulp to customise Bootstrap themes. This gave me control over styling and automation, and I started crafting more elegant, personalised websites.

Then came a turning point: one of my mentors introduced me to BEM (Block Element Modifier) standards. At first, the naming conventions with __ and -- twisted my head a bit. But once I got the hang of it, BEM helped me think in components—even outside the Bootstrap context. It encouraged modular, scalable CSS and made my codebase more maintainable.

Next, I stepped into the world of MUI (Material UI) and React. CSS-in-JS was a shift from everything I knew. Styling in JavaScript felt odd at first, but the power of component-based design and theme control quickly won me over.

Most recently, I’ve been exploring Tailwind CSS. At first glance, the utility classes looked messy. But with time, I started loving the speed and consistency it offers. It removes the need for custom class names (sorry BEM) and gives you near pixel-perfect control right in your markup. Honestly, Tailwind feels like a few steps ahead in the modern CSS game.

Each phase taught me something:

• Bootstrap + SCSS/Gulp – fast prototyping and theme control

• BEM – component thinking and scalable structure

• MUI – design systems and CSS-in-JS

• Tailwind – rapid development and utility-first freedom

To all the junior devs out there: Don’t rush to “pick the right one.” Try them all. Learn the why behind each. That’s where the growth is.

While I’ve worked with Bootstrap, SCSS, BEM, MUI, and Tailwind, I’ll admit—CSS variables, advanced theming systems, and token-based design systems are areas I’m still catching up on. The landscape has shifted fast, and I’m slowly diving into things. It’s humbling, but also exciting to keep learning even after a decade in the field.

What CSS framework or approach shaped your journey the most? I'd love to hear your story!