In a world full of trends, it's important to find your own unique style. Here are some tips on how to make your wardrobe reflect your inner beauty.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate trends just as much as the average person! Growing up I would always try to transform my wardrobe into what my friends wore or what I saw on social media. Plus the fact that I was forced to wear uniforms five days a week, nine months out of the year for ten years of my life didn't really help with the whole "individual sense of style" thing that most public school kids got to experience. However, I'm so grateful that I discovered the world of Vogue and most importantly discovered my own individuality and was able to convey that through my personal style.
Once I took time out to learn about who I am as an individual on a deeper level, I realized that expressing myself through fashion was something that I truly valued. It's such an empowering feeling to present yourself in a way that reflects who you are internally and I encourage everyone to do so, therefore I'm sharing tips that I've used to identify my personal style and I hope this helps you as much as it's helped and transformed my life.
Tip #1 - Observe Your Current Wardrobe.
When you're beginning the process of finding your style, I'm sure it doesn't come as a surprise that you must start in your own closet. Your closet will teach you two things about your sense of fashion:
Your signature pieces. No matter how much you love or hate your clothing collection, everyone has their signature piece or pieces that we wear more often than our other items because they're comfortable to us. The easiest way to identify these pieces is to look around your your closet and see what pops up most and it may surprise you because we tend to buy different versions of the same item. Personally speaking, little black dresses have taken over my closet space. Once identified, it's important to not purchase any more of your signature piece (at least not for a while) and begin obtaining items that compliment the piece instead.
You'll realize everything you despise about your current clothing collection but I'm here to tell you that the call is coming from inside of the house (that's what the cool kids say instead of just flat out calling it self-sabotage)! If you feel like your current wardrobe just isn't doing it for you and you constantly feel lost when it comes to putting together outfits because you just don't feel comfortable with your wardrobe then I'm here to tell you that it's time for spring cleaning. Try on everything in the mirror and whatever makes you feel even slightly insecure, dump it like a summer fling! My mom and I prefer to donate all of the items that no longer serve us, but if you choose to sell it then that works too. I personally offer a service called "The Closet Detox" if you need a helping hand throughout this process.
Observing where you currently are in your personal journey with image discovery is the most vital part of the process and by identifying these two things that your closet teaches you, you are one step closer to a new and improved version of you!
Tip #2 - Who's Your Inspiration?
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but even with your fashion inspirations, you must have the ability to put your own own unique twist on the looks you recreate from those you adore most. Your inspirations don't only have to be A-list celebrities, Old Hollywood fashion icons or social media influencers; you can also find inspiration in your friends, family and others that are influential in your life. These people should be those whose fashion sense that you wish to emulate, they don't all have to have a similar fashion sense as long as their style share one thing in common: you.
My advice to you: Make a list of three of your style icons and write why you admire them.
Here's mine:
Audrey Hepburn because her little black dress single-handedly transformed how I view style. It wasn't what she was wearing, it was how she carried herself in her outfit. She could wear something so simple and every head would turn because she knew the value of the woman wearing it and that's why I will always appreciate a little black dress.
My grandmother. She wasn't afraid to be "overdressed" because she knew she owned every room she walked in, her flashy yet sophisticated style was so unique to her that you couldn't help but love it and there wasn't a color in the world that she couldn't rock.
Elle Woods (yes, the character from Legally Blonde). There was a point in time where all of my peers in elementary school made it seem like the only way to accepted and cool as a girl was to be a "tomboy", it's laughable to think back to myself cosplaying as tomboy when all I wanted was to wear dresses and skirts but I wanted to fit in! Then I went to Blockbuster and picked up this gem, Legally Blonde, and when I saw the girly outfits that Elle wore I swore we were soul sisters. That character taught me the importance of authenticity and I am forever grateful for that film.
Who's on your list?
Tip #3 - Forget the Rules!
The rules of fashion were made to keep your mind in a box. Honestly, look at how ridiculous these sound:
"Never combine more than three colors in an outfit." So you mean to tell me that a rainbow is allowed to have seven colors at once, but my outfit and I can't? You are a meteorological phenomenon! Wear all the of colors your heart desires, be a rainbow.
"You can't wear white after Labor Day." I personally dedicate the first Tuesday of September to solely wearing white because of that rule and the dark origin of it. Plus, who doesn't love wearing all white in the Winter? If Houston can't bring me the snow then I'll bring the snow to Houston!
"No short skirts after 40." Let's be honest, women are looking better and better as they age and it's time that the fashion world eliminates these ageist rules that are set to hold women back. You can wear whatever you want at any age and it's time to take our power back, ladies! Wear the skirt.
"Fashion rules are meant to be followed and taken seriously." The late great Yves Saint Laurent once said "fashions fade, style is eternal" and I'm going to leave it at that.
There are so many rules in everyday society that we must follow, but please don't let your appearance be confined by a set of rules written in a magazine. Do what the stars do... SHINE!
Be You & Look Great Doing It.
Thank you for taking the time out to read this article and I hope I've helped you get an inch closer to discovering your personal style. If you're someone that needs a bit more assistance with improving your image or if you just can't deal with the stressors of shopping, feel free to book my personal styling and image consulting services. But no matter what never forget that you're the author and illustrator of your story, make sure the main character looks fabulous!
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