Yes, we’ve all heard it a million times, “Be yourself, don’t worry about what other people think, etc. etc. etc.”, but seriously! As cliche it may sound, in a society consumed with celebrities, money, and social media, it’s easy to lose sight of your own sense of being.

I know from first-hand experience just how hard it can be to stay grounded and rooted within yourself. When I first moved to LA from Orange County about a year and a half ago, my life began rapidly changing as I was introduced to new friends, surroundings, school, and the pressures of becoming a real adult. You may laugh because Orange County to LA is about a 40-minute drive, but when it comes to fashion and culture they feel like two different worlds. Immediately, I was intrigued by the LA lifestyle and so badly wanted to be a part of it.

I began working almost immediately after the move and found myself spending nearly half of my paychecks on clothes and shoes alone. I can tell you right now spending a majority of your savings on expensive clothes isn’t worth it.

A part of me was so caught up in the lifestyle changes that followed moving to LA that I actually began convincing myself that I needed designer labels in order to fit in; yes, I now realize how terribly stupid this sounds now, but at the time it seemed so important to me.

Yes, it’s okay to buy nice things for yourself here and there, but buying designer clothes for the sake of trying to be like everyone else is pointless! It is far more important to buy things for yourself and that fit your own sense of style rather than to impress those around you, because at the end of the day no one is going to be thinking about how expensive your shirt was, I promise. To this day, I get the more compliments on a $20 turtleneck sweater I bought from Forever 21 than any other article of clothing in my closet. I’m not sure why, but it works for me! So wear what you like and what fits your personality and don’t focus on buying designer labels!

Instead of purchasing designer, use it as inspiration and be creative!

If you are anything like me, then you know that your wallet probably can’t bear the expense of purchasing an $800 sweater on an average college budget. While a lot of us love browsing through designer websites and collections, it doesn't necessarily mean we have to make outrageous purchases.

It is important to understand that these designer brands can be used as tools for inspiration; there are so many alternatives for getting the designer look you love, you just have to be creative in your shopping!

Remember that money doesn’t create style!

Anyone with enough money can purchase a designer jacket, it’s easy. The hard part is being creative and resourceful in putting together an outfit; that’s where the real style comes into play. So no matter what, don’t feel pressured to dress a certain way instead, remember that making something work out of less often shows a lot more about your style than expensive purchases.