Often times when I'm wearing something, someone will make a comment along the lines of, "I love that! But I could never pull that off." Or, I hear girls say, "I wish I could wear this, but people would make fun of me," and "That is so cute, but it wouldn't look good on my body." Those type of statements have always bothered me. They rub me the wrong way in the sense that I wish every woman was confident enough to wear anything and everything they liked the look of regardless of their own fears or self-doubts. It's not like every person comes out of the womb wearing leather pants and an extraordinarily fashionable blouse, so how does one get the confidence to step out of their fashion comfort zone? Here are five tips that'll help get you there.

1. Start out small.

No one said you have to immediately jump into wearing a crazy outfit you're totally unsure about (but you can). Start by wearing one thing that's a small step out of your normal wardrobe. Try that top or those bottoms you bought on a whim and never got around to wearing, and pair it with an item of clothing you're 100% confident in, like your favorite jeans or a comfortable top. That way you can try out something new while still maintaining some level of comfort.

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2. Draw inspiration from others.

Look up outfit inspirations online or on social media. There are tons of diverse people on Instagram who display all different types of styles. You can look to them for influence and advice on what to wear and how to wear it. Often times, seeing someone else wearing clothing items or a style you've admired from afar can give you the confidence boost you need to try it out for yourself. Research breeds knowledge and knowledge breeds confidence.

3. Be open-minded.

You should also keep an open mind. Something you think is totally not your style or you could never pull off probably looks amazing on you and could become your favorite wardrobe staple. Try everything and see what you like because discovering your own fashion style and stepping out of your fashion comfort zone can be fun and isn't as daunting as it may seem. You should also know that fashion is fluid. Anyone can wear anything regardless of body type, your age, your size, and your style. You don't have to always abide by what is "on-trend". If you like it, then it's on-trend. There are no rules to what you can and can't wear.

4. Ignore the critics.

A huge issue for many people that stops them from wearing something new or different is the fear of criticism from others. Even I or my friends often make comments like "If I wore this everyone would say, 'What in the heck are you wearing and WHY?'" I overcome this fear with two simple steps. First of all, I tell myself that seeking approval is not what I'm trying to attain by wearing a divine, new, different outfit. You are seeking to improve yourself and to get out of your comfort zone, you don't need approval from anyone else. Second, know that criticism often leads to admiration. No one ever gets anywhere by blending in with the background, and if what you're wearing attracts comments, it's often because those people wish they had the confidence to wear it themselves. They'll probably be wearing it next week. Take any comments about your fashion endeavors in stride.

5. DRESS FOR YOU!

Don't dress for men. Don't dress for women. You don't have to dress a certain style because of certain people or a certain place. You just have to dress for yourself and as long as you're comfortable you can wear whatever you want. Stepping out of your comfort zone in fashion or otherwise often leads to the greatest payoff.