I don't exactly know if it's a good idea for me to write an article about fashion. Don't get me wrong, I love fashion and style and everything, but one moment I'll be dressed all nice and stylish then you'll blink and suddenly I'm in my Chewbacca onesie because let's face it, pants are generally uncomfortable to wear for more than 6 hours straight.
I have this motto when it comes to fashion. I like to think that I thought of it by myself, but who can actually say if something is 100 percent original? So, if I stole this motto from someone famous and just don't know it, I apologize. Anyways, my motto is: "The only rules in fashion are the ones you choose to follow." Makes you think, right?
I take this phrase to heart because individual style is so important to me. Why would you want to dress like everyone else? Going off trend is an opportunity to be unique and courageous, especially if something you're choosing to wear is a little bold. However, I think trends are a great tool for guidance. See something you like, and then incorporate it into your own wardrobe.
What's so cool about individual style is the way that it morphs over time. Ask anyone who's known me since middle school, and they will no doubt tell you about the time I wore corduroy-striped pants to school.
For the 100th time, let me defend myself: THEY WERE COOL. *Ahem* Anyways, my "strange" 13-year old style doesn't get much better from there. I wore t-shirts with belts across the middle, patterned "grandma" skirts and hippie shirts. I hated wearing clothes from stores like Aeropostale and Hollister because of the branding. My thought process was (and still is) if I was going to wear a shirt where the only decoration was a large bird supporting THEIR clothing line, they should pay me instead of me shoveling out $40 for a shirt.
Of course, I didn't wear plain t-shirts, but I carefully chose what I would advertise. Usually, I wear a t-shirt about a superhero. I had/have a lot of those...
Looking back, middle school was definitely my time to find myself when it came to fashion. I still love to experiment with fashion and figure out what does and doesn't work. I can spend hours trying on clothes that I've had for a while and trying to figure out new ways to wear them.
However, I realize that not everyone is in the same place with their fashion choices. But don't worry because I have some suggestions on how to up your individual style.
1. Browse the fashion pages of Pinterest
Yes, it's that easy. Pinterest is a treasure trove of fashion goals. A couple of things to keep in mind, however, not all of the clothing items shown will be affordable or wearable. Like at any store, you have to look for what you want. I use Pinterest when I have an item of clothing that I have no idea how to style.
For example, I recently bought a striped shirt like the one in the picture. I searched Pinterest and found this outfit. Looking at all of the materials, I have black pants, I can substitute the brown shoes for black and I don't have a neutral scarf, but I can either borrow one or maybe try a large floral print for something different.
2. Learn how to thrift shop
Thrift shops are my all time favorite places to shop. It's an entire store of possibilities. Yes, you do have shift through a lot of clothes that you wouldn't be caught dead in, but there are some fantastic pieces to be found at thrift stores. If you would rather not have to shift through ratty shirts and stained pants, try searching for a consignment shop near you like Plato's Closet. The clothes are still cheaper than retail and will be more usable. Take a gal pal...or two and go discover something great.
3. Take note from the world around you
See someone wearing something you really like? Find it online or the next time you go shopping. Look at what your favorite TV characters are wearing, and if you want to, adapt it into your own style. Follow fashion blogs or even share clothes with your roommate to try out new styles (Yes, Laura, you can borrow my shirt...yes, you can borrow that sweater, too). Write down key pieces that you want to look for next time you go shopping. Keeping a list will also keep you from just surfing through the clearance rack "just because".
However, you develop your personal style has to suit you and you alone. No one should tell you what to wear. YOU have to make sure YOU are comfortable in what you're wearing. Hate something that's on trend? Ditch it! Fads die quickly, but individual style lasts forever...at least the pictures seem to.
What you wear should make you happy. It should be a reflection of who you are as a person. Fashion is powerful; you just have to figure out how to wield its power in a way that is beneficial to you.
To sum up: wear what you want, and rock it.
