Fashion “a popular or the latest style of clothing, hair, decoration, or behaviour.”
Style “a distinctive appearance, typically determined by the principles according to which something is designed”
If you’ve followed me on TCHG or over on Instagram for a while you will know that I live for fashion and style. I graduated with a Ba(Hons) last wear in fashion, fashion is my job.
What I’ve learnt from my studies and working in fashion is that chasing that fashion bubble will always leave you unsatisfied and wanting more. Fashion over the last 10 years has developed at such a rapid rate that it’s build a foundation of dissatisfied consumers and customers. You want the latest thing but as soon as you have it there is another new latest thing.
Following fashion trends will leave you wasting money, shop within your style and get a reasonable cost per wear.
What you need to understand is your style. What do you actually like, what works for you?
When you discover this you develop you style and stop chasing the latest thing and curate what is best for you.
Yes the new heels that everyone on Instagram has do look lovely and will look nice on everyone. But answer these questions
Will you wear them more then once a month?
Are the something you usually wear?
Do you have something similar in your wardrobe?
If you answered ‘NO’ to any of these questions, don’t get them. They are a total waste of money. Your are buying a very expensive pair of dust collectors. Believe me I’ve had my fair share of dust collectors too. But I’ve built a wardrobe of things that I can pull at a moments notice that I love wearing, suit me and fit my style.
If you love shopping the trends show your style in the tends. If one season ankle length shirts are in, but you know they don’t suit you, don’t buy them. Wear the length of skirt you like and pick another trend. Don’t slave away trying to fit fashion tends that aren’t you. I see endless posts on Instagram of the same item of clothing. Yes that is a trend but does it suit everyone. Could other colour or cut have been picked to better suit the individual. 100%
You wear your clothes, clothes shouldn’t wear you.
How to start knowing what your style is:
Lay everything out on your bed.
Put a pile of what fits you and what doesn’t. Not “I’ll grow into them” or “slim into them”. What fits you NOW.
In that pile create two new piles.
What I Wear Regularly and What I Don’t Wear Often.
In your What I Wear Regularly pile. Do you notice any patterns?
Are there a lot of dresses the same cut and shape?
Do you favour a style of jeans over another?
Is there a colour that you are drawn to over others?
These items are your style.
Shopping within these categories will help you develop your style. If you are tall wear jeans from the tall section. If you need a shorter length get a shorter pair.
Send all your other clothes to charity, sell them give them to friends.
Of course you can shop with in fashion all you like, but know that you will be clearing them out again in 6months because you have a wardrobe of clothes and nothing to wear.
