The internet is the best and worst thing that’s happened to me in terms of my style. It’s opened so many avenues and made shopping, perusing style choices and having those options turn up at my door as easy as a few clicks. However, there’s an overwhelming amount of choice. With different styles and trends being shoved in our inboxes and on our feeds with every passing week. It can be pretty bloody daunting.
So when ‘on trend style’ seems to have the life expectancy of a gnat, how in God’s name are you meant to carve out your own style?
So for those that are suffering from whiplash over what they want their personal style to be in an ever changing market, I have 2 questions to ask yourself and 1 piece of advise to get your started:
I never thought of my style as an extension of my personality, I just thought of it as trying to give my body some shape and not be arrested for indecent exposure. However, if you think of the clothes you wear as an extension of yourself it makes it easier to carve out what you want to show the world.
How do you want to be perceived? What message are you telling about yourself? Are you cute and comfortable? Are you wild and adventurous? There choices are limitless.
It could even be a case you want to show the world how you’re feeling on that particular day. You’re feeling bright and bubbly? Wear some bright colours. You’re on day 2 of your period and the thought of putting on jeans makes your insides shrivel? Stretchy trousers and a sweatshirt.
This is a question I ask myself whenever I’m buying anything – does it make me feel confident? If the answer is no, but it’s in the ‘new in’ section. Put it the hell down. Style should never be a chore, you should never think to yourself ‘I should wear it because it’s on trend’. No.
For me, I feel the most confident in jumpsuits or some form of high waisted trousers and a crop top. I hate pulling dresses and skirts down, and know there will never be a point in the day where I’m worrying how I look. It’s my confident outfit. I’m not the type of gal to wear mini dresses and skin tight everything. It’s just not who I am and doesn’t bring out my confidence.
So the next time you try something on, if it’s not an instant yes where you want to sashay around the changing room. It’s a firm no.
And never let someone else’s style impact how you feel about yours. You have complete freedom to wear whatever you want, and so does everyone else. Just because they’re wearing something you wouldn’t feel confident in, doesn’t mean they’re better. Fashion comparison is spoon fed to us over every channel in the media, let’s not tear ourselves down off our own backs as well.
If you’re lost in the wilderness that is ASOS, fear not. The best possible advise I can give is to start simple and work up to the daring. Start off with staple pieces, a good pair of black and blue jeans. A decent pair of heeled chelsea boots. A good quality knit jumper. The list goes on. And once you’re set up with your staples, bring in touches of trends.
E.g. A pair of black jeans, your chelsea boots and a non expensive leopard print shirt. Whilst you’re testing the waters for your on trend pieces, I would suggest not spending too much as it could be a solid no thank you. And that’s how you learn what you like and what you don’t. Don’t be afraid to try things out and see how they fit. You’ll never know unless you try.