Tired of opening your closet to see the same style, hanger after hanger? Then it’s high time to make some changes.
Now, you don’t have to completely overhaul your wardrobe to make it a reality, as that would take a small fortune done all at once. Besides, developing a new style isn’t something you want to take lightly — and it likely won’t and shouldn’t happen overnight. Otherwise, you might still end up unsatisfied after spending a lot of money.
Still, you can take small but important steps to discover and create a style that’s uniquely yours. Here are tips to get you started.
1. Find Your Inspiration or “Fashion Voice”
Taking steps toward creating your own unique style can be more contemplative and research-oriented compared to actively shopping for something. Indeed, most people don’t generally find their fashion sense while walking around department stores. Instead, it often occurs organically, influenced by factors like your environment, co-workers or classmates, friends or neighbors, musicians or actors, or influencers on social media.
You might even seek out a bona fide fashion icon from a list as diverse as Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn or Josephine Baker. Pay attention to any appealing themes associated with the styles and items from your muse or muses and try to slowly add pieces to your wardrobe to see if they’re a good fit — literally, financially and aesthetically.
2. Visit Local Thrift Stores and Consignment Shops
Many a fashion sense was born in the aisles of local thrift stores or consignment shops. As you journey onward to create a style unique to you, the great thing about visiting these types of shops is knowing you can take fashion risks without spending much at all.
While people often donate clothing once they find it no longer useful, these pieces are often in good enough condition for someone else to wear. But you’ll want to stay tenacious, determined and vigilant, as nearly 20 percent of Americans shop at a thrift shop each year. Fortunately, most thrift stores receive donations rather frequently, meaning there are always new duds to be found on the racks.
When visiting consignment shops, you might pay a little more than you would at a thrift store, but you’ll always pay less than the original retail price. Even better, if you visit these stores on a consistent basis, you can quickly gain a sense of when new inventory will arrive. Plus, if someone shares your fashion sense and regularly puts their items up for sale at your favorite shop, you can slowly build your own style from a steady and affordable source.
3. Add New, Unique Pieces to Create Strong Foundations and Accents
Sometimes your new personal style will start from your foundational garments up. It’s a great place to start, and these items are frequently versatile enough to become part of your outfit by design and intention. In particular, bodysuits are a prime example of intimate wear that perfectly suits outfits with your favorite legwear, like shorts, skirts, pants, jeans, overalls and capris. You can easily wear your favorite bodysuit with a sweater, shrug, blazer, jacket, or on its own when it’s warmer. Conversely, you can wear them casually for a barbecue with friends and family or something more formal like a romantic dinner with your partner.
Creating Your Own Style is Fun and Simple with the Right Approach
If you’re thinking about creating your own unique style, chances are you already have an idea or two in mind — and, hopefully, these ideas will help refine the process. So, start finding your inspiration, adding foundational garments with a special flair, and spending time at your local thrift stores and consignment shops and you’ll find you’re well on your way toward developing a style that you and everyone else will love.
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