My passionate affair with fashion didn’t truly begin until eighth grade. I had read through countless fashion magazines before, but I had never considered fashion as a career until an issue of Lucky somehow arrived at my parent’s house. I took it to my room and devoured it. When I flipped to the masthead I suddenly had a realization: People actually spent their careers writing, editing, and creating fashion magazines. Knowing there was a career that combined my two favorite things, fashion and writing, dumbfounded me. I felt like I had finally found what I wanted to do. I haven’t looked back since.
Now I’m in my freshman year of college at LSU, where I’m studying journalism and fashion. For my first post, I’d like to share a few of the best tips I’ve learned along the way.
-Trends don’t define you.
“Stylish” doesn’t necessarily mean “trendy.” If a trend works for your body, your budget, and your lifestyle, go for it! But if you don’t like the trend or if it doesn’t suit your figure, skip it. Don’t feel pressured to wear something just because it’s trendy. Personal style is just that, it’s personal. It isn’t about following the masses. It’s about finding what you love and wearing it in your own unique way. Creating your own look and watching it evolve over time to suit your needs is part of the fun.
-Find your signature.
Find a “signature” piece that you can incorporate into most of your outfits…a great leather jacket, red lipstick, or an antique locket from your grandmother. It makes every outfit feel more unique.
-Find inspiration wherever you can.
Pinterest and Lookbook are great sites for fashion inspiration, but why stick to what everyone else is doing? There are plenty of incredible clothes in old movies or thrift shops. Look for fashion books in your local library or bookstore. Take a walk
-Don’t think about cost. Think about cost per wear.
Following budgets can be tough when updating your wardrobe. To get the most out of your money, invest in pieces you’ll wear the most and look for trendy items at cheaper stores. It’s actually cheaper to buy a pair of well-made shoes for $100 and wear them 50 times than to buy a pair of shoes on sale at a trendy store for $20 and only wear them once. In order to find cost per wear, divide the cost of the piece you want to buy by the number of times you plan to wear it.
-Invest where it counts.
There are some purchases you just can’t skimp on. A great warm coat…the perfect shoes…that dress you thought only existed in your dreams…Those are the times you should splurge. If you aren’t sure if a trend suits you, try to find it at Forever 21 or a cheaper store before you invest.
-Use color strategically.
Investing in neutral pieces is probably the best idea, but pops of color are the best way to add life to your outfit. Put a bright color where you want the attention. If you like your legs, try colorful tights or a bright skirt.
-Have a tailor on speed dial.
A great fit can make a cheap dress seem expensive. A great fit can make a gorgeous expensive dress seem cheap. Acquaint yourself with a good tailor, especially if you’re petite or curvy. Alterations can make all the difference.
-Skirt the rules.
No white after Labor Day? No mixing prints?
No, no, no. These “rules” are archaic, and they don’t mean anything. I mix prints all the time.
-Dress for yourself.
Wear clothes that make you feel beautiful. If you dress to make yourself happy, the rest will fall into place.
If you need style advice or want to share tips of your own, feel free to drop me a line at [email protected].
