We live in a world where fashion trends are thrown in our faces constantly. Glossy magazines dictate what you should and shouldn’t wear with each coming season, and the ease of celebrities’ interaction with the public through social media sees followers attempting to imitate the look of their favorite models, musicians, actors, and socialites. It’s not all too surprising that sometimes we find it difficult to keep up. As soon as we purchase one fashion staple, the fad seems to have passed, and the item is cast aside as we chase the latest trend. But this doesn’t have to be the case. Why follow the crowd when you could have your own distinct, standout style? Perhaps Ralph Lauren put it best when he once said: “fashion is transient, trends come and go. I believe in style, not fashion”. Here’s everything you need to know about curating your own, individual style rather than relying on trends that come and go in what often feels like minutes.
Have a Clear Out
First things first, it’s time to clear out your closet. After all, when’s the last time you had a proper sift through all of your clothing? Chances are that there are items hiding away at the end of rails and in the back of drawers that you haven’t so much as touched in years, never mind worn. Think about it: how many times have you stood in front of an overflowing wardrobe space and despaired that you have nothing to wear? Every piece of clothing or accessory that you own should be something that you regularly wear, as this shows that you genuinely like it. Before starting, you need to have a method in place. The trick is to be ruthless without literally throwing everything in the trash. Take everything out, and when we say everything, we mean everything. Your empty closet, drawers and other clothing storage space are now spotless and pure. You can only allow yourself to put items you’re certain of back in there. As you pick each item you own up, ask yourself these key questions:
- Does it still fit me?
- Have I worn it in the last six months?
- Would I buy it if I saw it in a store today?
- Is it damaged in any irreparable way?
As you place your chosen belongings back in, take this opportunity to add a little organization to your life. Make sure that everything is washed, dried, ironed and ready to wear. Hang clothes in order, whether that’s by color or clothing type. This will make putting outfits together much more simple and less stressful. Once you have finished, you will be left with what is essentially a reject pile of clothing. Decide how to dispose of these responsibly. Clothes that are in good condition but just not your thing anymore can be donated to a charity store. This way they will go to someone who truly loves them and will get plenty of wear out of them. If items are torn, missing buttons or have other minor problems, you can often recycle them at clothing banks. The fabric can be used to make other items, such as cloths and cleaning rags.
Style Savvy Shopping
Now, you’ll probably have plenty of clothes left to get you by for a while, but when it does come to buying new clothing, you need to be style savvy with your choices. Here are a few methods you can use.
Scope out a Signature Style
There are so many different ways to dress that it may be difficult to choose a signature style, but it will also make your life much simpler and your look more consistent. After all, if all of your clothing is of a similar style, you can pair together items more naturally. Perhaps you want a relaxed, feminine look? Check out misses dresses at Anthony’s. Maybe you’d prefer a minimalist Parisian look? Keep a look out for little black dresses, capri pants, and loose, plain blouses. Whatever you choose, remember that consistency is key to a seamless look.
Invest
While bargain clothing can seem much kinder on your pocket, it usually proves more costly in the long run. Why? Well, the cheap cost of the initial item is most likely achievable due to low-quality materials and production. Though things may look fine and feel of a decent quality in-store, after a few wears or washes, you are likely to notice bobbling of the fabric, stitching coming loose, colors fading quickly and a whole manner of other problems. So invest in your clothing. It’s better to have something of a high-quality in the first place than to have to regularly replace cheaper items.
Curating the closet of your dreams is relatively simple to achieve. As you can see, you only have to follow these few steps and have an eye for pristine quality goods.
