My Top 5 Fashion Tips

Hey y'all - here is my weekly blog post that will (hopefully) be posted every Friday before midnight. About a week ago I ran an Instagram poll and my followers voted that I create a post where I discuss my top 5 fashion tips.

So here goes nothing:

1. Being Comfy is Key

So, before I go into any specifications on my fashion tips/tricks, the first thing I want to highlight is you can't strut your stuff if you don't like the stuff. No matter what you are wearing, it will not feel right if you are not comfortable in the clothing. This could allude to the sizing, fit, look, revealingness, or color - if you're not comfortable, do not even bother trying to walk out of your house in it.

But there is a difference between being uncomfortable and pushing your comfort zone. For example, if you normaly like to wear jean jackets and are curious to try a red leather jacket, it may feel weird at first and that's a good thing - you are pushing yourself a little bit out of your bubble. If that leather jacket makes you feel constricted or confined, that is a different type of being uncomfortable. Do you get the difference? Good.

2. Find Your Basics

Before you can start experimenting with crazy patterns and outfit ideas, you need your basic clothing and shoe items.

For me, this consists of: black turtleneck, honey brown sweater, plain blue jeans, black jeans, and three different colored Chelsea boots (brown, cream, and black). These items may be different for you, but whatever you choose, make sure they are simple as can be. The goal of having basics is to be able to build an outfit around them and to be able to use them as you experiment with different outfit ideas.

Therefore, having a plain black turtleneck will allow me to pair this with any layers, pants, dreses, hats, or accessories I wish. Choosing basics that are black or white will never fail you in looking classy! You also have to love the fit and feel of your basics or you'll never use them to build outfits, which defeats the whole purpose.

3. Layer w/ Jackets (Fall/Winter)

If you see my Instagram posts a lot, you can typically spot me wearing one of these five things: a jean jacket, cardigan, corduroy jacket, sherpa jacket, or my big winter camo jacket. These five jackets allow me to change up my style drastically (Yes, I bought 4 of the 5 items from clearance = each one was less than $20!)

Going back to tip #2, you can pretty much add a layer to any basic shirt, paints or shoe, as long as the colors do not clash. Layering in the fall and winter is almost necessary, so make it fashionable by grabbing a few items you can rotate like I do, instead of wearing the same jacket everyday to school or work! Having various jackets to pair outfits with is a game changer.

4. Accessories Add Flare

Necklaces, hats, rings, scrunchies, purses, ANYTHING can add flare to an outfit. The less, the better. Overboarding an outfit with accessories can make the look messy. Typically I love to add my sun hat into an outfit that feels boho, while I bring out my "train-conductor" hat for more 21-century outfits. Here are a few pictures that show me using these:

Scrunchies, rings, and earrings are more subtle than a hat or big neckalce. If you aren't comfortable throwing on a hat (that isn't a baseball cap!) then start small. Necklaces are great statement pieces for plain oversized sweaters or your basics. Again, fashion is all about experimenting and seeing what looks good together.

5. Be Confident in your Experimentation

In no means am I a "fashion expert". I'm quite far from it to be honest. I still make weird fashion combinations and just go for it. I still ask my roommates if "this outfit looks ok?" There is no shame in trying different things as long as you have fun with it and are confident in your choices.

Fashion is not a fine line, so don't feel like you have to do what everyone else is doing - Just have fun experimenting and strut your stuff!

Until next time,

Abigail