Ditch Trends, Build Style.

Internet trends go from being huge and everywhere, to forgotten so quickly, and the same thing is happening with clothes. It is impossible to stay up to trend with brands that are releasing 52 micro-collections each year instead of the traditional two.

Fast fashion is pressuring us to consume more and to look a certain way. A few years ago, I could barely find anything on the high street that flattered me. The trend of the time glorified being tall and androgynous, but I was 5’3” with an hourglass figure, so long flowing dresses made me look like I was a Glastonbury tent, and everything hung down off my chest, making me look shapeless. It made me feel bad about how I looked as I didn’t fit the mould. In response to this, I decided to quite the trends and set out to find a style that I loved and that loved me back.

So, let’s help our planet, our purses, and ourselves by ditching trends and finding the style perfect for you!

How to Find Your Style!

It can feel very daunting trying to find ‘your’ style, as this isn’t a process that happens overnight. It comes about as you acquire more treasured pieces over time, and from that your style will begin to emerge. Furthermore, charity shopping will develop your own personal sense of style as you won’t be exposed to just what’s in ‘trend’ this season. Instead you’ll have decades of different fashions and brands, from where you can begin to sample and expand your own style based on what it is that excites or interests you!

Number One Rule to Remember is - Trust yourself!

If you like it, then wear it. If you wear it with confidence you will feel good and that will radiate outwards. I personally have worn an array of weird and wonderful things that my friends would never wear, but they still say I look lovely and cool in them. Don’t worry about being judged, people like and appreciate seeing something different. Never use ‘I could never pull that off’ as an excuse. In the end the only one stopping you is you. You have to be brave to be bold.

Look INWARDS at your existing Wardrobe.

Pull out the pieces you adore that suit your figure and personality perfectly. That stuff that makes you happy when you wear it. If you pull them out and see them altogether, you’ll begin to get an idea of what it is you like. You can see the patterns and trends that make up your favourite pieces and that can inform your own style. When you do, think about the following:

MY FAVOURITE WINTER PIECES

• Colour – What colours look best on you? Do you opt for an autumnal look dominated by maroons, burnt oranges, and mustard yellows? Or do you find yourself liking monochromatic schemes more, with a preference for whites, black, greys, with pops of navy and red thrown in? Or are you like my sister who just likes an outfit made up from bold, clashing colours. If you’re still stuck or not sure what colours may suit you here is a little test you can do to find out: https://www.colormepretty.co/categories-2/4-season-color-analysis/

• Silhouette – What shapes do you like on your body? Look at the clothes you like and see where they’re fitted to, how the hang etc. Personally, I have to have everything come to the waist, waist-high jeans, crop-tops etc. in order to make me feel comfortable. Also look at the necklines, do you opt for a V-neck or a plunging neckline? Or do you find yourself opting for a straighter, higher cut? Do you like clothes that are tight or loose to the skin? When reviewing my own wardrobe, I find I have loads of skirts and dresses, but you may live in jeans and cargo pants. There are no right or wrong answers, it’s all about looking at what shapes you feel best in.

• Style – What else do you notice about your pile of favourite clothes? Look at the texture and patterns that crop up. I love adding textures to my clothes: leathers, velvets, corduroys, fluffy wools, stuff like that. It’s something else to think about, a feature that makes your wardrobe unique to you. I would say that personally, my style boils down to that of ‘Vintage Glamour with a Retro/Edgy twist’. You may have lots of floral and flowy skirts and blouses that you could pair with demin jeans and jackets for a ‘Californian Bohemian’ vibe. Or you may have lots of monochromatic leathers and animals prints that you could accessorize with heavy jewellery for a more ‘Urban London’ look. The possibilities are endless.

TIP - (Look at the labels of your favourite clothes. You might find certain High-Street brands and styles that you feel reflect you well. Then you can look for these brands when you’re out charity shopping. Recently I have found that I’m always picking up second-hand Topshop and Zara garments, as I love their edgy, statement-y yet glamourous pieces. So, I make sure I now look out for those labels).

Next look OUTWARDS at the World.

Get Pinterest! – I love Pinterest as I just use it to find and develop inspiration. You don’t need to worry about followers or friends like other social medias. I just like building private collages of my tastes. Create an account and make yourself a ‘Style’ board, pin and save images of outfits and garments you like. Pinterest is perfect to build up your sense of style as when you find something you like, underneath it will suggest pinned images of the same or similar styles which makes it super easy to find new and interesting things meaning you can quickly build yourself a whole online wardrobe.

PINTEREST-BOARDS SCREENSHOT

This may lead you to re-Pin the same style of garment, (e.g. some velvet-flares that you can then go on the hunt for). Or it can just expose you to lots of decades and genres of clothes you didn’t know about but would love to now try.

Look to Others – Who do you think always look awesome? What celebrity styles do you like? Maybe looking at people like Zendaya, Kendall Jenner, or Rihanna might spark something in you! Start searching for their styles. But make sure to look for shoots of them out-and-about too, not just on the red carpet, as none of us are going to be wearing ball-gowns to Spoons. I always end up pinning Vanessa Hudgens, as I think she looks fiercest when she’s out getting coffee.

A LITTLE BOARD I MADE FROM PINTEREST ON VANESSA HUDGENS' STYLE

I take inspiration from her fluffy cardigans, monochromatic palettes with pops of red and blues, jumpsuits, and dresses. Plus also, styling from Hudgens is useful as she has a similar build as me (rare as she is only 5’1” and most celebrities tend to be taller than I am). This means I can see what works on a petite frame.

Look to the Screen – Another good way to see what people wear out-and-about in everyday life is by looking at TV shows (e.g. if you’re a huge Friends fan you can take inspiration from that and other 90s set sitcoms like Fresh Prince of Bel Air or Derry Girls). Or think about films that you love the clothes in, for example, I love everything Anne Hathaway wore in The Devil Wears Prada. Alternatively, you may love movie costumes that hark back to other decades’ styles. Throw yourself into the late 70s vibes by looking at American Hustle, or the 50s-esque call-backs in La La Land. Find a film or just one character in it who’s clothes you like and start pinning from there. It’s a great way to start developing a style that will feel unique and right to you!

Please Note. When styling based on decades, be aware that just like current fashion trends do, different decades dressed for certain body types. 1920s clothes hugged on your hips not on your waist, so therefore flatter a taller, more rectangular shape. Whereas the 50s snapped in at the waist for a more hourglass look. So, definitely take inspiration, but make sure you like how your body looks in the shape, it’s all about making yourself feel comfortable in your skin. You may love the style, just not on you.

Finally, remember that your style is always evolving, so don’t be scared to break your own mould as well as the high street’s. If you really like something that’s not usual to your style, then there’s normally a reason why it’s caught your eye. It might show a side to you, you didn’t know you had, don’t be afraid to push yourself in new directions. As long as you love it and it loves you back, then don’t be afraid to get it.

Yours Sincerely,

The Thrift Gift. X.