‘I need this’.
The phrase that reverberates through my mind when I lay my eyes on the latest trend that the world is telling me to buy. And boy, do I love the feeling of emptying what remains of my bank account in a cool store, full of cool people, on a cool product that I know I’m going to adore. But then, two days later, something else crops up, and the world is already telling me to buy something new. Like, already?
When this happens again, and again, and again, trends stop being fun, and they start being exhausting. Last year, the switch from low-rise jeans to baggy cargos was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Ever since then, I made a vow to stop chasing trends and build a wardrobe that feels more like me.
Define Your Personal Style
First things first, you need to understand the vibe that you’re looking for. Imagine your wardrobe is a mood board: are you soft and romantic, full of flowy fabrics and neutral pastels? Or are you bold, dark, with sharp angles and gold jewellery that makes a statement? You don’t necessarily need to label yourself as just any one thing, but having a general theme or direction to lean into will help a lot.
A fun way to figure this out is to scroll through your camera roll and try to identify patterns in the outfits you really like. If you find yourself getting drawn to specific colours and textures, then that’s actually your style talking – listen!
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Timeless Basics
The foundation of any good wardrobe is a collection of timeless basics that don’t give a damn about what’s hot and what’s not. Think your favourite pair of jeans, a cosy knitted sweater, a neutral blazer, a black leather handbag, and a pair of simple shoes that’ll go with anything. Together, these unsung heroes will do the heavy lifting of your wardrobe, while each statement piece comes in and gets all the glory. That’s ok. Good for you, statement piece! But I see you, knitted sweater – you really brought this whole thing together.
Fit
If you want to stay stylish without just conforming to whatever’s on trend at the moment, then buying clothes that fit is kind of essential. Knowing your size might seem like an obvious thing, but it’s a little more complicated than that. I wish that every single brand on Earth could just get together and agree on what a size 10 is. At the time of writing this, they still haven’t done that, so I’m still stuck getting a 10 from Zara and a 12 from H&M.
Next time you buy something, do yourself a huge favour and try it on. It’ll only take 5 minutes. And it’ll save you from those regret-filled buyer’s remorse thoughts and self-esteem hiccups down the road. When your clothes actually fit, you automatically look better and more confident – and confidence is always stylish.
Colour
We have to cover colour. Brown is so in right now, isn’t it? Oh wait, I don’t care. If you care, that’s ok. But I don’t. Brown has always looked good when it flatters skin tones and blends with a cool outfit. Wait a second, the same is true for every single colour. No way.
So find a colour palette that flatters your skin tone and makes you feel happy. Nothing else really matters. Yes, we have our neutrals over there, and our statement, signature colours over here – they’ll give your outfits some of that personal flair that you’re after.
But please, just choose the colours that best fit your personal style, complement your skin tone, and make you feel good. That is all.
Accessories
My secret weapon. Ok, maybe they aren’t that secret, but still. Accessories are very underrated, essential items for any wardrobe. They’re the easiest way to get that ‘new outfit’ feeling, without even buying any new clothes. I love them. A sleek pair of gloves, some swanky statement earrings, a scarf, a necklace – any one of them can completely change the entire vibe of an outfit, and I’m here for that.
One outfit can be spun off in ten different directions, just from the accessories you choose. If you’re still building your confidence with your new style, it’s lowkey one of the best ways to experiment because accessories let you try new things in a low-pressure way.
Final Thoughts
Trends will come and go, and come and go, and come and go until the end of time. So what’s the point in chasing them? After a certain point, it’s just too much effort. If you stop, you’ll probably find it liberating. You might also find out more about yourself, about your style, about what you like. So why not try? Take the leap.
Author’s Bio
Lacey Harrow is an established freelance writer, specialising in all things fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. Her previous articles cover the best finds on the high street and in online stores, like Closure London.
