“In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.” –Author Unknown
Style is an integral aspect of life and is an essential factor in making a good first impression.
Who you are is evident in your clothes, and regardless of how you dress, a bit of your personality and character seeps through. There are subtle hints about the person behind the assemblage of clothes which is why style is a pivotal factor—not only in fashion but life as well. To quote a world-famous and revered stylist fashion designer, Rachel Zoe, “Style is a way of showing that you are without having to speak,” we can say that indeed style is a way of introducing yourself without uttering a single word to onlookers. Style is how you present and showcase yourself to the world, and in this regard, we must endeavor to make sure that what we say through our clothes says some good about us. After all, more often than not, when it comes to onlookers and strangers, you rarely get a second chance at making an impression, so make the first one count.
With these in consideration, we must make a more conscious effort in refining how we present ourselves and how we dress up. Taking an interest in our assemblage of clothes should not be considered as being shallow, nor is it exclusive to those who are fashion forward. After all, if we want to be taken seriously, we should also dress the part. One of the excellent ways to improve your style is to upgrade your wardrobe. Unfortunately, most individuals equate style upgrades with unnecessary expenses. However, this is a misconception as elevating your style does not always have to mean you have to spend money (or at least without breaking the bank). Great style does not have to mean designer shoes and exorbitantly priced clothes. More often than not, a culmination of great style entails choosing the right clothes—whether they may be wholesale clothing or retail—and rocking them with confidence. In any case, here are some clever tips to improve your fashion and style profile without making your wallets cry:
Check the fit
Before bringing any of the clothes, you intend on buying to the checkout counter, ensure that they all fit you well. And by well this means you not having to compromise and overlook a few details such as rather loose shoulders or too tight shirts. Make sure every piece of clothing you have and buy fits you properly. Not only will this save you the time and money in seeing a tailor, but it ensures that your clothes look better on you as well.
Pare your closet
To most, this might seem counterintuitive, and to fashionista’s, this might even be considered blasphemous. But there is actually a lot of merit to paring your closet. Most individuals are under the impression that in paring their closets, they would also be efficiently be cutting down their clothing options. After all, the more clothes you have, the more choices you have right? Well, while you do have more choices, chances are none of those choices are actually better-looking options. If anything, they are holding you back from improving style. By clinging on to them, you are taking up valuable closet space instead of making room for classier and sophisticated buys. So, if you have anything in your closet that is largely out of season, never worn or perhaps damaged beyond repair then toss, donate or sell it.
Get crafty
If you are rather handy with a pair of scissors and have a talent for sewing, you could drastically improve your wardrobe without even needing to visit the store. It is without a doubt that every wardrobe has that ubiquitous selection of humble shirts that everyone just cannot get rid of. In fact, a large percentage of your wardrobe is made up of these shirts. If you cannot bring yourself to get rid of them, inject a bit of fresh air into them by styling them differently. Snip and sew as you please and create different styles—from diverse necklines and fringes to cropped tops. The possibilities are endless, all you would truly need is to dedicate some time and creativity to create the set of shirts. If you find yourself in adept at creating clothes, you can always find some tutorial (and inspiration) videos in YouTube.
Get a haircut
Sometimes, all you really need to improve your look (as well as your style) is simply to get rid of the scruffiness you have been sporting since ever. Whether it is hair that is far too long or an unshaven face, if it makes you look unkempt, no amount of styling could help you. Regardless of what hairstyle you have, ensure that you always look neat as it gives a sense of cohesion to what you are wearing. Furthermore, getting a haircut would also give a fresh new spin to your clothing ensembles and would make you look completely different. In fact, a simple haircut might be all you need to change the entirety of your outfit (or at least how it is perceived). So, why spend a lot on a single outfit when you can simply just spend for a haircut (which is far cheaper) and achieve the same results?
Think for the long-term
By this we mean clothes for long-term storage. In this regard, it would also be wise not to invest in so much trendy stuff that will be tacky and out of season by the next few years. Invest only in classic and timeless items as well as clothes that might be outdated but have the potential to be vintage-y in the next couple of decades or so. Ensure that the clothes you do have are of durable quality so that by the time they become trendy again, you would either be able to sport them or sell them at a very attractive asking price.
Sure, style might be something very personal and each is distinct to every person but one must also remember that your clothing ensemble is the first thing others would notice about you. So, if you want to make a good enough impression, start by ensuring you choose only the best clothes for you. After all, seeing as there are alternatives wherein it would not cost you so much to elevate your style, you really do not have an excuse to look sloppy all the time.
