Do’s And Don’ts For Dressing Fashionably
Fashion is a great way to express your personality. Thanks to TikTok, Pinterest, and other social platforms we have a variety of labels for different aesthetics. However, it can be hard to dress fashionably within your aesthetic. Whether you identify as a granola girl, vintage enthusiast, or VSCO girl, there is a fashion tip here for you.
1. Don’t Mix Patterns
Do you ever look at someone’s outfit and wonder, what are they wearing?! Although some people can get away with mixing patterns, you should generally stay away from this combination. Checkers and stripes don’t mix, and neither does cheetah print and zebra print. I’m no fashion expert, but my eyes can tell me that mixed patterns don’t boost your fashion taste.
2. Do Mix Patterns & Solids
Although you should generally avoid mixing patterns, you should definitely mix patterns and solids! You can pair your solid shirt with patterned pants or vice versa. I love this inspiration picture because the model’s olive green shirt compliments the red and black stripes in her pants. The chunky white sneakers are the perfect accessory to finish this outfit.
3. Don’t Wear Baggy Clothes
Baggy clothes are all the rage in the teen fashion world. Oversized shirts and mom jeans are a closet staple for most girls. However, there is a balance between cute baggy clothes and sloppy baggy clothes. You should probably save your baggy sweatpants and extremely oversized shirts for wearing at home. The same goes for tight clothing. Don’t pair a tight shirt with tight pants. Instead, go for a mix of a tight shirt and loose pants or tight pants and an oversized shirt.
4. Do Wear Flattering Clothes
When you wear clothes that make you comfortable and confident, they will be flattering on you! My favorite people to follow for fashion inspiration are inspiring because they wear clothes that make them feel confident. If you struggle to find clothes that are flattering and comfortable, try these tricks:
1. Try on clothes with your back to the mirror. Before you turn around, ask yourself, “How do I feel in this outfit?” Don’t look in the mirror until after you do this exercise.
2. Build a Pinterest board of outfits you admire. Then go to the store and try on those outfits. It might take some time, but you will eventually figure out what styles work best for you.
3. Give yourself grace. I strongly dislike jean shopping because I can never find a pair that fits just right. It can take me months to find a pair of jeans that fit right, are comfortable, and make me feel confident. Give yourself grace as you figure out your style.
5. Don’t Change Your Style
Don’t try to conform your style to someone else’s closet. If you love how a shirt looks on a girl, but you know that you would never be comfortable wearing it, compliment her outfit and move on. Trust me, you will never feel confident if you try to fit another person’s style. And don’t be discouraged if everyone but you seems to have fashion. Trust me, that negative mindset is not beneficial. Give yourself the freedom to experiment with different outfits and styles until you establish a wardrobe that fits you.
6. Do Wear Comfortable Outfits
Wear clothes that you are comfortable in! I cannot say this enough. You will carry yourself more confidently if you wear the style most comfortable for you. My comfortable closet staples are flowy sundresses, mom jeans, graphic tees, white sneakers, and jean jackets. I try to only keep clothes in my closet that I will wear. If I do not feel comfortable and confident in a piece of clothing, I do not wear it.
7. Don’t Trash Your Wardrobe
As you scroll through these tips, you may think, “Oh my gosh, I need to redo my entire wardrobe!” Not to worry, that is definitely not my point. You should not redo your whole closet because that is insanely expensive and time-consuming. I’m here to save you time! If you apply these tips, you will spend less time wondering what to wear and more time planning cute and trendy outfits.
8. Do Apply Minimalist Techniques
Instead of trashing your entire wardrobe, purchase a few versatile pieces of clothing. These could include a white t-shirt, denim jean jacket, black jeans, and white sneakers. These staples can easily pair multiple shirts and pants to make cute outfits. If you want to go extreme minimalist, you can look into making a capsule wardrobe. I recommend following Paige Kennedy for neutral and minimalist fashion inspiration.
9. Don’t Revive Old Trends
Unless you are a famous fashion influencer, you should not try to revive old trends. (But if you are a famous fashion influencer reading this, please share this article!) Yes, some trends like mom jeans, chunky sneakers, chokers, and butterfly clips are making a comeback. But please don’t try to revive old styles like shoulder pads, zebra prints, and dresses over jeans. Those trends are dead for a reason.
10. Do Participate In Current Trends
In order to dress fashionably, you need to participate in some of the current trends. Some easy trends to follow are mom jeans, corduroy jackets, and chunky sneakers. However, if none of these are your style, that’s okay! I am sure that you will find the fashion trends that fit you the best if you keep trying different styles.
It is important to stay informed on current fashion trends. I recommend following famous fashion influencers on social media. These men and women post outfits and fashion tips relevant to our society. You can find a list of the best fashion influencers to follow on my author page. Ultimately, dressing fashionably is all about comfort and confidence. Your authentic style will shine when you wear flattering clothes that are comfortable for your body.
