How did you develop your own style?

[luvsic]

Hey everyone,

I know some people just have "the eye" for good fashion, but I am so lost. A lot of the stuff that I want/like seems to either be overpriced or unattainable. But I'm honestly sick of being the T-shirt and jeans/sweats type of girl (and trust me, that is pretty much what I wear every single day.) I have some cute dresses but they only can be worn on super fancy occasions.

The worst part is, I am 18 years old and my mother STILL insists on shopping for me (she does all of my shopping.) She doesn't give me any money to shop for myself because she doesn't trust my taste. I admit, I my mom has pretty cute taste (she keeps up with the times) but I have never really gotten a chance to develop my own personal style and wear what I like (she really likes to dress me up as the "preppy" type but I don't really like that style to be honest.) I have tried talking to her about it but she doesn't seem to like what I like, and if she doesn't she won't buy clothes the clothes that "don't look good on me" for me.

I am most afraid of just putting together something completely mismatched and none of my friends really have styles that I like

So does anyone have any times on helping me develop my own style? Suggestions on what I should do (just spend some time flipping through magazines, observing etc)? Do I need to get a job to start buying the clothes I like?? I am a poor college student at the moment

 

[j_absinthe]

Well, for me, it was trial and error, but when I couldn't have something that I wanted, I opted to make something out of what I had.

By that, I mean I ended up just mutilating the clothes I had and making new and different outfits. Lucky for me, my mother was very supportive, and even taught me how to sew. Maybe that might send the message to your mom that I'm not exactly what you want me to be, that I want to have a vision of my own and I will express that by any means necessary.

Of course, she may bitch you out for it, but what's life without risk, and I think that you have to make risks in order to figure out what works for you.

 

[xsnowwhite]

I spend alot of time looking at magazines and when im shopping i take inspiration from mannequins i like. I like to put my own spin on it by buying pieces that are versatile and could go with alot of different pieces. Idk if that helps but yeah thats pretty much what I do if im stuck.

 

[Shimmer]

I found things that made me feel confident and went with it. I noticed things that didn't work for me, and figured out what it was that didn't work, and tried to find things that had all the desirable qualities at the same time.

 

[aziajs]

Hmmm...I am still figuring it out because I change my look every few years. Through trying different styles that I would see in the stores I found what I liked, what looked good on me and what I should never attempt to wear. I look in stores, I look at my favorite celebrities, I look at people walking down the street and at friends. It's something that changes and evolves as you change and evolve.

 

[Jennifer Mcfly]

Mine always started out being weird. At least that's what people said...I had the whole Cindy Lauper thing going on...in the sense that I would just put so much stuff together...then in HS I got into the Alternative/Skater/Grunge look...
The I went to jeans, a tee and cute accessories. It was like that for a while. A black tee, a great pair of jeans and just super cute shoes/purse/jewelry and I was ready.
Now I'm still the same but I've branched out to wearing more dresses, bold patterns (and not mixing other things with it) and I'm trying more trendy things. Like, for a while I thought I couldn't pull off the legging/dress look...and then one day I said what the hell and tried it and it looked good!

Sometimes you never know what looks good till you try it. So don't be afraid to try everything on...but don't be upset if something doesn't work for you. B/c once you do find what works for you and what flatters you the most then you can make yourself look like something your not (as in, I used to be a size 12 but nobody believed me b/c I always wore clothes that fit my shape properly).

It's really just trial and error...and looking at magazines and even people you see on the street...if you see something you like, just try it! and you really have to learn to screw what other people think about it!!!

 

[oooshesbad]

well i kinda do what i want, i go with what feels comfortable for me. I dont have a type of look i go for. I just have staples (jeans) are a must, i love shoes if i have some really funky shoes i go plain with the outfit, if the outfit is really busy i go for either simple or no accessories etc. The best way to determine what you like is to play around with diff stuff. If you cant afford new stuff revamp old stuff there are plenty of sites that give you ez directions.

p.s.
Style is a very personal thing, if somebody doesnt like what you like thats cool. Dont feel like you have to go with what everyone else is doing

 

[lisadluvzmac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aziajs Hmmm...I am still figuring it out because I change my look every few years. Through trying different styles that I would see in the stores I found what I liked, what looked good on me and what I should never attempt to wear. I look in stores, I look at my favorite celebrities, I look at people walking down the street and at friends. It's something that changes and evolves as you change and evolve.

I'm exactly the same way, my style changes all the time because people style just evolves as time passes. I'm more of a preppy kind though... it's the undertone for more of my outfits, but I do expand to other things. I just feel that you should wear what makes you feel beautiful and comfortable. And stay in YOUR comfort zone, not your friend's or your mom's.

 

[Hilly]

It seems as if I immediately go for sle racks and thrift shops for clothes lol. Whever sucks me in in the right places, semi-fun, reasonably priced..I'm there.
I suck at clothes myself!

 

[Raerae]

I like wearing things that are a little different, but still in style.

Like the whole tights fashion, the safe tights everyone wears is typically a basic opaque black. While I do have these, I also like wearing tights that have patterns in them or have bright colors. So while I'm still playing off what's "trendy" I have my own personal twist to it.

Plus it's fun when people look at u, look at ur legs, and look back at you hehe. If your not getting noticed, your not putting enough effort into being individual.

 

[3jane]

A lot of trial and error.

I went to a relatively well-to-do public high school after growing up in a pretty poor neighborhood and going to private school, so spending $$$ on clothes and picking out different outfits everyday was a mind-boggling concept. Even when I wore what was "in," I had a more urban aesthetic than my suburban classmates, so I was always sticking out like a sore thumb. So I sort of gave up, and wore whatever caught my eye, dyed my hair purple, etc.

Then I went to college in nyc, and I think I sort of absorbed a sense of style without consciously realizing it. I gave up all the bright weird colors I used to wear in high school sort of by chance: there was only one washing machine free and it was either do the darks, or do the brights (I never really wore lights), I figured I'll do the darks b/c it'll be less hassle to match and put together outfits with that half of my wardrobe available.

And then I ended up in typical New York black & grey and really liked it. A side effect of that, is when you have 10 black tshirts to choose from, you start paying more attention to detail and accessories.

So... that's sort of that. I wear mostly dark neutrals (black, brown, grey, olive are faves), with a pop of color (mostly in accessories: jewelry, shoes, or makeup). It allows me to easily put together outfits without thinking much about it, and pull off bolder accessories (red shoes, or a huge cocktail ring, or w/e). Though, among my much more casual friends, showing up in red heels makes just about as much of a statement as showing up with purple hair-- to an extent, it feels like I'm drawing on the same I-don't-give-a-damn confidence that I did in high school when I wore really weird things.

If your mom is really that concerned about you shopping by yourself, maybe hit the stores together and pick out the stuff for yourself. Maybe hit an H&M or something (they're cheap, and have tons of stuff from basic to trendy), and stick to basics first. It's harder to mismatch them, and easier to incorporate a basic piece into a number of styles (keep experimenting!). Hopefully you can steer her towards chic basics (or w/e style you like) instead of preppy basics to warm her up to the idea of another style.

 

[SparklingWaves]

Since you are in college, go to the library and check out some books on fashion and design. Research the different the different catagories of style. See what your eye is drawn to in the book. Then, you will recognize where designers get their ideas from and what classification their styles fall into.

After this, you will know what your own individual style is. You may want to create your own looks. As Hilly mentioned about the thrift stores, you can create a whole new look from clothes purchased there. You can make them look retro, current, or all your own.

 

[ratmist]

I have two basic types of outfit: functional, or 'effort'. Either way I tend to live in my Doc Martens.

Functional = outdoors gear (Goretex or eVENT fabric stuff), boots, jeans, waterproofs, breathables, etc. Things that let you walk in any weather in Scotland without being drenched, too hot, too cold, etc. Things that let you see the Highlands without dying of hypothermia.

'Effort' = anything that isn't immediately functional. I prefer bright, noisy tight t-shirts with jeans or a-line skirts, with or without multi-coloured tights, Doc Martens, etc. I grew up in grunge, and a lot of my basic favourite outfits still kick around from that influence.

Soon I'm going to have to add another style: 'work'. I'm completing my doctorate and some days I can work at home in my study, and when that happens, I stay in jammies all day. I don't have much of a corporate wardrobe but when I get a job after completing the doctorate, that will have to change. Since you're still in college, you'll probably have to wait until you have a steady income with a budget for clothing. As for style of work clothes, I'll probably go for a Scully-style conservative look. With shiny, plummy-purple hair.

 

[woopsydaissy]

I don't really worry too much about what my friends wear, just what I wear. I'm kind of into the 50's type of dresses, shoes and hair. But I like to wear jeans alot too. I look at magazines, thrift stores, ethnic stores, billboards, other people, and anything else you can think of. And brands don't really mean anything to me. I look more at the material, quality, and pattern. Just keep your eyes open! You'll figure it out.

 

[jesibella]

My mom was the same way when I was a teen. She's very "Gap", if you know what I mean. At the time, I was much more "Hot Topic." Needless to say, we clashed. Alot.

I would absolutely recommend getting a weekend part-time job. Also, shop sales and check out eBay. If you're not skeezed out by used clothes, check out cool vintage shops, too. Maybe even befriend a fashion design major, if your school offers that program.

Finding your personal style is a big part of growing up. If you are the first daughter or the last, your mom may want to keep you her "baby girl" as long as possible.

I also agree w/ learning how to sew. I wish knew more about it, too.

Good luck and remember, she loves you and will accept you because of it.

 

[ginger9]

I hear you.My mum and I have almost opposite tastes. When I was a teen she wanted to dress me as well, it never ever worked and and we'd always end up arguing. So when I was 15 I got a part time job and I was able to buy my own clothes. It takes A LOT of trial and error, and fashion disaster moments before you understand what works for you. But once you find your "look" sometimes you then get too comfortable and end up buying variations of the same outfit

and that's when you need to take a leap once in a while to stay fresh or change things up. I hope that makes sense....

 

[alien21xx]

I spend a lot of time window-shopping in couture stores. LOL. I don't really have the money to spend on those types of clothes but going there to see what looks great and what doesn't is a starting point, after which I'd just find similar clothing types Chinatown.

I think the clothing choices there is unbelievable!

Now though, I stopped shopping locally and only buy clothes when I go abroad, because I hate going to work and ending up wearing the same clothes as other people there.

 

[rainy]

Well, if mom isn't buying in to a wardrobe change, a job might not be a bad idea - if you can get a job at a clothing store that sells the kind of stuff you like, then you get a discount too : ) Depends though, don't sacrifice your grades for fashion, okay? ha ha

Nice clothes don't have to be expensive - even cheap stores will have a couple shirts that are made properly and look good. And 99% of everything I buy is on sale, like 75% off clearance sale, which works for me because I prefer things that are non-trendy. Not boring, or out of fashion, but I'm wary of the big trends because I prefer to be a little unique. You just have to learn to recognize quality and what pieces will continue to work longer term.

Magazines are a good starting point if you're feeling really lost, but they tend to get repetitive and recommend more expensive brands, and again, not all trends are good. There are websites out there where people post their outfits, FOTD-style, they might be good for a more diverse view of fashion.

Clothing stores will usually arrange their clothes in groups with pieces that go together, if you don't like all the pieces, at least you have suggested color and styles to start with.

 

[V15U4L_3RR0R]

I don't know really heh. I just bought things I liked and felt comfortable in and that seems to work for me. Then I just experiement and mix and match with what I've got and hope for the best. I don't really put that much thought into it I guess.

I also customize a lot of my own stuff as well to put my own personal spin on it.

 

[Briar]

Many people that are considered fashionable without being "fashion whores" have a signature item, piece, or "look" that they are known for. Some people focus on fun or funky shoes, unusual t-shirts, great hats or jackets. Me, I go for funky socks and unusual footwear. Katherine Hepburn was considered incredibly elegant and she only ever wore black turtleneck sweaters and black men's trousers.

I think Shimmer was right on the money when she said you should find what makes you feel confident and go with it.