Have you ever seen a celebrity or someone on the street wearing something and thought, “I love that, but there’s no way I could pull it off?” Or perhaps you’ve taken the plunge and bought the latest hot accessory but have no idea how to incorporate it into your look? Trying new fashion trends for the first time can be intimidating, but that shouldn’t put you off. Follow these tips, and you’ll soon be a sartorial icon.
Start Small
The catwalks, celebrities, and influencers that inspire our style often take sustainable fashion to the extreme. While you might think that the actor in a brightly colored velvet suit or musician with cuban link gold chains piled high looks amazing, trying to replicate these bold looks in their entirety is not the best way to adopt new trends into your wardrobe.
Instead of doing a complete style overhaul, take aspects of trends you love and incorporate them gradually into your wardrobe. If you’re coveting a mixed print look but aren’t sure if you can pull off a head-to-toe look, start small with a scarf, pocket square, or belt. As you gain more confidence in the trend and the way you look at it, you can get braver and more dramatic with your choices.
Try New Trends with Old Staples
As you integrate new pieces into your look, consider what you pair them with. Lean on items from your current wardrobe that you know look great and pair them with new clothing or accessories that you’re keen to try out. If you know your pants are flattering and your shoes are stylish, you can afford to take a gamble with your shirt.
Also Read: What Is Fashion?
This tip isn’t just about how the new pieces look on you; it’s also about how you feel. When you’re wearing something that you know looks good on you, you feel confident and are more able to take risks. Harness this confidence, and you will feel brave enough to give even the boldest trends a try.
Edit Your Outfit
So you’re desperate to try Cuban collar shirts, oversized blazers, shield sunglasses, and gold chains for men? It’s fantastic to be inspired by so many styles, and fashion is about evolving and taking risks, but you’re far more likely to feel comfortable and confident in how you look if you take one trend at a time. Decide what look you want to try out and make it the focal point of your outfit. Style icon Coco Chanel once said, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” Remember, less is often more.
Try Clothes on at Home
One benefit of shopping online is that you can try things on at your leisure in your own home. Not only is this much more comfortable than stuffy dressing rooms, but it also allows you to try pieces with your existing wardrobe. This is helpful when you’re getting into a new trend because you don’t have to imagine how it will work with your own clothes; you can see for yourself. You can also invite friends over to give you their opinion or send them photos of a complete look.
Also Read: Weird Fashion Trends That Actually Exist
Test Drive Trends
It’s never a good idea to debut a new trend that you’re not feeling 100% confident about at a high-pressure event like a first date or work presentation. Instead, wear it to go for a coffee with a friend or on a night in with your buddies, especially those whose style advice you’d be happy to take. Sharing your outfit with friends can give you honest options, helpful tips, and a confidence boost. Once you’ve been complimented on something, you’ll feel much better about wearing it again. You’ll be rocking that look on a date in no time.
Follow Fashion-Forward Influencers Who Look Like You
Over the last few years, there has been a significant shift in the media to feature more diverse body types. However, both men’s and women’s dominant representation on TV screens, billboards, and magazines is still relatively limited. Luckily, social media offers people the chance to engage with stylish, fashionable people of all shapes, sizes, races, ages, and gender expressions.
By following inclusive fashion-forward influences that look similar to you, you can better understand how specific trends might look on you. Are you worried your body won’t look good in a slim-fit tee, or you’re too old to take part in the resurgence of the bucket hat? Find people like you online and see for yourself. The great thing about this strategy is that you are more likely, to be honest; usually, we judge ourselves and how we look more harshly than we would others.
Choose Who You Shop with Wisely
Have you ever noticed that your shopping style varies depending on who you’re shopping with? If this sounds like you, why not use it to your advantage? If there’s something, you have had your eye on but haven’t been brave enough to buy, take your most fashion-forward friend shopping with you—a person who wears whatever they want without worrying about what others think.
Have you just bought a wild shirt and think you may have gone too far? Invite a friend over who is guaranteed to tell you the truth. Sometimes you need a bit of brutal honesty. For those shopping trips where you feel ready to try something new but don’t know where to start, go with someone whose style you always admire so they can steer you in the right direction.
Remember, Style Is Personal
Integrating a new trend into your look can be as nerve-wracking as it is fun. When you step outside of your front door wearing a new outfit, it feels like everyone’s eyes are on you. These tips can help you ease into trying new trends and help you push the envelope but, ultimately, aim to please yourself. If you enjoy how something makes you feel when you’re wearing it, it’s a keeper.
