I know exactly what you mean. I'm 16 and I've been having just the same trouble, which I've only recently begun to overcome. What I've found is that as I get basics like plain shirts, jeans, etc, I'm able to build on that foundation pretty easily to get looks that I like a lot. It's sometimes a slow process, but once you have a skeleton of clothes in your closet you can easily add in items that you absolutely love to personalize your outfits. You can take your wardrobe in tons of different directions from where you are now!Originally posted by twilight fairy@May 12th, 2004 - 12:11 pm
but the thing is i don't really know my style. i want to feel comfortable and look great, but i end up looking too simple and boring
i adore japanese street style..i love retro glam looks..i like the mixture of things people wear but i don't know how to wear/mix it on me..and when i do mix something together people look a bit funny at me because it's not usually 'my style'.
i wanna transform into wearing something classy/cute/comfy and just nice..
but how can i find something i like, not look dumb and be comfortable?
Okay, so how can you make your things into great outfits? Take a good look at all of your clothes. Maybe ypu'll want to sketch little pictures of each item or take pictures so that you can play around easily, but you could also just line up the clothes themselves. Then play mix-and-match. Put together basic outfits from what you have, even if they're a bit boring, and step back and look at them (one at a time). What would make them fit together properly into some sort of outfit or look? What would make the outfit complete? Here's where a lookbook can be really useful, or just magazines that you like. Maybe you'll realize that adding a thick choker would help, or a pendant, or pearls, or a hat. Maybe you'll see a dire need for a jacket, a bag, a belt or...whatever. Use your imagination, too, not just what you have, then look around and see what fits your idea.
Doing this can help you feel more put-together, and eventually you can start to be a little braver with the things that you add. Experiment! Draw pictures of ideas that come to you or of attainable variations on types of looks that you want to try.
Especially once you have the basics, adding pieces that you find and just love can be tons of fun because the new things can inspire especially interesting looks.
You said that some people look at you funny if you wear something that they don't see as 'you,' but I think that if your looks always look finished and/or put-together, it won't matter what the style of it is after a while. I mean, if you wear a preppy outfit one day, a 60's outfit another day, a punk sort of look the next day, a glamorous look the next, etc, it won't really matter that your 'style' is changing if all of the outfits are fabulous (or at least finished)! So what if you don't have a set style that you follow religiously? So what if you do? If you look good, you look good.
I can't help you to make Japenese street style work for you, because I can't get my clothing to work with that look either. Ditto some of the other ones. I would actually love advice from other FSers on that topic (with maybe some specific suggestions of product combinations to get a better idea...
), but I hope I've helped to at least sprout some ideas as far as developing your wardrobe.
i knew i'd get good advice and i did!
)
-I think someone said this before-trust me, I was guilty of that and I can't help but look back and cringe. 
