How to start the fashion thing - what are the basics?

[Breathe]

like people have already said, it really helps to have a pretty good idea of who you are and/or your persona (what part of your personality you want to show to the world). I always try to pick clothes that represent what I'm feeling and/or a certain stage I'm at.

It also helps to be aware of your body type and coloring so you know what will work and what won't. for example... my best friend is really tall and skinny (like she pretty much has 0% body fat) and she wears these long, scoop-neck tops that show off her long torso. On the other hand, I'm short (5'3") and really curvy, so those long tops make me look fat and/or really top-heavy (and if that sounds like a good thing, believe me, it's not ).

other than that, just try different things (even if they're way off the beaten track), and see what you like and what you don't....

and don't get discouraged by a few disasters at first, even if they're of gigantic proportions... you will find a look that's right for you eventually.

good luck

 

[pinksatin]

It also helps to be aware of your body type and coloring so you know what will work and what won't.

good point! I know this is gonna sound lame but I have this book which I love called "Color Me beautiful" and it was published in the eighties so the style of dress and hair and make-up in the pictures is humorous it's so out-dated, but the info is still really useful. It's about how people are divided into color categories by season (fall, winter, spring, summer) and has special tests using what colors looks best on you based on hair, skin, eyes, undertones, etc. That has at least helped me completely eliminate some colors from my wardrobe (like browns, oranges, olives, etc because I'm a winter). Maybe it will give you a little help too?

 

[Witchbaby]

Glad you started this thread. . .I'm kind of in the same boat (I've been stuck in the 'ol jeans and a t-shirt rut for a while), but hopefully evolving into a more fashionable creature.

I agree with the style journal/board for inspiration suggestion, this has helped me a lot in the past. Also, I'd recommend taking things slowly. Don't rush out and buy a new wardrobe all at once. Allow your style to evolve at its own pace and slowly incorporate new things with it. If you try to do things too quickly you'll most likely feel/look uncomfortable, which is always out of fashion.

 

[PerfectPerfect]

I dont think its something that just happens. Its something you grow into. Once you begin to buy your own clothes, with your own money, not your parents and dont have to worry about what your parents disapproving - you get to experiment in so many ways. You eventually learn what is right and/or wrong for you. You learn what you like. Favorite stores with clothes that flatter you. Style and essense is not an overnight thing baby.

 

[fashionista-ta]

AWWWW thanks a lot for your replies!
Well, I've got a journal, and I save many many pics on my PC but I still can change my way to dress. I mean, I always look like I dress the same. Large t-shirt, skinnies, and shoes (havaianas, ballerina flats, or Converse... somedays I wear heels, but not too much). I don't like short t-shirts, or tank tops, because I look bloated (I don't know if it's the right word, I mean like a bubble? lol) in them because of my breasts. The thing is that Victoria Beckham is always 'showing' them and I can't.
Then I don't like my tights so I don't usually wear shorts... So now in summer is quite difficult to wear skinnies, cause we're at 35ºC right here.

Fashionista-ta, yesterday I took off all my old stuff from the wardrobe and gave it to charity. Now I've got less clothes but they're the only ones I think I'm going to wear.
Now I want to buy new clothes (cause here we're in sales and I can buy more) but don't know really what to buy.... I mean, I'd buy everything but then I wouldn't wear it so I don't know what to buy...

Well, I think we'd all be well advised to tone it down from Posh levels

I think if you go thru the process above, you will learn how to edit. So from everything you see, you will choose things that appeal to you more than the rest. Once you learn how to do that, you can do it in the store too. You may want to take a look at the 4-5 piece French wardrobe thread--it explains how to build a capsule wardrobe. But you need to have a starting point--and this process will give you that.

 

[Lilliana]

yup, yup a lookbook is the key. I actually think a non virtual one is even better. I store tons of pics on my computer, but I just print those out which I truly love (or cut them out from mags) and stick them in a book. then you have to select even more. From those you select those again which flatter your body type and those you can afford. I suppose selection is a key factor too.
I remember as a teenager it also took a lot courage to wear some pieces I considered beautiful but were unusual - meaning nobody my age was wearing such stuff. evolving ones style is always risky, you can't avoid a fashion disaster from time to time if you want to find your style. but that's also the nice thing imo, the freedom to try everything out
What I also used to do, is to go to shops and try entire outfits on (such which I found cool but somehow wasn't sure wheter I -the little fashion idiot as which I considered myself - could wear) and see wheter I feel 'right' in this look and experiment a lot and then I would not buy a single piece or too much.
I agree with everybody who said your own style will come with time, the older you grow the more you will know what you like and what not. but until then enjoy the time of experimenting, it's lovely!!

 

[aquamarine]

I have exactly the same problem - I haven't found "my style".

I like the idea of ballet chic, but since I am 5' short, almost 110lbs, most things except jeans and shirts look frumpy on me. My hips and thighs are the biggest part of me, and as much as I love the skiiny jeans/ flats combo on others, I don't feel as if I could ever pull that off.

On top of that, I am sick of my thrown-together wardrobe BUT am just to broke to change that. I have some nice basic pieces I wear over and over, knit my own sweaters, but apart from that... not much happening here.

I don't have the money to buy clothes right now. Otherwise I'd give more of my old ones to goodwill and stock up on timeless basics for a start.

Any input? I guess I need to start the diary thing (not just for fahion).

 

[Vista]

I've kept diaries and small lookbooks for many years, but my problem is that I have too many and I never look through them again. For a while I used 1 or 2 books a month with various ideas, pictures and magazine articles.

It's just too much to go through and then I forget about it and just put them away. How do you do it?

Maybe I should just buy one HUGE book to fit it all in. Hehe.
I also have an "Inspiration" folder on my laptop/iPod which is useful but I prefer flicking through books.

I think..

And for wardrobes and outfits I'd say it's key to get a lot of basic wear and then accessorize to the max!

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ That's why I specifically suggested an inspiration BOARD, not pix on your PC, or a scrapbook. I use ribbon boards. What you're after is a large collage of quite a few images that represent all of the important "points" you want to make. Not something you have to open, not a collection of individual pictures, but an always-visible collage.

 

[Vista]

^ Sorry, I skimmed through the thread. Hehe.

But yeah, sounds like you have a great point there! I'll def. try it out.

 

[Working Girl]

1. I think it is easier thinking about the things you hate and wouldn't want to wear
2. Know your body and shape
3. Look at the celebrity street styles you like and try to pick out items of clothing you like from them.
4. Add accessoires to your outfits. I love scarves and have a collection of them in my closet.
5. Have fun with it. Own what you wear and be fierce.

 

[Kate_Moore]

Once again thanks a lot for all your replies! You're such sweethearts (I'd never thought that anyone would stop by me and try to help me like this, thanks thanks thanks!)
I'm doing a board with all the pics I love at the moment, and been lots of afternoons revising mags and writting down ideas, drawing, sewing... And it's been fantastic!! I think now I'm starting to find the point I want to get, but I know it's so much hard to do than said so I'm going to do things step by step.

 

[fashionkitten7]

I'm gonna say like the very corny thing too...

I think that the key to "finding your own style" is not so much about figuring it out in an intellectual process, but to just wearing what you like and not wearing what you don't like, regardless of whether it's trendy or whatever. In other words, it's about the emotions, rather that thinking.

Just plain wear what you like. I think that's the only way to look truly unique, cos otherwise it would feel like you're trying to resemble/look like someone else.

I also don't think that it's right to say that you need to "find your own style", but it is rather that you need to "improve your style" to suit the way you want others to perceive it, because you have style already. You have the wardrobe with the clothes you bought and you bought those particular clothes and not any others, which means that those clothes do somehow reflect your taste and personality, which I think is what you call style. You just need to work you wardrobe into reflecting your taste and personality even better.

After all, it's just fashion and it exists solely for one's enjoyment. Always keep this in mind.

 

[katebug]

This is a really interesting and helpful thread. I feel like I'm in the same boat. I'm sure that people who looked at me wouldn't believe that I read vogue and spend so much time on this site! I always play it safe, and due to an odd body type and being told constantly by my father to look 'grown up and sensible' I find it hard to think out of the box.
I definitely dont suit young, trendy styles and have figured out that classic block colours and simple lines suit me. However, where it gets tricky is what I want my style to say about me. Whilst I want to look good, I dont want to look too classy and simple. I love fashion and would love to occasionally be a head-turner! There is so much out there to play with, that I'd love to experiment with some kookier designs, but I still need it to suit me. I'm struggling to find a balance and not look like I'm trying to do 'the fashion' and pulling it off terribly.

The trouble I find with my lookbook (I have a physical and online one) is that I may love a look and it looks fab on the model, but I dont have a model's physique so it doesn't translate in the same way on me. It's very difficult to incorporate what you like and adjust it to look just as good on you.

Wow, fashion is a complex thing. Who said we're all airheads?!!!

 

[larien]

i am in the same situation as you are kate moore.i cant say that i completely found my style but i am not trying so hard to be stylish.i just wear what i want to wear and i think there's something hidden in my outfits that shows what is going to be my real style in the future.i am just a 17-year-old high school girl right now and my real personality hasnt showed up itself yet.when it shows up,my real style will show up,too.i think it is going to be the same for all teenagers that gives importance to be stylish

 

[pointup]

i think the lookbook idea is the only way (in my humble opinion, of course)

I like to create boards of looks from shows, from magazines (of all sorts), as well as photography I like, and just fabric, tissue paper, textures I find to be of a beautiful aesthetic. It reminds me of the things I like, that convey a certain beauty to me.. rather than being concerned as looking as "cute" as a nicole richie, LC, other stars of my age.. which is what I see many girls striving for.

 

[As You Like It]

I'd advise you to stay very far away from magazines right now. There's too much trendiness, not to mention the dreaded impossible beauty standards. Most of the clothes portrayed in fashion spreads in the glossies are so impractical, expensive, and extreme anyhow that they just aren't reality; they're nothing you could wear to school, or to a dance, or out with your friends.

I'd take a few preliminary scouting trips to shops and thrift stores, and go to look, not buy. Take a notebook with you (and maybe a digital camera) and record everything you like. Do this on several weekends, so you get a pretty good survey of the things that strike your fancy. Then go over your list and look for "trends" (when I say "trend" here, I don't mean things which are "trendy" but rather if there is a theme to your tastes, like floral prints, denim, dark colors, tailored shapes, etc.). This will help you get an idea of the "type" of your style, e.g. preppy, girly, rocker, athletic, etc. While you shouldn't reduce yourself to a stereotype or persona, knowing your usual "look" is useful. Make a list of clothing types, and try to ensure that the list is complete and balanced (i.e., you don't have a list of nothing but party dresses or nothing but workout clothes).

If you have a pretty limited budget (or actualy I advise this for anyone) try to buy pieces you can swap around to make several different outfits. Try to buy things within a certain color family, and things which will tone or contrast pleasingly. It's a good idea to get a few basic pieces in solids (a brown pair of pants, a black pair, and then one pair in a more "wild" color. I have an orange pair) Then get pieces that work with your solids. If you buy a print skirt, look for tops and jackets that look good with it. The way I shop has ensured that I can grab almost anything from my closet and the pieces will go together to make a good outfit.

Because you are so very young, your tastes will almost certainly change, and change drastically over the next decade or so. Don't blow your money on "investment" pieces unless you are absolutely sure from the bottom of your heart, that you can and will wear it forever. Instead, concentrate on manageable expenditures from shops like H&M, Old Navy, Delias, Target, etc. Also thrift shops. I cannot overemphasize how convenient, affordable, and surprising thrift shops can be. I have bought some very high-end stuff for literally a couple of dollars at thrift shops. If you go often, and are strict about what you buy, you can gather an amazing wardrobe secondhand.

 

[Lol de l'Onans]

Just be brave and go buy/wear what you like

 

[MUXU]

I'd advise you to stay very far away from magazines right now. There's too much trendiness, not to mention the dreaded impossible beauty standards. Most of the clothes portrayed in fashion spreads in the glossies are so impractical, expensive, and extreme anyhow that they just aren't reality; they're nothing you could wear to school, or to a dance, or out with your friends.

it depends on what kind of magazine you look into. just because the pure editorial form is seemingly 'unwearable' but it does open you up to more options of how to put together something, you just have to be aware enough to digest it, or deconstruct the outfits. as for the expensive-ness, it's not really a big problem since most runway garments will very soon turn into retail high street or you can find similar stuff in thrift stores.

and also, how can you figure out or achieve what your "style" is if you dont give any effort (hence: that thing with effortless)? and also being daring is important to dressing nicer.
of course you would feel a little un easy when you start wearing something you never worn or wasnt daring enough to wear before, but if enjoy wearing it, it would grow on you and would feel less odd being in it.

 

[uhdinger]

Be yourself and develop your own preferences in terms of fashion. Surround yourself with fashion related stuff and you will develop your own style over time. Don't and never ever try to be like someone else. This is like running a marathon and running the wrong way from the beginning. Other people can be an inspiration and you might get new ideas what to wear or how to combine something but thats about it.

Enjoy your journey. Once you fall in love the love for fashion is something that will stay with you forever. Its beautiful and don't be shy. You can wear everything if you wear it right and it fits to your style.