Fashion that says "YOU"

Looking around the halls in the high school, it is amazing how many people dress so much alike. There is so much pressure to match what the popular kids are wearing. The girls all talk about how much they love “fashion” when really they are purchasing from the mass-market retail world and have been told by them what style is all about. Style seems to be dictated by the big retailers and teenagers have fallen into their trap. Most teenagers really don't understand real style and just end up buying up whatever they see in the retail stores.

Sure, most teenage girls look cute and fashionable, and some do deserve the compliments they get. But most outfits are put together without much thought and the styles are totally boring. Wearing clothing from the big retailers makes you feel like you fit in, as if that label on the inside of the shirt you’re wearing makes you just a little bit cooler. But in reality, it’s much more rewarding to find your own sense of style, mixing and matching different labels, styles, and ideas to create something that’s uniquely YOU!

As nice as it is to be complimented on your mannequin copied outfit, it’s so much better when someone compliments you on a look that you worked to put together yourself with pieces from all over the place. That way, you know they’re complimenting your individual style and eye for fashion, not the “fashion” know-how of some merchandiser in a big retail store.

It’s not “a look” to wear nothing but one brand head to toe. If you see several girls wearing the same outfit as you in different colors, it’s time to really think about things, and get started expressing yourself through your clothes and not somebody else’s ideas.

How To Create Your Own Style:

Take a 30-day big retailer break – The next time you go to the mall try out another shop that you don’t go to so often and see if anything appeals to you. Better yet, check out cute accessories instead of buying more plain tops and jeans you don’t really need. Visit a local vintage store, a unique boutique downtown, or just raid your friend’s closet. Look at textures, colors and patterns, and find what really speaks to you. Make an effort to buy or borrow something that you really love: bonus points if it’s something that you wouldn’t normally wear!

Study style – I don’t mean memorize the latest trends or even try to copy high-fashion looks. Learn about real STYLE. Find photos of style you find appealing. Flip through Vogue and Elle magazines. Tear out pages of whatever YOU really like.

Follow or skip trends – Consider what works for you, your style and your body. For example, I think skinny jeans look cute on very thin girls, but I don’t like how they look on my body, so I stick to my boot-cuts. It’s always better to skip a trend than wear something that totally doesn’t look good on you. If, on the other hand, you LOVE one of the latest trends, then go for it!

Keep changing up your style – Throughout your life, your style is going to grow and change. Whatever you do, don’t wear the same looks over and over. Have fun with your look and don’t be afraid to shake things up!

Developing your own unique style is something that I believe everyone who cares about fashion should do. It might be more work to find unique pieces and work them into your wardrobe than it would be to just buy whatever’s new at the mall, but it’s so worth it. Don’t let a retail store define you: define yourself and show your personality off through what you wear! That’s what fashion is all about.