Anyone who’s ever seen The Devil Wears Prada remembers the lesson Miranda gave Andy when she said ‘I’m just learning about all this stuff’. Miranda goes on to say, among other things that ‘it’s sort of comical how you think that you’ve made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you’re wearing a sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room, from a pile of stuff.’
Although it’s fiction, art imitates life, and this line is most certainly true. We can try to escape trends as fiercely as possible, but the (fashion) house always wins. However, there is such a thing as a defined sense of style, and many women have achieved and established a very distinct one. Still, when new collections and trends arrive, we are all tempted to embrace at least a few, because they look so darn good or at least innovative.
The question that poses itself is – how do you keep up with trends and still not lose your style persona, and can it be done at all, and that’s what we’ll be exploring today.
Know yourself
The first thing you need to do is sit in front of your wardrobe and establish precisely what your style is. It could be pure minimalism, or one with a twist. You could discover endless pops of colors that indicate that you are a statement dresser. There is business casual, athleisure and perhaps you’ve even meshed several styles and created a recognizable personal hybrid. Going through your wardrobe is also important because we sometimes forget all the things we own, so a refresher course is always welcome, especially if you plan on making trendy additions to your wardrobe. Once this is done, it’s time to go shopping.
Walking into a store
Whether you’re browsing your favorite online clothing store or visiting brick and mortar ones, it’s easy to get carried away by all the novelty and amount of choices. However, while browsing, always keep your current wardrobe in mind and ask yourself two crucial questions – will this item get along with the things I already own and will it throw my style game off course?
If you find that the colors, textures and even things such as the neckline and sleeve type are easy to work with and that this new ‘trendy’ item won’t overpower the rest of the outfits you’ve already imagined, then go for it. If, on the other hand, you feel like this is just an impulse, an item you’ll buy but possibly never dare to wear, just skip it.
Know your body
One of the most common mistakes people make is purchasing trendy items that in no way do their body justice. This is why it’s crucial that you know your body type. Oversized plaid blazers may look great on someone else, but think about what they’ll do to your figure – are they flattering? And this applies to everything. Don’t purchase a trendy pair of culottes if they make your legs visually shorter, the trendiness is simply not worth it.
The same could be said about swimwear, which is an important topic as we are approaching the summer holiday season. Crochet bikinis might be back in style, but don’t fall prey to this trend if you know it won’t look flattering on you. There are tons of other options – case in point, the wonderful monochromatic swimsuits that are simple and flattering, and the best part – you can accessorize with your go-to beach staples, or not – just follow your style gut.
The key to preserving it
If all your questions are answered with a definite yes and you are completely certain that you must have a particular trendy item, the keys to not ‘drowning’ in trends are the following – never incorporate more than two super-trendy items in your outfit – maintaining the balance is crucial. Secondly, always remain consistent when it comes to accessories. Accessories are the glue that holds the entire style together, so make sure you have a very curated selection that is conspicuously and unmistakably you. This way, whatever you wear, you will still remain you, because your shoes, bags, and distinct choice of jewelry will make sure you’re spotted and recognized from a mile away.
Finally, regardless of your personal sense of style, be sure you always have variety in your closet. By this, we mean that you should know your audience and dress for the occasion. If you are a jeans and tee kind of person, you still have to own a chic dress for a wedding or two, and a couple of conservative outfits for the office and more formal situations. This is, again, where accessories will save your personality, so the final answer is no – wearing current trends won’t change your style. As long as you wear what fits, what feels good, and what makes you feel like you, adding a novelty item or two will not put your style in jeopardy, just choose wisely and accessorize to make your mark.
