You probably have that friend that always looks like a million bucks and manages to turn heads with their impeccable style. What do you think, how much money do they spend on clothes every month? It might be less than you think! Having an amazing personal style hides in knowledge, not money. You can look expensive and impressive without having to spend thousands of dollars on designer pieces. Here’s how to elevate your personal style, impress with your looks and still keep most of your money in your bank account:
Take a look at your closet
Your closet can be a scary place, but if you take some time to face it and dig around, you will manage to unearth some real gems. For starters, take a look at the big picture. If you already know how you want your personal style to look in the future, find items in your closet that fit that vision. Usually, it will take you one afternoon to try everything on, match different pieces and divide things into piles. Those items that you might be saving for “when you lose a few pounds” should all go on a donation pile, and so should items that you haven’t worn for years.
Fill the gaps with classics
Now that you know what you won, you can clearly see what you don’t own. Make a list of items that you want to sport, so you can fill the gaps in your closet. To make the right shopping choices, it’s best to start with classics. For women, a little black dress is a timeless piece that can be taken in many directions (elegant, chic, edgy, punk, rave, etc.) with just a few accessories. For guys, a great-fitting pair of jeans can be worn with anything from a plain t-shirt to a buttonup and bowtie.
Invest in a few bling items
Jewelry can be your best friend when reinventing and elevating your fashion sense. While branded pieces always look amazing, cheap copies will soon enough show their true colors and embarrass you in front of an expert. To avoid any mishaps, it’s best to choose unbranded pieces with a lot of style. And don’t think you have to choose pearls or something old-fashioned to look put together. Today you can find edgy, chic and cool pieces in a quality online jewellery store that will spice up your look. Sterling silver is always a good idea because it’s not too expensive, too cheap and too attention-grabbing—it provides balance to every outfit and can be worn anytime and anywhere.
Be smart with fast fashion
In this world of conservation and eco-consciousness, it’s hard to miss the information just how bad fast fashion is for the planet. But, we all still buy close from famous retailers because they are cheap. Usually, cheap clothes equal bad quality, so make sure to choose fast fashion carefully. Before you whip out your credit card, read the label, examine the fabric and see whether the design is too trendy and recognizable. For instance, if you opt for a blouse from Zara that copies the latest D&G creation, you will never look unique and stylish.
Hit a second-hand shop
Instead of shopping for new, cheap and non-original things, hit a second-hand shop and combine your classic items with a few unique, vintage additions. When shopping for pre-loved clothes, you need to have a lot of patience and determination—you won’t find fill outfits there. But if you visit a few second-hand shops every now and then, you might strike gold. Be sure to consider how these new pieces fit into your existing wardrobe and your style vision.
Don’t neglect the footwear
Many people neglect shoes, but it doesn’t matter how good the rest of your outfit looks, if you’re wearing low-quality shoes, you’ll look less than expensive. If you want to get something timeless, no matter if we’re talking boots, trainers or sandals, it’s best to opt for genuine leather. If you’re worried about costs, look for discounts and you can get away with attractive and comfortable shoes for a little over $100.
If you create a vision board for your style and pull a few smart shopping moves, you will reinvent your personal style and join those people who always look expensive, stylish and trendy no matter the situation.
