I don’t consider myself a fashion expert by any means. If you were to ask me about fabrics or stitch work, the best I could tell you was that I thought it looked pretty. I’ve been admiring pretty clothing my entire life and constantly wondering why there isn’t more of it.
Clothing and fashion were never an important subject on my radar until very recently. I never wanted my clothing to catch attention or turn heads; what has always mattered to me was what was wearable and practical. But when you’re in college, twenty years old, and have access to Pinterest, things begin to change.
I suddenly didn’t want to just throw on a pair of jeans and an old t-shirt every day. I wanted what I wore to have elegance, flair, a style I could own and be proud of. I wanted what I wore to have meaning. I wanted to dress like a writer.
As a professional writing major, I’ve been surrounded by girls who have an affinity for old-style fashion; and for me, that style just screamed writer: the long skirts, the vests, the layering of shirts and sweaters. To me it was like tapping back into a century where the writing profession still felt hallowed, and heaven knew my wardrobe needed an update.
Again, I’m no expert in fashion. I find items based off what I see and envision. But if this sounds like you, and you’re wanting to dress the part, here’s some basic tips from a novice who’s just starting to feel at home in her own skin:
Choose a Genre: The writing world has a ton of options when it comes to fashion choices that you can adopt and bend to fit your personality. Perhaps you’re a lover of dark academia and want to focus on darker and more gothic tones. Or maybe you’re a romantic and want your outfits to reflect all the life and beauty of the natural world. Or perhaps there’s a certain writer/author you want to emulate: the suit wearing, pipe-smoking philosophers of the past; the rule-bending antics of the 60’s, or the colorful modernists. Before you go shopping, it’s best to know what you like so you have a better idea on what to buy.
Multiple Uses: When shopping, I like to go for items that I can use with multiple outfits. This not only reduces my closet buildup, but also the cost. You don’t have to buy separate items for every outfit. Some multiples to keep in mind are skirts, pants, dresses, and plain shirts. These form the basics of any outfit which can always be upgraded with more flashy embellishments. If you’ve selected a genre, try to stick to those colors. For me, I try to stick to more earthy tones, such as whites, greens, browns, and blacks. These go well together and can be mixed with anything. Items with multiple colors and patterns are fine as well, though they may only be useful for one complete outfit whereas plain colors can span several. For example, a white shirt and brown vest can be worn with either a skirt or pair of pants, in multiple colors.
Staples of the Show: Here are some of the basics you’ll want to look for – skirts (any length you prefer; I personally like the longer ones); collared shirts, vests (try looking for these in the sleeveless tops section); sweaters, shirts will bell or cuffed sleeves, stylish hats, and boots. Depending on where you live, you might be buying more winter attire to keep warm, or lighter, thinner fabrics for hot days. As always, I recommend Goodwill or your local thrift store. Somehow, they tend to have a surplus of items that could work for this kind of style.
Layering: Layering is the name of the game. When I want to look exceptionally fashionable, I tend to go out in multiple layers just to look old fashioned: a skirt, collared shirt, and vest, with a cardigan or coat on top for the cold will elevate any look. Cardigans are especially helpful if you want to be warm but not too hot. You can always take it off and still look presentable. Depending on how you want to style yourself, you can double down on what you have to create a whole new outfit: think wearing two different skirts, a shirt with a vest or corset, or a removable sweater or coat. Even just using fun accessories such as jewelry, hats, gloves, or even a purse makes a lot of difference.
At the end of the day, it really is all about your style and your preference. The great thing is you don’t have to buy a bunch of expensive vintage clothes online to feel elegant. Sometimes it’s just about using what you have, or upgrading to the things you want, and pairing them together to make a new you.