Unless you have Kim Kardashian’s shopping budget or the skills and free time to sew your own clothing, you’re always at risk of passing a woman wearing your outfit.
We’ve all been there; that horrifying moment when you see a girl in the same Forever 21 skirt you’re wearing or the new Gap top you bought yesterday. Suddenly it turns into “Who wore it best.”
Accessorizing is the key to making common pieces your own unique style. Her Campus contributing writer Sophie Jasinki wrote an article in January 2011 describing “20 ways to wear the plain white tee” proving that any article of clothing can be jazzed up. Even the most basic pieces can be layered, belted or accessorized to give them a new flare.
Blair, senior at the University of Tennessee, said that her 2011 summer study abroad ensembles relied fully on her ability to mold the same clothes into new looks. “You can only pack so much when you’re traveling. The key is to know how to accessorize and re-wear your clothes so that you’re never wearing the s
ame thing as anyone else, and you’re never wearing the same thing twice.”
There are always going to be clothes in your closet that someone else owns. So it’s time to master the art of stylizing.
The broach approach – Sound old fashion? It’s not. A classy, jeweled broach or a sheik silhouette pendant can add a unique and vintage feel to a dress or top. Clip it at the end of a V-neck collar, the side of a belted waist, or at one shoulder to create a whole new piece.
Cut it out – Ed Hardy’s most famous designs come from the custom cuts and ties on their shirts. We’re not saying go quite that far, but with a good pair of scissors and a quick stitch, you can craft your own designer pieces. Reshape a neckline, shorten sleeves, change a hemline, or add a slit and voila-la, new clothes! Don’t be afraid, it’s sewing 101.
Belt it up – Yes it’s been done, but that doesn’t make it old news. Grab a thick belt and buckle a has-been dress at the waist for a new look. Let a skinny belt hang loose at your hips over a plain t-shirt or a decorative top. Experiment with patterns and color. Faux snakeskin or bright colors can be the final detail in differentiating your BCBG dress from the woman wearing it two tables away.
Vest to impress – Another easy fashion faux pas fix is adding a vest. From knitted patterns to business-savvy styles, vests come in a variety of designs. Layering a vest over any shirt gives it an entirely new look. But don’t limit yourself. Vests can lie over dresses too. Adding a vest can make all the difference in a desired look.
Play with layers – You can pass seven women wearing the same Express crew-neck burnout, but no one will layer it like you will. Take risks in matching patterns and styles, and create a look that is uniquely you. Shirts can fit perfectly under dresses for an extra collar or sleeve, leggings can change the feel of an ensemble, and shirts can stack on top of one another for endless layers. The result is a fun combination of expression and style that no one can duplicate.
Working mom and Knoxville fashionista Jessica said, “I don’t always have the time to shop that I wish I did. I love taking pieces I’ve worn one hundred times and sprucing them up with a new twist. No one even realizes I’m wearing the same things.”
The secret to super style isn’t marrying a millionaire or producing your own fabrics and patterns, it’s knowing how to wear what you, and every other woman, already owns. Taking risks with the decoration of your outfits and knowing how to make it your own will ensure that you’ll always be the one that wore it best.