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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Mass Amherst chapter.

Finding your personal style in an ever-changing world of trends can be a bit of a challenge. The pandemic has been an added roadblock to understanding what may set us apart from what we know already, since online shopping can be difficult. Given how hard it is to figure out the fits of certain styles, plus the escalated costs due to production and shipping issues, it’s understandable why people may be hesitant to try something new in this day and age.

Whether you’re too comfortable in your style or too nervous to break out of it, here’s a couple of reasons why experimenting with your personal style is a must and how you can do it.

Guaranteed Confidence Boost

Speaking from personal experience, it’s genuinely one of the best feelings when you pull off something that you didn’t expect would look great on you. This is probably the biggest reason on here, and maybe the most important one. In my opinion, your style should elevate the way you feel about yourself and bring you your dose of confidence for the day. It’s crazy how a great outfit can pull you up from some of your lowest moments and make you feel invincible. Try it and see for yourself!

Try Experimenting with Accessories

If you’re still worried about spending too much money or trying on new clothing styles, try experimenting with jewelry, hair accessories, or bags and shoes. The right accessories can make your outfit instantly sharper, and it’s not even the biggest difference in your look. If the cost is something you’re very mindful about, it might be a good idea to start off with a site like Etsy where you can support small businesses and not spend more than what’s necessary. A statement pair of earrings, a classic bag, or a great pair of boots can be a great starting point to a more experimental style.

Thrift!

As everyone knows, the fashion industry is one of the biggest environmental polluters. For anyone who may not be familiar with it, thrifting is purchasing secondhand items at discounted rates. For something like experimenting with new styles, thrifting might quite possibly be the very best option you’ve got. You can try new styles of clothing by getting them at lower prices and you’ll be helping the environment! Always thoroughly wash the clothes once purchased, and you should be good to go!

Experimenting with new styles can help to elevate your confidence and bring you out of your shell. Still, if staying in your sweats all day is something you’d rather do, you could kick it up a notch by pairing them with a great pair of sneakers and chunky earrings. A common myth about prioritizing personal style is that it can be very time-consuming and expensive. I say if you play your cards right, it doesn’t have to be either!

Vaidehi Bhatia

U Mass Amherst '23

Vaidehi is a writer for the University of Massachusetts Amherst chapter. She is a graduate having majored in Informatics on the Data Science Track with a minor in Business. Enjoy the articles about fashion, beauty, relatable college experiences & wellbeing, and feel free to reach out on LinkedIn or Instagram!
Contributors from the University of Massachusetts Amherst