Many of us, including myself, grow up feeling a pressure to fit in. However, as we grow up and are surrounded by newer perspectives and individuals, we come to realize how unique those around us are, and we throw away the idea that everyone must fit into a particular mold.
For me, a person’s uniqueness shines the most through fashion. I’m always in awe of the creative styles of those around me, and I believe the most stylish people have a distinctive ‘fashion signature,’ meaning anyone can easily identify them through their outfits alone because everything they wear is so specific to them. I believe everyone has a fashion signature. However by trying to fit in, many of us lose track of that. I unfortunately fell into the trap of losing my individual style in favor of fitting in when I was younger, but I recently rediscovered my love for fashion and have cultivated a wardrobe of clothes I love.
One of my main inspirations for rediscovering fashion was one of my best friends, Jenny Dzul. She’s always been a person who loved to stand out and wasn’t afraid to experiment with fashion, and I’ve decided to use her advice, as well as mine own, to help you beautiful readers find your fashion signature and gain the confidence needed to be the style icon you deserve to be.
tip 1: identify your style inspiration
The first step in finding your style is finding inspiration. This could be a celebrity, an influencer online, or even a friend. The secret isn’t to be derivative, but to identify what it is about this person’s style you’re drawn to, so you can figure out what you want out of your own style.
My friend Jenny states that, “fashion Icons in 90s TV shows really inspired me… I loved their outfits so much that I wanted to emulate them in my own.” One of her biggest inspirations was Fran Fine from The Nanny as she loves the bold colors and patterns of most of her looks, and this helped her discover what types of looks she wanted to recreate.
Finding inspiration, even from characters on TV shows or movies, can be a great place to start on your fashion journey, as it allows you to start discovering your likes and dislikes when it comes to style.
tip 2: recognize what your motivation is
On top of finding your muse, finding your motivation is just as important. Knowing why you want to up your fashion game will keep you motivated as you work to cultivate your style. Jenny believes that fashion is an art, and like all works of art, it’s something that may not come easily.
“Fashion isn’t something you just have, it’s something you work for. But once you achieve your ideal look, you feel so confident,” she says. That feeling of confidence is what motivates a lot of people to get into fashion, including me. “I just wanted to find and express myself,” states Jenny. “Your sense of style is a form of expression, and it makes me feel good when I have nice clothes on me.”
Self expression through fashion can be so empowering, and working to find a style that perfectly expresses who you are deep down is what I believe to be the most powerful motivating factor. My advice is to keep this motivation in mind as you dive into fashion. Deep down, it’s all about expressing yourself in your own way.
tip 3: look for patterns
Now here’s the part where you actually start putting together your wardrobe. For me, finding consistent patterns in the types of clothes I liked was what helped me figure out what suited me best. Bell sleeves, flares, florals, dresses and skirts, and light colors like pastels were things I noticed myself consistently reaching for when I shopped for clothes. Creating Pinterest boards also helped me compile pictures of outfits and clothing pieces I liked most. By figuring out what I liked in my clothing, I was able to seek them out as I shopped, thus allowing me to build a wardrobe of clothes I really liked.
For a more affordable way to build your wardrobe, I recommend focusing on basics.
“Start off simple and evolve your style as you go on,” Jenny advised me. “Focus on buying the basics and add your own personal touch through accessories or signature colors.”
A large part of fashion is knowing how to style even the most basic pieces; a simple white shirt can turn into a stunning outfit through layering and accessorizing. That’s why I believe prioritizing versatile clothes that can be styled in different ways and accessories that can be used to style said clothes is very beneficial for those on a budget.
tip 4: start with basics
While focusing on affordable basics is important, there’s nothing wrong with splurging on a couple very unique must-haves here and there. For Jenny and I, thrifting has been a game changer for finding unique items. At many thrift stores, you can find one-of-a-kind pieces that can elevate your wardrobe. These pieces are a good investment when building your signature style as they are less likely to be replicated and there are many creative ways you can wear them. You can even try upcycling or using them to create brand new pieces.
There are a plethora of thrift stores around Berkeley, including one on our own campus: Reuse, the only on-campus thrift store at Berkeley, which is a completely student-led, non profit organization. Shopping at thrift stores is a great way to find unique and affordable clothing for your wardrobe and, once again, is very helpful for those on a budget.
tip 5: be confident!
Once you’ve created a wardrobe full of clothes you love with endless possibilities for unique combinations and outfits, the next step is actually finding the confidence to actually wear those outfits. I know in the beginning of my fashion journey, I was hesitant to wear things out of my comfort zone due to fear of judgment. However, over time the confidence I gained by expressing myself through clothing soon greatly outweighed any fear of judgment I had in the past.
When asking Jenny how she gained the confidence to show off her unique style, she told me, “You shouldn’t really care about what others think. Do what makes you feel good. If you get talked down, either that person is jealous, or they are just insecure. You will be surprised how many good people compliment you more than spread hate.”
Expressing myself to the fullest by wearing outfits I truly love has brought me so much joy, and that’s an experience I believe everyone should have, regardless of what others may think.
In my eyes, the true meaning of fashion is discovering and embracing your unique sense of style. It’s a journey that empowers you to express your individuality and creativity, just like any form of art. It may take time and experimentation, but the process itself is a rewarding and self-affirming experience that could aid in your self discovery and allow your confidence to blossom.
My advice to any reader is to allow yourself to explore, mix and match, and let fashion become a canvas for your true self to shine. The most stylish people are the ones who aren’t afraid to embrace their individuality and show off their one-of-a-kind style.