Have all of your favorite fashion styles or items in one place, so you know what to look for when building your new wardrobe. You can do this by creating a scrapbook, or by saving images to social media sites like Pinterest or Instagram. [2] X Research source
If one of your friends has a style that you really admire, ask them where they buy their clothes, or ask if they could give you some tips on how to create your own style.
If you love horses and western novels, try incorporating those earthy tones and desert images into your clothing. Pick out prints with little cactuses or horseshoes on it, or gravitate towards shirts and pants that are colored with warm, rustic oranges, yellows, and browns. [6] X Research source If you are passionate about music and pursuing music as a career, considering including clothing styles your music idols wore. For a more personal option, incorporate funky prints filled with music notes or piano keys into your wardrobe. [7] X Research source Don’t get caught up in what is trending over what you actually like. If you are not into pop music from the early 2000s, don’t wear a graphic T-shirt with Britney Spears on it because it does not represent you or your interests. [8] X Research source
Don’t feel pressured to cleanse your entire closet, or get rid items just because they don’t fit your new style. Fashion styles change all the time, and your personal fashion style will change too. Hold onto anything you think that you will miss wearing, even if it does not align with the look you are currently aiming for. [10] X Research source
If you don’t have gym class every day, save your more complex outfits for the off days, so you don’t feel rushed to get changed out.
If your school has a uniform, then know what alterations or personal touches you are allowed to add to the uniform.
Don’t be completely reliant on the scrapbook or online style board you created. Chances are you will not find those exact pieces. Use the collected images as a reference if you feel overwhelmed, but use your best judgment to pick out the clothing.
If you are interested in purchasing high end pieces, go to an off-the-rack version of the store or to a warehouse store that sells overstocked designer labels. At these places you will be able to find some of your favorite labels or brands at a fraction of the cost. Creating outfits from different stores will also help you develop your own style, rather than just copying one a certain brand or label has put together.
It is good to have a mix of solid-colored dress shirts, sweaters, and T-shirts. Simply styled tops can be easily paired with bold skirts or leggings year-round. Additionally, a neutrally-colored cardigan can tone down printed blouses, or dress up simple T-shirts. Have a variety of dark and light-washed jeans, and neutral-colored leggings, skirts, and dresses. Black leggings or dark jeans can be paired with just about any color or printed top, and are versatile enough to be worn during the day at school, or at night when you hang out with your friends.
If you are really into music, you can pair those plain black leggings with a graphic T-shirt of your favorite band, or an oversized sweater that is embroidered with music notes. [16] X Research source If you are an aspiring actor with a bold personality, layer a long, multi-colored cardigan or a checkered blazer over a plain T-shirt and dark-wash jeans. The unconventional patterns will complement your fun and spirited personality. [17] X Research source
For your winter coat, gravitate towards neutral colors or shades like a navy blue or a solid black that will be easily paired with any outfit you wear. For the lightweight jacket, branch out and pick a color that is missing from your overall wardrobe, and use it as a pop of color for your outfits. For example, throw on a deep purple jacket or a patterned jacket. Pair the jacket with black leggings and a sweater dress.
Pair your beaded sandals or colored flats with a solid-colored dress to make the shoes the focal point of the outfit. [20] X Research source Lace up your embroidered sneakers, and pair them with dark wash jeans and a T-shirt for a quick outfit that has a pop of color. [21] X Research source
Think about getting different scarves or hats to dress up your outfits in the fall and winter. Look for jewelry that goes beyond the standard silver and gold aesthetic. Find woven or beaded necklaces, rings carved from wood that are hand painted, or even a simple pendant or brooch that incorporates your hobbies or inspiring quotes.
As you get older, you might want to gravitate away from graphic T-shirts with whimsical prints, and wear blouses with fun patterns of music notes or giraffes instead. When you transition into the workplace, instead of grabbing your black leggings and pairing it with a colored button-up shirt, tuck your shirt into a sleek pair of black dress pants.
