How to Be Yourself in What You Wear

Everyone talks about what's currently hot, or on trend, but what about YOU? Where do you lie in the mix of it all? Chasing the confusing world of fashion is endless, exhausting, and costly.  It is only in the realization of yourself, and identity can you regain control. Would it not be great to discover who you are, and what you really want? What's your fashion trademark and how can you get one?

Firstly, let me clarify, being identified by your peers as 'fashionable', does not necessarily mean you are. If you copy someone else's style ideas, you are simply that, 'a copy'. It is easy to do, the effect is successful, but you are left completely unoriginal. Having a lot of money makes things a lot easier as well. Money allows you the finest designers, and access to the most refined fashion minds. Looking the part makes you feel the part, but let me ask you? If life is a stage, who's life are you portraying? Are you living your life or are you simply a masterful actor/actress?

Here are my 5 basic tips to finding style that is everything YOU!

1.) Start from Scratch.

Wipe your slate clean. We are starting from zero guys and fresh. Whatever, preconceived notion you may have about trends, or what you can or cannot wear, throw it out. You have no rules, and they do not own you. 

2.) It's all about instincts.

Don't look to your right, don't look to your left, and put down your i-phone. Gosh darn it what do you feel? It's time to find that basic, raw, instinct that lies deep in all of us. Do YOU like it? Do YOU think it is cool? Do YOU feel a trigger of excitement? Our instincts know who we are. It is only in our need to be accepted that we get lost.

3.) Be brave.

Doing your own thing, is a scary thing. Life is easier following a crowd, whether it be right or wrong, it feels safe. Taking a chance and being different opens you up for ridicule and failure. However, lets not be mislead, a life lived by following the choices of others in not LIVING at all. Everything in life worth experiencing is somewhat scary. 

4.) Go Vintage.

The best way to train your fashion skills is to go shopping at a vintage or thrift store. What? Even if you may not buy anything, this is a great way to figure out what you like,  free of any mind blocks. A thrift store or vintage, is unique in its HUGE variety of style, covering many decades and various genres. You are free to mix and match anything and the inspirational juices find no limits. If its your first time, don't feel bad if your instinctual reaction is unresponsive. It can be very challenging at first, and you may draw a total blank. Creativity will grow as you challenge your mind to think on its own. 

5.) It's Personal.

Like life, you have the choice to include yourself as little or as much as you want. Personalizing your fashion choices is in essence the inclusion of yourself in your clothing choices. Feel free to rip off a sleeve or two. Crop it, add fabric, bows, beads,etc. If there is something you feel that will bring it to the next level, just do it! 

Enjoy! 

xo,

Maya