Personal Style is ALWAYS in.

What is personal style?

There are nearly 6 billion people on earth, and there is not one person that is exactly like you. That is a powerful thing. There are those people that take advantage of their individuality, and those people are the inspiring few who help shape the world. Taking advantage of your unique qualities can begin with gaining a sense of personal style. Having personal style refers to people's individual and unique takes on what is going on in fashion today. Whether people adhere to modern trends or go against them, they all say a lot about who we are. 

Developing Your Personal Style

When developing a personal style it is majorly important to stay true to who you are. For instance, if you don't enjoy punk music, then don't try to look like a punk, or if you're not a very feminine person, then don't try to dress like a prostitute(trust me, I've seen butch girls try to slut up their wardrobe and fail miserably). It doesn't matter what type of style you like or enjoy, there is no wrongs when it comes to personal style.

1. Self Evaluation:

When starting to create your style, the first question you want to ask yourself is "what are you interested in?" Make a list of the activities, hobbies, and social activities you partake in. Your clothing should suit your lifestyle, NOT the other way around. Also, think about your personality. A majorly important thing about personal style is that is should match who you are inside. If you are a business oriented person who wants to be taken seriously all the time, then dress more formally. On the other hand, if you're humorous and outgoing, the reflect that in your style. Fashion is really about taking what's on the inside and showing people on the outside.

2. Research:

Research styles you enjoy and ones that fit with you lifestyle. Find out where people like you shop, what designers cater to that style. Also, its beneficial to think about a style icon, which is someone famous who's style you admire and Idolize. 

3. Obtaining the style:

Finally, find out how you can create the same effect of the style. Money should not be an issue unless the style you want to achieve is designer label whore. If you see styles that are out of your price range (which most are for me), "take apart" the outfit. Look at all the individual elements of look, from color, shape, graphics, patterns, fabrication. Then figure out which of the elements you like and make the outfit so successful. Then, when shopping think about all the elements of the outfits you like. Shop for those individual elements at stores that fit within your price range. DO NOT shop without a budget. Keep in the amount of money you want to spend in mind and strictly adhere to that budget. After all, fashion should come second to life's basic needs, because if you don't have enough money to eat, you won't be able to live long enough to wear your fabulous clothes (Am I right?!)! 

Having a signature piece

My collection of ties.

My grandfather's watches.

A signature piece is an item in your wardrobe that you very personally relate to. In most cases, it's an accessory or pair of shoes, because they are items that can be worn with a multitude of items. A signature piece should have a meaning behind it or have some history to it. For example, almost everyday I wear three of my grandfather's watches together. The are antique looking and have a worn look about them. I wear them because its reminds me of the lessons I learned from him. I also have all of his vintage ties, which have similar sentimental value. Another signature piece of mine is pair of beat up old converse I wear often. I've had them for many years and have seen a lot of crazy times. For you, a signature piece could be a necklace, a ring, a handbag, or really anything that says something about you as a person. Signature pieces make an outfit YOURS. Hundreds of people own the same clothing, but no one else owns your piece. Another benefit of signature pieces is that they are conversation starters. On almost a daily basis, I get complimented on my beat up collection of watches and ties. I've even had people take pictures of my converse because they were so beat up.

Following trends successfully

Following trends is good for the most part. They make you look fresh, modern, and make you look "fashionable." My problem with trends is when people follow them WAY to closely. Piling together 10 trends into one outfit looks like costume. Outfits like those lack creativity and personality. My suggestion on how to use trends effectively is to wear one at a time, or one small combination. Another great thing to do is to put your own personal twist on trends. For example, lace is a great trend right now. So instead of just wearing a pair of lace tights, try putting lace on your nails, or craft a lace hair bow, or a lace necklace of some kinds. Think outside the box beyond the obvious ways to wear trendy items.

Where to find trends:

A great place to find trends for the season is Style.com. You can see all of the latest runway shows from all over the world. They also provide article about the trending looks from top designers.

http://www.style.com/

Another great place to find trends is Lookbook.nu. Lookbook is an online collection of people's outfits from all over the world. Average people upload pictures of what they wear. People rate the outfits and comment. You can see what other people find trendy and get some inspiration for you own look.

http://lookbook.nu/

A final place to look for trends is Pantone. Pantone gives you color inspiration for the upcoming season. They work seasons in advanced to give everyone from top designers to budget designers the newest colors for the season. Also, you can see sketches from top designers to see the latest silhouettes and styles that will be coming out.

http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20738&ca=4

The Dreaded Fashion Budget

Budgeting is something no one likes but is always essential to the thrifty fashionista. No matter how rich or poor you are, creating a fashion budget should be a priority. Here are some easy tips for creating a basic fashion budget:

The "Essentials" List

Make a list of the items you most need to the pieces you least want. The pieces you need are at the top of your list and should be wardrobe essentials and versatile items that can be worn for multiple occasions, such as a spring/fall jacket, basic pencil skirt, or white dress shirt/blouse. Then make your way down the list to the things you don't necessary need but want like a feather skirt or new pair of heels. By creating a list like this you can spend your money in the most effective way possible. Save for the pieces at the top of your list before spending money on the less important pieces. 

The Mental Budget

Creating a mental budget means that before you make it to a store, figure out how much you want to spend, and on what items. For instance, lets say you go to a store looking for a jacket. You create a mental budget of $40 and intend to find a jacket under that price. The downfall of this tip is that most people start off with good intentions of not going over budget, but after finding one they absolutely love they tend to spend more. There are two solutions to this problem:

1. Do not even consider anything over your budget. Even if you find an item you absolutely love that is over budget, I can guarantee in most cases you can find a similar style for cheaper. You must have the will power to MOVE ON.

2. The second is a more practical to the issue of going over budget. If you find an item you feel that you NEED and is absolutely perfect (which happens to me often), go ahead and purchase it. BUT, plan ahead. Now that you have made the decision to go over budget, you need to make sacrifices else where, such as not buying your morning coffee for a week or not buying a luxury item that you want. Mentally think of what you can sacrifice BEFORE you make the purchase though. Otherwise you will overspend, and then realize you can't make any sacrifices elsewhere.

Comparative Shopping

Do your research! Research is the key to being a thrifty shopper. Know how much something should cost before you buy it, a very simple concept. When trying to find a specific type of item go to a variety of store websites and compare the costs. Then when you go to purchase the item while out shopping, you can know if something is over priced or a good deal. The uninformed shopper is an over budget shopper.

Creating a Savings Goal

A big complaint I hear from people is that they never have enough money to go shopping. Well I would say that most of the time that is not true. Almost everyone has the ability to put at least some money aside. This concept comes from kids who save money in piggy banks. Simply put any left over money aside until you save enough for major purchase. It may be difficult to save, but either hide the money or trust it to a family member or close friend to help prevent you from spending the money until you save enough for the item you originally intended to buy.

Grandma Sweater Tank Top

Ever see those horribly fitting "grandma sweaters" in thrift stores? Well, here's a creative solution on how to wear these one of a kind pieces.

What's great about old sweaters is they usually have bright colors, and are very unique. The downfall is fit. They're baggy, and most people can't pull of the potato sack silhouette. My solution? Turn it into a tank top!

Where to find them:
The first place to start hunting is your mom's or grandma's closet. I guarantee they have a few old sweaters they're willing to get rid of. I also have very good luck in any thrift stores such as goodwill for around $5. Look for interesting patterns or graphics. The size of the sweater doesn't make a whole lot of difference, even if the sweater is HUGE, the tank looks great because it adds the flow of the fabric. BUT, beware or large knit sweaters that you can see through. If the sweater's knit is too spaced out the entire thing will unravel.

How to do it:
1. Take a tank top you already have and lay it over the sweater.
2. Then cut out the neckline and sleeves to match the tank top you placed over it.
3. Finally, if the sweater has a fitted bottom, cut it off. That's all there is to it!

Ways to wear it:
As shown in the pictures, they usually look great with a fitted blazer or vest over it. Another way is to wear it with a large belt around the waist. If the sweater is large enough, it could be worn as a fall dress.

Using the scraps:
After cutting off the sleeves and neckline, you'll have some left over pieces. Find ways to wear to these pieces! As shown below, the sleeve can be used as a winter neck warmer. Another idea would be to use the neckline as a headband, or you could make cute knit jewelry or a purse.

How to wash and care for it:
Most knit sweaters are dry clean only. But if you're like me, hand washing it with detergent and letting it air dry does the trick. Do NOT wash in the washing machine and dryer. It will most likely fall apart or shrink horribly.

A Guide To Thrift Store Shopping

Are you a first time thrift store shopper? Or do not find good things at thrift stores?
Well here's my "expert" advise on the ways of thrifting.


The Basics:

Have an imagination:
The number one problem I see with people who don't know how to handle thrift stores is creativity. Everyone tends to look at old clothing for face value. What I challenge you to do is look for colors you like first. When you find an interesting pattern or color (no matter how hideous the garment itself looks) take a moment and think through the possible uses for that garment. Remember, thrifting is inexpensive, there for it is more than OK to cut up, redesign, and experiment with clothing.

Take your time:
One thing I can not stand about inexperienced thrift store shoppers is rushing. Thrifting is about the thrill of the chase. Therefor you must TAKE YOUR TIME. Go through the clothing on the rack INDIVIDUALLY. I guarantee you that 98% of the things in the store will not work for you personally. People tend to generalize areas of the store, if they see a rack of dresses with a few really hideous dresses, they tend to skip the entire rack. Do NOT do that. Look through, and see each piece as a unique different item with different value and end purposes.

Bring an experienced friend with you:
Bringing someone who knows a thing or two about thrifting is majorly helpful. People who are good at thrift store shopping are people who normally do not look like they wear second hand clothing. People like that can help you see beyond the idea that its second hand, and can help you begin to build thrift store creative skills.

Look in unexpected sections:
Something that I like to do is to not only look in the men's small section of the store, I look EVERYWHERE. Look in the guys section if your a girl, and look in the girl section if your a guy. I can almost guarantee you can find some really interesting pieces.

Finding Accessories:
Thrift store accessories are great. A lot of times you find good staple pieces that are inexpensive and have a vintage look. Do not be afraid of large piles of chains and metal, dive in! Another accessory trick is to find strange pendents or trinkets of sorts and put them on chains. Such things could look really nice with a day dress or casual T-shirt and jeans look.


ADVANCED THRIFTING TIPS AND TRICKS
Special Discounts and Sales

"Bins":

"Bins" are a big collection of clothes, nicknacks, and random items all in a huge cluster. They're cheaper items, and all have the same price. These bins can look intimidating, but don't be scared! Dive in. A lot of times you can find some great odd pieces, and they're cheaper than regular items on the racks. 

Become a member:

Becoming a member or signing up for a loyalty card can also save you some money and gives you great benefits in the long run. They're usually free to sign up for. Most likely they'll give you a discount right away for signing up, but also gives you discounts for special sales or discounts for buying over a certain amount. Many times, stores like Goodwill have special sale days, such as student discount day (every Saturday), and Senior Discount Day. A lot of times too, they will send you emails also about upcoming sale events and special discounts to members.

Special Tag Sales:

Another benefit of becoming a member is special discount sales. In stores like Goodwill they will have days where different colored tags have different discounts. So everything with an orange tag is 15-30% off. By becoming a member, through email the store will let you know when these super sales are. Prepare yourself! Go early, because those grandmas will fight you for items! 

The Benefits of Donating or Selling:

Donating to stores or selling your clothing has several benefits. Stores like Plato's Closet or Buffalo Exchange allow you to sell your used clothes for cash. But beware, a lot of people don't make a huge amount of money and are usually disappointed for how much they make. If you just want to donate your clothes to stores such as Salvation Army and Goodwill gives you special tax benefits. Just ask for a receipt after you drop off your goods. Also, a lot of times stores give you store coupons or discounts that you can use in the store to buy more clothes. Not only can you clean out your clothes you don't want anymore, but you can buy new ones for cheaper!

Damaged Clothes

Once you find an item you like, study it closely. Look for damage, lose stitches, missing buttons, set in stains, etc. If the damage is beyond repair or too noticeable, its sometimes best to pass it up. BUT, if the damage is not too bad, or you can live with it, bring it up to the register or speak to a manager to get a discount on the item. In most cases, pointing out damage on items can get you at least a 10% discount. This applies to normal retail stores also. Its a great way to save a buck and also really look at what you're purchasing.

........................
And here's an outfit in which all the things are bought at a thrift store. I have really good luck with shoes. The coat I'm holding is a vintage military jacket I bought for $10! Nothing in the photo I purchased for more than that.  (Notice the price tags in the shoes...I've worn these before, but I keep the price tag in them.)

Have any other suggestions of how you like to thrift? Give me a comment and I'll add it to my guide! Or send me pictures of great things you find at a thrift store near you!

Bleach Painting

Bleach painting is an inexpensive way for you to reinvent old t-shirts.
All you need is:
-Paint brushes
-Bleach
-Plastic bags
-Colored cotton t-shirt

First place plastic in-between the layers of the fabric, otherwise the bleach may bleed through to the other sides of the garment.

Then, Use the bleach like you would paint. I recommend using Splashless bleach, its a bit thicker than regular bleach, and would drip and spread as much, if you're looking for a clean line look.

An added technique is to have different ratios of water to bleach. By adding different amounts of water, you can different values of bleaching. You can have a more 3D effect that way. I suggest using scrap fabric to test the effects of bleach. I also suggest you layout the design first. The bleach is VERY permanent, so be careful!

                                                            

     Here's the back of dress I did where I used the same bleaching technique. 

There's a lot of different ideas you could do. I thinks stripes or flames would be a really cool effect. Or, just painting a really cool graphic would be a real exciting design.

Spray Paint Pants- Viewer Project!

Robert Alberts was inspired by my spray paint paints post and created this pair of pants! It says "create"!

I like the subtle detail on the one pant leg.

What I'd Like To Say About Fashion.

Why is that I am a fashion design major, yet I basically undermine the entire industry by telling people to stop spending money on clothes and make it yourself? Well, I guess its because I am trying to make fashion more creative. Fashion in its very origins referred to the way people would take a particular style and make it unique. The example that comes to my mind first as picture I saw in costume history class. Its a middle ages painting of a man wearing a shoe on his head. That's how fashion started. People take things, and change them. But I feel as if we've gone away from this idea. Yes, people have different styles, but we as consumers buy into things that make us fit in. So I probe the question next time you shop for an item of clothing: Why do you want that item?
So this is my quest to get back to the roots of true fashion. I want people to feel inspired to create, to rethink, to problem solve their way through style. Do not look at ANYTHING face value. There's a million possibilities for a single item of clothing, or for anything for that matter.

Using Ties Creativily

Ties are great accessories for guys and girls. Ties are cheap at thrift stores, usually ranging $1-5. When looking for a tie, I try and find unique patterns and colors. Ties instantly add a pop of color to any outfit. I like to wear ties with a neutral outfit, or with a contrasting shirt pattern. Here's just a few ways you can wear ties casually:

Head Band

 This look is very simple to execute. All there is to it tying it just like you would shoe laces. Just make sure you have equal lengths of tie when you start tying.

The Casual Knot

I like finding unique graphic ties. They're really fun to mix and match and they instantly add humor to any look. 

Experimenting with knots

 Try to experiment with tying the tie. Even if you don't know how to tie it correctly, it doesn't really make a difference. Some of my favorite looks have been created by accident. I like to think of this look as an oversize faux bow tie. 

I also created the graphic on the tie using black ink splatters on a white tie. I bought the tie for only $1! 

These are just a few suggestions, but I advise you to experiment. A lot times I get really creative cool looking tie knots by just fooling around a tie. I've also seen ties used as belts, which would look really cute tied into a bow around a high waisted dress.

Amazing Fake Collar Shirt

This is a technique for changing any plain t-shirt into a stylish trendy collared shirt.
All you need is:
-Scissors
-Old Collar shirt (something you don't want anymore)
-Different colored t-shirts (crew neck or v-neck)
Here's the finished product:

This is an easy and cost effective look. All you have to do is cut off the center placket of a dress shirt. Simply cut along the outside seam like so.

 This is what it will look like once you cut around the entire collar piece.

 Finally, place the collar with any t-shirt to create a fake collar shirt look. What would look really cool is if you put a bow tie with it. Mix and match the collar with different shirts. Potentially, you could wear the same collar everyday with different shirts and no one would be able to tell the difference!

Spray Paint Pattern Jeans

Have an old pair of jeans you don't like anymore? Give them a spray paint makeover! This is an easy and cost effective way to give new life to an old pair.
All you need is:
-Old Jeans (I started with a pair of white jeans I no longer wear)
-Blue Painters tape/masking tape
-Spray paint colors of choice (If you don't have spray paint at your home, you can purchase it at any craft store/home supply store for around $5)

HOW TO DO IT:

If you want a rough edge look to your pattern, rip the tape in half to give a jagged edge.

Place the tape on the jeans. Use a reference photo if you are looking to do a specific pattern, such as giraffe print, or zebra print.

Finally, spray the jeans with a light coat of spray paint. I used two different colors to give it more dimension. WARNING: Place newspaper or plastic into the jeans legs, because the spray paint may bleed through. Also, spray paint in a well ventilated area or outside. I also suggest wearing gloves.

Be careful not to over spray paint it, because the jeans will have a hard feel.

Once you have allowed the paint to dry, remove the tape. I suggest washing them alone in the washer the first time, the spray paint may wear off a bit, but it will give it more of a rustic feel. 

Its a simple cost effective way to update your old jeans.

Here are some ideas of patterns you could do:

Zebra print, stripes, polka dots, waving lines, geometric shapes, snake skin pattern. Get creative!

Wealth Does NOT Equal Style.

People since the beginning of society as we know it have placed social class with fashion. What you wear defines how much money you make and how much power you have. Well its time for that to change. No matter how much money you have, you still have a right to good style. It is quite funny when I see people decked out in all designer clothing, but look absolutely horrible! It just proves the fact, money doesn't make a person look good. Good TASTE makes a person look good.

We grow up envying rich celebrities that have closets full of clothes from top designers. But the truth is, almost no one will get to that socials status. Not everyone can be rich and famous. But who says we have to dress miserably just because we are not their social level? My saying has always been "the less money you have, the more creative you have to be." Meaning, if you can afford to buy designer ripped jeans, then go for it! But if you can't, then get creative! Use your intellect to figure out how to achieve that look. Ask yourself the question, "What SPECIFICALLY do I like about that item?" Is it style lines? The fit? The color? The embellishments? Then take those elements into mind and experiment! Cut, sew(if you can), tape, paint, glue your way to achieving the look. Of course it will take time, but hey, no one said poor people have it easy! Its easy to say "I can't afford that, so therefor I can't be fashionable." Well, screw that idea. What you should say is "I can't afford that, so I will figure out a way to make something that creates the same look." Do not put limitations of your style. Anyone can be fashionable with a little elbow grease!