Style 101

WORDS BY Courtney Cunningham @court.cunningham

FILM BY Ash Panjwani @trashlikeash Style. It’s a word that taunts us all. When somebody asks you, “what’s your style?” do you freeze in uncertainty and shame? Or do you flaunt your stuff? For many of us, clothing is a tool for exploring and expressing our sense of self. We use it to boost our confidence, reflect our mood, and at times, to step into a completely different persona. Thus, it is no secret our clothing plays a significant role in who we are and who we want to be. From experimentation to mixing and matching, our style is constantly developing. Remember your 14- year-old self? Yeah, let’s not go there, but you get my point. Often when we grow as people, our interests change and so too does our perspective on fashion. Thankfully nowadays, there are no real boundaries to clothing. Colours? Silhouettes? Patterns? I say, work it.

But if you’re scratching your head with no idea where to start, let’s talk about the basics: Items with print? Pick a single colour from one of these pieces and try pairing it with a solid-coloured article of clothing. Alternately, loud prints always pair well with neutrals. Stumped at what to do with colour? Try matching items of similar saturation, such as pastel on pastel. When styling, oversized articles with heels can elongate the look of your body. You can also try tucking tops in or wearing a belt to add definition to your waist. As for jewellery, gold or silver accents have the power to elevate your outfit. You’d be surprised how easy it is to play around with the things you’ve already got in your wardrobe! For me, being able to express myself through clothing is my creative outlet. I believe putting even just a bit of effort into your appearance can go a long way in getting you where you want in life. Even if you’re stuck at home, getting dressed has the power to increase your motivation levels and overall mood!

Where did I get my initial outfit inspiration though? Pinterest —  a stylist’s dream.

Type in whatever you want, be it ‘winter’ or ‘boot outfits’ and an array of images are presented to you. Create a board, name it ‘style’, and add whichever pins intrigue you. Want to see more of what you like? When you click a pin and scroll down, similar items come up which you can continue adding to your board. For the days I’m struggling with what to wear, I click my ‘style’ board and scroll through the photos I’ve saved. If you find you’ve gravitated towards a certain look, don’t let that hold you back. Continue adding more pins and experimenting with different ideas. Now that you know some of the basics, add your personal touch! What are you waiting for? Head on over to your wardrobe and have a browse. Play around and try to recreate some of your style inspirations, so the next time someone asks you, “what’s your style?” you won’t have to hesitate when you respond to that pesky question!