Part of the fun in the change of seasons can be the opportunity to change up your wardrobe a little bit or maybe a lot. Even if you live in a climate where the weather doesn’t fluctuate much, acquiring seasonal pieces can be a way to signal to yourself and to the world at large that fashion choices are an extension of a mood or persona you are aiming to cultivate. It’s often said that dressing the part can work wonders on one’s mental outlook. The question to guide your fashion choices then becomes what part do you want to dress for this summer?
Whether aiming for flirty fun in the sun or flowy and casual summer elegance that can work at the office or a night out on the town, numerous options exists. Not to mention mixing and matching is always a great way to get more mileage out of your clothes. A piece meant for the beach might be able to also work in a more formal setting given the right accessorizing. Free yourself to let your imagination flow. Some looks will be winners, and some won’t. Enjoy the process in any case.
Take Stock of Your Current Wardrobe
Some would say if you have to rotate your clothes into seasonal storage, you have too many clothes. Regardless of your minimalistic leanings, it’s always a wise idea to get rid of clothes you haven’t worn in the past year or two. If you’re prone to impulse buys, this can be rough. Why not aim to invest in more quality pieces than a lot of cheaper ones you may or may not wear? Also, take pains to get rid of items that fit poorly, have stains, or are starting to wear out. Then ask yourself if the remaining summer clothing items are unbalanced in any way. Do you own way more shirts than shorts? Too many tank tops? Not enough sandals?
Choose Classics that Never Go out of Style
Silk scarves can serve a variety of purposes in a pinch, so feel free to go wild in this realm. It’s always easy to dress up a white T-shirt or to pair black ballet flats with a scarf, jewelry, or fabulous sunglasses. Other staples include strappy sandals, a little black dress, black ankle pants, and a silk blouse. White sneakers are a must for summer fashion as well. Buying shoes a half-size or so bigger than usual is worth considering since you’re on the go more in the summer and feet have a tendency to swell as the day goes by. Choosing breathable fabrics is also key. Synthetic fabrics will make you simply melt during hot weather, and sweating all over the place is never a wise fashion choice.
Include a Few Exotic as well as Trendy Pieces
Perhaps you have an affinity for the cultural fashion of a particular country? Likewise, if you travel often, it can be a great idea to couple souvenir collecting with clothes shopping. A fun way to try on an exotic look that flatters most figures is to experiment with an Indian Punjabi suit. When it comes to trendy pieces, choose wisely. All the glossy magazines and top websites parade lots of temptation before us, but it’s always a wise bet to ask yourself if it’s really the best idea to buy that current must-have item of the moment. If you can afford it, feel free to splurge now and again, but always question if such purchases are truly worth it.
Know What Looks Good on You
That orange sundress with black polka dots might have looked fun on hanging on the rack, but on your body, it ended up looking like a really bright potato sack. Even when trying things on, we sometimes we convince ourselves a piece looks good because we love some aspect of it and overlook the obviously unflattering fit, etc. You should be dressing for your body type and coloring above all else. Don’t worry about the sizes on tags as there is much discrepancy from brand to brand. You might normally be a size ten, but need to buy a size 14 pair of pants from a particular designer. Dress to set yourself apart some way, and by doing so your personal style will gradually start to emerge.
Shop Somewhere New
It can often be counterproductive to seek inspiration in the same shopping stores time and time again. Whether this means the store in your neighborhood where you buy most of your fashion or the online shop that delivers quickly, it’s always a good idea to branch outside of your comfort zone. This could entail shopping for accessories in a new-to-you online store or stopping at the funky boutique you’ve driven by multiple times the past year, always thinking such a place isn’t for you. Live a little!
By following the above suggestions, you’ll be on your way to cultivating the wardrobe you’ve always wanted to have. Good luck!