Be Fashionable at 20

Every wardrobe has gaps, but a wardrobe that can provide a suitable outfit 95% of the time is a must for women or men of any age. Your 20s might be a particularly appropriate time to focus on your wardrobe: you are beginning to have a good understanding of who you are and are not subjected to the peer pressure and fads that come with high school, and you (likely) have more disposable income than you ever will again.

Steps

  1. Understand that creating a strong wardrobe is going to take some money. You don't have to buy designer brands, but remember that investing in well-made items, especially classic foundation pieces like suit jackets etc., means that these pieces will serve you for years to come and will look less shabby after a while than if you had opted for the cheaper version. Therefore, create a budget: earmark funds, based on an assessment of what you need and what you would be comfortable spending. This can be a lump sum or a smaller monthly amount. Having the money previously set aside will mean less guilt when you begin to shop.
  2. Assess your needs. As you go about your daily and weekly routine, keep a list of the situations for which you frequently find yourself dressing. For example, if you are single and working in an administrative setting, you may need to dress for the office, for casual weekends running errands, for a date here and there and for nights out with the girls. As you find yourself in these settings, make mental notes of how others around you are dressing and you will get begin to get an idea of the level of formality required for the many situations in your life. Based on this, you can flesh out a very rough list of what type of completed outfits that you require everyday: skirt/blouse/heels for work, jeans/casual sweater/runners for Saturdays, etc.
  3. Think about your personal style. Keep an eye on what others in your age group are wearing (on the subway, at the office, at the bar) but don't just try to copy them. Decide if you do or don't like the ruffled bohemian skirt, the flat knee-high boot, or the retro sunglasses. Don't be afraid to buy fashionable items if you really like them, but don't just buy them because everyone else is. Instead, try to get a feel for your own style and view your fashion-watching only as potential exposure to new ideas.
  4. Now, armed with your budget and your list of fashion requirements, go shopping! Devote some time when you will not be tired and can be out as long as you like, i.e Saturday or Sunday. But remember, shopping is supposed to be fun! So if you are feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, simply browse and don't pressure yourself to buy. You do not yet have a clear enough idea of what you need or want.
  5. Ask for help and advice from staff, especially when shopping for bras or jeans. An objective eye can help determine if something really does fit right or if you just wish it did. Friends are good for this too, but make sure they are not just trying to be nice.
  6. Keep in mind how the pieces you buy will fit in with the rest of your wardrobe. Create many outfits from a few basic pieces with interchangeable items. Try to maintain an even balance of neutrals and colors.
  7. Accessories are your friends. An inexpensive piece of costume jewelry or a scarf can brighten up the dullest outfit, giving you an opportunity to assert your new-found sense of style. Target (in the U.S.), Old Navy and H&M are all great sources of inexpensive costume jewelry.
  8. Don't forget the shoes!
  9. Have fun and try new things!

Tips

  • Ask people who are of the same proportions as you and who are wearing a great item where they shop. For example, I asked a tall person where she got a wonderful pair of black dress pants, and found out that Le Chateau occasionally has dress pants in a 34" leg.
  • Bras are an important component to how tops fit. Not all bras are created equal. It is important to know your proper bra size. Most good lingerie shops and department stores should be able to help you with this.
  • If you see something that you do not need but you absolutely love it, don't buy it right away. If you are still thinking about it in three days, you can go back and get it. Impulse buys are tricky: sometimes the immediate reaction is unfounded and you might end up with something you never wear; however, some things I have bought on impulse and ended up wearing for years. Try to develop an informed gut instinct and trust it.
  • Don't waste your money buying an item just because it is on clearance and a "good deal". If it doesn't fit right, doesn't look good on you, and you never wear it, it isn't a good deal no matter how cheap it is.
  • There are some basic articles that every woman should have: a pant or skirt suit, a pair of heels and a pair of flats, a formal dress coat for fall and winter and a well-fitting bra are a few.
  • If you find that you can never get the right size, consider whether you should try a specialty store. Don't be ashamed to shop at a plus size store: clothes that fit you properly do much more to camouflage your weight than clothes that are too small, which simply accentuate your measurements. There are stores for tall women, petite women and overweight women: use them, and ask for help from the salespeople.
  • Watching "What Not To Wear" Can help you find a balance between colors and neutrals, tell you what "goes" and what "matches" and help you find appropriate clothes for the occasion and for your body type. TiVo the shows and watch when alone. Take notes if you really have to. Stacey and Clinton will guide you through it. Keep in mind that if there's a showing about a someone who wears too much black, and you don't, watching it may not be appropriate. Watch showings with people who dress similarly too you. You can watch the others, but pay more attention to the ones you really need.
  • If you find it difficult to spend the money, plan your shopping trips around events. Buy something new to wear to the party your friend is having next Friday or for the company Christmas party. Make sure it is something you can wear in your day to day life and possibly blends into your existing wardrobe. Buying only one or two pieces at a time and knowing exactly when you will wear them might help your frugal side to justify the expense. Plus, the compliments you receive might make you more confident in future purchases.
  • Shop at charity shops; they're cheap and you can find some really nice clothes that no one else will have.
  • Cosmetics are also an important component. Unless you work in a creative setting, I'd keep the daytime make-up understated and pull off funky, glam looks at night. Again, discount stores (like pharmacies) allow you to experiment. This way, you can find out if blue eyeshadow works for you without breaking the bank.
  • You do not have to get an entire wardrobe in one day. In fact this is probably impossible. Also, a wardrobe is an ever evolving thing. Make shopping a regular activity, and keep your eyes open even when you are not specifically shopping for clothes.

Warnings

  • Don't buy for imaginary situations. For example, if you are a student but think that one day you'd like to work in an office, don't buy all office wear. But if you are graduating soon and know you will be doing interviews, a suit would be a definite must.

Things You'll Need

  • Time
  • Money
  • A sense of what you are looking for

Related wiki Hows

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Be_Fashionable_at_20&oldid=321447"