Ok things have got a little dull, with the aw13 trends upon us of course there are some of the boring, crack out every year trends. So lets shake thing up a little and look for inspiration in other places. Here are some ideas and tips to get you started!
Expect the unexpected!
We are so spoon fed that we buy clothes from certain places as this is deemed appropriate! Dam that rule, there are cool pieces to be Be Found everywhere, you just have to open your eyes! Like cute schoolgirl socks in the pound shop, the menswear section in charity shops are fab for oversized shirts that you can wear as a dress belted or open as an alternative jacket, or make it Girly and tie and ribbon around the collar into a bow, circa Chanel! Army shops and men's work wear are cool for picking up bits too. Just open your eyes, it does not matter where it's from or what it's meant for its how you can rock it that counts!
Forget sizing!
When I go into a shop I completely ignore sizing, it so opens your mind to alternative shapes and ways of wearing things. Oversized is always über cool but also shrunken can be mega cute too. Kids clothes can be approached as well as dresses or coats that are far too big. Even if you don't have the sewing skills a great belt can do wonders for Making a baggy top into a dress, and a dressing gown into a coat. So chuck size out of the window and focus on colour, pattern and good design!
Explore randomly!
Fashion magazines are not the only places to gain fashspiration apart from the high street, I adore looking at old knitting patterns cos the colours and combo's are mega cringe but so cute. Look at old books in charity shops, I recently got a book on twenties fashion illustration for 1.49! Family photo albums can be great for vintage inspiration, as well as a laugh. But seriously there are stylistic ideas to be drawn from most things. Whether its the colours in your salad or the hat of an old lady in Midsummer Murders, embrace these random bouts of inspiration!
Scissors!
People are always scared to attempt any sort of customising if they are not a skilled sewer but you don't need skills, just vision! It seriously does not matter if there are raw edges or fastening pinned with a brooch or a button sewn on with the wrong coloured thread. Those rules are for the boring ! Sure some clothes need to be be smart. But sometimes a change is needed and it's needed quickly, so crack out those scissors and get creating!
Borrow, swap, find!
Ok now don't judge me but I'm going to say something a little weird now. My favourite black felt hat I found next to a bin. Yep I know your thinking WTF? Are you a weird bag lady? The thing is people dump furniture or clothes next to bins all the time and as long as you know it's meant for the bin and you can take it home and wash it then everyone is winning! You got something for free, you have saved another item from going to landfill so recycling, as well as reviving an unwanted item. It's not gross it's Eco friendly. So open your stylistic senses up to your mums or grannies wardrobe too as well as your dads. Me and my sister share a lot of clothes, so she will borrow it for a few months and then bring it back. We know that's our agreement so that's cool! If you gain people's trust then it's a fab way to experience different pieces without having to buy them!
So the morale of the story is open your eyes and trust your own taste! Even I every fashion mag says its wrong it probs won't be in a years time anyway. And ignore sensible friends opinions they will come round. So you keep going with your stylistic adventure and let me know how you get on!
