OK, but what really is a fashion statement?

This question floats around in the back of my brain as I am sitting in bed one night. I think about it for a minute. Then, feeling stuck, I turn to the obvious source of the answer: Google. Surely enough, millions of results pop up, ranging from dictionary definitions to Glamour articles about making your own fashion statements. I click on a few sites before deciding that I am absolutely going to have to write a blog post about it. After all, I am a blogger. A blogger who writes a significant amount about fashion. I have to possess an answer to my own question, don’t I?  

I toss the notion for a little while longer. I pay close attention to it as I pick out an outfit the following morning. And the conclusion I eventually come to is that a fashion statement is a look you wear to inspire confidence and evoke curiosity. A look that goes beyond your norm and ultimately makes you proud. It’s a special outfit that has you feeling differently from the moment you put it on. It makes you bold.

The more I think about it, the more I believe that fashion statements represent the very purpose of fashion itself. They happen when we feel our brightest and most inspired.

We all make different fashion statements at various points in our lives. And after doing some deliberating, I developed my own step-by-step process for making a fashion statement. I personally use these tips when I am attempting to make a fashion statement because I believe they help me execute the look I want more successfully. I hope they can do the same for you!

Commit to a style

Before you even start thinking about what pieces you want to incorporate in your outfit, you need to decide what type of fashion statement you’re trying to make. Having a clear vision in mind will help you create a cohesive look that draws eyes and maintains the vibe you were going for all along. A good way to fulfill this step is to spend some time finding inspiration on Pinterest or Instagram. Look for outfits and trends that excite and inspire you. Maybe even make a vision board. The whole purpose of this process to get your creativity flowing. Once you’ve fully committed to a particular look or theme, it will be a lot easier for you to get into the nitty gritty details.

Think outside the box

OK, so the use of that phrase almost defeats the entire point I am about to try and make, but hear me out. If you want to make a statement, seriously consider doing the unexpected. Think about the styles you typically go for and push yourself to do the opposite. Take me for example. I tend to gravitate towards black, white and maroon in most of my outfits; therefore, if I intended to make a fashion statement, I would probably push myself to find pieces that weren’t those colors. It’s exciting to mix things up every once and awhile. And if you know you’ll be around people who you see regularly, it will be more likely that they’ll notice you’re rocking a different look.

Create contrast

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Contrast creates some of the best outfits. There’s something fun and unique about an ensemble that almost seems to contradict itself. Earlier this winter, I got really into a look comprised of a soft cream sweater with an ice skate design on the front and a dark camo mini skirt. Although the two pieces don’t immediately sound like they should go together, they actually worked fairly well. The whimsicalness of the sweater and the edginess of the skirt balanced each other out wonderfully. And ultimately, is was the contrast of the items that made me like this outfit so much.

Focus on the details

When it comes to making a statement, your focus should be on the details. A fashion statement can be something as simple as a bright lipstick or a unique hair accessory. While it’s a natural tendency to worry about your dress or your shoes, you also don’t want to forget about the little things when you’re trying to piece together a look. Even the subtlest of details can make a difference. Search for a way incorporate a specific detail into your look. Whether it’s a headband, a bracelet or an eyeshadow, allow it to be an element that complements whatever else you’re wearing while simultaneously tying it all together.

Overall, fashion statements are about making you the most confident and comfortable you possibly can be. Finding that one perfect outfit may take time and energy (sometimes too much), but it’s an incredible feeling when it finally comes to fruition. Everyone takes their own individual spin on things, and it is that uniqueness that enables outfits to be their most exciting. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different looks and combinations.

How do you like to make a fashion statement?

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