“Style is personal, and I take mine fabulous with a splash of fun and feminine, drizzled with a whole lot of classy, chic, yet edgy, and then topped with a pinch of sassy!”
Style is for everyone. While it is often seen as an invitation to creativity, confidence, and self-expression, it also carries an echo of your identity, and it communicates how you want others to perceive you. and al Haute Couture, timeless pieces, and high quality fashion often carry a high price tag. However, As kingdom women, we are taught to be modestit is a crucial element of our personal brand.”
But how do you pull off that fabulous look without the outfit screaming $5.99 instead of $599?
Build a capsule wardrobe
Think versatility, neutrals, and timeless fashion when building your capsule wardrobe. Use the trendier items for your statement pieces. You want your capsule collection to be intentional and ready for any occasion. When you have these versatile pieces, you are not running to the store every time you have an event. Ensure that your capsule wardrobe complements your personal style very well and that the pieces work well together.
Restyle, Restyle, Restyle!
I shop in my closet first and start restyling different pieces because it doesn’t have to be new to be perfect. For example, remember that pair of jeans you wore with a t-shirt last week to the mall? Grab those same jeans and instead of the t-shirt, choose a stylish blouse or inner basic. Then I would style with a blazer or an outer wear that can take it from day to night, or office to party. Finish the look with some stilettos or complementing shoes for the occasion. Now, choose other accessorizes to bring the outfit together.
Solids, elevated basics, and denims
Every closet needs solids, basics, and denims. Solid colors and basics go with more than one outfit, so this is a great way to restyle clothes for different looks that will save you some money. Plus, basics can be just as fabulous. Now, I choose basics that are of good quality that will not cheapen the outfit, but will help me to look polished and chic.
Shop similar styles
Check out different designs and assess what attracts you to that piece of clothing. For me, I am drawn to details such as the revealing zipper in the back, the silhouette, the detailing at the neckline, the feel of the fabric and even the oversized look of the sleeves. That’s how I learned my personal style: by what draws me into the fashion piece and how it fits on my body. Then I shop for a similar style without the high price tag. So even though I am not spending thousands, I won’t end up looking like someone wrapped me in a crocus bag. I still get the wow factor, just at a lower cost.
Wear only what suits your style and body type
I cannot emphasize this enough. Because it’s on sale doesn’t mean that you should buy it. Check the quality of the fabric, the finishing. Does it suit your style? Does it complement your personal brand? Does it give the intended elegance you anticipated? Does it fit your body type? For example, no matter how small I get, I still feel like I have fat arms. So, I make sure that my sleeves hit either all the way to my wrists, at my elbows, or at the top of my shoulders. It gives the best look — for me. Otherwise, my arms look even bigger with other sleeve lengths. Now, I have a curvy body. Imagine me trying to pull off a pair of petite jeans. I would look suffocated and tacky. Pay attention to pieces such as jeans and trousers that might make ill-fitted pieces more noticeable.
“I want to save, but if I don’t get the “wow factor” when I try it on, I am leaving it in the store. Wear what looks good on you so it doesn’t look like you took it off the discount rack (even if you did…wink! wink!).”
Buy staple pieces and create a high-low effect
Circling back to the capsule wardrobe, your staple pieces can be the pencil skirt, the wrap dress, a printed silk scarf, the pumps, a stylish belt, and one of my favorites, the leather jacket. I love an edgy, well-tailored, high quality leather jacket. When I have staple items or high-end fashion pieces, I get to mix and match them with other less expensive pieces.
“To achieve the high-low method of styling, I often stay away from clothing with logos and branding everywhere. Instead, I go for clean looks, and add at least a bold statement piece to finish my intended look.”
Quality over quantity
I just love the chic look and feel of high quality fabric. Once you have found your personal style, it can be more cost-effective to invest in a timeless piece of quality clothing at one time than to buy cheap clothing that you have to then purchase ten more times. I tend to assess the durability and the length of time I need the item and shop accordingly.
Accessorize, but don’t overkill
You know the term. “Less is more.” This is definitely true for accessories. It can make or break an outfit. Don’t go overboard, just find the right balance based on your outfit and occasion. Now, less does not equal boring, so go bold if that is your style. Again, the idea is balance.
Your scent is also an accessory so learn your signature scents so that you can wear it with confidence.
Shop smart
Shop outlets and discount stores. This is one of my favorite ways to achieve high-low styling. Now I know you might not have the patience to shop in places like Ross, but these are great places to find some brands and good quality fashion pieces for a fraction of retail price.
Shop sales. Use coupons. This goes without saying. It doesn’t matter where I shop, I look for sales all the time. Stores always send discounts in their newsletters. There are also so many sites and apps now with coupon codes that you can apply online or show to the cashier…20% off instantly.
Shop off-season. This is one of my personal strategies, especially for staple pieces. Again, because they are timeless, they don’t just flow with trends so I can wear them again and again without looking dated. Just be mindful to buy clothes that will look stylish regardless of fashion trends.
Speaking of trends? What trend? Creating my own personal style is more daring and far more cost effective than keeping up with fashion trends. Plus, not every fashion trend suits my style.
Take care of yourself from inside out
It doesn’t matter how “snatched” you look in your outfits, if you are not taking care of yourself, you won’t look or be your best. After all, the elegance we talk about in this publication is not about clothes or how well you present yourself in them. True beauty illuminates from within, and that is the pure light and radiance that transform each space you enter into. Eat healthy nutritious meals, get enough rest, feed your soul with the true word of God, and then step out in confidence to be that light.
Expressing your personal style and branding does not have to cost a fortune. Find what works for your style and body, and walk confidently in it. Most importantly, remember that you are a daughter of the King and your first expression of that truth is the character you display.
Until next time, Kingdom Royalties.