Why You Shouldn’t Follow Every Fashion Trend

Are you tempted to run out and buy the latest fashion trend item? You’re not alone. Many fashionistas out there are quick to jump on the bandwagon every time they hear about the latest and greatest runway look only to invest time and money on something with a short lifespan. Oftentimes, you get sick of this particular fashion trend or it’s no longer cool to wear it. No need to worry that you’re going to miss out; there are ways you can stay current with the latest fashion and not break the bank. Here are a few shopping options to get you started.

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Fashion Trends Come and Go!

How often have you found yourself going crazy about a fashion trend and buying lots of clothes only to realize that the industry has moved on to the next fad? This happens to the best of us. I remember the last time bell-bottoms and platform shoes became trendy again and therefore I became obsessed with them. Then after a few shopping sprees I was the owner of five pairs of jeans and at least six or seven pairs of velvet platform shoes. Needless to say none of them are in my closet today. Some people will have you believe that because trends come and go you should just keep your old purchases but not so fast. Usually when clothes do come back in style they aren’t exactly the same. If you absolutely must go with a trend, only buy one or two items. Otherwise you’ll end up spending unnecessary money on things that will most likely end up in a donation box or second hand shop.

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Invest in Staple Items

There are classic looks that never go out of style. You can easily buy a few great pieces and mix and match them to make a perfect outfit for many occasions.

The Suit

Everybody needs a great suit. It’s a fashion item that can be used many times over. You shouldn’t skimp out and get a cheaply made item because you’re investing in something that will last you a long time. Whether you’re a lady or a gentleman there are ways you can change up your look without adding too much extra cost.

Both women and men can create different looks by simply changing up the shirt or top that goes along with the suit. Play around with color options and you will instantly create a fresh new style. Opt for brighter colors for a more modern look or darker shades for that classic business attire.

Ladies can add a variety of accessories like scarfs, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and purses to add color and variety to any outfit. Guys can add a bright, colorful or even unusual tie to modernize their looks alongside different socks and loafers.

Suit – Le Chateau

The Little Black Dress

The little black dress has been a staple in every woman’s wardrobe forever. It’s the go to fashion item for many occasions such as events, work functions, meetings and dates. It’s also an easy item to accessorize and thus create a different look every time. There are a variety of accessories you can add such as jackets, throws, scarfs and jewelry to easily change your outfit for many occasions. This item is worth investing in because like the suit it never goes out of style.

Dress – Le Chateau

The Pencil Skirt or Trouser

This is a perfect fashion item to add things on to. Even if you have only one pair of trousers or one skirt you can still create lots of different outfits. You can simply buy a few shirts or blouses and voila, endless possibilities. Make sure you buy a well-made skirt or trouser to ensure it will last you a long time. Then you can add on other accessories as I mentioned earlier to quickly change things up.

Pencil skirt – Le Chateau

The Pump or Dress Shoe

To finish off any outfit you need a great shoe. Opt for a close toe shoe to look more polished and professional. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to get quality shoes. I would suggest investing in good leather shoes and you won’t go wrong. It’s better to start with the basics and move on up from there. Get a few pairs of shoes for different occasions such as work, going out and for casual errands so you don’t have to wear the same shoe everyday. That way your shoes won’t wear out as fast. Also, make sure you clean your shoes frequently and invest in a protecting spray or lotion (leather/suede cleaner) to extend the life of your brand new shoes. Once you have the basics down then you can treat yourself and splurge on something special like Manolo Blahnik or Jimmy Choos.

Leather shoe – The Bay

The Sexy Sandal

If you’re like me you just can’t wait for summer to set your feet free. No more socks or stockings, now you can get your pedicure done and show off your pretty toes. There are so many fashion options for sandals to choose from: wedges, platforms, heels, stilettos, flats and flip-flops. Pick the right sandal for you depending on your walking comfort level. If you stick to a neutral color like black, brown, beige, tan or white you can easily wear the sandals with a variety of outfits. On the other hand if you’re more playful you can pick a metallic shade such as gold, silver or platinum. For a real stand out opt for an unusual print such as animal print, bold or bright floral or a funky pattern. Wear your favourite sandals with summer dresses, shorts or any other outfit that makes you feel happy!

Black sandal – Aerosoles                                         Leopart sandal – Qupid

The Leather Jacket

A beautiful leather jacket can really spice up any outfit. This is one of those fashion items that are worth investing in. Leather is a very sturdy and long lasting material. You can go with the black or grey classic option or be more daring and pick another color like red, burgundy or yellow to really stand out of the crowd. If you’re uncomfortable with buying leather or are unable to invest at least a few hundred dollars for quality leather there are many faux leather options out there. They won’t last as long but can give you an easy and affordable way to jazz up your look. Here’s a cool leather jacket I found at Express which didn’t break the bank and looks awesome!

Play Around With Fashion Accessories

As I mentioned before, fashion accessories can give you lots of freedom to freshen up your look. There are endless possibilities you can play around with using jewelry, ties, scarfs, socks, stockings, purses and bags. These can be affordable options and nobody will know the difference unless they look at your tags. They also give you a chance to show your personality, as you can be as bold and daring as you wish or keep the look simple and clean. This can come in handy when you’re at an important meeting or a job interview because if you wear a memorable accessory it will make you stand out and the interviewer is more likely to remember you. Just be careful that you don’t over do it and make the wrong impression.

Shop Vintage

Thanks to all these impulse shoppers out there who bought too many trendy items and got rid of them we get vintage shops!!! These are perfect places to check out if you’re looking for something very specific that you can’t find anywhere else. Chances are you’ll find it there and BONUS – you’ll most likely get it at a fraction of the price. That is what I call A SCORE!!! If you feel weird about previously loved clothing it’s completely understandable. Rest assured that when people donate clothing those clothes get cleaned before the store puts them up for sale. Or you can just get them professionally cleaned anyway and you’re good to go. You can find vintage shops in pretty much every city out there from Toronto to Phnom Penh so go ahead and venture out to look for that awesome outfit.

A cool vintage shop in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

I hope you found these fashion tips helpful! Please share your comments with me and let me know about any of your great finds.

Happy Shopping!!!

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