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How to Use Fashion to Express Ourselves

There are several personal styles we may choose from. Each helps those we meet know part of our story. While we may not always think about it, what we wear can have a major impact on our lives. We can use fashion to show our personality both at work and at play. Having a strong personal style can help us know what clothing we love to wear.

The saying goes, “Dress for the job we desire, not the one we have.” This highlights the importance of fashion and how it impacts how we see ourselves and others. Treating every day like a job interview (or a first date) is part of projecting the best version of ourselves to others.

Fashion

Furthermore, dressing for the role becomes, to some extent, a self-fulfilling prophecy. We dress nicely, which makes us feel better about ourselves, so others think more highly of us, and our confidence grows as a result. Having a clear personal style and brand can help us feel confident as we move out into the world and interact with other people. 

What we wear is significant no matter if we are traveling, at work, or hanging out with friends. It doesn’t matter whether we can afford the most expensive outfits or if we prefer saving money by hitting all the resale shops around us. Once we are familiar with a wide range of styles, we can always find one that fits our mood.

Once we know our personal style, we can work to incorporate it wherever we go. No matter the dress code, there are ways to make our personal style shine. If we are in control of our personal style, we are sure to turn heads whenever we walk into a room. 

Some Popular Fashion Styles We Might Choose

Classic Style

The term “classic” is an umbrella for a polished everyday style that incorporates elements of workwear, such as fitted jackets and khakis. This more professional look is appropriate for the office and other settings where we want to look our best.

There is a reason these styles are called classics because they look great on everyone. It is also important to remember that classic style pieces do not necessarily have to be in neutral colors or patterns. We might choose a patterned button up shirt to really show off our personality. A wide range of classic style pieces incorporate bold partners and colors. 

Casual Style 

Casual style refers to what we might wear on the weekend. This might include jeans, comfortable T-shirts, sneakers, or flat boots. Casual style is probably the easiest for us to use to express ourselves since it is focused on comfort. With a little effort we can turn the simplest outfit into a very put together look.

Bohemian Style 

Also known as “boho” or “boho chic,” bohemian style borrows from the 1960s hippie aesthetic and festival culture. The style incorporates earth tones, natural fabrics, and dyes, and prints and accessories from around the world.

hipster fashion in friedrichshain

Hipster Style

Hipsters wear skinny jeans and cargo pants, t-shirts and tank tops, trucker hats and no-hats. They drink wine, beer, gin & tonics, old fashioned cocktails and Arnold Palmers. The hipster style came about at the beginning of the 21st century and has come to be defined by reusing labels (while also attaching the hipster label to their style).

Read more about the hipster style: Hipster fashion for the indie traveler set

Grunge Style 

Inspired by grunge music and the subculture that originated in the ‘80s and ‘90s Seattle, grunge fashion features thrift-store finds like plaid flannel shirts and oversized knits, styled in a subversive, disheveled way. Grunge looks often include ripped jeans, unkempt hairstyles, and black boots.

Preppy Style

Preppy style is inspired by the clothing and uniforms traditionally worn at private East Coast prep schools and Ivy League colleges. This style includes polo shirts, oxford shirts, argyle sweaters and socks, cloth-wrapped headbands, boat shoes, fitted jackets, and khaki pants.

Stylish ties

Punk Style

Punk fashion is inspired by the subversive punk rocker styles of the ‘70s and ‘80s and comprises many subcultures, each with its own specific style codes. Some overarching elements of punk style include leather jackets, deconstructed jackets, ripped fishnets, skinny jeans, and chunky black boots. Provocative messaging, band logos, and customization with safety pins and patches are common themes in punk clothing. 

Streetwear Style

Streetwear is a casual fashion style that first became popular in the 1990s. It incorporates comfortable yet trendy clothing such as logo T-shirts, hoodies, baggy pants, and expensive sneakers. Streetwear takes inspiration from both hip-hop and skater style, with the added element of intentional product scarcity.