Guest post by Maki Ng
Fashion is one of the best ways to showcase who you are to the world. An eye-catching top or a cute skirt can turn an otherwise bland look into a style that has no choice but to grab people’s attention as you walk by. However, bagging a stylish look usually means sacrificing your comfort. Fashion enthusiasts, through different eras, had to endure suffocating corsets and painful heels to look their best. Fortunately, many fashion icons nowadays found ways to reshape the future of fashion.
At the forefront of the movement is finding a middle ground between comfort and chic. From wearable technology to exploring different silhouettes, there are plenty of ways to fully transform your look without spending a fortune or squeezing yourself into a clothing piece that sacrifices your comfort.
This think piece will provide you with ideas that will help you improve your fashion sense as you find the sweet spot between stylish and comfortable. We hope that you will find the perfect style that will make you feel like your best self by the end of this article.
Dig through your closet
Sometimes, the stylish pieces you can find are already sitting in your closet. You only need the right approach and pairing to make them work. Digging through your entire wardrobe is one of the first things you should do before splurging on new clothes and accessories. Knowing the kinds of clothing you own and complement your body can help you figure out how to achieve your ideal style. It can also guide you in your future purchases.
Moreover, you may find gems that you bought but were either too scared to wear or forgot about their existence. For example, got a loud jacket you purchased three years ago but didn’t dare to wear? Try adding it to your rotation, especially for late-night parties, as it can be a fun statement piece. There’s a reason you bought it, after all!
Identify your statement pieces
Ever had that one piece that will always make you feel like a million bucks whenever you put it on? Turn it into a vital part of your repertoire that you can quickly put on whenever you don’t feel like dressing up. These items will be a massive asset to your style. They’re like the lead vocalist of your favorite pop group: they carry the entire look by themselves! Do ensure you can wear these pieces comfortably. Since to look good and feel confident, comfort comes first. However, make sure that your statement piece ages well despite the multitude of trends that come and go. It’s also worth investing in pieces with quality fabric that can last long and don’t cause discomfort when you move. Pairing your statement pieces with an equally timeless accessory will be the cherry on top of the cake that is your look.
Choose your look
Diane von Furstenburg once said that we already have style; the challenge is in finding it. If you feel like your current look isn’t chic enough, it only means that you haven’t found an aesthetic that excites you.
Fortunately, there are many ways to figure out what look you want to try. Look at the icons you follow on Instagram. London and Paris Fashion Weeks always serve up looks on the regular. Even a quick Google search would do the trick. Remember that you don’t have to lock yourself in one style. You can explore different styles and eventually stick to those that suit you and make you feel comfortable.
Know your silhouette
Knowing your body shape isn’t the be-all-and-end-all of fashion, but it will help you find pieces that make you look and feel gold. Everyone has different body shapes and knowing yours will help you buy the right clothes that complement your body type. Moreover, the cut of pants, dresses, and necklines that best suit your body plays a crucial role in looking for clothing pieces that don’t make you feel uncomfortable.
Stock up on basics
It may be tempting to fill your closet with unique, on-trend pieces. However, collecting statement pieces will be useless if you don’t have the basics to mix and match them with.
It’s always nice to have basic tops and bottoms that are stylish and can stand the test of time. For example, owning plain black and white tees, high-waist jeans, black pants, and white sneakers are versatile pieces you can style and pair with other elements in many stylish ways. Moreover, it would be nice to have the option to keep things simple whenever you feel like it. Nothing boosts confidence more than a well-made outfit that didn’t take much effort to choose and put on, and most importantly, allows you to move freely.
Think twice about heels
There may be times when you feel that only a pair of high heels can elevate your look to the next level. Sure, you can wear heels on special occasions and when you don’t need to walk for hours on end. However, is the constant discomfort of standing on your toes worth the look you want to serve? You can achieve the same chic appearance with a nice pair of sneakers or low heels that you can walk on throughout a packed day. It’s not odd to mix flowy dresses and a classic white pair of sneakers, so why shouldn’t you try it during your next day out or travel adventures?
Go for loungewear
Loungewear is in these days, and for a good reason: it serves style and comfort. There are plenty of loungewear sets, tops, and pants that look good enough for you to leave the front door in them. In fact, they can look as stylish as wearing your basic staples with the right accessories and attitude.
Moreover, plenty of high-end brands have also introduced their own line of fashionable loungewear. So if Gucci and Versace are telling you that looking comfortable is stylish, why shouldn’t you?
Final Words
These are only some of the best pointers we have to help you find the middle ground between fashion and comfort. Hopefully, these tips can guide your style and purchases and help you find the perfect pieces that can make you look and feel good.
Always remember that fashion is a matter of personal taste, and your opinion matters more than anyone else’s. Therefore, if your unique style breaks any of the suggestions we made above, feel free to break it! Your dress, your rules.