I have never really been able to meet up with fashion trends, not because I don’t want to be stylish, but because I grew up never really buying my own clothes, so I didn’t have enough of a say to decide whether I wanted to be trendy or not. By the time I was old enough to have a say, my taste had become defined by one major consideration: Comfort. This meant that my style ran between formal, vintage, and quirky (somewhat). So I guess till today, I’m still not exactly big on trendy styles.
However, as far as fashion styles go, I have always found the classic( formal) dress style intriguing. Many people think of the classic style as a collection of boring and neutral fashion items. This is not necessarily true. While classic clothes, shoes, and accessories tend to have a good number of neutral colours, saying they are boring is too dismissive and plain incorrect. Besides, a lot of what we consider classic started out rather ‘interesting’ and were even trendy at a point.
There is also the fact that some of those who favour classic styles tend to imagine trendy outfits as flamboyant, gaudy, or even trashy. This stereotype is also not true. Not every trend is in poor taste, and a few even go on to become classics.
However, this post is for people who are in-between, trying to decide where they stand. If you are in this category, here are three things to consider before choosing either the classic or trendy style.
The Occasion
A formal occasion such as a business seminar/meeting/conference requires a more classic than trendy look. A mix of classic and trendy would work well for a black tie event. A casual event will more likely than not, require a trendy and/or relaxed fashion style.
The Setting
A corporate setting will always favour classic styles. So, depending on your workplace dress code, if any, and your own personal style, you can pull off formal/classic outfits paired with trendy accessories, and vice versa. A less formal setting on the other hand will both permit and encourage you to be as trendy and quirky in your style as you like.
Your Personality/Preference
There are two common phrases to remember when it comes to choosing a fashion style. They are: ‘Know thyself’, and ‘To thine own self be true’. For instance, some people would not be caught dead in jeans. And others would feel like they were dying in a suit. So, if wearing a suit feels like a death sentence to you, keep it in mind when pursuing your career path.
I conclude by saying this: It doesn’t matter what clothes you wear, as long as you have clothes to wear, and you are comfortable in them, by all means, do you! I’d love to hear from you though. What’s your personal fashion style?