Fashion and style might go hand-in-hand, but they are not the same. You can own all the trending and even designer pieces, but without your own sense of style you cannot be fashionable. That is because being fashionable is using clothing and accessories to tell your own narrative. Sure, you can follow the trends and even copy the looks that you see on others, but until you find a way to express yourself using your clothes you won’t get the most out of fashion.
Being stylish is a state of mind. It’s the creativity, thought, and effort you put to transform any set of clothes into a unique outfit that doesn’t just look good on you, but also tells a story. This is a narrative you and an effort in self-expression. It can help you be more confident and it can help you say all the right things. Being stylish is as much about your non-material accessories as your material ones. That is why every fashionista needs:
Confidence
Confidence is not an easy trait to have. It is something people need to build up over a lifetime, but it always starts with yourself. You will always be your harshest critic, and if you aren’t, you know it’s time to cut that person out of your life.
Confidence is usually gained as you get older. Through experiences with friends and loved ones, you will soon find yourself gaining confidence in who you are. Ensuring you are confident in your own skin is important in order to be at your best no matter what life throws at you. Social situations can be made that much easier if you have confidence, and confidence is achieved through being yourself. Engaging yourself in sociable activities or pastimes with peers can help you gain confidence; learn more about water pipes, for instance; they may offer a social pastime for you and your friends.
For most, a lack of confidence will stem from a combination of things; overcoming whatever it is that is holding you back is the first step towards gaining the confidence you deserve. The second step is to put yourself out there. This will be scary to do, but it can be done in baby steps. Wear lipstick one day or do your hair. Go out and try something new, and so on. These smalls steps will help you get the recognition and the confidence you need to keep putting yourself out there, until one day you realize you love who you are.
A Healthy Glow
No amount of makeup can hide poor health. Poor health can mean many different things. It could mean not watching your diet, which could so you have frequent acne. It could mean that your teeth have become too stained because you forgo brushing them too often. It could also be indicative of a more serious health concern, like smoking or excessive drug use. Your health directly impacts your beauty, and it is your natural beauty that should always stand at the forefront of your outfit.
Ensuring you are healthy isn’t just so that you can look better, either. Healthy eating and healthy living reduce your chances of developing serious diseases, from cancer to hypertension and diabetes. The healthier you are, the more you will feel like yourself as the years go on. The last thing you want is to be limited by your body when you’re entering your senior years, after all, and the best way to stay active is to focus on your health now.
Being healthy is a combined effort. You need to drink enough water, eat a nutrient-rich diet, get more exercise and even get a better night’s rest. Being healthy also means going to a doctor to check out anything you are either insecure or worried about, from poorly kept teeth to a worrying mole on your skin. The more on-top of your health you are, the better you will look today, and the better you will feel tomorrow.
A Strong Beauty Routine
Very similar to improving your health, all fashionistas should work on improving their beauty routines. This routine refers to the daily activities that keep you looking fresh and glowing. While healthy eating can do a lot, keeping your skin clean (especially if you live in a city) and treating your hair can help stop signs of premature aging.
Your evening routine should be all about cleansing your skin of the dirt, pollution, and makeup that has smudged and accumulated onto your skin each day. Your morning routine should be about prepping your skin for another day out. This includes wearing sunscreen and reapplying frequently throughout the day, as the sun’s UV rays severely damage your skin. This damage leads to premature wrinkles and decreased elasticity in your skin.
Comfort
Your clothes can be as comfortable as you want them to be. What is important here is that you feel comfortable in your own skin no matter what you wear. That being said, you do want to push the limits. Rather than try to wear looks you think other people will approve of, however, wear what you have always wanted to wear. As time goes on you will feel increasingly confident in your outfit choices, and that is when this trait will really shine.
Fashion is so subjective. Trends that are appalling one season are in fashion the next, and trends change so frequently it can be costly and frankly impossible to keep up with all of them. What this does, however, is it allows you to curate your own personal style that helps you feel confident and happy in your own skin. Use your clothes to tell your narrative, but always make sure that you are the forefront of that story. Health and confidence are your two biggest assets when it comes to pulling any look off, yes, but health and confidence are also two key ingredients to living a happy life.