Students share 10 fashion tips for someone looking to improve their style
by Owen S.
The world of fashion is so large and varied that anyone can find a style that’s comfortable and fun for them while also allowing them to express their personality how they want. For some, however, the flood of choices can be overwhelming and confusing to get into. Trends change so fast that they can be impossible to keep up with, and in the wake of social media, it can be hard to live up to certain expectations of what’s cool while remaining unique. Luckily, there are many fashionable students here at Airport willing to offer their help to people trying to find their own aesthetic.
1. Create a “uniform” | Annie F.
Coming up with a new outfit to wear every single day can be really frustrating and time consuming. To make her life easier, Annie prefers just to stick to what she knows. Creating a “uniform” is where you find a certain look or set of looks that you like, and change it slightly by simply swapping out the pieces of your outfit. For Annie, it’s as simple as throwing on a comfy pair of sweatpants and one of her favorite sweatshirts.
2. Be yourself | Avery M.
Avery believes that the best thing to be when it comes to fashion is yourself. Thanks to the internet, there’s an abundance of people who might try to dress exactly like their favorite celebrities, or copycats that are constantly following what people are wearing on instagram and other places, and all individuality is just thrown out the window. If you’re bored of your style and you want to branch out, it can still be pretty intimidating to start dressing the way you want for fear of what other people might think, but to that, Avery says that you shouldn’t worry about others’ perceptions of you or how someone else might look in the outfit because if you have confidence in yourself, you’ll look good no matter what.
3. Remember the small details | Markayla A.
When it comes to creating an appealing outfit, even the small things that you might think no one will notice still make a difference in the overall look. For Markayla, something so insignificant, like what socks you wear and even how you wear them, makes all the difference. She suggests always pairing Jordans with longer socks and shorter ankle-length socks with things like vans. If you know how to style your socks and match them with the rest of your outfit, it can help everything blend together in a pleasing way.
4. Experiment with new styles | Tkurchee M.
When you’re not sure where to start or what to try, just try anything! Sometimes you won’t know what you like until you give it a shot. Don’t be scared to step out of your comfort zone and try something you would’ve never tried before, because you might end up finding a brand new style that you absolutely love. Tkurchee also thinks that confidence plays a big part in it too. She feels that when you find something that makes you feel confident you should stick with it because it’ll show to the people around you.
5. Accessorize | Kaden P.
Sometimes you start to get bored of your clothes and wish you could spice things up again. Well Kaden says that the best way to add some flavor is through accessories. By adding on a cool necklace or some fancy rings, you can add a bit of pop to your look. Experimenting with different layering styles can also change things up dramatically. So rather than just being stuck wearing a t-shirt and jeans every day, try including a nice jacket, button-up, or under shirt and see the difference that it makes.
6. Ditch the trends | Maggie P.
Trends come and go every day and trying to adhere to what's popular at the moment can be demanding, difficult, and just plain expensive. Maggie believes that before you go buying up everything you see online, it’s important to consider whether you actually like what it is you're getting. Otherwise, you should just save your money. Of course that’s not to say you can’t follow trends at all. You can still adopt certain things into your wardrobe that you really like. Another really great tip from Maggie is that you should focus on only buying things that you know you’ll wear all the time, not only for your wallets sake, but for the planet's sake as well.
7. Stick to what makes you feel comfortable | Ethan J.
Ethan admits that he doesn’t have the biggest set of knowledge when it comes to fashion, but that doesn’t stop him from looking good. For him, a simple pants, t-shirt, and sneakers combo is all he needs. Sometimes you don’t have to do anything crazy to look good. No matter what combination you decide to go with, what matters most is that you’re comfortable and happy with what you’re wearing.
8. Go Thrifting | Lily V.
As a society, we’re so focused on always moving forward as fast as possible to the next biggest and greatest thing that we forget all the amazing things of the past. Old school fashion is definitely one of them. While thrifting has definitely taken a rise in popularity, it’s still not the first thing people think of when trying to improve their wardrobe. Lily highly recommends going to your local Goodwill or visiting any thrift store in your area. You might be pleasantly surprised with what you might find if you know where to look. There are also many online stores that sell vintage clothing, but it’s typically more expensive than what you could find in person. The increase in prices just shows that the retro style is on the rise, and it’s definitely warranted. A vintage style is a safe and sustainable way to look good while also not breaking the bank.
9. Maintain good grooming habits | Stephanie B.
Making sure that your person looks nice and clean is just as important as what you decide to wear every day. Otherwise, it’s like painting on a dirty canvas. To Stephanie, grooming is an essential part of style. Creating a good skin care routine, keeping any facial hair well maintained, and making sure your hair looks fresh and healthy are all things she suggests if you want to look your best. Not only because you’ll look better when well kept, but because practicing good hygiene and developing healthy habits is good for you.
10. Go big or go home | Hannah D.
Big and baggy clothes have been a staple of many looks for a while now and people still love it. The combination of a fun silhouette, comfort, and a slight feeling of rebellion is what makes the look so appealing. Hannah loves to wear a big jacket with a pair of jeans or sweatpants any day of the week because it’s what she feels the best in. Many celebrities also follow the baggy clothes philosophy, one of the most notable being Billie Eilish. It’s also very popular among people who like the vintage look, since if you’re going to be wearing someone’s grandpa’s clothes, you have to expect them to be a little bigger than you’re used to. Needless to say, this style is going to be sticking around for years to come.
Across all the varying backgrounds, personalities, and styles, one thing that Airport students seem to agree on is that it’s more important to wear what makes you happy rather than trying to please everyone else. It can be easy to get caught up in the cycle of always dressing just to impress other people, and it can get exhausting. That’s why it’s important to free yourself from those restrictions and do what you want to do. Each one of us is unique in our own way, and one of the best ways to show the world who you are is through your clothing. So don’t be afraid to express yourself because you’ll be happier once you do.