If I want to become more fashionable how do I start?

[crochetmonkey74]

So I always look nice , but inspired by a fabulously fashionable woman I've just seen I really want to look more current.
If you have done this, how do you do it? Do you purchase by season so you have the most current shapes etc? Or do you have a basic wardrobe of all time classics and just add current accessories ? What are the main things ? I'm thinking maybe coats, bags and shoes? If you've done it, or are a fashion follower how do you do it?

OP I have no idea but I'm watching with interest!

I'm not the most fashion forward person but I do have a few things that definitely make up a fashionable wardrobe!

My main basics are:
White v neck tshirts
Black v neck t shirt
Black skinny jeans
Blue boyfriend jeans rolled up a wee bit at the bottom
Leather jacket (biker/moto style not 70s style!)
Suede jacket in a bolder, dark colour thats same style as a leather jacket - I have a dark blue one and a dark green one
White converse or black vans
Black ankle boots (heeled and flat, with something interesting in them like buckles)

Oh and handbag wise I like a small cross body on a chain, a tote or a hobo style - nothing novelty, classic colours and plain.

I have all those as well nutmeg and I love them and they are classics but this lady was wearing a midi dress, biker boots, a long teddy coat and a bumbag crossbody style. She was probably late 50s but wearing what a 20 year old would wear and carrying it off. That's what I want to do. I have really nice classic clothes which I like but I want to look on trend too if you know what i mean. So for example in her outfit i think everything was current. I could recreate the effect with my classics and maybe the coat and the bag to be current. But I cant work out how and when I would need to shop, research etc

Sometimes I think having a Balls Out attitude is helpful - most people how I think look amazing definitely look at least a little eccentric.

Following for a friend 😁 ( no for me really)

There’s a difference between fashion and style, isn’t there, though they can obviously overlap. If you’re interested in the former I think reading the fashion press, following influencers etc would be the first step.

I just got a Grazia subscription in the hope I'll at least know what's in fashion and can choose to embrace it or not! I'm not on Instagram where I imagine many people absorb fashions from. Otherwise, just looking at what's in the shops and being worn out and about remember out and about

I would say find some bloggers/instagrammers you like and copy. Or Pinterest search winter looks and get some ideas.
I would say get some basics and then add the odd thing. The boots to have this season are chunky Chelsea but only if they suit you... a couple of high end designers did them and high street have copied there is no point buying if it doesn't suit you.

In that case I'd definitely look on instagram for style inspiration

You could start by following the instagram accounts of shops such as h&m and zara and then branch out from there.

I follow a few fashion instagram accounts, my favourite account of all time is thefashionbugblog and laparisiennestyle is a more recent favourite. From there you'll start getting suggested accounts who you may like

Fashionable or looking good?

Choose whatever are the shittest clothes in the shop - too short trousers, shapeless dresses or clothes with stupid bits added to them and you’ll be in fashion. If that’s really what you want........

I think it's often just one stand out addition, eg bag, scarf, to a classic outfit like jeans and tee

Like the idea of subscribing to the Instagram accounts of shops and mags. I can do my own style, and I have nice clothes but I've always wanted to follow the trends more and be more 'in the moment' with fashion. Of course that wont mean I'll buy things that are 'shit' or dont suit me. I just need to work out the logistics and recognise just what it is that defines something being very current in shape and fabric etc. I agree with PPs who have said that it is often just a well placed item. I'll give this example : I have a jumper I like, it's not classic enough to last many years and its 4 years old so not current either. I like it and it looks nice on me, but if I meet a more fashionable friend, her jumper will look much more 'now' and that's the bit I struggle with knowing how to do. The closest I can think is that each season you purchase certain things that carry you through

@grassisjeweled

Fashionable or looking good?

Fashionable but also looks good on me

Often it’s how you wear something not what you wear it that makes it look current - tucking, layering, rolling, belting, how things are combined. etc. Looking at photos is good for that as you can spot a pattern.

I think the key pieces approach is probably the next cheapest/easiest/least wasteful one, but it perhaps depends on the rest of your wardrobe being fairly neutral and classic, rather than in fashion 3 years ago.

The Who What Wear site is quite good, it collects fashion/influencer/shopping suggestions in one place.

troppibambini it sounds silly, bug how do you know the boot of the season? Where do you pick that up from? That's the sort of help I need

I saw an amazing woman a few days ago. She had a lovely scarf on and matching shoes that were very unusual. She had a great a haircut and looked fabulous. She was in her sixties or seventies but just looked amazing. I have been trying to find the shoes online. I very nearly asked her where she got them...

The obvious way to look up to date and fashionable is to buy things this season and not wear much from previous seasons.

I think personal style is a lot more interesting than following fashion though.

Where do you shop now? What magazines do you buy or follow online? Whose style in public eye do you like?

I have to say a lot of this is down to personal style and flair, not following "fashion".

What you're describing sounds quite classic British eccentric. It's what London is famous for and sets British style apart from the Parisienne stylish and the glossy LA and Manhatten ladies.

I think places like H&M and Zara are really great for trying styles out. They tend to translate very current fashion really well.

@Snog

The obvious way to look up to date and fashionable is to buy things this season and not wear much from previous seasons.

I think personal style is a lot more interesting than following fashion though.

Agree about personal style , but I've always wanted to feel more current and follow some trends so I've decided to give it a go

See this from Jess Cartner-Morley's insta about London Fashion Week:

www.instagram.com/p/CFcBZYOgfY6/?igshid=uts490lr2yx2

@Griefmonster

Where do you shop now? What magazines do you buy or follow online? Whose style in public eye do you like?

I have to say a lot of this is down to personal style and flair, not following "fashion".

What you're describing sounds quite classic British eccentric. It's what London is famous for and sets British style apart from the Parisienne stylish and the glossy LA and Manhatten ladies.

I think places like H&M and Zara are really great for trying styles out. They tend to translate very current fashion really well.

I shop at asos for the most part and then some classic things from John Lewis or m and s . Had some nice things from next as well. Classic British eccentric seems to fit the bill of who I like style wise. I really like an instagrammer called backofthewardobe for her outfits

I agree with @Snog about personal style being more interesting. The fact that you’re confident in saying you look nice means that you probably have a style that suits you and looks good to other people. Definitely flick through magazines and Instagram if you feel you need an update but don’t get distracted by what’s ‘in’ when you clearly know what’s right for you already.