How to Dress Hip
In today's fashion-forward society, the way you dress speaks as much about your personality as the words that come out of your mouth. The difference is that people usually see you long before they hear what you have to say. So if you are one of those people who long to dress hip but haven't a clue on where to begin, read on for some sound fashion advice. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- "Vogue," "Marie Claire," "Seventeen" and "GQ" magazines
- Internet access
Instructions
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Assess your current clothing inventory and discard as needed. To dress hip, it’s all about your staples. Everyone, no matter what age, race, size or gender, essentially needs the same set of basis: black trousers that fit you well, a classic white, button-down shirt, a flattering dressy piece (for ladies, it's the little black dress; for gentlemen, it's the big, black suit) and a sturdy, yet fashionable, pair of black shoes (preferably heels for the ladies). Throw or give away anything that does not fit right or flatter your specific body type. Get down to the bare bones of your closet so you can add some hip pieces without cluttering your space.
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Make a budget. You need to have a number of in mind that you can spend on some new hip items. The key to a great closet is the mix of your basic pieces that boast the perfect fit and those hip, trendy pieces that accent your basis. It's important that you know ahead of time what you have to spend so that you can prioritize the kinds of items you want to add to your closet accordingly. Don't go overboard on the spending--instead, allot a nice chunk to get you started and then a weekly, biweekly or monthly stipend to continue to add hip clothing and accessories on a regular basis.
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Peruse the latest fashion magazines. This is where you spot the many trends out there and choose which ones fit in well with your sense of personal style. Look at your favorite magazines as well as the traditional fashion faves like "Vogue" or "GQ." In addition to looking for hip clothing, also check out accessories and shoes. After all, dressing hip only works in totality; meaning that if your shoes are hip and the rest of you is shabby or ordinary, the desired effect won't be achieved. Clip your favorite looks and keep them in a binder that you can reference. Trendy looks traditionally move according to season; so you will want to repeat this process every couple of months.
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Hit your local mall and/or boutique. It's time to go shopping. If you don't have the best memory, bring along a clip book of pages from your fashion magazines detailing the looks you liked. You likely won't find the authentic version of everything you saw in the magazine, but in many instances, it's not always about the label, but rather about the look. Choose bright, funky accent pieces to dress up your basics and reflect your personality.
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Finish up online. You won't find everything locally, particularly if you live in a smaller town or region. That's why the advent of the Internet enables people in your situation to dress hip, regardless of where you live. Hit some online boutiques to add hip clothing and accessories to your wardrobe. You can usually find some really great deals online, which is another plus to purchasing items this way (see Resources below).
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