For Part 3 of Suger’s Fashion Anarchy we are really going to talk shop. I’m going to share with you some of the ideas I have about styling and style so you can have a jumping off point to create your own look. Your aim today is start to shape an idea of a style that is uniquely you from nothing. Now THAT sounds like fun right?
Having left behind the rules that restrict you and hold you back in part one, then getting focused on your ‘now’ body, favourite parts and lifestyle set you up for today. Today the fun starts. Today you let your imagination run wide and create. Fun, right? Much more interesting than building a wardrobe solely based on the whims and ideas of other people.
I’m going to share tips about wearing colours or not, adding textures, patterns and prints for interest and using inspiration to shape your ideas. I really want to emphasise that there is no right or wrong here, you should experiment and work with the things you like. It’s fashion anarchy after all, not do what Suger tells you to do. Keep the rebellion strong and work it out for yourself. Take what you can use and leave the rest.
It is all about you, remember. Let’s begin.
Working with lots of colour or none
Colour can be intimidating. If you’ve been hiding out in black and navy for a while now the idea of layering colours, colour blocking or even colour clashing might seem a wee bit extreme. Firstly, breathe. Haha. There are a few tips that will help you navigate colour.
Choose colours that look great on you. You know that ones that always lead to compliments and make you skin and eyes shine. Those ones. Still not sure? Grab a range of colours and hold them up one after one in a mirror {or take a selfie}. You’ll see it. If you don’t ask a trustworthy friend.
Nervous about the whole thing? Start with a touch of colour and build up to that all brights outfit. Add a scarf or accessory. A colour pop from your shoes, a bold lipstick or handbag will do wonders for easing you in. And next time, add a little bit more and a little bit more.
Balancing colours in an outfit can be tricky. To get you started take a tip I learnt from Nat at Defined Image {win her eBook on Colour and Print below} and wear one light neutral item, one dark, one patterned and one coloured. Lay them out together and see how they work together before wearing them. You can add or swap in accessories or different colours without the hassle of dragging items on and off.
But maybe you’re a little more like me and you’re keen to incorporate monochrome into your style. Well awesome, step on over to the dark side. There is only one key to putting together a monochrome outfit, I think, and it will serve you no matter what your style is. Keep it interesting by playing with different materials, textures and shape.s.
Think skinny jeans with an oversized t-shirt half tucked with a tailored trench, loosely tied over the top and shiny patent ballet flats. All in black, of course. It’s textural thanks to the denim, the soft tee, the trench in that gorgeous trenchy fabric and the shine of the leather.
Got it? Good.
Most people will fall somewhere in the middle of the two extremes mentioned. Maybe on one day you’re all about the colour, the next you want an all black ensemble. Well great! Do that. Now you’re sorted no matter what you want to do. Do I really have to say fashion anarchy again? Oh I do. OKAY!
Working with patterns and print
Like I mentioned above, working patterns and print into an outfit can be as easy as balancing colours. I wear two or three patterns at once sometimes because they are all in the same colour family so they look great together. It can be as match matching as stripes and spots in the same colours or just one key colour running through the whole lot.
Don’t be afraid to use stripes, polka dots or chevrons as an amped up neutral. The same can be said for animal prints. There’s nothing more class than a stripe tee, a locket on a thin chain with a full floral skirt. Make it a little more edgy by swapping the stripes for leopard print and the locket for a spiky statement necklace. Now you’re Rockabilly Rock Chic instead of Parisian Chic. It’s not hard to change your whole look with a print or pattern.
Working with texture
Texture is something that I use a lot more in the cooler months than the summer months. Winter works for me because texture loves layers like knits, jackets, scarves and more. That’s just a personal choice based on where I live. Creating interest with texture, as I mentioned in the colour section, is as easy as working different materials through your outfit.
Pairing unexpected combinations together is another way to create a unique look personal to you. Think the classic leather and lace, made modern by the cuts and style of the current season items. I like to pair my light, soft t-shirts with the structured blazers that were purchased for me to wear to work.
Accessories can be a great place to add texture to an outfit. Add a tassel necklace here, a straw hat there, a felt bag or a shiny pair of sneakers. Whatever it is, add texture and your outfit will always be interesting.
Working with style inspiration
As we discussed yesterday, you have to be inspired by everything around you. Keep your eyes peeled for colour combinations you love in nature, stylish people in real life, magazines or your favourite television character. Pretty much everywhere. Look to them all for ideas on not only colour and style, but how to add interest through layers, styling and accessories.
My favourite thing to do at the moment is to look at old street style photos from the 90’s through to the year 2000 or so. I get inspired by the way people wear their clothes, it challenges me to look at my modern styles from current ranges differently. Inspiration is everywhere if you take the time to look for it. And, of course, the rules of fashion and how to be fashionable aren’t taking up all your head space. Start to get inspired, start to pull together different ideas and themes for getting dressed and see what you come up with.
Name YOUR style.
You’re probably not going to fit in a particular style box anymore, so take a leaf out of my fellow Aussie Curve’er Alexandra’s book and give your style a funky name to inspire you. Her combination of Goth and Bohemian style that she’s named GOTHEMIAN {click the link to read more about it} should be an inspiration to you. Make your own rules, name that style of yours. In fact, after you’ve read all this, taken yourself some notes and maybe even planned an outfit THAT is your challenge today.
Mine is Sugerific; a combination of stripes, denim, classic and modern that will confuse and excite you. Okay, me mostly, but sometimes you.
Over to you, what are YOU creating?
CHALLENGE
Give your new style a funky and fun name. Declare it to the world in the comments, on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. #sugersfashionanarchy
Win a copy of the eBook of your choice by super personal stylist Natalie Tucker of Defined Image and my Budget Fashionista Workbook just by completing the challenge. For your entry to count you MUST comment on this post with the details of the social media share.
Hi! I’m Melissa Walker Horn. Around here, they call me Suger. I’m the Chief Blogger and doer of all the things here at Suger Coat It. Blogging since 1901; I love a casual ootd, taking photos, and writing about things that irk or inspire me. I love wine and cheese, long days at the beach and spending time with my family. I make stuff for the internet over at Chalkboard Digital. You know, living the sweet life.
I love puns and wordplay so I was enjoying the challenge to come up with a defining style name, but then I hit upon one so perfect that I know I’ll never be able to top it:
Shelby Chic!
It’s a little bit classic and a little bit fancy, a bit dressy but never over the top (nothing wrong with over the top but it’s just not me). Dramatic and understated all in one outfit. And great accessories.
UGH. The best. Nailed it lady. Shelby Chic is a killer pun and a killer name for a style.
My style is definitely defined by contradictions all over the show! Lately I have been playing with texture and patterns in tights and leggings. I also bought a fake leather jacket that is super comfy and I love pairing it with my lace edged midi skirt or pretty dresses. With my Kathmandu thermal tops (which has thumb holes in the sleeves. I LOVE thumb holes in sleeves!), it keeps me snug as a bug in a rug, and I feel like a million bucks!
Contradictions are so great at creating interesting outfits. And I absolutely agree, those thumb hole things are THE BEST, my gym jacket has them and I never want to take it off.
AHHHHH you linked to my blog!! (But the link isn’t working– I think there is an extra space in the url at the end) <333
Sugerific is perfect for you!
Argh! Fixed now. Sorry about that. x
<3 This does not dampen my excitement in anyway. :O
Haha. Well I couldn’t have a ‘name your style’ piece without mentioning your cool self and Gothemian now could I? Pfffft. Of COURSE not.
Get the smelling salts, I’m getting heady~
(thank you this seriously made a hard day end seriously fantastically)
I really hope you and I get to hang out one day, I think it would be a lot of laughs. 😉
YES! Totally agree! AND with the added bonus of frolicking in a whole new wardrobe!
Yes well, there’s always that. 😉
My new style shall be called ‘Juxtaclothes’ a combination of my favourite word, Juxtapose meaning contrasting together; and obviously clothes. Mixmatching colours, textures and styles, bought together for a Juxtaclothed look.
I can’t tell you how much I love that portmanteau!
Looooove this! Very cool. I can’t wait to see how you pull that together.
My style shall be known as ‘sexy comfort’ because I like to feel feminine, attractive and comfortable, no matter the occasion, weather or my mood. Sometimes that will be a dress and heels, another day a knit with skinny jeans, and still others a flirty sundress with wedges. Those 2 words shall guide my outfit choices now, not what the magazines and television tell me is sexy or current.
Yeeees. Woot woo. Love it. Having words to focus you will change the way you shop. Love it. Go get ’em Tiger. Rrrrroar. 😉
My style cannot be described, my style is me , how I feel on any given day. That varies
I may be edgy, rocker, boho, rockabilly, cutesy. Retro. Classic, polished, grungy.
And that is just a couple of days in my life.
I like to play, to create who I’m going to be today.
Fashion is fun, for me.
It’s who I am.
You need a name like mine that is more of a feeling than a specific style. Something that covers off on you loving variety and that you can change on a whim. Come back to me when you come up with it, I bet it’ll be fun.
Oh crap, my reply to article basically said the same as this article, now I feel awkward. Should I delete it ?
Oops
Sorry
Haha. Don’t feel awkward, it’s fine.
But you’re always welcome to remove something {or edit, there’s an edit option on there too somewhere}. But I think the time has passed now. Next time. 😉
And seriously, it’s fine, I can’t wait to see what you call all that.
Thanks Hun, that’s what I totally love about you.
Your amazing graciousness.
I will think of a name…. Maybe GIANESS, lol hahha
Maybe we could market it… Hahaha
Thank you. Gianess for sure. That way it always conforms to exactly how you’re feeling that day. Love it!