Want a New Look? It's Probably Already In Your Closet.

As I’m sure we all know, springtime in Georgia is unpredictable. We’ll have beach weather one day, then sweater weather the next. Conventional fashion wisdom holds that we need to revamp our wardrobes every season (no one wants to be caught looking “so 2020!”), but do not, I repeat, do not throw out your old clothes. You’re more than likely sitting on a gold mine without even knowing it. In our cultural moment nearly everything is in style: flare jeans, mod dresses, leather jackets, Doc Martens, Victorian-era corsets and even, to my surprise, Y2K low rise pants are all on trend. All of fashion history is up for grabs right now, so there’s no reason to settle for basic jeans and a shirt! Gone are the days when we had to ascribe to some kind of “aesthetic.” You don’t just have to be an “insta baddie” or “alt” or “preppy” or whatever; labels are dead! 

Do not be afraid to mix and match time periods or aesthetics, because with some styling, nearly everything can go together, and it may make your outfit even more interesting. How YOU feel wearing your clothes will completely change how you look in them. If you think you’d look rockin’ in a corset or a cowboy shirt, just try it on, and you’ll never know how good you might look until you do. Stop looking at your clothes as individual pieces, but part of a whole. If you don’t feel comfortable in an item, try wearing it underneath or on top of other clothes, as layering and unexpected pairings may just spark a new love for that item. You might be thinking, but all my clothes are boring! Well, let me give you some tips to start experimenting with things you probably already own. 

A basic pair of jeans or a white button down are great when layering or experimenting with bolder pieces.

Contrasting lace with bold leather jackets or pairing two of the same fabrics (denim on denim, lace with lace, etc.) can bring pieces together and make your outfit surprisingly cohesive.

Bringing feminine and masculine qualities to your look can also make outfits much more versatile and even change your look completely. Hello, clothes don’t have to be gendered anymore, it's 2021!

Not only can layering and pairing make for an outfit that best projects your personality, but it’ll also work for this awkward springtime weather. Be bolder with your everyday styling choices! Use your clothes as a way to express yourself and  take the fluctuating temperatures as a sign to change up your look, because it could make you more confident as a result.   

(All items I am wearing are vintage or thrifted)

Photographer: Sydney Burton

Graphics by: Shayla Hadziahmetovic