10 ways to inspire your personal style

I'm not usually one for giving out style advice, I'm in no way a stylist nor do I present a professional opinion on fashion but my colleague was asking me for advice on how to put outfits together and as I was dishing out tips on how to find style information I realised that I had quite a few ideas on how to do this.

So here are 10 suggestions on how to update, re-inspire, refresh or re-vamp your personal style!

1) Have a 'trying on session'

Every now and then I do what I call a 'trying on session'. This probably stemmed from boredom when I was younger and didn't know what to do with my evenings after school! But it involved literally going through my wardrobe and trying everything on. It sounds lame but it's useful as it reminds you of what clothes you actually have and you'll find yourself having those 'I forgot I had this!' moments. It's also handy to do this every now and then because if you've bought clothes since your last session, you find other ways of putting old and new items together to create new outfits. I also use this opportunity to have a clear out and give clothes that I know I won't wear again to charity.

2) Archive and de-archive

This is really handy for keeping your wardrobe organised and also helps you to create space. Unfortunately, I don't have a Kim Kardashian style walk-in wardrobe the size of a master bedroom. Instead, I archive clothes according to the season. I have one of those plastic storage bags to keep under the bed by Ikea and I fill it with clothes that I know I won't wear in the current season. For example, now it's getting colder with the winter setting in, I have packed away all my summer dresses, bright coloured tops and anything else that I know I won't wear in autumn/winter.

3) Use Pinterest!

I absolutely LOVE using Pinterest for style inspiration and outfit ideas. I have a board called Fashionista and I pin all my favourite outfits on there. I don't just use it to remind me of the items I want. I also use it to figure out how to wear the clothes I already own. Last month I was daring enough to buy a pair of leather-look leggings but I didn't have a clue what to wear them with. I typed into the Pinterest search bar 'leather' 'leggings' 'outfits' and it comes up with loads of outfits that include leather leggings. I find myself looking through these outsfits and thinking 'I have a grey t-shirt like that' and 'oh my boots will look just as good as the boots in that picture'. I sometimes do it on a morning before I get out of bed! I think to myself, 'what can I wear with a white blouse today?' and then I search through all the outfits on Pinterest to get me some inspo!

4) Invest in wardrobe staples

Now I don't suggest this for everyone but for people who like clothes that can be worn for years to come and like the kind of clothes that can be worn in a variety of different ways, I suggest spending money on buying quality staple wardrobe items. Fashion shouldn't be expensive but there are certain items that I would spend more money on and these include:

- A white shirt (not too fitted or tailored)
- Good quality t-shirts in white, black and grey
- Some well fitting tailored trousers
- A blazer
- A denim jacket
- Black skinny jeans
- Black high heels (nothing too fancy)

This list will always be incomplete and I still haven't found my perfect versions of some of these items but I find with items like these I can mix them up with fast fashion and dress them up or dress them down really well. They also stand the test of time - a classic white button down tucked into some well fitting jeans with black heels will always be a great outfit to me. You can see some of my favourite versions of these items on my pinterest board.

5) Buy accessories not just clothes

If you're on a budget and you're looking to update your style, it's not always necessary to buy a whole new wardrobe full of clothes. Sometimes a chunky necklace and heels is all that's needed to make that black t-shirt and jeans combo look dressy enough for a night out. Accessories are easy to buy cheap too so if you spend five quid on a necklace from Primark, it doesn't break the bank if it goes out of fashion next season.

6) Look at what other people are wearing

If I see someone wearing something I like I ask that person where they got it from. The best thing about working in a city is that I can grab a coffee and people watch (which I love) and take inspiration from what people are wearing street style. Most people love being complimented on what they are wearing so don't be afraid to ask but don't stalk! I also read fashion blogs, one of my favourites is Sincerely Jules. She epitomises everything I love about fashion!

7) Don't buy something unless you know you'll wear it

Hands up if you've bought an item of clothing, put in in your wardrobe and you've never actually worn it? Mine is in the air right now! I am getting better at not doing this and try to avoid impulse buys by thinking if 'will I wear this item more than once?' If it's for something specific and I really need to buy it then fair enough but if I know deep down that I'll never wear it then I'll put it back. Even if I come home with it, try it on, then realise I'm not keen on it or it goes with nothing else in my cupboard, I will return it. This stops me from filling my wardrobe with absolute rubbish and keeps space for clothes I do like and will wear. 

8) Don't buy something just because it's in fashion

I find that knowing what you like and don't like is key to stress-free shopping and outfit selection. Fashion comes and goes but if you buy something just because it's in fashion and you don't actually like it, you'll end up feeling uncomfortable and putting an outfit together with these pieces will become a nightmare. If you don't like something that's in fashion then don't buy it, there will be something else that you do like. 

9) If you like something and feel good in it, wear it!

Personal style is just that personal. Some of my friends and family wouldn't dream of wearing some of the pieces in my wardrobe but that doesn't mean that I won't wear them or that they don't suit me. If I feel good in something that I'm wearing and I know it suits me then it's getting worn. I do take risks sometimes and I'll buy something that I think suits me but if I have any doubt, I just ask someone 'does this suit me?' Often in store changing rooms I'll ask another customer or even the sales advisor, people that don't know you are more likely to be honest. Or, I sometimes take a picture on my phone and send it to a friend that will give me an honest opinion. 

10) Confidence

Number 9 leads perfectly on to number 10 - confidence, the best accessory to any outfit. Most outfits will instantly look better if you're stood up tall, with your shoulders back and looking straight ahead. When I'm style spotting the outfits that usually get my attention are the one's wear the person wearing it looks relaxed and confident. You can see it in the way they walk and they're most definitely not looking at the floor!

So there you go, I hope you find my advice useful and please let me know your own tips for personal style. If you would like to see my style inspiration board on Pinterest click here. 

Just love

Rina xoxo

P.S. This post is dedicated to Lauren Roberts, a fashionista in the making :)