Since the beginning of time, fashion has been an innate part of the human life.  As years went on, leaves turned into cloth, and people began to focus more and more on the actual appearance of clothing.  Today, every person has his or her own individual style, even if that means a simple white cotton t-shirt and jeans; it is still style.  We have all grown to believe that our style is the “best” style; however, many people do not know that there is not one specific style to follow.  Fashion should be a part of your life that makes you unique.  No matter if you wear a Hanes cotton t-shirt or an Oscar de la Renta dress, you still have style.  Your style may not exactly define you, but it helps to complete your overall personality.  I am definitely no expert on style, but I did take a styling class at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, among eight other courses, where I learned a few tips about styling. I plan on continuing my studies at the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising next year, but I will recount to you what I have learned so far.

If you feel comfortable with the way you dress (even if that means wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt every day), then you should not try to change your style. Dress the way that makes you feel happy.  If you feel that you want to dress your style up a little more but you don’t want to change the way you look completely or spend a lot of money, use some of these tips in your styling process:

• Being “fashionable” is an opinion, not a price. You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars in order to dress nicely.
• Find clothes that flatter you: for example, a shirt that brings out the color of your eyes. Clothes should bring out the features that make you feel best about yourself.
• If you’re looking to change your style, start at stores that have big selections so you can get a feel for the abundance of styles out there.
• Fashion changes rapidly. One day you may see something at a store that you love, and the next day it may be gone, so keep an open mind when shopping.
• Most importantly, wear what you love.  Don’t let anyone else tell you that your style is bad. Remember, there is no such thing as “bad style.”

Style trends are continuing to change day by day, but stick to the style that makes you the happiest. Face it, you’re the one that has to wear the clothes that you pick out, and your opinion is the only one that matters.