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| A mini style evolution. While the present-day look has a few brand pieces, I think it's clear that my sense of style isn't reliant upon them. |
In the alternative fashion community, we have some very iconic brands. We can barely scroll through social media without seeing a pair of YRU platforms, a Lazy Oaf cardigan, or the new Angelic Pretty dress deemed valuable enough to be sold at double the price by scalpers online. The people wearing them look so cool, so perfect, and nothing like you or me. You might stare at your own closet and think about all the things you wish were in it, or look at your bank balance and lament all the things you cannot afford. You feel inferior, inadequate, unfashionable. Things would be different if you just had more brand, right?
No. Brands are great, but they can only take you so far. If you’re leaning on the prestige or creativity of a brand, you’re not displaying a particularly unique sense of style. For example, pairing a rainbow striped top with white shorts and tennis shoes isn’t the most creative. It’s cute, but not creative. However not everyone wants a creative style, and that’s okay. This article is not for those people. This article is for the fashion enthusiast who needs a little more confidence, hope, and reassurance, because we all need to remember that brands aren’t everything.
Please note that the use of the word “fashionable” is intended to represent a certain, not-yet-reached threshold of great style as defined by the reader. This is in no way suggesting that anyone in the alternative fashion community is inherently “unfashionable” because again that is a highly subjective idea. This article is intended to make people rethink their views on what they personally define as great style.
Why do fashionable people usually have brand items?
People who have been into alternative fashion for longer generally have a more put-together style because they've had more experience honing their styling skills. They’ve also had longer to collect the items in their wardrobes, and typically the longer you love a particular hobby, the more money you’re willing to invest in it. Most people aren’t creating closets of brand in a matter of months or even years.
I’ve also observed that most people seem to start out in alternative fashion when they’re still young and don’t have a job, or they live in an environment where alternative fashion is typically frowned upon and are thus limited in what they can wear. A lot of fashionable people start in their teens, and did not have an independent income yet. They had to rely on pocket money and birthdays and Christmas and the occasional compromise with their parents to let them wear what they want. Just like the beginners of today, they were limited in what they could afford and what they can do. However usually by the time they are a year or two out of high school, they’ve had years of practice and now have more money to spend on “prestigious” items.
What skills do fashionable people have?
By now you might be asking what kind of learned skills make one more fashionable in the alternative fashion community? They might be some debate over what those skills actually are, but here are what I believe them to be:
Curation - The ability to analyse a variety of options and select the one that works the best for your style and situation. To hone this skill, you need to get to know yourself and your preferences better, as well as learn to say no to most options. I think that this is a useful skill to anyone on a budget looking to buy from more expensive brands, because saying no to five cheap yet decent items that mostly act as wardrobe stuffing could mean saying yes to one spectacular item that you know you will treasure for a long time.
Creativity - This might come more naturally to some than others, just as someone might naturally have more physical strength than another. Just like how the person with lower physical strength can improve by training, anyone who struggles with creativity can always train themselves to think more creatively. Creativity is important for any fashionista because not only does it mean that you’re able to stand out with a totally unique style, but you’re less likely to get bored of your closet because you’re always coming up with new and unique ways to wear the things you already have.
Confidence - It really is the key to pulling off any look, especially an imperfect one, because while an air of insecurity highlights the flaws of an outfit, confidence highlights everything great about the outfit. I’m lucky because confidence is something that comes naturally to me, but it isn’t easy for everyone and it’s okay to take your time building your self confidence.
Patience - This skill is important because building a great wardrobe takes a long time, often years or decades. Unless you have a shocking amount of disposable income or are just very fortunate, there’s no good way to build your preferred wardrobe in just a matter of months. That is a good thing because it gives you the time you need to hone the other skills on this list and learn more about yourself.
Persistence - Compared to fast fashion or mainstream fashion, alternative fashion takes a lot of effort which can be overwhelming. But it’s important to realise that in our hurry to grow, we often forget to enjoy the pleasure of growing and the present moment. Persistence comes from passion, and it comes as much from loving what you're doing as it does from loving the desired outcome. That is ultimately what will carry you through on your alternative fashion journey.
How can you learn to be more fashionable?
Practice - Dress alternative at every opportunity, play dress-up in your room, use wardrobe apps to plan outfits, master new hair and make-up techniques, research style icons and tips, and always enjoy the moment and marvel at how far you’ve come. Focusing on the future can be fun, but sparing some focus to appreciate where you're currently at is important too.
Experiment - Rules are great because a) they provide guidance and define an aesthetic and b) are fun to ignore. Do you want to try wearing patterned blouses with your JSKs? Give it a go! Want to combine punk and fairy kei? That sounds awesome! Don’t let the fear of a flop hold you back, because experimentation fuels evolution, and you’ll end up with a style that is totally chic and unique.
Ask for advice - Our community is pretty darn polite, so they’re rarely going to offer anything other than compliments unless you specifically request feedback. To prevent people from making suggestions that are incompatible with your style and wardrobe, I’d ask people for advice about specific aspects of the outfit that you’re unsure about.
Embrace your limitations - Style isn’t just about what you find aesthetically pleasing, but also about what suits your body, identity, budget, and lifestyle. Limitations force creativity because they make you search elsewhere and use your imagination to create something new and interesting.
Be brave - There are going to be times where you doubt yourself, when you feel like everyone will judge you or gossip about you, both in your community and out. Maybe you’re afraid that you’ll look terrible in an outfit you really want to try. It’s okay to be afraid, but you shouldn’t let your fears hold you back. Oftentimes the fear is temporary, and will go away or at least fade when you actually try the thing you’re intimidated by. If I listened to my fears and insecurities, this blog wouldn’t exist, but the ideas behind it would still haunt me to this very day. Do not let your fears become regrets.
Screw being perfect - You are not perfect, and neither is anyone you perceive to be perfect. It can be difficult to unlearn that in a society that pursues perfection while also stating that perfection is unattainable so why bother? The only way you can get past this is to focus on things that are more important than perfection; things which are beautifully flawed. Fun, creativity, honesty, and individuality should all influence your style far more than the pursuit of perfection, which is why you should ignore who you think you should be and focus on who you really are. A strong sense of the imperfect self leads to a strong sense of style, and sometimes your personal flaws can be quite fashionable, so embrace them and love them and tell perfection to fuck off!
I hope this article helped you realise that while brand clothing is great, being unable to afford, fit, or access it does not mean you are doomed to a less fashionable existence. I've been dressing alternatively for almost four years now, and I'm still learning, growing, and improving. I'm still an amateur in many ways, but I feel like learning the lessons conveyed in this article has helped me become more sure of my style than ever before.
Enjoyed this article? You might also enjoy 'Screw Being Perfect - My 5 Rules for Sustainable Dress'.
I'd also like to remind you that Fashion Revolution Week is happening soon on April 22-28, and I want to get as many alternative fashion lovers to participate as possible. If you would like to learn more about how you can change the future of fashion for the better, click here.
Question of the Week: What are some key aspects of your style? Let me know in the comments below or on social media.
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