How to Follow Trends Without Losing Your Personal Style

By: Mireya Perez

A personal style is the culmination of a process of self-discovery and self-expression. It is composed of the items you gravitate towards -do you prefer flats or heels?- and what inspires you. Does your closet resemble any famous person you admire? Maybe you follow a certain aesthetic. But with the enormous amount of trends circulating in the fashion industry at the same time, it can be easy to lose your sense of style. 

Here’s what you can do to incorporate trends in a way that suits your taste:

Learn to describe your style

Describing your style doesn’t have to be a tedious task. Think about it simply. How do you perceive your style? It can be a single word—Classy, elegant, fresh. It can fit into an aesthetic—bohemian, preppy, or dark academia, perhaps. Think of what makes your style unique and how you feel the most confident.

Follow influencers with a similar style

A perfect way to find trends is to see what suits those that dress like you. Find someone on Instagram, TikTok, or Youtube whose style is similar to yours. Those influencers will incorporate trendy items that will fit easily into your current wardrobe. You can also create a Pinterest board with a mix of all your favorite looks. Turn to it whenever you need some outfit inspiration!

Find your go-to brand

While you can find trendy items in stores like Zara or H&M, the amount of inventory and trends that have in their inventory can be overwhelming. Instead, opt for shopping at smaller stores that carry clothes that suit your aesthetic. Find your favorite brand and check their page to see what’s new every season.

Incorporate trends with what you already have

This one is a no-brainer. Trends should be additions to your style, not the focal point. If you need to buy new pants that match that one top you keep seeing on Instagram, or new jewelry that would highlight the trendy boots you just got… chances are, those items don’t align well with your current aesthetic. And I’m pretty sure you don’t want to be buying a whole new closet every season, right?

Finally, accept that your style might change at some point. You find yourself liking the style of an influencer you have just found. A while after that, you buy a pair of shoes that you wouldn’t have bought a while ago. Oh, no! Did you fall victim to the fashion industry? Don’t stress. If you notice a pattern in the way you gravitate toward new clothes, your style might be changing! Instead of buying a whole new wardrobe, try to incorporate some new pieces into your old style. Take it slow and see what works for you!