How to Add Your Own Stamp to Any Look

Whenever I’m pulling a look together I’m constantly thinking about how I can add my own twist and make an outfit more “me”.  Each and every one of us has a distinctive and identifiable style but occasionally it can be hard to add our own stamp to a new trend.  We are bombarded with so many images on a daily basis via magazines, blogs, social media and advertising, it’s easy to lose yourself and mimic others.  Obviously, it’s important to evolve your look and mix your fashion up but it’s more important to stay true to yourself.

I’ve definitely gone through phases where I’ve tried to recreate either a celebrity or a friend’s style but the truth is, you can never pull it off as well as the real deal! Instead we should seek influence from others and then make it our own.

After years of styling and playing with fashion, I have a few staple tips and tricks which I use to make any trend distinctly “me”.

Throw on a Jacket

Without a shadow of a doubt adding a jacket is my number 1 style rule.  These days it’s rare to see me without one on or at least one thrown over my shoulders.  No matter what I’m wearing, whether it be a dress, tee, oversized shirt or bodysuit with jeans, I nearly always reach for my favourite leather jacket or blazer.  It’s the perfect way to give an outfit a whole new dimension.  A good jacket has the ability to make something pretty, more rock’n’roll or something glamorous, much more casual (see previous examples illustrating this HERE, HERE  & HERE).

Customise It

This is something I’ve dabbled with on and off for years but after getting this Oui denim jacket customised recently, I’ve officially become obsessed with taking run of the mill items and creating something completely individual.  If you like to be 100% unique, this is the best and most inexpensive way to do it.  Next on my list to customise is an old beaten up leather jacket; I told you I’ve become obsessed!

If you’re London based and looking for someone who can customise, I went to a placed called KoKo Art in Notting Hill and I highly recommend them.  I was so impressed by how they managed to paint the details exactly as I wanted, even the colours were spot on.  At £30 this was a really cost effective way of creating something totally individual.

Mix and Match Textures

I have spoken about my addiction with layering and mixing textures before (catch what I said HERE in my previous post, A-Z Guide to Layering).  I love to pair contrasting and obscure fabrics which shouldn’t go together but somehow work.  Whether it be pretty pink lace with denim, or silk with leather, it’s my failsafe way to add my own edge to any look.

Add Something Quirky

I’m naturally drawn to quirky and “out there” pieces.  I’ve always had the view fashion should have a sense of humour and this straw monkey bag is the perfect example of that.  Straw bags are everywhere at the moment and this bag shows how you can take a trend and make it work for you.

Outfit details: Dress – New Look (similar HERE &  HERE) | Jacket – Oui (find HERE) | Shoes – Chanel (find HERE & HERE) | Bag – Kate Spade (similar HERE on SALE & HERE)

Don’t forget you can also keep up with me on Instagram @thatnewdress, Twitter @thatnewdress, Bloglovin That New Dress, Snapchat thatnewdress and Depop @dominiquew.