5 Tips For Newbies to the Fashion Realm

For some of us, fashion was a thing before it became our whole world. Something we were merely interested in, but not a huge part of our life. Or am I just speaking for myself? Anyway, I thought I'd share a few tips for those of you who are kind of new to the fashion realm.

# 1 Know Your Sizes in Other Countries

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There's nothing worse than going to get one of the last pair of Dalmatian spotted boots and just as you find the chart on the site and figure out your size, they're out of stock. It happens. Especially during promotions and sale time. Those hot items sell out within minutes and just your luck: it's your size they've run out of. Knowing your size in all countries is just important period. Once you start to travel and discover brands that are foreign (and you will), you'll want to know right off the bat what size to ask for in Italian, French, American, Indonesian...Need I go on?

#2 Don't Be A Fashion Snob

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If there's one thing we all hate, it's when someone name drops becomes a complete label whore in order to showcase that she's now apart of the fashion realm. Your new-found knowledge of brands should be apart of your journey. It should not be a form of bragging.

#3 Keep Up With Trends, Don't Live By Them

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Being inspired by trends is something many of us do. Whether by religiously reading fashion magazines or getting our info from the blogs and major fashion sites. Trendy items and it-bags are something we all come in contact with, and sometimes develop relationships with. (At some point in your life, you will look back at an old photo of something you once wore and loved and like an ex, you'll scream to yourself "What was I thinking?".) There's no specific way to find out what "your style" is. There are plenty of ideas you can use, like gathering iconic images and seeing what speaks to you, or giving yourself a tighter budget when you shop so that you only buy the things that truly tug at your heart. The point is to take trends into account...but learn to discern if a trend you're starting to pick up on is really YOU.

#4 Learn To Form An Opinion

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I think that this is important for anyone, honestly. In any situation, knowing truly is half the battle. You may come into fashion thinking that it's about what's visual and what you see. And that's true. But understanding is key. And to understand means to take the time to learn and take different things into account. That's how you discover more about yourself. This is all relative to making informed decisions and really having discernment. (There's that word again. It's so important! Plus I just like using it.)

#5 "Be Glamorous and Genuine"

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"Clothes are just a nice envelope, but it's more important, the letter, inside the envelope". Carine Roitfeld, former editor of Paris Vogue and esteemed stylist, author, etc, etc....said these words in a video that she did for i-D (see here), shot by Mario Sorrenti. She also said something to the effect of she wanted to show that someone could be glamorous and genuine. As a woman who has made such a great contribution to art and fashion, her elegance is defined by more than her impeccable style and her incredible body of work (I'd describe both as pretty badass). She prides herself in being a genuine person. As someone who decides to follow a career in fashion, or someone who is just decides to have a keen interest in it, people will judge, label and compartmentalize you. It's the way of the world. But the way that you define yourself is what truly matters.

So go forth, look fierce, and be the most positive person you can be in the process. Remember kids, the world of fashion comes with a price. If you decide to sell your soul...well, at least get some Chanel out of it.