All that glitters is not gold. I am sure you’ve heard this a million times if not zillion. We often look at stylish people and rush to conclude that they are rich but it’s not always the case.
It’s not a general notion because it’s also very true that some have money but I also know some who don’t have money but have mastered a few tricks to look effortlessly stylish and trendy.
Before I learnt the tricks of effective shopping and dressing well, I used to say I will change my wardrobe when I get more money little did I know it isn’t the case always. As the adage goes that crisis is the mother of innovation, I wondered and wandered on how I could change this and first was to change my attitude towards how I dress.
Instagramers make it seem like it’s surely about heavy wallets. Quickly I had to find ways out of this crisis and I want to share with you what I have done over time.
In the quest for answers and solutions to my issues, I did a lot of research and I have over time adopted simple techniques that have worked for me and I believe they will work for you as well.
Styling;
Before you even think of shopping new clothes, think about yourself and what makes you look tick. Know exactly your style; are you a streetstyle kind of person, do you like ties and suits (formal), do you like to be free or do you want to switch things up a lil bit right now!
This helps you showcase your personality but also improves your creativity skill. Basically, it’s like a mirror of your inside person.
It’s absolutely possible to achieve looking stylish at a budget. It simply requires a shift in your mindset and some styling skills that don’t need schooling. I’ll show you how;
First let’s take some time to understand our style. This calls for self-awareness and this ranges from body type and clothes that accentuate and flatter your body.
You can also ask friends you trust about what kind of clothes make you look fly. If you are shy to ask, you can silently take note of what kind of clothes get you the most compliments. This can guide to what you should wear most.
Basic styling skills are critical. You don’t need to be the best stylist like the celebrated Abbas Kaijuka but a few techniques will work magic.
Color combination is a must have trick and this is always perfected with time. Keep trying and experimenting different styling tricks until you master it.
If you want to make fashion statements or want to be known for particular styling signatures do it creatively and slay- Don’t settle for less. Our Fashion Police snoops will massacre you right here if you flop.
Actually, if you master this technique you are done struggling with looking chic and expensive. This technique gives you the ability to style any clothes and look very fashionable and trendy.
Always remember style is very personal and has nothing to do with fashion. Fashion is short lived while Style lives forever. Be known for be stylish and not fashionable.
Where to shop
Just as the previous, so is this technique in terms of necessity and practicability. Out of experience, I have discovered different places have not only different clothes but the prices also vary and with knowledge of this, it helps you quickly decide where to find particular clothes.
Down town Kampala has relatively cheaper clothes compared to uptown boutiques/shops.
Some of us recent shopping downtown because of the congestion or the struggle you take to find exactly want you want but if you have time this is a haven for original stuff. Make friendships with one or two of the guys downtown the next time you go there and let them share what they have on WhatsApp because they do deliveries.
Recently I discovered online shopping being more effective for my needs like quality, affordability and ease of finding what exactly I need. Sites like Amazon have a wide range of dope stuff compared to our shops here. They are a little expensive but surely worth it.
Timeless and essentials
Shop timeless and basics or essential clothes not trends. Timeless clothes are classy and considered sophisticated.
Basic clothes simply refer to clothes that you must have in your wardrobe. This allows you only to have clothes you love and can put on at any time after learning quick styling skills.
Create your own visual style that will stay for ages. Let it be unique for you but identifiable by others.
Denim is one of the most timeless fashionable clothes, a black pair of trousers for guys while a little black dress for ladies. An oxford pair of shoes or boots would save you the cost of buying different shoes every time.
Avoid Trends
Let your wardrobe live beyond trends. It’s a no brainer that trendy clothes are more expensive compared to timeless clothes and if you want to achieve what we are talking about, it won’t be achievable because trends change quickly which puts you in a tricky position.
However, on the flip side, I encourage you to occasionally give yourself a treat to one of those trends you can’t just avoid or you can smartly select trends that will always stay or take a while to go off like ripped jeans,
Quality and not quantity.
Giorgio Armani once said, “The difference between style and fashion is quality”. What makes one stand out is quality and not quantity! Rather have few quality clothes than very many fake clothes.
It’s sometimes tricky to differentiate between original and fake stuff in a market flooded with counterfeit. If you are not really keen or not knowledgeable of how original clothes look like, you are likely to be fleeced but there some simple tricks to consider the next time you are shopping like check the seams, the material, label among others. I will explain more about Fake and Original stuff in my next article.
Style being a state of mind and an inward expression of your personality, you can achieve your desired look with change of your attitude and how you look at life.
I encourage you to find your style and with this the rest will be easier to achieve. Style isn’t about what you wear but about how you live.
You may receive some resistance or even fail to nail on the first attempts you make but with practice you will ace it.
I am excited to see a republic full of stylish ladies and gentlemen. Mates let’s go do it.
satisfashionug@gmail.com
