Five Places to Find Style Inspiration

As the world around us, at least here on the US east coast, starts to come out of its lockdown-induced stupor, many of us are craving something to get us out of a year (or more!) long funk. Maybe you're tired of sweatpants, even if the tie-dye is really cute. Maybe you didn't immediately turn in your resignation when you were told work from home was no longer an option. When you get up in the morning and you just want to look really cute, where do you turn to find inspiration for something different? Below are a few suggestions to help get you started:

1. Tik-Tok

I know, I know, that's for kids. But seriously, there are some great creators to take inspiration from. The #fashiontok and #fashionadvice tags are filled to the brim with with ideas, tips, tricks, and even just great ootds. One of my favorites is @carlarockmore whose closet is the stuff dreams are made of. Her advice runs the gamut of styling high-low, mixing and matching vintage finds with newer pieces, incorporating statement pieces, and basically just being an all around fashion diva we can all hope to look like one day. @polychrom3 is another great creator promoting sustainable fashion choices while demystifying fashion terms from print and pattern types to sleeve styles to jean rises.

2. Aesthetic Generators

Maybe you're fascinated by the cottagecore trend that took off during quarantine as people sought to escape their reality with this simple, homey aesthetic, but you aren't really into floral prairie dresses and baking bread. There are lots of generators to pick from. Rachel Maksy used one of these generators to create a series of looks in a recent video. Obviously, you don't need to add spikes to a blouse or glue lava rocks to the back of your jacket to follow some of these aesthetic ideas, but nothing is stopping you from wearing a long skirt and piling on the jewelry to achieve a victorian dragon look. That gold horde is at least as aesthetic as the spikes.

3. Your Favorite Movie

Andy's Chanel boots are iconic in The Devil Wears Prada, but the movie has tons of other stunning looks, including the big-shouldered bolero worn by Emily Blunt's character above. With statement sleeves making a comeback this year, it's perfect inspiration for a new look. If your cinematic tastes follow a more historic bent, perhaps an embroidered satin blouse can call back to Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette with all of its cotton candy, bubble gum decadence. Pick a movie and pick a character. Look for colors, textures, prints, and silhouettes to inspire your sartorial choices.

4. Online Shops

I can already hear you, "But Erin, isn't that just shopping??"

Only if you buy something.

It works the same way if you're browsing past department store windows. Check out your favorite brands' lookbooks, too. Pay attention to the whole outfits, not just the individual clothing items. See a dress you like? What shoes and accessories are paired with it? How is it styled? Are shirts tucked in, or one tail left out? Use these ideas when you style your outfits.

5. Your Own Closet

One of the most sustainable options, of course, is to use what you already have. Refresh your style by re-styling what you've been wearing. Like moving your couch to the other side of the living room, you can change just a bit for a new perspective. Try pairing a button down skirt with a pair of shorts and crop top. Only secure the top button for a cute, mid-century playsuit inspired outfit. Layer a tank over a button down for a vest, cuff your slacks and slide on some wedges for sophisticated but casual look.

At the end of the day, there are no rules in fashion. Wear what makes you happy and gives you joy. I hope these tips helped, and please let me know if you'd like to see more!