Poor Little It Girl's Cathy Anderson guest blogs for J-14 about the secrets to her chic yet cheap style that she wishes she knew when she was 14!
I've always had a serious obsession with fashion. Ever since I can remember, I've been experimenting with mixing and matching pieces in my closet to create fun and innovative looks. But going through old photographs (this is pre-Facebook days!) of me in my teen years - it's funny to see outfits that I thought were totally a hit, but now just look like a total miss! If only I knew then what I know now. Lucky for you J-14ers, I'm here to share the five fashion lessons I wish had known...when I was 14.
1-Do your research! Going into a store can always be a bit overwhelming when you don't have a vision in mind for what you want to wear. Use magazines and online sites to pick and chose your favorite celebrity looks, then use these pictures as the starting point to inspire your own sense of style!
2-Step out of your comfort zone. While the mall is a great resource to find all of the latest and greatest trends, try shopping in vintage stores or local boutiques for those one-of-a-kind pieces that are sure to get you noticed! And if you are shopping at the mall, try going into stores you don't normally visit (like the store your mom shops in!) - while you may not like their clothing, these places have a wide variety of jewelry and accessories you never would have seen otherwise!
3-Keep one focal point. You don't want different parts of your outfit competing, so make sure only one clothing piece or accessory is the star of the show. If you're wearing a sparkly headband, keep the rest of your outfit low key. If you are rocking a brightly printed top, try to keep all other accessories minimal.
4-Look in-house. My grandmother used to wear the most amazing big-framed sunglasses when I was younger, and I wish I could able to get my hands on them now! Ask your mom, grandma, aunts, or anyone in your family if they have any old jewelry or clothes from the 70s or 80s that you can borrow. If you're lucky, you may just find the next big fashion trend is already in your possession!
5-Have fun! The best part about fashion is that there is no right or wrong! If it makes you feel good, then it's the best outfit for you! So mix those prints, wear bold colors, and make a statement with your funky accessories - after all, you're only 14 once so have some serious fashion fun!
For more great and affordable fashion, check out Cathy's blog at Poor Little It Girl and follow her on Twitter @PoorLilItGirl.
What's your secret to cool fashion looks on a budget?
