In the last blog, I discussed how promoting well-known brands like Zara is not demure, not even a little mindful. So, we’re going to use those fast fashion brands as inspiration for what to look for when shopping sustainably. Thrifting is only the first step in creating the perfect wardrobe. I’ve previously touched on ways to embellish and upcycle looks to recreate Zara dupes, but we’re going to dive deeper into that in this blog. Pinterest has a wealth of inspiration for different ideas. I think a good 80% of us dreamed of being fashion designers when we were growing up, and many of us took sewing in high school, but only a few ended up at the Fashion Institute. For some of us, fashion became something we set aside, and now we do the bare minimum when getting dressed each day, embodying only 5% of the passion we once had for creating the perfect outfit. We’ve moved on to our standard jobs because adult life is about bills, insurance, and more bills. I admire the women who set time aside to create during their work-free hours.

I host an art market once a month, and my favorite part is seeing all the creations people have made in their free time. From painting to sewing, graphic design, jewelry making—the list goes on. We all have this innate desire to create something wonderful and beautiful. So, what will we make? What’s stopping us?

Looking around at the fashion we choose from and wear daily, you’d think fashion was extinct. I say that with a laugh because I know my wardrobe isn’t that of a NYC runway model, so I’m part of the reason! But loving fashion doesn’t need to be an all-consuming identity hobby. It can be the easiest form of self-expression, a simple act of self-love. I think investing in your clothes and aesthetic is the same as meditating. Either way, you’re spending time with your psyche.The biggest lie we tell ourselves is that we can’t find those items at the mall second-hand for less than half the price. How many times have you bought something you swore you couldn’t live without, only to donate it with the tags still on a few months later? Trust that the things you want may have met that same fate and skip the mall. Going to the mall is like going to the casino, and I won’t elaborate on that!

We all use fashion in different ways—some of us to show off our individuality or the aesthetic we like most, and some of us to display our status. However, our style doesn’t define us; it’s just the first impression, and first impressions do last. With all the styles available to choose from, it has always been a challenge for me to pick just one and make it my permanent aesthetic. I love so many things and find that they all have their time and place.

I grew up where the ocean was always bright blue and the sun shone 80% of the year, so the beach aesthetic came naturally to me. I embodied flowy clothing, and reef sandals were a staple for every outfit because 9 times out of 10, I would end up at the beach. I loved wearing shell jewelry and even lightened my hair to emphasize my sun-bleached look.

Then fall came, and fall colors took over. I dyed my hair back to my natural dark chocolate brown and cut bangs for added warmth. I painted my nails burgundy and didn’t go a day without my black ankle boots. I wore lots of dark jackets and skinny jeans to give my body some shape since I was mostly covered up on top. So you see, you can’t tell me skinny jeans are out of style because how else will I add shape to my body in the winter?!

Then we move on to spring. I have to be honest, it’s kind of a free-for-all in the springtime. The sun is shining, the weather allows for all types of clothing, so you end up dressing for summer during the day and for arctic winter in the evening. However basic seasonal clothing may be, we can always embellish and make it our own personal style. These are my favorite ways to dress up my clothes before stepping out this season!

Pinterest gave us inspiration to patch up these pants that I got from the bins, and also to place a button on them! I had been wearing them without a button and using accessory scarves as a belt. My friend, and often my stylist, Dayanara (Dee for short), brought her threads of all colors, patches from discarded fabrics, cloth scissors, and we got to work.

Jewelry is also something that can be embellished, and I found the most dramatic necklace from Free People the other day. It’s become a beacon of inspiration.

Got a hole in your jeans? That’s okay! This is cute as hell!

Charms on shoes! Charms on purses! Free People already has their shelves stocked with charms and keychains for your purses but refrain if you can. A great place to find charms is thrifting, flea markets, at the beach; you’d be surprised how often you can find something to attach to your keychain.

I used this inspiration for another way to customize my jeans. I used white acrylic paint and a medium sized paint brush to make lines all the way down my jeans.

Using threads like this to sew on jeans may be so 2000s but in the best way. This is what the perfect jeans are made of.

Ribbon by Ribbon Storage on Etsy