Top 3 Tips on Creating Fresh & Exciting Looks with What You Have

How many times have you looked into a closet full of clothes and said, I don’t have anything to wear? Back in University I couldn’t afford much. I worked part-time and had a closet full of clothes, yet I didn’t feel like I had anything to wear half the time. I would wear a small percentage of what was in my closet, which was such a shame. If only I were better at figuring out how to make my closet work harder, and create more outfits for me than I knew it could back then. So, as time went on and I paid more attention to what I had, I learned how to create way more looks and reduce the cost per wear. I really just wish I had learn how to do this way earlier, so I’m sharing some favourite tips with you.

Two Items Combined Can Create A Different One All-Together
You know how you have compound words in the alphabet? Take the words Make and Up. Two totally different words, but together it gives new meaning. I feel the same way about the belt and trousers here. Honestly, I really wanted to wear high waisted trousers with this feather accessory and lace top, but really liked the gold buttons on the mid-rise ones, so I decided to create the illusion of high-waisted ones with my obi-belt, which you’d seen me wear differently during London Fashion Week here and New York Fashion Week here. Two key pieces in your wardrobe can create an entirely new look. Sometimes when you uexpectedly put together items, you help yourself create something really elevated. For example, skinny leather pants and leather ankle boots worncan look like black thigh boots. Wear that with a long snuggly knitted sweater and you have yourself a fantastic Autumnal outfit. Matching monochromatic pants and tops can often look like a 1-piece when you place a belt in the same color just over the beltline as I have with this outfit. I’ve also noticed quite a few embellished collars that act as add-on to simple blouses, sweaters or collarless shirts to give the illusion of an entirely new purchase. Actively creating new looks can sometimes take a bit of time in front of the mirror, but the extra 5 or 10 minutes is worth it, especially if it means you’ll wear it that way over and over again as I will.

Accessorizing in Completely New Ways
Bracelets can become anklets, long necklaces can be worn as belts and multiple necklaces can be layered. my favourite is using accessories in ways that they’re no officially labelled. My girlfriend Diana of Queenhorsfall whom I met up with in Paris Fashion Week wore a beautiful strapless dress over a shirt. She didn’t think it would stay up, so she took a bunch of large pins from her bag and took them all along the top of her dress and pinned them to her dress shirt. Those pins became a part of the entire outfit like it was designed that way. It was so beautifully done. Even her cute French beret had pins! Such a well-thought out and incredible look! She was one of the most stylish girls attending fashion week.

Layering
I remember back when I lived in Japan, I spent most of my money travelling and very little on clothes. There, you can look so incredible without spending much, and what you think looks hideous on the rack will be transformed into amazing street fashion. I wish I knew how to layer masterfully in Canada because now it’s so hard to layer and create looks living in hotter climates. This feather accessory is something I bought in Milan. The designer only released 2 during
Milan Fashion Week and I happen to have purchased one of 2. While the retailer sold it as a “special occasion” item, I’m the type who likes to incorporate statement pieces and items that are a little over the top into my every day wardrobe (and I’ve already worn it twice in 2 weeks). My intention was to wear it in Paris, but I went with other outfits. Buying an accessory that can be worn and layered in various ways is a fantastic investment. This is something I would wear over a t-shirt, this lace sleeveless top, a leather jacket, a wool coat and even a good knit paired with jeans. I usually like to purchase items that travel well and are lower maintenance, but this was an exception for me because I loved it so much – and hey, It made it back in perfect condition from Italy to France and back to Florida, didn’t it? If you want to create something new. Put it on top or under something else in front of a mirror and see if you love it.

SHOP THE LOOK

If you follow me on Instagram and watch my Instastories, you’ll have seen when I purchased these Valentino Garavani lace up heels a couple of weeks back. I found them on sale online and shared the link. Unfortunately since then, they’ve sold out in this pretty blush pink color. I love this style and when I buy luxury shoes, I like to invest in ones I can wear year after year. I found a pair that have a lower heel and also another one in black with the same heel height as mine. They’re really comfortable and my feet don’t get tired because I get some of that height from the platform. They are true to size! My Prada Saffiano is 2-tone, I could only find one-tone with double pocket linked online. The black feather accessory along with all the other items are also linked below.

What are some of your own closet tips? I’d love to hear in the comments below, as I love learning new ways to create something fresh and exciting! I hope you enjoyed this post. For more inspiration on style and travel, follow me on Bloglovin♥, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe to my mailing list for special announcements and exclusive content.

Xo,

Miki