STEP 4: Indulge in Creativity

Now that you have all the pieces to the puzzle, the only thing left to do is to indulge in creativity. You now have multiple ways to put your puzzle pieces together, and it’s on you to explore all of those options and potential selections. Indulging in creativity allows you to create moods and interesting personas with each new outfit. It also allows you to become more comfortable with your personal preferences, transforming outfit creation into a mind stimulating and joy filled event. In order to explore your creative side, it is important to begin pay closer attention to the details in your surroundings, and learn how to “create a vibe.”

The world around you is full of inspiration to work into your perfect wardrobe. Begin to notice color palettes, patterns, and textures; identify elements evident in art such as paintings and interior design. Frankly some of the easiest inspiration comes from the outfits worn by the others around us. Try to recreate your own interpretation of the palettes of cityscapes and artwork as outfits. Personally, I garner a lot of color palette ideas from interior design. I love finding new color, pattern, and texture ideas I have never imagined trying, intermingled to create a room that exhibits a certain style or mood. This “mood creation,” used often in interior design, can help you to put together new outfits, or pinpoint which accessories and statement items to sport in helping you achieve the same mood or look. This ability to exhibit mood is what I like to call “creating a vibe,” which we will dive into a little later.

Garnering inspiration doesn’t stop at design, art, and a few late nights/dawns in Budapest. It can also be acquired through fashion and style magazines (and don’t sleep on women’s magazines. Vogue is actually one of my favorites when I’m in need of a creative spark), as well as trends and styles from past eras. You can use this inspiration to recreate or re-imagine certain styles, articles, patterns, and palettes, and add your own interpretation or twist to help create and cultivate your individual style.

Learning to “create a vibe” can be as simple as taking note of the weather for the day, as complex as pattern mixing (that GQ makes look so easy), and intermediate as feeling “blue” and fixating your outfit on that color. Again, be on the lookout for textures and fabrics that catch your eye. Imagine how they can be used to soften an outfit, or create more depth by layering. Begin buying items specific to seasons (ie. linen items in summer, corduroy for the fall and winter). Once you have your base, it is necessary to become an item specific shopper. You can now focus on articles that give you a truly unique look. Opt for the bright red framed glasses, preferably of the prescription or sun variety. Take a chance on the boldest and brightest raincoat you can imagine. Pairing these articles together creates a truly one-of-a-kind style based ONLY upon your preferences and creative prowess.

As a side note, this is where grooming also comes into play to help you perfect your wardrobe. Your grooming provides you with a distinct look, a distinct ambiance, that can change day to day based on your preferences. Try a new haircut, hairstyle or hair product. Purchase cologne that accompanies a few of the main styles and vibes you seek to put together.

Grooming takes your creativity a step forward by allowing you to complement your outfits and inch closer toward your desired vibe by incorporating an array of scents and profiles. From sporting a James Bond look to a Cast Away, Tom Hanks look, grooming is necessary to to create that intended vibe. Everyday is an opportunity to create something new with your look. Don’t be afraid to embrace and show off your inner confidence and uniqueness.

As you continue to go through life, styles will come and go; that is the cyclical nature of fashion. Pieces will always be reinterpreted and re-imagined, but the question is by whom? Once you begin to think about your style creatively you will have fun not only continuing to finish your new never ending wardrobe puzzle (because there is always another piece you’ll want), but also in cultivating, perfecting, and influencing with a wardrobe that is diverse, timeless, and personal to you. You and your wardrobe will be able to adapt seamlessly to any season, for any event, and in any city around the world. The beauty of fashion and style is that you have the power to influence it by not being afraid to show who you are through what you wear. When every outfit becomes personality defining, and an insightful tool for self expression, you have created the perfect wardrobe.

Featured Brands:

Siviglia Denim

Levi’s

DL Denim

Bonobos

United Colors of Benetton

Happy Socks

Converse

Adidas

Zara

Doppelganger

Selected Homme

Ray-Ban