Putting Your Stamp on an Outfit

One of the most important things about an outfit is making sure it really expresses what you want it to. There’s no point spending time and money picking clothes when the story they tell about you isn’t what you want the world to hear.

Whether you’re dressed for a formal event, or a day of casual fun with friends you need to make sure you’re putting your personal stamp on your outfits.

You’ve got to think about what you want to broadcast to the world and pick clothes that speak to that theme. It doesn’t have to be your entire outfit. It can be more effective you choose basics that are uncontroversial: solid, rather statement, clothes, and combine them with a single accessory or final touch that makes the whole outfit speak for you very clearly. If you want to stand out from the crowd a bit in a formal setting, adding a colourful or patterned tie to a sober suit or even better, throwing a highly coloured scarf around your neck lets you make some significant choices about what you’re wearing and broadcast your personality without falling foul of the dress codes that govern formal events.

When you’re dressing casually you have a much broader palette to express yourself with. Clothes can do different jobs when you match them in different combinations, and in different contexts. For example, a much-loved band t-shirt is as good as a uniform when you’re at a gig watching them play but on an otherwise unconnected night out is less about blending in with fans and more about standing out to them.

If you’ve decided on a definite look, it’s useful to have a few different variations on a theme so can keep restating your identity with your clothes: it doesn’t send a very clear message if your identity goes away as soon one shirt hits the laundry basket. If you’re trying to project a rugged, outdoorsy look, investing in a few different Bear T Shirts means you can keep it up day after day, whenever you need to.

Choosing what you want your clothes to say about you, and picking a wardrobe full that are all talking the same language means you take control of your clothing, and make sure it’s speaking for you, not making you the mouthpiece for a collection of brands.