How to Find Fashion Inspiration in Your Daily Life

Fashion is an artistic form of self-expression that allows you to experiment not only with different styles but also different personalities, vibes, and emotions. Whether dressing up for a night out or throwing together a casual ensemble to hit the grocery store, fashion choices reflect our mood, personality, and lifestyle.

If you’re like me, you sometimes look in your overflowing closet and think: Ugh! I have nothing to wear! It’s not that you have nothing to wear – it’s that you have no pieces that fit with your current mood and aesthetic. If you’re a fashionista looking to spice-up your style, consider these seven ways to find new fashion inspiration.

1. Pinterest

Pinterest is one of the easiest ways to find fashion inspiration. Pinterest has tons of boards and pins with different styles, aesthetics, trends, and brands. You can also create your own boards, where you can save different Pins to come back to later. For example, I like to have different boards for different basics in my closet, like a board for white button-downs, little black dresses, and denim jeans. Then, whenever I feel like wearing one of those basics, I check out the Pins on those boards for outfit inspiration.

Browsing Pins is a great way to fill your free time – like waiting at the dentist’s office or standing in line at the grocery store. Then you can refer back to those Pins when you’re in a rush trying to put together an outfit in the morning. This is a great way to maximize your time and take your style game up a notch.

2. Fashion inspiration board

If you’re more tactile than visual, create your own physical Pinterest board in your home. Cut out images from magazines, print out pictures from the internet, or even sketch outfits or ideas that you like. Paste these on a posterboard or white board, and hang it in-sight where you like to get dressed in the morning.

If a board doesn’t work for you, try a fashion binder that you keep in your closet. Organize the binder however best suits you; I like to organize by work, play, and events and then make subgroups within that! A great way to have a list of go-to outfits is to take pictures whenever you’re wearing an outfit you love and add the photo to the binder.

3. Take notes of outfits you like

While you’re out and about, you probably see a lot of outfits or styles that you like. If you see something that catches your eye, snap a quick photo (with their permission) or write a note in your phone. Use these notes as inspiration to help you build your wardrobe binder or Pinterest board when you’re back at home.

For example, I was recently wearing a button-down top, linen pants, and a statement piece of jewelry. I saw a woman wearing almost the same outfit, but I had tied my top in a knot at the front and hers was half-tucked. I loved the look of the half-tucked shirt, so I did it myself right then and there, and then I added it to my closet inspiration binder when I got home. Also, while I had statement jewelry, she was wearing a more minimalist piece of jewelry but with a bolder “pop” of lipstick – another note for the binder!

4. Browse fashion blogs

The Internet is a treasure trove of fashion inspiration. If you’re looking for a specific style or aesthetic, Google is a great place to find pictures and ideas. You may also want to start following fashion blogs for inspiration like Craving Current. Check out this list of thrift fashion blogs to find likeminded fashionistas who love preloved and consignment fashion!

For example, let’s say you have a pair of green pants. You love the way they fit, but you don’t know how to style them. Search in Google or Pinterest for “how to style sage green pants for work” and you’ll get a treasure trove of ideas.

5. Scroll social media

Instagram and TikTok can help you find new, unique styles you may never have thought of before. Lots of celebrities and fashion influencers are styling the latest trends, but also lesser-known micro-influencers show off more unique aesthetics, like cottagecore fashionistas or these influencers who rock pre-loved fashion. Hashtags are a great way to search on Instagram, and TikTok functions like a search engine to help you find relevant fashion videos. I create Instagram and TikTok collections filled with fashion inspiration that I can revisit when I get in a fashion rut.  

Try to be mindful with your social media consumption, though. Don’t compare yourself to influencers online, since social media uses a lot of filters and photography tricks. Use social media as inspiration but remember that fashion is about having fun. Wear what makes you feel confident, comfortable, and beautiful!

6. Shop at consignment stores

So many women love consignment stores because of the constant influx of new pieces. No two pieces are alike at a consignment store, so you’re constantly on a treasure hunt for unique items that speak to your unique sense of style.

Consignment stores like Current Boutique often show or categorize clothes based on style or trend, so you can easily find what you’re looking for. That said, buying pre-loved pieces generally means you’re buying timeless designers (rather than ultra-trendy). This means you’re more likely to find high-quality, designer pieces that suit your style, rather than just buying the styles the big box stores are telling you are ”hot” right now.

7. Experiment with different styles

If you feel like you’re stuck in a fashion rut, you may need to step outside of your traditional fashion go-tos. Fashion inspiration is all about being open to new ideas and styles to create your own unique look.

Try experimenting with different color combinations, patterns, prints, materials, and silhouettes. Fashion is about expressing your individuality, so focus on finding pieces that make you feel good! If you love bright colors, wear more colors. If you’re a maximalist at heart, flaunt it! If you like classic styles, lean into that. Don’t be pressured to follow the trends; leverage trends to work for your style rather than trying to fit into a “trendy” mold.

Finding fashion inspiration

Fashion inspiration can strike at any point. Treating fashion like a hobby that you’re constantly trying to hone and improve will make it easier for you to upgrade your style, try out different aesthetics, and have more fun getting dressed in the morning. Fashion is all about self-expression and feeling confident in your own skin, so look for fashion that truly inspires and empowers you!

Start looking for your next fashion inspiration with Current Boutique’s trends section here.

Photo sources:

• Pinterest: Photo by Souvik Banerjee on Unsplash
• Fashion board: Photo by Cleo Vermij on Unsplash 
• Take notes: Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
• Social media: Photo by Georgia de Lotz on Unsplash
• Consignment stores: Photo by Aviv Rachmadian on Unsplash
• Experiment: Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash