Fashion Experts Reveal the Difference Between Wearing vs Styling
With the festive party season well and truly here, how can you elevate your basic outfits, ready for Christmas gatherings and outings?
The TikTok trend of ‘Wearing vs. Styling’ shows creators taking their outfits up a notch by using accessories and specific styling hacks.
With the topic currently having 150.6M videos on TikTok, the experts at handbag and accessory brand Fiorelli share their top tips on how to style your outfits as opposed to just wearing them.
But what is the difference between ‘wearing’ and ‘styling’?
“’Wearing’ refers to the everyday act of simply putting clothing on your body for practical reasons, whereas ‘styling’ involves adding your personal aesthetic to the outfit and self-expression through choices on colours, textures, shapes and accessories” they explain.
1. Consider a belt
The team at Fiorelli recommend: “If your outfit is looking a little shapeless or plain, a belt could be the exact thing you need to take it up a notch. Whether you’re wearing a dress or a shirt, cinching in at the waist with a belt will help to add shape and interest to your outfit. You could even opt for a belt bag for extra functionality.
“Alternatively, adding a statement belt to a pair of jeans or trousers will add an extra bit of glamour to an otherwise plain outfit. Pairing a wide leg jean and statement belt with a jumper tucked in and a heeled boot is the perfect outfit.”
2. Select a complementing bag
They explain: “Selecting the ‘right’ bag is integral to ensuring your outfit is properly styled. Whilst larger tote bags and backpacks are practical and necessary on certain occasions, such as commuting to work or a big day out, they don’t always do much to elevate your outfit. Instead, opting for a chic shoulder bag is a better way to style your outfit.
“Another great option is to add a mini bag to your outfit, as they can act as a statement accessory as opposed to being a full handbag. A mini bag in a bright bold colour can also bring some more life to otherwise plain outfits.”
3. Experiment with layers
“Layering, outside of just for warmth, can sometimes be intimidating, but it is nothing to be feared! Experimental layering can really elevate an otherwise simple outfit, for example, adding a pair of coloured or patterned tight underneath a plain black mini skirt will add copious amounts of fun to your outfit.
“Another great layering option is to add a shirt underneath a jumper, this way you can reveal the collar at the top and have the bottom of the shirt visible if your jumper is more fitted and cropped.”
“If you’re feeling really daring, you could layer a dress or skirt over a pair of jeans or trousers. Whilst the look may feel very early noughties, the trend has actually seen a resurgence in recent years with adventurous influencers such as Kaia Gerber sporting the look.”
4. Play around with jewellery
They suggest: “Being playful and experimental with your jewellery is a great way to add style to an outfit. This could be by mixing your metals, which involves pairing silver and gold jewellery together through ring stacking for example. This has traditionally been seen as a no-go but in recent times, it has become the height of fashion, with influencers such as Sofia Richie sporting the trend.
“However, if mixing metals isn’t your thing, opting for statement jewellery is another option to elevate your outfit. Bold necklaces, chunky bangles and eye-catching earrings will all bring life to your outfit and help you look more styled.”
5. Mix and match textures and patterns
Finally, they share: “A simple way to style your outfit is to mix and match different textures and patterns, this can be done through your bag or footwear and will elevate even the simplest of outfits. The biggest texture trend this season is suede, this can be incorporated through suede jackets, boots and trainers.
“If patterns are more your thing, opting for leopard print will elevate your outfit and make it look more current and chic. A leopard print shoulder bag is the perfect way to make your outfit look more styled, and as leopard print is a neutral it will easily go with all your autumn/winter outfits.”