The viral #wearingvsstyling trend has over 100 million views on TikTok and shows you how to style the clothes you already own to create a brand-new look. This trend is all about getting creative in your closet and showing off your personal style. We talked to an expert to learn all about this trend, get some styling tips, and learn how to actually style—and not just wear—an outfit.
Style starts with you—and it really is not necessarily what you’re wearing, it’s how you wear it.
— TIFFANY BRISENO, FASHION STYLIST
What Is the Wearing vs. Styling Trend?
“Style is about how you put a look together and not necessarily the clothes itself,” explains fashion stylist Tiffany Briseno. “I think that style is a form of self expression, and adding those layers of interest really contributes to creating a fulfilled look. I love that this particular trend is really showing you stage one to stage ten of how you put together a look.”
Personal style is authentic to each person and a way for everyone to express their personality through clothing. “It takes time, it takes experimentation, and a little bit of bravery,” Briseno explains. “Style starts with you—and it really is not necessarily what you’re wearing, it’s how you wear it.” Creators participating in this trend are showing how they layer up their look with wardrobe staples.
Briseno explains that styling an outfit is not about buying often, it’s about buying smarter and buying less. “I’d rather see 10 pieces in your closet than 20, but each piece is really great on its own.” Here are a few of the basics to keep in your closet. You probably already have these wardrobe staples, but if not, here are some options worth investing in, plus tips on how to style them into an outfit.
Wardrobe Must-Haves
Blazer
A wardrobe staple to dress your look up or down is a timeless blazer in a neutral color. “[Pick one] that is non-seasonal that you can wear during the day or an evening scenario,” says Briseno. She recommends choosing a neutral shade, like black, gray, or brown, which is the new black. If you already have a blazer in your wardrobe, put it to use! If not, this oversized blazer ($95, express.com) is a versatile option that can be worn to work or paired with jeans and heels for a night out.
Jeans
The most essential piece in everyone’s closet is the perfect pair of jeans. “Here’s where you can play with trends [and] can embrace new shapes. The big trend right now is a larger, looser fit,” Briseno says. All trends come and go, so Briseno recommends thrifting a quality pair of jeans that have a great fit and will last a long time.
White T-Shirt
A basic item that will never go out of style, the classic white t-shirt. “Having staple pieces [like a] great white t-shirt really goes a long way,” explains Briseno. This piece is very versatile in your wardrobe and ideal for the days when you have “nothing to wear.”
Sneakers
Step up your style with a pair of sneakers that match everything. “I know New Balance is having a resurgence right now. I think that the resurgence is really because of the colorway. It’s speaking to those neutrals and small punches of color like kelly green or cobalt blue,” Briseno says. She recommends a New Balance sneaker in a kelly green ($120, newbalance.com) or cobalt blue ($120, newbalance.com).
Jewelry
Wow-worthy jewelry that speaks to your personality is a must-have in your wardrobe. “Accessories are really just an extension of your personality … jewelry to me is personal. I have a set of rings and earrings that I wear literally every day, even if I’m wearing yoga clothes or a dress, I’m wearing the same jewelry no matter what,” Briseno explains.
Stylists Share the Secret Pieces You Need in Your Wardrobe
How to Style an Outfit
Now that you have the basics covered, it’s time to style. Briseno’s outfit formula is broken down into three categories, “shape and silhouette, then color and fabrication, and that you know the narrative, the story, or the theme,” Briseno explains. “Whether it’s taking a simple black dress during the day with sneakers and bringing [it] into a nighttime look, decide on your scene [and] what kind of story you are telling.”
Let the shapes and silhouettes of your clothing act as the foundation for your look. “When I work with clients, it’s really just about finding a complementary shape to their body, because if it falls great on their body, it sort of changes the way that you walk,” Briseno says.
Then, Briseno suggests telling a story through different fabrics and colors. The fabrication and color combinations are what make an outfit feel elevated for a big event or fun for a night out.
To add a final touch and bring an outfit together, try these styling tips:
- Try adding a belt to your favorite dress to create shape and change the silhouette
- For a preppy look, wrap a sweater around your shoulders
- Add a scarf to elevate your outfit
- Mix patterns and textures to create interest
“The overarching message [of style] is just staying authentic to yourself. When it comes to style, if it feels good, then it’s going to look good on your body, and it really is going to change your attitude and change the way you walk. And that’s what makes it cool,” explains Briseno. “It’s the energy behind the clothes and not the clothes.”
Source : Real Simple
