Everyone can follow a trend. From neon to nude, open a magazine and the freshest trends are staring back at you. True street style is a uniform of sorts, it looks as though the clothing worn was made for that person alone. This style comes from within, but the fundamentals can be learned. Brace yourself, this kind of wardrobe perfection can only come from brutal honesty…

Be Realistic: I cannot stress this enough COMFORT IS KEY! Be aware of what your day to day activities are so you have wardrobe options to get you there! Heels do not function well on the streets of NY hence converse and combat boots.

Dress the Part: This almost sounds contradictory to the previous rule, but it’s not. It’s simple really. You want to be as stylish and as comfortable as possible. When you acknowledge comfort, it means you feel able to move about at your usual pace. Acknowledging style means you embrace fashion and its role in your life.

Get out of your comfort zone: Being comfortable often gets mistaken for being sloppy. Uggs vs. flat suede boots. Velour sweat-suit vs. a chic jersey dress or leggings and a loosely constructed top. There are always options to be both comfortable and stylish.

Be your own stylist: One of the biggest obstacles is our self and the way we approach dressing. Is it something to look forward to? Or do you dread that you’ll have nothing to wear? I am not a morning person, so I plan. Sometimes my mood changes as quickly as overnight so I pull 1-2 options per day. Usually one outfit is more out of the box, and one is safe (aka. something I’ve worn before that I know works).

Try the Trends: Not everything looks good on everyone, unless you’re Kate Moss. While Moss is truly a trend-setter, look closely though. She follows a formula. Basics first, trends second. It is imperative to have your style M.O. down so you aren’t lost when you walk into cheap/trendy places like H&M or Forever 21. For example, Moss’ street style is often denim, and a plain shirt of some sorts. She then adds a touch of Fur, or suede booties to complete a fresh look. I have yet to see trends competing for attention when she steps out. If you don’t like a trend pass on it, or look at adding touches through less expensive accessories such as belts, vintage or costume jewelry, hats or even nail color.

Second Hand: I love seeing old beat up combat boots paired with cut-off shorts and a cute tee or blazer. However, I am not so in love with having to beat up new combat boots (nor are my feet!). This is where consignment shops, and Goodwill come into play. Not only are they worn in for you, their $6.00!!! This is also a great way to figure out how trend pieces fit into your wardrobe without burning a hole in your handbag.

Replicas: Replica pieces are a great alternative if you do not want to pay the price for designer goods. Quite a few friends of mine have some fake bags in their handbag collection and I can never tell the difference between replicas and the real thing. Consequently, if any designer goods have caught your eye, there is a high chance that a more affordable replica alternative will be out there so do not be afraid to shop around to get the best possible price.

Vintage: I almost fell off my sofa when I saw Selena Gomez toting a MCM handbag. My mother (as far as I’m concerned) made this brand huge in the 80’s but it quickly disappeared into the shadows of LV’s and 2 G’s. It is harder to know what brands or pieces will make a certain ‘comeback’ but if you can spot them early in their comeback career (or are lucky enough to find one in your mothers closet) chances are you’ll save bucko bucks on inflation.

The Basics: Know what you wear, and stock pile several per season. I love denim cut-offs in the summer and denim skinnies in the winter for example. So it is safe to say having several pairs to work with is a purchase worth making. Again, these basics can come from anywhere ranging from H&M to Nordstrom. I typically chose a place like this because I am guaranteed that they will have several in varying colors, or multiples in my size.

Splurge when Necessary: If you love the latest Chanel Oversize Sunnies you saw at Saks and will truly wear them forever, save up and buy them! No need to buy 10 cheaper pairs when you are really in love with The One. You will probably save money in the long run by buying the ones you really want. Also, consider cost per wear! A $350 pair of classic sunglasses that go with everything cost less than $1/day if you wear them for a year.

Signature style is all about being comfortable in your own skin. If something feels so wrong that it’s right, it very well maybe! Kate Moss probably doesn’t walk to her closet and say “gee, I wonder what everyone else is wearing today?” and neither should you!

{Photos by Coco Chandell}