It is no secret that fashion repeats itself. Whether it’s tribal prints, floral, black and white or any other trend that has taken hold chances are if you have seen some version or versions of it before. Now that we have covered the basics of developing your own signature style, it is time to start fine tuning the selections made as you begin to fill your wardrobe. I check in with the trends to see what new interpretations there are but I never become a slave to them. Here are a few tips to help navigate through tricky trends so you only buy what you will wear, and stop wasting money on things you won’t!

Love it, or Leave it: First things first, there is no need to fill your finely tuned wardrobe with a bunch of clothes you feel mediocre about. If there is a trend you love, hold out until you find an item that touches on this trend AND deserves a coveted place in your closet. This will save you from buying things you will never wear and will eventually consign.

History in the Making: Pinterest and good old fashioned magazines are one of the best places to navigate trends is before you even leave your house. Flip through magazines not only from today, but look at archives of magazines from 10 or even 20+ years ago. You will begin to notice how trends evolve, what colors are frequently used (and re-used) and most importantly what most commonly catches your eye. Trend-setters don’t just follow along with what are in stores now. It’s a mix of old and new, vintage and designer, trends of yesterday and today. Chances are if you see a color or trend that has come and gone multiple times, it is a safe bet and will get a good amount of use.

Multi-Tasker:  Sometimes, but not always a fabulous piece comes along that touches on several classic trends. The example that comes to mind is my purple quilted Marc Jacobs clutch that has small gold studs. The color is unexpected and brightens up neutrals, or plays well with already colorful prints, the studs add a bit of edge, but the structure and quilting lend it a feminine quality.  When you find pieces like this pick them up, you will thank yourself for years to come!

Complimentary My Dear: One of the most crucial keys to building a lasting wardrobe is to select pieces that will complement each other. When you are holding something in your hands that you want to buy, and all you know is it seems like a life changing piece that you have to have stop and ask yourself “what 3 things do I already own that this item will go with?” You may realize you have something like it already hanging in your closet, or that the piece would most likely sit in your closet untouched (as it isn’t really your style and have nothing to pair it with).

Even the most classic tastes can evolve and change, but for the most part we like what we like. The beauty of developing your own signature style is that you have no hard-set rules to follow, no trends to slave over and literally countless designers and options to choose from. Now that you have covered the basics, this is where the fun begins. Explore your tastes freely and develop a wardrobe that is unrivaled because it’s all about you!