As I get deeper and deeper in the fashion labyrinth, my mind keeps changing in terms of style, brands and trends. I am still in the process of figuring myself out and at the same time, I am really trying to think out of the box in order to come up with original content for you guys. Although I’ll admit sometimes it’s easy to feel stumped and get dragged by the idea that there is nothing really original out there and that everything is already done, particularly in the world of fashion *deep sigh*.

However, if anything, this blogging business is definitely helping me push my own style boundaries, as you could witness in this previous post, and this is adding a touch of originality and improvisation in my day to day life. Some people get creative in the kitchen, some others at work, and some of us, in front of our wardrobe. 🙂

For this week’s look, I had a clear idea in mind: to reuse something I already owned and give it a new life, a new meaning. I was looking for a touch of wow, but also something that I would wear in a non-blog-photoshooting kinda situation.

I resorted to the inspiration mecca –Pinterest– and started to look for different ways to style a button down shirt, a piece of clothing I don’t tend to favour very often as I am a self declared casualwear lover! These are some of the ideas that caught my eye:

As you can see, when it comes to styling, your imagination is the limit! I love the way a shirt can be dressed down in order to enhance our natural assets and fill in as the perfect summery top. Don’t you agree?

And after finding some inspiration… here’s what I came up with. Hope you like it, glamistas!

A simple knot on the front with the shirt’s sleeves gave life to this pretty off-the-shoulder shirt. I didn’t expect it to work when I got started, but was pleasantly surprised with the result. I decided to leave the collar out at the back as a little lapel. In my head this touch screams “restyled item” and I liked that ♥

To complete the look, a touch of colour (because I love me a lot bit of colour) and these golden necklaces layering to perfection over my ultra-pale neckline 😀

Out of the Box Styling tips:

1. Reconnect with your oldies: Let’s be honest, it’s not always possible to keep up with every trend that comes out, even if we fall in love with half of them every season. Plan B: have a closer look in your wardrobe. I am sure you have at least a pair of items that have not received all the love they deserve lately. If you did not discard them in your latest clear out, why not trying to light the flame again and remember why you included them in your personal collection to start with? 😉

2. Try a new combination: perhaps you are bored of that particular sweater or shirt because you always styled it in the same way. Granted, there is no much room for surprise with a pair of jeans, but tops and accessories are your allies here. Try layering, mixing patterns and prints, ruffles and simple cuts. You will most likely find a winning combination and a new-looking outfit without splurging any cash!

3. Wear it differently: that’s precisely what I did here, took an old office shirt that I really like but almost never wear and saw the potential in it. With a bit of help from Pinterest, I can now style this little number in multiple ways and adapt it to different occasions. Isn’t that cool?

4. Something borrowed: as you could see here, sometimes the answer to a styling impasse is in your BF’s closet, and when I say BF I mean sister, mum, best friend… Garment swapping/borrowing might be the best way to get out of your styling box and add a different vibe to your look, even if for a day!

5. Don’t be afraid: what if you try to follow point 2 of this list and end up with a really odd-looking combo, an unflattering shape or mix of colours? Well, you’ll learn from the experience and at least you will have tried something new, you might also end up overcoming your style limits and discovering that you can pull off certain things that you didn’t think possible before and in my book, that’s a risk worth taking 😉

Do you guys get creative in front of your wardrobe or are you loyal to your looks?

Hope you guys have a fantastic Father’s day! Much love from sunny England

Peace&Love

Saida

{H&M striped elastic shirt & jeans}  {Embroidered bag from Thailand – similar here and here}  {Orelia Jewellery choker} {H&M round double pendant} {Fábrica de Imaginación – delicate necklace} {Primark sunnies & flats}