Being young is a time to find yourself and your personal style. It can be difficult to get your head around who you are as a person, what you like, don’t like, who you want to be and what your goals are, without feeling pressure to dress and present yourself a certain way too.
Your teenage years are a perfect time to play around with different looks, finding what works best for you. However, it can feel impossible to do that when you have a limited amount of pocket money and you’ve already asked your parents for a loan twice this month.
With that in mind, we’ve put together the 6 fashion essentials you can add to your wardrobe to stay on trend without feeling pressure to drop money on a new fit every week.
A good pair of jeans
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By *good* we mean ones that fit really, really well. Jeans are that failsafe for when we’re not sure what to wear. So take some time to think about the kind of fit that suits you and your personal style best. If you’re a wide legged gal – get a pair that fits perfectly at the waist, if you’re a straight leg lover find a pair that hits your ankle at the right spot.
If you’re unsure about what style is for you, take a day to yourself or with friends to try on tonnes of different styles. Head to your favourite high street shop, pick up jeans that catch your eye and head for the dressing room. While you’re there take lots of pictures and use that to figure out which style is your best match. Once you figure that out, invest in a pair that’s not *too* cheap but not too expensive either. High street stores like H&M, Zara and & Other Stories are usually a safe bet for affordable good quality denim.
A Bra That Fits
Believe it or not, the right bra can completely transform your wardrobe. When you’re a teenager your body is constantly changing and so it can be hard to keep up with. We would recommend going for a bra fitting somewhere like M&S or Victoria’s Secret.
Wearing the right bra under your clothes will make simple things like T-shirts and dresses fit perfectly.
An Any Occasion Dress
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Never underestimate the power of a good dress. Investing in a versatile dress that can be easily styled up or down is a key item in any wardrobe. Think of a slip dress – it could be styled up with a pair of cowboy boots and a red lip, or it could be styles down with some converse and a denim jacket.
Your favourite Hoodie
You might not be pushing the fashion boundaries out by wearing a hoodie, but that doesn’t mean they’re not still essential in a wardrobe. Find a hoodie that you adore and you’ll never be stuck for something to wear on a chill day again. It could be a merch hoodie from your favourite band, or maybe you spotted Timothee Chalamet in that Glossier hoodie and now you just have to have it too, whatever hoodie you buy make sure it’s one that has meaning to you.
An Oversized Blazer
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A blazer is any gal’s best. Invest in a good one now and it’ll see you through many years to come. It’s the perfect way to pull an outfit together, or even just to thrown on an extra layer on those in-between days.
You could play it safe with a neutral colour, or add a pop to a look with a brighter shade.
Versatile Boots
In Ireland, the smartest thing you can add to your wardrobe is a decent pair of waterproof shoes. We get our fair share of wet weather, so investing in a pair of shoes you can throw on and not worry about getting destroyed in the rain is key.
This is where a good pair of boots comes in handy. We’d recommend buying a black pair that can be styled with any outfit, and in a style that could be easily dressed up or down.