A stylist on how to style your clothes, instead of just wearing them

“It puts the spotlight back onto the power of dressing, using styling as a tool for storytelling.”

TikTok is a fiend for a trend, they form the basis of its attention-seeking algorithm. Most fashion trends floating around the video app circle around values that uphold fast fashion, think Shein hauls and fleeting microtrends.

TikTok trends come about the same way Ernest Hemingway wrote about bankruptcy in 1926 – “Gradually, then suddenly” (or how John Green wrote about falling in love – “slowly at first, then all at once”). That’s to say TikTok trends can influence our perception of culture, almost overnight.

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A potential anecdote to the consumerism-driven trends is one where users show how they ‘style’ their clothes, as opposed to just ‘wearing’ them. With over 11.5 million views, this video format sees people wearing a base outfit, like a plain mini dress or a pair of jeans, then styling it up with other garments and accessories. It’s a trend not exclusive to any aesthetic, working on styles varying from elevated basics to colourful maximalism.

@shaynehydn

“It’s so energising to see the community online and IRL embrace the power of styling and accessorising to help elevate any possible outfit combination,” Melbourne-based stylist Stuart Walford tells me. “This would be up there as one of my favourite viral trends as it’s completely accessible to anyone and simply involves getting creative with the accessories, shoes and embellishments one might find scattered throughout their closet.”

As opposed to trends that require purchasing new items or owning a societally approved body (“Is it a ‘fit or is she just skinny?”), this video template allows anyone to experiment within their means.

“It’s fascinating, especially when it comes to more basic ensembles, for example, indigo jeans and a white T-shirt. The pieces remain essentially identical but your interpretation versus mine as to how we style these common archetypes varies greatly,” Stuart continues. “It puts the spotlight back onto the power of dressing, using styling as a tool for storytelling.”

@jasper_garner accessorise, layer, edit yknow #stylingoutfits #stylingideas inspired by @Madison Wild ♬ bad idea right? – Olivia Rodrigo

Fashion isn’t simply the physical clothes someone wears; style comes from a breadth of sources, some tangible and some intangible. It can be the way someone owns the exact same item as you but it can be styled to the point it’s unrecognisable, say, through playing with silhouettes, shapes or accessories.

When asked about items that can help elevate an outfit, Stuart immediately points to accessories. “Accessories are a great way to bring personality into any outfit. Like the knick-knacks scattered around our house that we collect and acquire over time, they should tell a story,” he says. “Always keep an eye out for interesting belts and vintage jewellery as these are great effortless ways to really change up a look.”

There isn’t a formula to this trend, though videos see people throwing on layered garments (like a sweater over the shoulders, a mini skirt over pants, or a T-shirt under a dress), playing around with silhouettes (like tucking in a top or unbuttoning a shirt), then adding accessories like a pair of sunglasses, a statement belt or a scarf, before finishing it off with jewellery.

“Styling is really about playing with combinations and adding your own personal flair to the clothes you purchase,” Stuart says. “There is no singular solution so I’d encourage you to quite literally play around in your wardrobe until you find new ways of putting your clothes together. It can be as simple as tying your shirt in a unique twist rather than using the buttons as intended.”

As encouraged by DIY makers and fashion upcyclers, no item is really off-limits when it comes to fashion. “Take the laces out of shoes and replace them with ribbons or new laces to change the energy up. Once you start playing around, you’ll naturally open up new ways of thinking and eventually approach dressing in a whole new way,” Stuart says.

“You can have a lot of fun when you include multiple elements so for the best transformation, I’d go the full gamut so pull out your hats, bags, hosiery, eyewear and go nuts!” The one piece of advice Stuart offers in terms of what to avoid? “Overthinking.”

Looking for more style tips? Try this.