The Notepad

A writer, filmmaker, style enthusiast and YouTuber, Marya Javed gives away six style tips to find your personal style and to make the most of your outfits

Be comfortable



If made to choose between pretty and comfortable, always choose comfortable. You could be wearing the prettiest clothes in the world or the fanciest designer, the highest heels or the brightest lipstick, but if you are not comfortable, you have defeated every purpose that fashion might have; including that of turning a head.

Have fun with fashion



Try that funky eye shade. Wear a sari on any given Tuesday. Laugh it off if you get it wrong. There are a lot of things that need to be taken too seriously, fashion isn’t one of them. The more fun you can have with it, the better you will get.

Discover your personal style



Regardless of what you wear, your personal style or its lack thereof, shines through. It is a complicated and vast topic but figure out what kind of outfits/people inspire you and what you are most comfortable wearing. A good match between the two, should be a good starting point.

Don’t worry too much about trends



Don’t run after trends blindly, in fact don’t run after them at all. Own a few good pieces, collect them with love and then wear them over and over. You are not a mannequin and do not need a new look every day. If the trend figures in, sure. Otherwise, Anna Wintour hasn’t changed her hairstyle in 20 years, think about that!

Don’t overdo it



Unless you associate deeply with a Christmas tree, it is best not to overdo it. By that I mean, don’t feel compelled to over style, over accessorise or over think a look. In most cases, less is more! Unless you are wearing red. Then more is more.

Don’t take tips too seriously



Remember any advice is like a buffet, you take some, you leave some. Good fashion sense is most likely to come from inspiration and not from style guides. Also when in doubt, take a photo of yourself wearing an outfit and see how you feel. Fool proof, tried and tested method!