Everyone goes through some kind of a mental block in their life; be it writing, coding or even the world fashion. Sometimes, the only way out of this could be being inspired. Inspiration I believe is one of the most misunderstood words out there. Being inspired does not mean you copy what you see.
Simply put, Inspiration is just a way for your mind to start creating those creative juices and let it flow. Inspirations can come from anywhere and most of the times, they come from the places you expect the least.
In this post, we will be discussing various sources of fashion inspiration that can help you achieve unique style and provide an outlet to show off your creativity through you wardrobe and if you are designer then through your designs.
So, let’s dive in and get inspired, shall we?
The Ultimate Muse: Mother Nature
Nature has been inspiring artists and creative minds from the beginning of time. It’s influence on creative minds is timeless. You might all know Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night”. Most of his work was inspired by natural world around him which allowed him to portray emotional intensity & vibrant colours.
Moving away from a painter to fashion, you might have already seen a lot of designs inspired by Nature. The best examples of these are Floral Patterns & Animal Prints which have been around for as far as I can remember. The textures, colours, patterns that you see in nature are simply breath-taking and can have a great effect on the design when incorporated.
Example of Nature Inspired Look:
A flowy, floral maxi dress paired with a denim jacket and some comfy sneakers. It’s the perfect blend of femininity and casual chic. Plus, you’ll feel like you’re walking through a secret garden every time you wear it!
Tips for Drawing Inspiration from Nature:
- Take a walk in the park, observe your surroundings, and make mental note of patterns you find, colours that catch your eyes & textures that feels beautiful.
- Collect flowers, leaves, stones, and anything that draws your attention, you can use them as the starting point for your colour palette, texture design or even accessory ideas.
Where Real Fashion Thrives – The Streets
Streets are the perfect place to get inspired from. The fashion choices on the street as upto trend (atleast most of the times), they are unabashed and eclectic.
Observe what kind of trends are being followed on the streets, observe the colors, patterns, textiles being worn. Don’t be afraid to go upto someone whose style you really like and talk to them. Understand their thought process behind putting up the dress together. Who knows, you might end up learning a new trick of the trade or a new hack.
It doesn’t always have to be inconvenient or hard to find inspirations. Sometimes, all you need to do is open the door and take a stroll on the street.
Tips for Drawing Inspiration from the Streets:
- Attend local events and observe people’s dressing style. It doesn’t have to be a fashion event per se, although fashion events can be more fruitful since people there often showcase their unique styles.
- Follow Street style photographers on social media platforms to understand what’s going on with the rest of the world from a fashion perspective.
A Gateway to Curated Style Inspiration – Fashion Blogs & Magazines
I believe this is the most obvious one in the whole blog post. Fashion blogs and Magazines are the go-to source for almost everyone who is interested in fashion.
From glossy pages of Vogue to the trend setting posts on the Sartorialist; these curated sources provide a deeper understanding of the latest fashion trends. There is a whole team doing research for you and putting together an issue of magazine so that you can get inspired. It makes sense that the most common source of inspiration would be magazines and fashion blogs.
Tips for Finding Inspiration in Fashion Media:
- You can subscribe to your favourite fashion magazines and if you are not interested in spending money on that, there are myriad of blogs that you can follow to stay updated on the latest trends and style tips.
- Use Pinterest board to save images and articles that inspire you.
Journey into the Past – Vintage Vibes
If you ever feel that there is nothing for me to get inspired from, a journey into the past might prove to be fruitful. As cliched as it sounds, History has always repeated itself and so has Fashion.
If you have not observed trends that have travelled from past, you are not looking at the right place and time. The best examples of this are the ups & down trends that polka dots has seen over the centuries.
Have a look into your parents and grandparents’ wardrobe to explore the vintage treasures that are hidden within. You will be surprised.
- Observe the trends from different eras and see if you can mix and match different eras into one style. A 70s Boho Blouse and 90s grunge Jeans could turn heads and garner attention.
The Ultimate Trend Hunter: Navigating Social Media for Fashion Inspiration
In today’s age, if I don’t mention social media, might as well get cancelled. The influence of social media on use has been immense and so is its effects on the fashion trends. If you want to stay updated on fashion trends and do not want to scoure through magazines or blog posts. Social media is your best bet.
Social media has reshaped the way we discover and follow trends. From Instagram Influencers to Pinterest Boards, there is no shortage of content or source of inspirations when it comes to social media. It’s like an infinite pool of inspiration for people who need it.
- Create a Pinterest Board dedicated to fashion inspirations to keep all your favourite looks in one place.
- Curating your feed with only the information you need is crucial or chances of you being bombarded with random stuff is too high. Follow a wide range of fashion accounts with a mix of influencers & brands.
- Engage with fellow fashion enthusiasts and see if you draw inspiration from them. Interactions with like minded people always offer fresh perspective and inspiration in a way is nothing but a game of perspectives.
Conclusion:
I might have just pointed out 5 sources of inspirations in this blog post to keep the post short & digestible. But that does not mean that there are other sources of inspirations for your next design. Always remember “If you can see it, you can get inspired from it.” The sources of inspirations around us are abundant. Most of the times, we just fail to notice them.
Remember, fashion is not about following rules or conforming to trends. It’s about expressing your individuality, telling your story, and having fun with the way you present yourself to the world. So go ahead, mix those patterns, layer those accessories, and let your creativity shine through!
I hope this blog post has inspired you to explore new sources of fashion inspiration and embrace your personal style with confidence. If you have any favorite fashion inspiration tips or stories to share, I’d love to hear them in the comments below. Until next time, keep dreaming, keep creating, and keep rocking those fabulous looks!
Interested in learning more about fashion? Check out some of the fashion designing courses offered by IIFT.
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