3 Easy Ways to Step Out of Your Fashion Comfort Zone

Searching for something new

Do you ever feel paralyzed by just the thought of trying something new? Well, embracing that change, especially in your wardrobe and how you represent yourself, might seem like a daunting task, but it’s truly worth the investment.

So, if you’re feeling brave and you’re ready for something new, follow these 3 steps to make the process easier: 

Thrifting for a new pair of jeans

1. Go to Your Local Thrift Store

The thrift store is a game changer for you when you're exploring new styles because you can branch out while not breaking the bank.

While shopping, I encourage you to keep your eyes peeled for something that piques your interest but isn’t something that you would normally buy. It should be something that falls into a category of fashion that you’ve always thought about trying out but were too scared to actually commit to.

This time, however, you ARE going to commit to it and buy it. Then you’re going to attempt to style it and make it yours. By doing this, you get to challenge yourself and break up the monotony of your usual fashion. Plus, you’ll finally be able to see if it actually works for you. 

By starting small and choosing just one piece that catches your eye, you can unlock a whole new side of yourself as seen through your clothing. 

Worse case scenario: You don’t love it and you go back to exchange it for something else at the store. So truly, it's a low-risk, high-reward strategy to inject change into your style. 

A world of fashion right at your fingertips

2. Dress Up as Your Favorite Fictional Characters

By dressing up as your favorite fictional TV show/movie character, you can literally transform yourself into a whole new person. 

Recreating their looks can provide a sense of security while branching out/trying something new because you’re already so connected to their character. And, if you’re feeling insecure, then you can lean into their character’s personality and try to embody who they are. By doing this, you’re sure to feel more confident while stepping out of your comfort zone and you’ll look at yourself differently.  

Thrift stores, with their surplus of vintage clothes, are perfect for recreating these iconic types of looks if you don’t already have the clothes in your closet. Think Rory from "Gilmore Girls" or Rachel from "Friends" – their old-school style with chunky sweaters and 90s streetwear are both casual and chic, and easily found second-hand. 

By dressing up as your favorite fictional characters, you can adopt a new persona for a little bit and see how it feels. You can get out of your comfort zone while still finding comfort in who they are and what they mean to you.

A classic Rachel Green outfit you can recreate

3. Reimagine Your Wardrobe

Maximize your current wardrobe by experimenting with new ways to wear your clothes. Turn a shirt into a skirt and see how it feels. You’ll slowly start to understand the versatility of your clothing. 

This also comes in handy when you're on the fence about keeping certain clothes in your closet. Before you get rid of something, try to reimagine how you can wear it, and you might just realize that you’ll wear it more that way and that you should actually keep it in your closet. 

And, if that doesn't work and you still want to get rid of your clothes, consider donating them to a thrift store. Many thrift stores offer coupons for donations which gives you a chance to refresh your wardrobe while contributing to a good cause and saving money.

A skirt I turned into a dress

Let your local thrift store be an opportunity to try out something you’ve always wanted to do. You can only grow when you get out of your comfort zone, so I encourage you to try these 3 easy steps and see what happens.