Social media has changed fashion forever.

Every day, an astronomical amount of style aesthetics are created, and on top of that, and overwhelming plethora of opinions and options circulate the Internet. It's difficult to keep up with all of this information.

I know. It’s contradictory, it’s ironic, but that’s exactly the point: fashion trends are becoming so unrestrainedly consumed they barely last anymore. People get tired of them.

They come and go in the blink of an eye. Consequently, what is considered super stylish today may be viewed as an absolute disaster tomorrow, and what was said to be completely tasteless yesterday might be what's hot right now. Of course, there are ways we can try to predict the trends, but surprises are inevitable. Once you realize this, it is natural to question yourself: if trends are so ephemeral nowadays, how am I supposed to dress to feel cool?

There is not a simple answer to that, I fear. But one thing is for sure: understanding what’s behind your personal fashion choices and learning more about your very own style will make you feel more confident in your skin. Here are some tricks I learned from experimenting different styles.

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Get Inspired

You don’t have to stick to trends, but you can use them in your favor. Learn about different aesthetics and styles and pinpoint what you like about them. Creating Pinterest boards with outfits you like and trying to recognize a pattern among them is a great place to start.

Naturally, there will be one or two styles you’ll identify more with – and that’s awesome since it makes the search for inspiration direct. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate elements from different aesthetics into one outfit.

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Use what you already have in an innovative way

It may sound kind of silly, but trust me: Marie Kondo’s method does wonders when it comes to fashion. Separate the clothes that spark joy from the ones that do not spark joy and observe the difference it makes – after all, wearing something that doesn’t spark joy won’t make you feel any more confident.

Now, look at the clothes that spark joy from a different perspective. Remember the Pinterest boards full of inspiration? Try to make similar combinations with the joyful clothes you already have. Of course, they don’t need to look the exact same as the outfits you saw online, but they should match the vibes somehow and make sense when put together.

It is also no crime to buy new clothes if you feel the need to – just try to make sure you’re going to wear them more than only once and that they are versatile enough to match with a range of pieces.

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Consider your body type

Not everything that looks good on others will look good on you, and that’s okay. Everyone has their own body shape and it’s important to experiment until you understand what kinds of clothes suit you the best. To make the process easier, I recommend conducting research on different body types – there are lots of videos and articles online that can help you identify which pieces you should avoid and which ones you should invest in.

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Still in doubt? Go for the basics

Instead of instantly associating basics with boring, think of them as the base for exploring and experimenting with different elements. When you put on a basic outfit – for example, a black cropped top + a pair of mid-rise jeans – you are able to envision which essential part of you is missing from that combination (or not!). Whether it is some good accessorizing that would make the difference for you, or even adding a pop of color with a bold pink bag, basics allow you to think more creatively and add your own twist to combinations you just can't go wrong with.

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Confidence is key

Last, but not least: do not underestimate the way you feel about a certain outfit. Of course, considering the opinions of people you trust when it comes to fashion is totally valid, but not listening to your guts would be a mistake. If you know there’s something a bit off with a specific outfit, then don’t wear it. If you feel like it does not reflect who you are, then it’s not worth wearing.

Sure, fashion regrets are completely natural and inevitable sometimes, but to be left feeling super unconfident and insecure because of what you’re wearing is not okay. No matter how much of a big role fashion plays in our lives, it should never feel like a burden. Instead, it should be something fun to play with and work as a tool to enhance our favorite things about ourselves.

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I encourage you to embrace your own sense of style and think beyond the trends. Remember: finding your personal style is a process, and it looks different for everybody. Don’t rush and don’t be afraid to experiment. Fashion should be a reflection of who we are, and nobody is perfectly static and immutable.