When talking about “level up” your fashion style. I hear ladies talk about what you should wear to look feminine yet elegant.
But is that all you need to know about fashion and styling?
Levelling up means more than that. It’s about being a woman of high value, which means a woman of depth.
And therefore there are five important things you need to know about fashion and style.
1. The history of Fashion
To level up your fashion knowledge, it’s important to know the path of the evolution of Fashion.
How the aristocrats set the tone of fashion in the 19th century.
Why Haute couture was only available for the upper-class.
When did this change, and what makes it possible to design garments for the new economic elites?
How the industrial revolution changes the style of fashion. What makes it possible to create mass production for the fashion market.
How high-end fashion become available for the “lower class”? Alter this in ready-to-wear garments, and the lower class has access to “high-end” designs.
How World War II influence how designers look at designing clothes. Did World War II contribute to the different fashion styles from 1900 till now?
2. Which designers level up your fashion style
How the designers get inspired after WWII. Which designers set the tone in Fashion style. What was or is the signature style of these designers?
Some Designers are less known but have a significant impact on the fashion style. Jeanne Lavin with her 1920s Robe de style.
Elsa Schiaparelli, an Italian aristocrat know for her Lobster dress. Schiaparelli was the first designer that presented the wrap-dress. It is suitable for every body type.
Each designer has a different style to complement the female body. 1920s Madame Vionnet was called “queen of the bias cut”. Her cutting technique was phenomenal.
Madame Gres, the Queen of drapery, also called Sphinx of Fashion. Her drapes are stunning.
We all know Christian Dior 1940s “New Look”. Followed up by Coco Chanel with her classic but comfortable Jersey designs. Her “little black dress” is the signature dress she designed around the 1950s.
Talented designers also set the tone for fashion styles. In the 1970s, the decade of the disco roots. Halston created mini and maxi dresses. The so-called “disco fashion”
Thierry Mugler’s idea of presenting femininity differed from Dior’s. Power-dressing that’s what Mugler stands for.
You’ll see this style also at other designers like Jean-Paul Gaultier and Azzedine Alaia, which isn’t strange. These guys worked with each other.
Though there are designers who put their mark on their designs with the fabrics or colours they use. Dolce & Gabbana get their inspiration from Sicilian ceramic prints. On the flip side, Missoni created their own tricot prints.
While many designers have their signature style, you want to know everything about the designer who most represents your style.
3. Level up your fashion style by fabric knowledge
Fabrics are as important as the design. Knowing the difference between natural, artificial and man-made fabrics are the basics.
The construction of these fabrics is also important. This can make or break your fashion style.
The composition of fabric could make a garment looks cheap. An example of this is a cotton knit blend with polyester. High-quality knits are always made of wool. This levels up your look immediately.
Weaving construction may play a significant role in the design of the fabric. Jacquard is such a piece of fabric with a weaving design.
Designers love to use Jacquards to exaggerate the construction of the garment. It’s the print motifs in the weaving design that makes a garment more dramatic yet luxurious.
Characteristics of fabrics are also important. Chiffons or Georgette are most wearable at weddings or events with a romantic twist.
Knowing which fabrics fit best for your body type will level up your fashion style as well.
If you are curvy, lightweight materials are more flattering than weighty fabrics. If you love prints, choose a print that is in balance with your body shape.
4. The importance of the cut or pattern style
It is important that you can read the fall of a pattern. Cutting techniques tell how the garment will fall on your body.
Patterns that cut on the straight line, will fall straight on your body. When it is cut on the bias, it will follow your body contour.
5. The importance of sustainability when levelling up your fashion look
More importantly, what is sustainability for you? When you purchase a garment, you want to know how sustainable it is.
Is it the luxurious natural fabrics that are biodegradable but needs more water to produce materials?
Or does sustainable mean recycling fabrics made from plastics with a longer extension rate. Meaning that it isn’t biodegradable and bad for the environment.
How far will you go to level up your fashion style to look polished and elegant, is what you know?
Conclusion
There are so many things to know about to level up your fashion style before purchasing a garment.
Your knowledge decides how sophisticated you will present yourself.
By knowing more about these five important things. And of course, there are more things to learn.
But these are the basics that will help you to build a sophisticated and elegant wardrobe. Your knowledge finally decides the style you choose to look elegant.
Which of these five important things you already to level up your fashion style.
