How to Reinvent Your Style Aesthetic

Co-authored by Luca Buzas

Last Updated: February 15, 2023 References

Tired of everything in your closet? We’ve definitely all been there. Sometimes reinventing your style aesthetic is just what you need, but how do you get started? Don’t worry—this article will walk you through everything you need to know to revamp your wardrobe, like how to find the perfect new aesthetic, get new clothes that match it (without breaking the bank), and switch up your hair and makeup.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Reinventing Your Wardrobe

1
Sort the items in your closet and donate or sell what you no longer wear.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020} Taking a thorough inventory of what you have in your closet can help you to identify items that are part of your old-style aesthetic. By sorting through everything you have, you can pare down your wardrobe to items that suit your new desired style aesthetic.^{[2]
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- Try dumping out everything in your closet onto your bed or the floor so that you can look at each item 1 by 1. If it’s something you like and want to keep, hang it back in your closet. If it’s something you no longer enjoy wearing, put it into your donate or sell pile.^{[3]
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Tip: Keep in mind that expanding on your current closet will be a lot cheaper and easier to do than buying a whole new collection of clothes. There are ways to make old clothes look completely new by altering, dyeing, or simply pairing them with different clothes.
2
Follow your fashion icons on social media for style inspiration. If you’re trying to figure out what you want your new look to be, try following style icons on social media, such as on Instagram or Twitter.^{[4]
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Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020} See what they’re wearing and if you spot something you like, see if they’ve shared the link for where they got it.^{[5]
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- If something is out of your price range, look for a similar item in a thrift shop or discount shopping website.
- You can also look at magazines and Pinterest for inspiration, or watch YouTube videos of aesthetic people. Try saving images of the items that you want to incorporate into your new style aesthetic.
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3
Identify new outfits that reflect your desired style aesthetic.^{[6]
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Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020} Once you’ve acquired some new items that reflect your new look, start incorporating them into your wardrobe. Mix and match the pieces to create the look you want, being sure to make it creative. When formulating your signature style, decide whether you want to completely change it up, or expand on your current wardrobe.^{[7]
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- For example, maybe you already have the classy aesthetic you want, but you just want to fine tune it and make it completely yours. Or maybe you’ve been dressing preppy all your life and you want to turn it around entirely and go for a more vintage, retro look.
4
Splurge on a new handbag or pair of shoes for an easy style update. If you can’t afford to buy new clothing right now, or if you’re just looking for another way to change up your style aesthetic, get a new handbag or pair of shoes.^{[8]
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Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020} These items are often more noticeable than other items, so simply switching one or both of these can create a noticeable change in your style aesthetic.^{[9]
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- For example, you could switch from a simple black handbag to an attention getting red handbag, or switch from a pair of beige ballet flats to a pair of black combat boots.
- Make sure to consider the look you’re going for and what item or items would be most effective for creating that look.
5
Get a new jacket that you can wear with multiple outfits. A jacket is a great investment since you can wear it with lots of different outfits.^{[10]
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Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020} Opt for a jacket that reflects the new style aesthetic you’re going for and make sure that it’s something you’ll love wearing!^{[11]
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- For example, you might opt for a black faux leather jacket if you're going for an edgy, biker look. Or, you might opt for a stylish blazer if you want to look polished and professional.
- Also, make sure to consider the climate where you live. If you live in a cold climate, you might opt for a warm jacket that you can layer as needed and wear from fall through spring.
- If you’re in a warm climate, you might opt for a lightweight jacket that you can wear over a tank top or t-shirt or layer up with long-sleeved shirts and sweaters in cooler weather.
6
Select a few new pieces of jewelry or another accessory. Jewelry adds instant details to your look and it can change the whole mood of an outfit. Select a few new pieces of jewelry to emphasize your new style aesthetic, and wear them with your new outfits or use them to change up your current wardrobe. If you’re not big on jewelry, then you might go with a new watch, a tie, a hat, or a scarf to reflect your new style aesthetic.^{[12]
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- For example, if you’re going for a classic, retro look, you might get a pair of pearl earrings. Or, if you’re going for an edgier look, you might opt for a choker necklace or a studded bracelet.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Changing Your Hair

1
Change the way you part your hair. It might seem insignificant, but changing the position of your part can have a dramatic effect on your look. If you wear your hair parted down the middle, try parting it to the right or left instead. If you wear your hair parted off to one side, try parting it down the middle.^{[13]
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- Parting your hair down the middle will frame your face, while parting it to the side will accentuate 1 side of your face over the other and bring out different features.
2
Style your hair in an up-do for a short haircut look. If you’ve got long hair and you’re considering cutting your hair short, try doing a tucked up-do to simulate a short haircut. This can give you a whole new look without actually cutting your hair. This is a great option if you don’t want to commit to a short haircut or if you want to see how it might look on you first.^{[14]
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- Use bobby pins to secure your hair under in the back.
3
Try bangs or pin your bangs back. If you don’t have bangs, try asking for them at your next hair appointment. If you do have bangs, try pinning them back to make it look like you don’t have bangs. Either way, you’ll be changing your look in a noticeable way!^{[15]
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- Use some hair gel and a few bobby pins to pin your bangs back out of your face if you want to try faking a non-bangs look.
Tip: If you think you might like bangs but aren’t sure, try getting side bangs for starters. These are easy to sweep off to the side since they’re longer than traditional bangs.
4
Smooth out your hair or make it curly. If you’ve got curly, wavy, or textured hair, using a flat iron to smooth it out can dramatically change your look. Likewise, if your hair is straight, curling your hair can make you look totally different. Try doing the opposite of whatever you have right now.^{[16]
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Get a new haircut to refresh your look. A haircut may be one of the easiest ways to reinvent yourself. For a small change, you can get a trim and slightly different style, such as layers. Or, you can do something dramatic, such as going from long hair to a bob or pixie cut. Consider what you’d like to try as your next hairstyle and save pictures of haircuts you like.^{[17]
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- Try checking out images of haircuts you like online. Then, save the images to your phone so you can show them to your hairstylist.
6
Color your hair for a more dramatic change. Coloring your hair is often even more dramatic than a haircut since it can bring out your eyes, make your skin tone appear different, and contribute to your style aesthetic, such as by making you look more conservative or edgy. Look at images of colors that you like and opt for something that appeals to you.^{[18]
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- Keep in mind that getting your hair colored at a salon can be expensive, but this will definitely give you a whole new look. If you prefer, you can try coloring your own hair at home for a less expensive alternative.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trying a New Makeup Look

1
Create drama with a bold eye makeup look. If you typically wear minimal eye makeup or you’ve been stuck in the same rut for a while, try something totally new to you. Opt for black eyeliner if you don’t usually wear it, or try a shade of eye shadow that you’ve never worn before.^{[19]
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Luca Buzas
Makeup Artist & Wardrobe Stylist
Expert Interview. 21 June 2019.}
- For example, if you normally wear the same copper eye shadow most days, try wearing a shade of green eye shadow instead. Or, if you always wear black eyeliner, switch to a blue or brown eyeliner.
Tip: Some people swear by false eyelashes for making their eyes look brighter and transforming their look. If you’ve never tried false lashes before, try adding a pair after you finish doing your eye makeup, or just opt for a couple of coats of volumizing mascara to make your lashes look longer.
2
Emphasize your eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil. Making your eyebrows look well-groomed can help to enhance your eyes further. Try filling in sparse areas of your eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil that matches the natural color of your brows. This will help enhance your eyes and change your look.^{[20]
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Luca Buzas
Makeup Artist & Wardrobe Stylist
Expert Interview. 21 June 2019.}
- You don’t need to use a lot of eyebrow liner. A small amount will enhance your brows enough to be noticeable.^{[21]
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3
Wear red lipstick for a bright, flattering touch. Red lipstick is flattering on just about everyone, but some people avoid it because it’s such a bold look. If red lipstick isn’t something you’d normally wear, choose a shade that you like and give it a try.^{[22]
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Luca Buzas
Makeup Artist & Wardrobe Stylist
Expert Interview. 21 June 2019.}
- If red is too bold for your liking, try going with a coral or fuchsia pink shade for another way to add bright, bold color to your lips.^{[23]
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4
Get a manicure to complete your new style aesthetic or do your own nails because being relatable is also an aesthetic. Topping off your new look with a fresh set of nails is a great way to complete it. Depending on what you’re going for, you can get your nails done in a bright, bold shade, something neutral and demure, or simply get them cleaned, trimmed, and filed for a fresh well-groomed look depending on what your going for.^{[24]
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- Try getting your nails filed into a different shape than you normally would. For example, if you usually opt for almond-shaped nails, try squoval-shaped nails instead.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I dress to look ten years younger?

Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Alice Wu is an Image Consultant and Personal Stylist based in San Francisco, California. She is the Owner of Styled by Alice, an image consulting service offering private styling services for men and women. Focused on personalizing the styling experience, Alice provides closet edits, personal shopping, wardrobe planning, and other services such as event styling.

Alice Wu

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

If you want to look younger, try wearing colorful prints and colors to infuse color into your wardrobe.
Question

I hate my style and I want to change it, but I don't have any money. What do I do?

Community Answer

Recycle old clothes, change them up a bit, dye them, re-purpose them, etc. Also, check out thrift stores in your area, you can find some really amazing deals.
Question

Is walking around in dungarees and a kids' size top cute?

Community Answer

It depends on your age and what shoes, makeup, and hairstyle you pair with it. It definitely could be cute.