New Year, New Style

In the New Year, it’s so very tempting to throw away all of your belongings and start over completely fresh; at least it is for me. Especially with clothing, a new year feels like the exact right time to flip your entire wardrobe and become a completely new person via fashion.

Not only might you regret throwing away all of those clothes, but that can be super wasteful in a world already run by fast fashion. Self-expression is done in many ways, especially for queer people. We’ve always been known as fashion icons, or at least standing out amongst the crowd. From drag and punk to goth and many other subcultures, being queer and expressing that through fashion can be incredibly empowering.

OFM put together some general tips for discovering (or rediscovering) your personal style, so you can be ready to express yourself in all new ways in 2025. These are only meant as a starting place, and your own style journey should always be pioneered by what makes you comfortable and feel great.

Starting with organizational tips, here are some of the best:

Face all of your clothes in the closet the same way. This makes it easier to sort through them for daily wear and pick out which ones you’re more likely to enjoy.

My personal favorite tip, after turning all of your clothes the same way in your closet, as you wear and wash them, turn the hanger the other way. This both organizes your clothes and gives you a glimpse into what you actually wear out of your current wardrobe.

Inspiration is key for finding your personal style.

Collect images of clothing, art, architecture, or anything that inspires you. Eventually, you may find a common thread of colors, themes, or even a time period. From vintage to y2k or vaporwave, to any  other decade, the past can inspire you. Take note of silhouettes you enjoy, and see what matches in your closet to what you find inspiring.

While trends can help guide you, you have no obligation to participate in every single one. If you like something, absolutely try it out, but feel no need to take part in everything just because everyone on TikTok is wearing it. The thrift store is your best friend for this and for a new wardrobe in general. Finding cheaper pieces to experiment with while not contributing to the fast fashion waste crisis is essential.

What about actually buying clothes?

Spend a day just looking at clothes. Try on what you like; take pictures, and take notes of what makes you feel best. Later, when you aren’t in a stressful shopping environment, take the time to go through everything and pick what you truly loved. This will help narrow things down, and you can go back and find the same, or similar, pieces. It’s hard to not fall into the trap of thinking a piece will be gone the second you leave the store, but there will be many more like it.

This is also a great time to try on pieces or outfits that you maybe are nervous to wear. Trying them out and taking some pictures is a great way to see if a new experimental look actually is for you! Don’t be shy; give it a try!

Making a wish list goes a long way in terms of not buying unnecessary items. Maybe you love your shirts but need new pants, or just want a few new jackets to layer. Making a list of the items you actually want or need can help focus when you’re out buying and avoid the dreaded buyer’s remorse.

Buying staples and basics can help with the slump of choosing an outfit every day. A t-shirt and jeans looks great when that’s what you feel great in! Adding a belt, hat, or jewelry that you love can help make it personal. Never let anyone convince you that accessories are unnecessary or too much. If they feel good to you, wear them!

For special occasions, it is nice to have a special few outfits. Invest in pieces that are maybe a little more pricey, but that you truly love. You can always change them up for different occasions via accessories, shoes, or layering in the winter.

These staples can also transform into exciting looks over time and through experimentation. Pairing them differently than you normally do can make a piece go even further. Signature shoes, a type of skirt or shirt, or any accessories can be dressed up or down!

Sustainability in our fast fashion world

It’s incredibly hard to remain sustainable in a world that wants you to buy buy buy at every chance you get. Learning skills such as sewing and basic clothing care can make your clothes last much longer, and make them feel more personal, too. Putting patches on jackets, pants, or shirts, or sewing up a hole with a contrasting color makes a piece stand out. When knowledge is at your fingertips and taking advantage of it is free, never hesitate.

Thrifting is a great way to give clothing a second life. Most clothing at thrift stores winds up in the trash after a time, and saving any of it from the landfill is vital. Thrifting has become trendy, but when you thrift, remember that you are there for you first and foremost. It’s a great way to find pieces you just wouldn’t find at a department store or the mall.

Style is incredibly personal, and all of these tips are meant to be broad so that they can be applied to any sort of wardrobe. Trends and ‘branding’ of ourselves often might make us feel like we need to be trapped in a certain style, or always dress the same way. It is far more fulfilling to have a closet that excites you, to have clothes that feel like you when you put them on, no matter what the world may think.