Fashion vs. Style: Is There a Difference?
Hello, Ladies!
My name is Dasha, and I’m a personal stylist and fashion designer with more than 15 years of experience. Today, I want to talk to you about the difference between fashion trends and your personal style.
Some of us spend a lot of money every month or season buying clothes we don’t even need, just to look trendy. On the other hand, some of us still wear a dress or skirt bought ten years ago, seeing no reason to replace it because, well, it has no holes yet and it's a favorite. Honestly? Both approaches are wrong. Sorry, but it’s true.
First of all, there’s no reason to follow every trend the fashion world throws at us four times a year, and there are several reasons why:
First, 90% of trends are part of fast fashion, meaning they’ll be outdated in just 2–3 months. You’ll end up wasting your hard-earned money on things you don’t really need—or even like.
Second, brands create these trends purely for profit, making huge margins off girls like you and me.
Third, most trends aren’t even practical—or flattering! Honestly, do you really need those tiny shorts (aka underwear) to wear outside? If you’re a fashion influencer, maybe. But if you’re not, where exactly are you planning to wear them?
Don’t get me wrong—not all trends are bad! And yes, my hands itch to buy something new every season too, and sometimes I do. But! I always ask myself first:
Do I love it?
Do I need it?
Will it look good on me?
Will it work with the rest of my wardrobe?
Will it stay with me for years?
Is it even my style?
At the same time, buying new clothes once every ten years isn’t the answer either. Maybe it is your favorite dress—but if it’s not a timeless piece, like a classic black bodycon dress or a pencil skirt, it probably looks old. Do you want to look dated, tired, and older than you are? Probably not. We all want to look beautiful!
And that’s where something truly important comes in: your style.
Your clothes should reflect who you are—or who you aspire to be. I’m a big believer in the power of an appropriate outfit, depending on where you’re going. Your clothes speak before you do, and they should say something amazing!
When you find your style, you’ll notice how much easier it is to feel confident, beautiful, successful, and strong. And the best part? You don’t have to spend a fortune to look fashionable—it’s enough to be stylish. When your wardrobe is timeless and well-curated, you won't need to buy new things every season.
You’ll have fewer clothes, but they’ll all work together beautifully, and they’ll be of good quality. That’s why stylists (like me) often recommend building a capsule wardrobe—a collection where every piece complements the others perfectly, tailored to your needs.
So here’s my advice:
Invest in good-quality fabrics and classic designs. Buy a beautiful leather bag and a great pair of shoes that will serve you on any occasion for many years. Don’t buy clothes that don’t fit you well—no matter the price, they’ll always look cheap if they don’t fit properly.
Most importantly, be yourself and love yourself every single moment of your life. Confidence makes you even more gorgeous!