With age comes changes and shifts but every era needs the trendsetters and walking look-books! From Iconic moments in fashion history to your favorite shirt that you used to wear throughout most of high school (This is a judgement free zone btw), fashion can tell a story and it is a choice to distinguished your chapter.

This year I will be turning 27 and I have found that my closet has been holding a collection of scraps throughout all my years. They served their purpose and their time, but I am challenging myself in 2026 to discover my stylistic choices that also hold space for my age. But you’re only 26. This is true! But I think that refining your style is an ageless act! So here are my fashion tips that I have discovered over the last few years (as someone who is also learning).

Be thankful for each era and know when it’s time to evolve 

Thank you graphic tee. Thank you vintage earrings. Thank you copper pants…wait? Why did I get these copper pants? Exactly because it there was time that those copper pleather pants called out to you at the back of the ross rack. But just as time comes and goes such is so for styles that actually accurately express who we are today. Our clothes may not define us but it can be an introduction for us whether we want it to or not. Now, should we base someone based off their clothes. Absolutely not. But if you see that someone might have put an effort to their look, you can see that their choice of clothing may reflect how they feel and where their focus may be.

Evolving your style isn’t about putting more pressure on yourself to be performative or overly anxious about being perceived. It’s not a survival tactic being used, it is an opportunity to be mindful of how you might be changing in this season. It is taking time to learn the ways that help you feel more confident, cozy, or even creative. There are so many styles and I’m not here to tell you which style is right for you. I’m encouraging you to use the space of selection to discover more about your taste.

And the best part is there is no formula! Sometimes I get inspiration from content creators, sometimes it’s a color pallet I like. Sometimes it’s a concept that I am looking for and sometimes it’s my mom and sister. Witness era evolution from the arts is something that I am most inspired by! I don’t think that now that you are in your business casual era that your whole closet should only kitten heels, blouses and pencil skirts (though those all sound fabulous). You can still integrate other styles but if you know you aren’t ever going to wear the bleached stained Kim possible tee from five below make space for what does inspire you now.

Quality isn’t a brand name. Longevity can be found anywhere 

Now, being resourceful and thrifting is absolutely a fashion tip I live and thrive by. I have built so many styles based off a simple accessory and added on a dress or top to it. We are not selling luxury as a way of being a fashion icon. Trust me, I have seen the inspiration come from the underground and lose its impact while scaling up to the top. I also am not against brand named clothes, I like Jimmy Choo, vintage Valentino, Mugler, Dsquared, Robert Wun and all the couture lines, but do I think fashion can only live in those spaces? No 🙂

See a brand promises quality not always innovation. I can love the texture of a brand and still think the style is safe. In fact, I think some of fashion became too safe. There is less individuality not only in what you were but how you wear pieces. The texture, for example jeans are a stable in fashion because you can cut them any way you want, color them anyway you want but there has been a pair of jeans that inspired me recently and I can’t quite get them out of my mind simply because I have never seen a pair of jeans design in such a way and that’s the @rareconceptsinspo Indigo “sheet metal” denim pants! This is no promo, I really just find those jean very dope.

I have seen designer’s use braiding hair as their designs and they ate down! Comb, Pressed, and Delivered or whatever Stevie Wonder said (Lol). Now, you might not be inspired by the braided tie or weaved sleeved dress, it is unconventional, but taking the risk is what I admire about the unknown and underground fashion designing scene.

Know what’s comfortable and elevate your style with small steps

When shifting into anything it might be uncomfortable at first. You might not usually wear that dress but you have been eyeing it and want to finally buy it because at any season it can get archived. If you really want the dress, buy it. You might not know how to properly style it as a whole fit yet but if you are inspired by the piece take it piece by piece and build your wardrobe because remember that is what we are doing as we gradually shift into the new season. I’m not saying throw the whole closet away, I’m saying use this spring cleaning season to take it the step forward hanger by hanger.

I say all this, to allow you to think over what new beginning you are taking. It’s still early in the year and there is so much that this year has planned for us. I encourage that you don’t let another year go by without being more mindful and feel more enlightened (this isn’t just about fashion btw). So I look forward to hearing about your style choices and fashion endeavors!

Leave a comment and let me know what has inspired you in the fashion world and what tips you will be considering. Also make sure to follow @momentofmonolgue on instagram for more content!