How to: Street Style for Women

Street style fashion is about embracing your individuality and expressing it with your clothes. You make the rules here, so it's an ideal fashion strategy if you are:

• Opinionated

• Creative

• Comfortable being the center of attention

This doesn't mean your personal rendition of street style has to be avant-garde. It only means you can wear what you want confidently, even if it bucks the trends or doesn't follow conventional gender rules.

Street style is fashion that emerges from the streets - regular people - rather than from high-end designers or fashion houses. At it core, street style is form of self-expression, where you create their unique looks by combining garments and accessories in unexpected ways.

The roots of street style are in youth culture, subcultures, music, art, and urban life. It's really a like, but more a reflection of the diverse and dynamic fashion scene found in cities around the world.

Admittedly, it's tough to define street style. The best I can do is highlight some important elements. Street style:

• Has a casual, effortless vibe

• Is personalized

• Makes us of disparate pieces, including vintage garments, designer clothes, thrift store finds, and DIY creations. The high-low combo (mixing designer goods with used or lower-priced pieces) is popular among street style enthusiasts.

• Rejects the idea of following strict fashion rules.

• Celebrates diversity.

• Encourages women to prioritize their personal style over societal norms.

Influences and origins

Street style fashion has its roots in the counterculture movements of the 20th century, such as punk, hip hop, and grunge. These subcultures rejected mainstream fashion and created styles that reflected their values and beliefs.

Over time, street style became more mainstream and started to influence high fashion designers who incorporated elements of streetwear into their collections. Today, street style is a global phenomenon that is constantly evolving and adapting to new trends and influences.

Outfit strategies

1. Start with a statement piece: Choose one standout piece, such as a bold printed jacket or a pair of statement shoes, and build your outfit around it.

2. Mix high and low: As noted, the high-low combination is welcome. Mixing high-end items with more affordable pieces adds depth and creates an interesting contrast.

3. Play with textures: Experiment with different fabrics and textures to add visual interest to your outfit. Mix leather with denim, or pair a silk blouse with a chunky knit.

Must-have pieces

1. Leather jacket: A classic leather jacket is a staple in any street style wardrobe. Choose the cut that works best for your shape: moto, belted-waist, etc.

2. Oversized shirts: Oversized shirts (t-shirts and button downs) are versatile and can be styled in different ways. Wear them as dresses with a belt or layer them over jeans.

3. Denim jeans: A good pair of jeans is essential for street style outfits. Distressed or ripped jeans are on point, as are high-waisted, oversized jeans.

Mix and matching

A key aspect of street style fashion is mixing and matching different pieces to create unique and unexpected looks. Here are some tips to help you master this skill:

1. Play with constrasting styles: Mix feminine and masculine pieces, such as pairing a flowy dress with combat boots or a tailored blazer with ripped jeans.

2. Experiment with different proportions: Combine oversized pieces with more fitted items to create a balanced and interesting silhouette.

3. Pay attention to color coordination: Mix different colors and prints in a way that complements each other. Don't be afraid to mix bold and vibrant hues.