Fashion 101 for teens

Developing personal style

Looks matter.

Sure, you may have a fabulous personality, huge intellect, or maybe a raging sense of humor. But your outward appearance will be the first thing people notice about you.

In its purest sense, fashion is actually a great tool to let the inner "you" shine through. When you get past the labels, trend-copying and celeb wannabes, the way you put your style together speaks volumes about what's inside.

Once you get the basics of how to dress (see parts One and Two of this series), you can start to have fun with personalizing a unique look for yourself.

The key is to take some risks and stay true to yourself. Here's how:

Wear what you love

Labels (as in glam, urban, punky, prep) can be okay to some extent. Just be careful not to let the label take over the way you dress and clothes you choose. You might start buying clothes just because they fit a certain stereotype, and not because you even like them. Always, ALWAYS wear what you truly like.

Try mixing high-end pieces with less pricey things. If you're smart about doing this, no one would ever even suspect that your outfit came from a not-so-statusy place (heaven forbid!).

Don't stay with just one look because it's a safe bet for you. Mix up different themes -- prep with glamour, surfer with urban, etc.

Research

If you know your stuff, you can't go wrong. Take time to educate yourself about different designers and past eras, then learn to draw inspiration from your favorite looks.

Take a certain piece from a vintage look and incorporate it with your wardrobe. For example, take a dirndl skirt from the '40s, then pair it with a simple fitted shell, flat slides, and jewelry and you have a great look that isn't overly retro.

When you know your designers and their signature look, it's easier to spot a good fake/knock-off. If you follow all of the fashion shows, choose several key looks and either

(A) Scour thrift stores before the rest of the general public catches on to the new trend or

(B) Reproduce your own copy.

Play personal stylist

Act as if you're a professional stylist and a random teenage girl needs YOUR help with HER wardrobe. Detach yourself and view yourself as a client. Write down your client's needs. Then figure out the specific look she's going for, and study magazines, stores, and celebrities for inspiration with her wardrobe. Trust me: this method of analyzing your look is easier than trying to soul search to find your style groove.

Never doubt yourself

Fashion is about self-esteem. Confidence is definitely the key to any outfit. If you're dressed fabulously and feel great, no one will doubt you (or your ensemb) for a second. If you have to, fake the confidence. Think about some of the zany looks fashion designers have pulled off in the name of signature style, like Karl Lagerfeld (Chanel) always carrying a fan. Pretend as if you do think you look completely hip, and you'll start to feel it!

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