3 answers
Niya
Student
Arlington, Virginia
1
Question
Asked
396 views
How to start fashion without having a lot of clothes or material to make or buy clothes?
How do you start learning about fashion at a young age? I don’t have any fabrics or clothes to actually make outfits and I don’t have a lot of money either.
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3 answers
Jacob Taylor
Production Manager
523
Answers
Stafford, Virginia
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
Starting a journey in fashion doesn't require an extensive wardrobe or expensive materials. You can begin learning about fashion and developing your style with limited resources. Here are some steps to get started:
1. **Study Fashion:**
- Start by researching fashion trends, designers, and styles. Read books, magazines, and online articles about fashion history and current trends. Familiarize yourself with the terminology and the work of iconic designers.
2. **Online Resources:**
- Utilize the internet to access a wealth of information about fashion. Follow fashion blogs, watch YouTube tutorials on styling, and explore social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration.
3. **Sketch and Draw:**
- Practice your design skills by sketching outfits and fashion ideas. You don't need expensive materials; a simple sketchbook and basic art supplies will do. This helps you develop your creativity and design sense.
4. **Learn Sewing Basics:**
- If you have access to a sewing machine or even a needle and thread, learn the basics of sewing. Start with simple projects like altering clothes or creating small accessories. Online sewing tutorials can be incredibly helpful.
5. **Upcycle and Refashion:**
- Look for old clothes in your wardrobe or at thrift stores that you can upcycle or refashion into new and trendy pieces. This is a cost-effective way to experiment with fashion.
6. **DIY Accessories:**
- Create your accessories like jewelry, headbands, or scarves. You can repurpose existing materials or find affordable craft supplies to make unique accessories.
7. **Experiment with What You Have:**
- Maximize your current wardrobe by experimenting with different combinations and styling techniques. Mix and match your existing clothes to create fresh looks.
8. **Thrifting and Secondhand Shopping:**
- Explore thrift stores and secondhand shops for budget-friendly fashion finds. Thrifting is an excellent way to discover unique pieces and experiment with your style without breaking the bank.
9. **Online Courses and Tutorials:**
- Look for free or affordable online courses and tutorials on fashion design, styling, and fashion history. Many platforms offer valuable fashion education resources.
10. **Seek Feedback and Inspiration:**
- Share your fashion experiments and designs with friends and family for feedback. Attend local fashion events or meetups to connect with others who share your interests.
11. **Practice Styling:**
- Practice styling outfits and experimenting with accessories on yourself or friends. This hands-on experience will help you develop your fashion sense.
12. **Budget Creatively:**
- Allocate a small budget for fashion purchases, but be mindful of your spending. Look for sales, discounts, and clearance items when shopping for clothes or materials.
13. **Build a Fashion Journal:**
- Keep a fashion journal or digital scrapbook where you collect images, sketches, and notes about styles and outfits that inspire you. This can serve as a reference for your fashion journey.
Remember that fashion is a form of self-expression, and there are no strict rules. The key is to explore, experiment, and develop your unique style over time. As your interest in fashion grows, you can gradually invest in materials and clothes that align with your vision. The most important thing is to enjoy the creative process and have fun expressing yourself through fashion.
1. **Study Fashion:**
- Start by researching fashion trends, designers, and styles. Read books, magazines, and online articles about fashion history and current trends. Familiarize yourself with the terminology and the work of iconic designers.
2. **Online Resources:**
- Utilize the internet to access a wealth of information about fashion. Follow fashion blogs, watch YouTube tutorials on styling, and explore social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration.
3. **Sketch and Draw:**
- Practice your design skills by sketching outfits and fashion ideas. You don't need expensive materials; a simple sketchbook and basic art supplies will do. This helps you develop your creativity and design sense.
4. **Learn Sewing Basics:**
- If you have access to a sewing machine or even a needle and thread, learn the basics of sewing. Start with simple projects like altering clothes or creating small accessories. Online sewing tutorials can be incredibly helpful.
5. **Upcycle and Refashion:**
- Look for old clothes in your wardrobe or at thrift stores that you can upcycle or refashion into new and trendy pieces. This is a cost-effective way to experiment with fashion.
6. **DIY Accessories:**
- Create your accessories like jewelry, headbands, or scarves. You can repurpose existing materials or find affordable craft supplies to make unique accessories.
7. **Experiment with What You Have:**
- Maximize your current wardrobe by experimenting with different combinations and styling techniques. Mix and match your existing clothes to create fresh looks.
8. **Thrifting and Secondhand Shopping:**
- Explore thrift stores and secondhand shops for budget-friendly fashion finds. Thrifting is an excellent way to discover unique pieces and experiment with your style without breaking the bank.
9. **Online Courses and Tutorials:**
- Look for free or affordable online courses and tutorials on fashion design, styling, and fashion history. Many platforms offer valuable fashion education resources.
10. **Seek Feedback and Inspiration:**
- Share your fashion experiments and designs with friends and family for feedback. Attend local fashion events or meetups to connect with others who share your interests.
11. **Practice Styling:**
- Practice styling outfits and experimenting with accessories on yourself or friends. This hands-on experience will help you develop your fashion sense.
12. **Budget Creatively:**
- Allocate a small budget for fashion purchases, but be mindful of your spending. Look for sales, discounts, and clearance items when shopping for clothes or materials.
13. **Build a Fashion Journal:**
- Keep a fashion journal or digital scrapbook where you collect images, sketches, and notes about styles and outfits that inspire you. This can serve as a reference for your fashion journey.
Remember that fashion is a form of self-expression, and there are no strict rules. The key is to explore, experiment, and develop your unique style over time. As your interest in fashion grows, you can gradually invest in materials and clothes that align with your vision. The most important thing is to enjoy the creative process and have fun expressing yourself through fashion.
Niha D
Physical Therapist
60
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Niha’s Answer
Is this for personal or for your professional life? If professional, I would start by looking at what area of fashion you want to get into. There's design (drawing and creating the clothing), creation (the act of actually sewing, crocheting, etc), production (the business end), merchandising (a mix of how it's mass produced and how to sell it), critique (the magazines, editing, journalism regarding fashion).
If you're looking at the basics of fashion, there are a lot of free courses online. The best way would be to go the way of Youtube videos, and free online websites that will have fashion specific courses (ie, Skillshare, Udemy, etc). I also recommend videos or informational websites that teach you basic life skills like sewing a button, different stitch patterns, etc, all of which can be done on scrap fabric for practice.
For buying materials, I would recommend two different things:
1) go to stores specific to buying cloth and material. They almost always have a clearance section and a good couponing/rewards system. If you're okay with off season material (ie, oranges in the winter after halloween, or peaches and pinks in the fall, etc), you can get large amounts for pretty affordable prices. I recommend signing up/subscribing to their email list and social media to keep an eye out for deals!
2) Go to second hand shops. If you can't find the material you want at the big stores for cheap, look for old tableclothes, curtains, etc at secondhand stores, where they're often sold for much cheaper.
3) Ask around. Towards the beginning and ends of the year, as well as the ends of the seasons, people are more likely to clear out closets and throw old things away. Ask for clothing they're throwing away, as that can be used for material. It won't be as much fabric as buying yards, but it will encourage some creativity, and you can even learn how fabrics are being stitched by reverse engineering the clothes you get.
If you're looking at the basics of fashion, there are a lot of free courses online. The best way would be to go the way of Youtube videos, and free online websites that will have fashion specific courses (ie, Skillshare, Udemy, etc). I also recommend videos or informational websites that teach you basic life skills like sewing a button, different stitch patterns, etc, all of which can be done on scrap fabric for practice.
For buying materials, I would recommend two different things:
1) go to stores specific to buying cloth and material. They almost always have a clearance section and a good couponing/rewards system. If you're okay with off season material (ie, oranges in the winter after halloween, or peaches and pinks in the fall, etc), you can get large amounts for pretty affordable prices. I recommend signing up/subscribing to their email list and social media to keep an eye out for deals!
2) Go to second hand shops. If you can't find the material you want at the big stores for cheap, look for old tableclothes, curtains, etc at secondhand stores, where they're often sold for much cheaper.
3) Ask around. Towards the beginning and ends of the year, as well as the ends of the seasons, people are more likely to clear out closets and throw old things away. Ask for clothing they're throwing away, as that can be used for material. It won't be as much fabric as buying yards, but it will encourage some creativity, and you can even learn how fabrics are being stitched by reverse engineering the clothes you get.
Loved reading this, thanks!
Niya
Alanda Davis
Interior Designer & Apparel Designer
6
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Alanda’s Answer
Hi Niya, just start. Watch videos, volunteer to get an understanding of the profession, ask questions, volunteer, try to figure out what interests you, don't stress - there is no wrong way to do it. Build a portfolio, watch videos, talk to someone. Do anything that allows you to explore different options inside of the Fashion industry. Check out some schools or courses. Some are free. Whatever you do, just do it. Don't be afraid, don't make it hard & keep trying no matter what people say.
Familiarize yourself with the industry that interests you
Watch videos, search for free classes
Volunteer
Just do it and don't listen to others
Alanda recommends the following next steps: