by Melissa Raissa

Created on: April 22, 2010

The best part about reinventing your look is the freedom to dictate your appearance according to how you want yourself to be. Makeovers get a lot of hype with all the drastic changes it does to one person. But the best way to reinvent your look is through subtle changes that don't overwhelm you and other people as well. These simple changes are easy to maintain and allow you to gradually build on them as you see fit.

Subtle Transitions

Try on one new item at a time. There's no need to buy a whole new wardrobe in order to get a new signature style. Trying on shorter versions of your current clothes, like cigarette pants instead of regular trousers or crop blazers instead of full-length ones, can instantly upgrade your entire outfit into a runway-worthy ensemble.

Shoes can contain a ton personality despite its lowly position in your getup. It's one of the few items that can depict your personal style even without looking at your entire outfit. Make sure that your new clackers still coordinate with the clothes that you want to pair them with, be it old or new.

A new hairstyle is the easiest way to change your look. Try new cuts that flatter your facial features but nothing that's too complicated for daily styling. Don't worry about haircut mishaps since they will eventually grow out over time. Instead, turn every blunder into an opportunity to learn about what works, or doesn't work, for you.

Know Yourself

Stick to styles that highlight your best features. By trying on new items, you're constantly looking for things that feel right for you and rejecting those that don't flatter you. This is best done by practice and, more often than not, one's personal experience outweighs the opinion of fashion advisers.

It really helps to know what you value most when it comes to your wardrobe. Do you dress for comfort? To appear well-proportioned? Or to look glamorous? It may very well depend on the occasion but for each person one aspect can outshine the others. Be firm about your choices and hold out for pieces that you're sure you're going to wear.

Combine your favorite items. Once you know which clothes you like, you can start pairing them together tastefully. When buying new clothes, study which items go together and keep a mental inventory of your wardrobe. It may sound too calculated but an average woman can actually do this without even thinking about it.

Refine your look

Not everyone can get their look right the first time. Keep fine-tuning your new look until you get just the right elements to make it work. Take a cue from your favorite magazines or window displays to learn more about harmonizing your outfits while staying relevant fashionwise. Granted that not everyone is after the latest trends, all of us can use a fresh idea as an inspiration for a new look.

Learn more about this author, Melissa Raissa.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.