Need an instant confidence boost? Try changing into an outfit that makes you feel powerful. Clothes come in all kinds of shapes, colours, sizes, and textures. All that’s left, say fashion experts, is to select a look that embodies your definition of beauty. Compared to wearing pieces, styling specific items can make all the difference in elevating how you feel about yourself.
Imaan Sunderji, a Calgary fashion stylist, believes that experimenting with different styles and being open-minded about fashion is crucial for finding an aesthetic that suits you the best. The young fashionista hopes to inspire people’s creativity with her business, Inherited By Imaan.
Sunderji says fashion trends often get reused and re-explored, but how they get presented can make them unique again. She explains that finding self-expressive looks can make all the difference in feeling put together and energized enough to stay on top of routine tasks.
“It’s okay to be tastefully offensive. And what I mean by that is, if someone’s turning their head to look at what you’re wearing, and they’re not too sure how they feel, that’s a good thing in my mind,” Sunderji said. “You know, they’re giving me their energy. Something has captivated them, and caught their eye.”
Sunderji finds unique second hand vintage clothes to sell to her clients, helping them explore new styles and trends. One of her favourite parts about the business is seeing people light up when they discover a look that makes them feel assertive.
According to Sunderji, people often don’t realize what they miss out on until they find a style they physically and emotionally connect with. For many, clothes are just a basic necessity, and fashion doesn’t hold the same amount of importance. But Sunderji views it as an exhilarating freedom. She encourages her clients never to underestimate the power of a good outfit.
“I think fashion and clothing just as art speaks volumes without saying anything,” Sunderji said.
Finding your style
Akur Gurech, a model who collaborates with Inherited By Imaan, said that small businesses and thrifting, in general, are great starting points for discovering personal clothing preferences.
“It’s different from the mall, where they have a set style already, so you’re limited on your choices. At the thrift store you can choose what you like, and there’s so many different things that you can put together,” she said.
Cliché Magazine declared personal fashion style as a “mirror of inner identity” last year because each item and accessory can mean various things that make someone feel eccentric.
The fashion magazine encourages its readers to embrace a style that they want to wear rather than what other people want them to wear, arguing that stops people from caring about the judgment they might receive.
Sunderji and Gurech both explained how they would love to see fashion styles continue to expand and watch as more people discover the beauty behind it all.
“Inherited isn’t just about the clothes. It’s about becoming a part of something bigger. So really feeling like you are an icon,” Sunderji said.
