Styling an Instagram-Worthy Look

Creating the perfect Instagram outfit post is much trickier than it sounds. First of all, you simply have to follow current trends to a great extent. Why? You may have an incredible outfit laid out on your bed, ready for you to rock it and snap some great, Instagram-worthy pics in it, but it won’t get a lot of attention if it’s old news. By old news, we mean items that you snagged a while ago now and that are no longer available for others to buy. The reason certain people become highly coveted and followed fashion influencers lies in the fact that they always bring something new to the table. If you’re wearing a dress, it has to be purchasable – otherwise, your post will flop.

People look for inspiration and potential shopping guidance, and if what you’re wearing is no longer available in stores, then forget about it. However, some items should be left untagged, because that way you not only create an air of mystery and make people wonder where you got the item, but you also preserve your originality. You don’t want someone copying your entire outfit, so the second rule is – leave certain things unsaid. Now, let’s go from theory to practice, check out some of the trendiest Instagram outfit looks and ways they were personalized and spiced up by influencers, and hopefully, not only will these looks help you rise in the Insta-universe, but they’ll actually narrow down and establish your signature look.

Find your colors

For this example, we will take Steffy, mom, lifestyle and fashion blogger. One of the reasons she is so adorable and loved on the platform, aside from her honest smile and signature messy bun, is the fact that this woman knows her colors and is not afraid of flooding her feed with them. If you scroll through her entire feed, you won’t be able to help but notice that this woman rocks a lot of orange, and she pulls it off immaculately.

Of course, there is always variety in her Instagram outfits – sometimes the only orange thing will be her headband, other times a burnt orange bag, and when she feels like it, she will ditch the color altogether and simply show her signature off with her choice of lipstick. So, in order to create recognizable and distinct outfits, the first thing you simply must do is establish what colors you’re drawn to, which colors look flattering on you, and then take it from there. Once you have that figured out, a simple white tee, and let’s say cerulean blue pleated skirt, will make for a killer outfit. Just make sure you tag where you got it.

Bring on the Instagram outfit trends

One of the biggest trends when it comes to casual yet edgy Instagram outfits are murky metal hoodies and tees. The trend of rocking a graphic tee with the logo or print of your favorite metal bend is totally back in style, and it’s actually so trendy you don’t even have to be a metal music fan to rock it, just like you don’t have to be a fitness enthusiast to rock athleisure. High-rise stone-wash jeans are the perfect addition to this outfit, and instead of a simple black backpack, throw in an element of surprise and rock something completely unexpected like a trendy clear PVC bag and a pair of black open-toed mules. This way you’ll show your ability to rock not one but three trends in one outfit, and that kind of innovativeness and willingness to make risky choices always pays off because experimenting with trends is actually the trendiest thing you can do.

Watch the runways

Among many trends that came down the runways, one of the most alluring and wearable in real life, not to mention super-instagrammable, is the pastel suit trend. You can choose among a variety of gorgeous pastels, but again, bear in mind that not all pastels will suit your skin tone, so try several ones before you make your decision. One of the most foolproof hues is the millennial pink that seems to magically look good on everyone, so before you spend hours in dressing rooms, try that one first. You can rock it with a simple white blouse – Emily Ratajkowski style.

When all else fails

If none of the trends are really your cup of tea, minimalism will always be there to catch you if you fall. Just take a look at Lauren Caruso. The woman does wonders with black and white, deconstructed and oversized white garments, but there is one thing she always makes sure is visible – her bag. Despite her truly minimalistic ways, she too follows current trends, with her beaded and woven bags, white ankle boots, and subtle yet effective jewelry. So, what is the takeaway – even if you’re a minimalist, and many other people aren’t, if you’re outfit is complemented by trendy accessories, you will have a winning hand.

Let’s talk poses

When it comes to snapping that perfect photo, there are several things to take into account. The first is the backdrop, and it highly depends on the outfit and the style. For instance, the perfect backdrop for minimalists is an industrial space, a grey concrete wall, an empty alley. If your outfits are vibrant, take photos in the park, against a wall with a great mural or graffiti work on it. If you can’t find the perfect backdrop, you can always focus on just parts of the outfit and crop the background altogether, or blur the background, either in the settings of your camera or when you use editing tools such as Lightroom, Darkroom, VSCO and other amazing photo-editing apps.

Now, the person taking your photo should hold the camera in front of their torso, and hold it slightly tilted up. As for your poses, practice makes perfect. If you have a winning smile, you can milk that asset. The key to a perfect outfit photo is to stand in a way that will show off your attitude and not focus on the clothes – you’re not a mannequin; so, practice the walking pose, the looking over your shoulder pose, arms in your pockets full-frontal pose, and find the angle that’s most flattering and interesting.

Mia Taylor is a fashion and beauty enthusiast from Sydney and writer for www.highstylife.com. She loves writing about her life experiences. Travelling and enjoying other cultures and their food with her husband is a big part of her life. She is always on the lookout for new trends in fashion and beauty, and considers herself an expert when it comes to lifestyle tips.
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