The world of fashion nowadays just seems to be headed towards an over the top destination, most of it being a bit too extreme and crazy for me to understand. Even though I don't keep up with the latest fashion trends and news, all of it still finds its way towards me, whether it be through social media or TV.
I am quite "doubtless" when it comes to the type of fashion and style I prefer, you could take me to one of the fanciest stores in town and I'd probably find only one or two sections that suits my taste/style, a very minimal and cost-effective roundup is what I'd end up picking. The price wouldn't even be a point of attraction either, it never was. Even if it is the most luxurious designer piece available in the shop, offered for free, if it simply does not suit me and my style, then I would just reject the offer.
Living in Bangladesh does have its perks though, especially in the fashion/garment sector, we get our clothes for very cheap, even at the fanciest of shops. Yet, most of us here still manage to find ourselves a better bargain every now and then; scouring through some popular, in demand areas is the key towards hitting the jackpot. Certain shops and markets that are well known for their unbeatable pricing, and the option to bargain heavily surely does the job.
My go to pick of attire always has been a solid t-shirt, polo or a round neck, and a shirt if the place or occasion is fairly formal. Maybe a solid and well built watch or accessory to add some "oomph" to the outfit, a pair shoes and a belt that go hand in hand in terms of design and color. Yet, no matter how detailed and clean all of it may seem, most of my casual outfits are quite affordable, starting from a range of $20 to a highest of $50 USD, from top to bottom.
Of course it's all readily available and cheap here, but I still maintain a budget when it comes to clothing and shopping. Your personal style doesn't have to be expensive, a lot is possible, even with a tight budget, you just to have to look in the right places and keep your eyes open for those big sales.
However, you should still have a few "fancy" get-ups to choose from, in terms of quality and looks at least. Most of my "fancy" outfits are for the winter season; jackets, sweaters and blazers alone take up most of the budget as always. We then have the usual round/turtle neck inside, a pair of chinos or jeans, and some formal/casual boots, and voila, we have one solid and clean outfit.
Most of my "shopping" is done online, and I do it during winter time. Because from January to March there are huge sales and discounts that go on all around, starting from 40% off to a highest of 80% even. So, that's surely an opportunity you shouldn't miss out on.
Nevertheless, even if you're a certified minimalist when it comes to your style, it can still be tough to keep yourself composed in this generation of fashion, tech and social media.
Regionally we all might not have the same perks and offers, but staying consistent and true to your minimalistic journey surely is tough, especially for women I'd say, that's what I see for most of the women in our country at least. The urge to have the latest and greatest makeup kits, a new pair of heels every few months, a new saree or a dress for every occasion.
Yet, can you really blame them? Maybe...
The way women's accessories and clothing is marketed nowadays is really tough to filter out. Even as a man I'm bombarded with ads and videos on social media, businesses promoting and selling women's cosmetics and clothes. In the last few years it has reached new heights in our country and region, it's currently a booming business in our country, thanks to the online market place.
Yes, there are ways to minimize and filter what you get to see on your home pages; unfollowing such groups and pages is the first step, and then comes limiting the time we spend browsing through social media. Cutting out social media alone can solve a lot of problems these days.
All in all, shopping sprees and a big closet full of clothes should be one of the last things we worry about; because in the end, no matter how big of a closet we have, most of us just end up wearing those one or two favorites outfits we have. Most of my usual outfits are of the same type, just mixed and matched through different colors and styles, so spending too much on clothes or on shopping isn't a problem for me.
And then, I'm also spending close to half of my day at home, wearing the same ole shorts or track pants and a tank top, so I'd rather stack up on those haha.
Well, that's about it I guess, that's all I really can share with you guys about my style, personal hacks and thoughts about the current fashion industry and market. I'm not an expert when it comes to this category, but I would say that I have a very natural and low-key style of my own, one that still manages to stand out in most scenarios and gatherings.
If you guys have any thoughts you'd like to share, maybe some tips and tricks, or some of your own personal style hacks, then surely do leave a comment below.
You folks take care now, be seeing ya'll on the next one. 🖤
Cheers 🥃☮️