How To Dress Differently When Everyone Looks The Same

Walk into your local Seed, David Jones, Cotton On, Zara, or any other similar designer or chain store, and chances are you’ll find the same version of the same clothes at each visit. Sleeveless vests with matching tailored pants or skirts, check. Tropical-inspired colourful prints on midi and maxi shirt dresses, check. Linen co-ordinates in white, beige, brown or black? Check. It’s all the exact same look, just with differing fabrics and details depending on the price tag…

As a fashion editor who scours the online retail space weekly for new buys and new trends, this has been overwhelmingly obvious to me for a while. I’ve found myself in a tricky situation where I’m unsure if I should keep presenting these same-same styles to you, because to be frank, I’m kind of bored by them.

Upon further reflection though, I understand that these on-trend pieces are usually the most readily available and most affordable. They’re also easiest to buy and wear, as I’ve also found myself reaching for these exact pieces when going out recently. I guess there’s an assurance in the familiarity — if I’m also wearing a nice vest with jeans and a heel, I leave little room to doubt my style, because chances are everyone else is wearing the same thing, too. It’s predictable but also safe.

However, when I see women of a similar age or style to me wearing something a little different, a little unique and a little special, my heart skips a beat. I get so inspired by women who choose to really let their individual style shine, and I personally love the internal smug-factor that wearing something unique brings. The less obvious pieces in my wardrobe or are often the more dependable forever pieces, and I wanted to explore that notion with this edit today.

Some of my picks below may not be groundbreaking or new, but they do present a different look to what we’re inundated with everywhere at the moment. As much as I don’t want age to be a deciding factor in where to shop or what to wear, I’ll admit, as a 43 year old, I don’t want to be wearing the same trends as my almost 11 year old daughter. So, without further ado, here are some great buys if you feel like being a bit more you, or more aptly, not like everyone else, when getting dressed.