If you take an objective look at what the fashion designers come up with, you will probably think that they get all their ideas from rummaging around in thrift stores. You may be right.

An obvious example is hobo handbags. With these, they go so far as to spell it out for you. They got their inspiration from bags that bums keep all their trinkets in when they’re roaming around the country. Why on earth would a fashion designer brag about that? It’s because they know the value of contrast as a marketing tool. They can boldly make that statement because their beautifully crafted bags are definitely not for hobos.

Here’s another example of how well contrasts work in fashion. Every man goes crazy for women who wear shirts for girls. There is almost nothing that looks sexier than a full-figured woman in a man’s shirt. The reason for this is because their figures are even more pronounced in a man’s shirt.

Contrasts such as these can be found throughout the fashion industry. Often, the best way to enhance a woman’s femininity and sophisticated sense of fashion is to accentuate the opposite. While there is a timeless allure to the classic wedding dress or clingy evening dress, they don’t have the spark and flair of an unusual design.

You can give a woman almost any item and she can turn it into high fashion. Take women’s brown boots, for example. Clunky old work boots look ridiculous on men, but when a woman puts on a nice outfit and goes out wearing work boots, she is bound to attract admiring attention.

Think again about that wedding dress. Which bride would stand out the most? Would it be the one wearing the matching pumps or the one wearing the brown work or hiking boots? It would be the latter, wouldn’t it? What would your reaction be? You would probably admire her for her flair and boldness.

Fashion designers don’t have it easy. You might be tempted to think that once they’ve made it to the top, they stay there, but it’s not true. Many designers who enjoyed the limelight for years became instant unknowns when they failed to anticipate the trends. Fashion designers must be both creative and intuitive. They are not just slavishly followed. They must know what you’re going to want before you do.

Take a leaf from their book. Study their designs, even if you can’t possibly afford their clothes. Remember, they are getting their inspiration from unlikely places like thrift stores. If you’re clever, you can, too and be a trend setter yourself!

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