In a sea of sameness on Instagram, we love looking to you, dear readers, for inspiration on how to stand out. Yes, you! One person who consistently pops on our feeds is Ellie from Slip Into Style. She's brilliant at pairing high-street finds with a curated selection of luxury and vintage pieces, and mixes colour and print like a queen. Back in March, she stood out for a different reason: her Instagram Story advocating for the end of "same" on Instagram opened up a bigger conversation—and we had to respond. But standing out isn't always easy. Outlandish style doesn't come naturally to most, especially when more wearable influencer-driven trends can be so tempting. How do you find the courage to take your outfit from "same" to bold? We turned to Ellie once again for her help—here are her tips in six outfits.
START SMALL
On Ellie: Rebecca Vallance Luella Cotton Minidress (£175); Nº21 Heeled Sandals
The easiest upgrade you can make right away? Start with your footwear. "Crazy shoes work with simple outfits," is Ellie's advice. The rest of your outfit can stay the same.
IT'S NOT THE END OF JEANS AND NICE TOP
On Ellie: ASOS Crop Off-Shoulder Top (£14); Levi's Straight Cropped Jeans (£99); Dondoks Paris Frida Sandals (£265); Charlotte Simone Pop Faux-Fur Bag (£150)
Same goes for your trusty jeans-and-tee look: "On a pretty casual look like jeans and a white top, you can go over the top with colors and accessories to spice it up," she tells us.
CHOOSING A PRINT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SCARY
On Ellie: Solace London Dress; Marco de Vincenzo Blue Plait 105 Velvet Sandals (£365)
Going for a loud print can feel easier when you choose a simple silhouette. You don't have to change everything all at once.
USE SHAPE TO MAKE THE CHANGE
On Ellie: Cult Gaia top; Bogdar Jesenia Straight Cropped Trousers (£126)
But if you do want to change your silhouette, opt for neutral tones to ease your way in. "Bouffant sleeves are your best friend," Ellie tells us.
POLKA DOTS MAKE A GREAT GO-TO
On Ellie: Rianna + Nina Claudia Blouse (£660); Agmes Gold Vermeil Cuff (£760); Goldsign Benefit Jeans (£250); Boyy Karl 24 Bag (£924)
"Polka dots go with anything either a monochrome color or a colorful print," says Ellie. It's true—polka dots have become so popular this year that they're practically a neutral at this point.
WHEN YOU'RE READY, MAX OUT
On Ellie: Rhode Resort Salma Off-Shoulder Dress (£420); Marion Godart Créoles de Perles XL (£40)
At this stage, perhaps you're ready to max out. This outfit formula only has two steps: "Wear prints and maxi earrings too!" Ellie says. Together is better, as the saying goes. ■
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