“Fashion” is a word that seems to be both loved and hated. Some people take extreme pride in what they wear, while others say they couldn’t care less. Other people just don’t know where to start when it comes to fashion. Let me hop onto my pedestal momentarily and try to give a little direction and opinion about what “fashion” means to me.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that fashion is only manifested in designer clothes. This is grossly incorrect. Some of the best and most fashionable items I have found were purchased at Goodwill or H&M. In my opinion, fashion is taking different clothing, accessories and shoes, and mixing them to create an outfit that is unique and reflective of your personality.

Fashion is a way to express yourself without opening your mouth.

In the past, fashion was a luxury only available to the rich. You were either in or out. For years there have been stye guidelines. No white after Labor Day. Your shoes and bag must match. You can never wear black, brown and navy together. The list goes on and can continue to be proven incorrect. The great thing about modern fashion is you can basically throw all of these former fashion rules out the window.

Some people are intimidated by fashion because they don’t know where to begin. Here’s a pretty much fool-proof formula to create a great outfit.

First, start out with picking a statement piece. Let’s start with a gold chunky chain necklace. Next, begin to shape the outfit around this piece with items that either complement or create juxtaposition with the chosen statement piece. One way you could offset the bulky necklace is to go with a pastel and neutral color palette in light fabrics. For example, a mint pleated mini skirt with a pale pink sleeveless button-down, white blazer and nude ballet flats is a cute and pretty way to tone down the potentially gaudy necklace.

Last semester, a friend asked me to help her shop. She openly admitted that she was nervous to go shopping with me. This feeling was not by any means unfounded; I tend to pick out the more eccentric pieces in stores — that stuff that you wonder “who would actually buy this?”

I think I finally calmed her nerves during the trip. I didn’t force any items in her hands because, as I said before, fashion is individualized. I wanted to help her pick out clothing that she felt great in.

This brings me to perhaps the most important part of fashion: confidence.

If you wear an outfit and walk with your head held high, then more power to you! If you get a questioning glance, then bask in the attention. Don’t be shy: let your personality shine through your fashion choices. At the end of the day, there’s nothing more boring than someone who passively accepts what someone else tells them to wear.