Create Your Own Outfit

Even if you feel like a fashion novice, you can create your own outfits that impress your friends and keep you looking like you read fashion magazines all day. How? There are websites to act as your consultants. There's no more hustling from store to store, hoping to patch together the perfect outfit. You can create just what you want — and know exactly where to purchase it — with a few clicks and dragging items into the empty box on the page.

When you put together your own outfit, whether you wear it in real life or you just mix and match things on a website, you're expressing yourself. You may dream of creating a designer outfit but you can't justify the price tags to yourself. Put together an outfit, save it in your online account, and then scope out the site or stores for lookalikes. Save it as a point of reference for yourself and publish it so others can ooh and aah over your creation even if you aren't wearing it yet.

Sometimes shopping online is difficult because you'll find pieces from several different stores, but you have a hard time imagining whether they would complement each other. Sites like Polyvore, Shmotter, and Shoppouri make it very easy to decide what you do and do not need, or what will and will not match. Not only do you get to pull in designs from multiple brand names, from tops to shoes, and even makeup colors, but you can get others' feedback, too.

At Polyvore, you can create your own outfit by browsing category, brand, price, or site, then adjusting for size so you can see how the items look together. You can drag and drop anything on the page to create that perfect look. From there, you can publish it and see what others think of it before dropping the cash. Or you can just keep the look together so you can think about it before you make a speedy purchase. Once you do decide to purchase part or all of the outfit you put together on the site, you can click each item and find not just the price and name of the item, but a link where you can shop for it.

You get to put together your own outfit, but there is also the option to make the display even more eye-catching with text, photos, music, makeup, and more. Also, don't forget to check out the Polyvore blog for more fashion advice, trend sightings, and more. The link is in the upper right corner of the page.

At Shmotter, you can use the Top Outfits section as your springboard when it comes to getting ideas for your own outfits. You can also browse through the popular brand section and rate others' outfits. If you see something you like in an outfit that's already been created, you can easily click and purchase. To create your own looks, there is a drag-and-drop interface. Choose the type of item you're looking for (often the foundation piece is a good place to start, such as a dress, a top, or a great pair of skinny jeans), and then accessorize it with rings, bracelets, necklaces, belts, scarves, shoes, etc. If you set up an account, you can save your favorites and admire them later.

Shoppourri starts you off by asking you to choose a color. If you need a little black dress, you'll choose the black stripe on the left side of the page. You will then be shown a scrolling list of black dresses, a separate one for black shoes, and a third one for black handbags. When you hold your mouse over an item, you'll see the price. Click to purchase it. Most, if not all, items are from Amazon.com, and meant for girls on a budget. That makes it a convenient purchase since you will only have one shopping cart and most of the items are marked down. The bad news is that you can't click and drag items together in order to see how they look. If you're shopping within a single color scheme, however, you will be able to see them side-by-side on the screen because the scrolling stops once you hover over an item.

If you want to create your own outfit without too much of a hassle, doing it online is a pain-free way to go. Immediately see how your items pair up, click to shop, and if you'd like feedback before purchasing anything, you can get that too. Websites that specialize in helping you create your wardrobe or just a single outfit offer advice, trend alerts, and stimulate your creativity. Even if you can't design and create your own clothing, you can feel like a fashion designer.

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