Sarah Shepard is a TikTok and Instagram influencer. Her focus is primarily on fashion, but she also has many other niches under her belt. She started becoming an influencer around two years ago, and since then, she has really enjoyed her journey. She’s also a basketball player who lives a super active lifestyle. She loves taking mainstream fashion trends and putting her own twist on them. Her style is a mix of many things, but overall it’s mainly streetwear type fashion. Shoes are her biggest obsession – whether it’s a pair of classic sneakers or super trendy cowgirl boots, she just has to pick them up.
StarCentral Magazine recently caught up with Sarah to discuss her journey as a fashionista, and here’s what went down:
Where do you usually shop? Are there any hidden gems when it comes to snapping up some awesome designer clothes?
There are so many amazing fashion brands out there that are all unique! Some of my absolute favorites that you need to check out include Fear of God Essentials, Zara, Supreme, Jordan, Kith, JK ATTIRE, and OFF WHITE. The biggest hidden gem when it comes to fashion is Amazon. There are some pretty awesome finds! As an Amazon Influencer, I even have my own storefront. I have different categories for a wide variety of fashion trends and staples.
What are your top tips when it comes to fashion for the cooler months?
The most important trick for fashionably surviving the winter weather is layering. Puffer coats and vests are my top picks for staples this season. Patterned pantyhose are another item you need to spice up your outfits on those chilly days! Another crucial part of layering is throwing on a statement coat/jacket over tighter items. This is a simple way to give outfits a chic vibe!
Where do you look for creative inspiration?
With social media, fashion inspiration seems to be endless. Personally, I like to scope out certain trends prior to the season. I love keeping up with the fashion in other countries, as the trends tend to make their way over to the United States. I have learned that doing this helps me to stay ahead of the fashion game. Talking to other fashion influencers is something I find super helpful.
Is it hard to stay fashionable?
Not at all! Fashion is all about wearing whatever you want. Once you have developed your own personal style, try to find items you would wear often. Investing in the same styles in different colors is something I often do. Neutrals are always a good option, but adding your favorite colors always makes it more fun!
How do you walk the line between being unique and having commercial appeal?
This is always the question! It takes a lot of trial and error when it comes to social media. Keeping an “aesthetic” feed while still being unique is much simpler than it seems. I love to buy my clothes in outfits. For example, I will buy multiple outfits with the same color scheme/pattern. This makes it much easier to know you will have a clean-looking feed.
Are there any key trends you’ve seen for this year?
There are always so many trends to pick from. Being obsessed with shoes, these are the trends I always love to focus on. For pretty much all of 2022, anything with a platform will be seen everywhere. Whether it’s sneakers, boots, or heels, you need to pick up some platform shoes! In my opinion, streetwear is one of the easier fashion styles to keep up with in terms of shoes. Jordans, Nike Dunks, and Nike Air Force Ones are classic shoes that aren’t going anywhere. There are endless styling options for these. The last trend I think will continue to be really big this year is the “Model Off Duty” look. The whole idea of this trend is to have a clean look for your outfits. Dressing classy items down paired with a sleek hairstyle and simple jewelry/makeup is the perfect way to achieve this look!
What do you think about the state of fashion today?
The state of fashion today is amazing! There are so many options for clothing items. Not to mention the amount of inspiration everywhere you go! Social media, fashion blogs, stores, or even just walking down the street are all ways to gain more fashion knowledge. Fashion trends from all different decades are coming back into style constantly, which I love!
What are the clothes we can rid our wardrobes of that are considered very ‘last season’?
I believe “swapping” my clothing items works best when going through my own closet. One thing that is not as in style as it was previously is skinny fit anything. Try trading in your skinny jeans for a loose-fitting pair. Baggy, wide leg, boyfriend, and low rise flare jeans are some of my personal staples. Flare yoga pants are also an excellent investment versus regular skinny leggings.
What fashion advice would you give an emerging fashionista?
There are so many fashion influencers in the game, but don’t be intimidated. Be yourself… Be unique! At the end of the day, being unique sets you apart from the rest of the fashion world.
The fashion industry has changed so much in the past few years, what’s the best advice you would give for staying ahead of the curve?
It is constantly changing, but that’s definitely not a bad thing. As I mentioned previously, knowing your own style is vital. Have solid staple items in your closet. Watching fashion in other areas than where you live is an awesome trick to stay ahead of the curve. Lastly, try not to stress so much about what others are wearing/what current trends there are. The key to success is dressing true to your own style.