Planning Decora Coordinates
For me, planning coordinates isn't the easiest thing. Even though I have a decent amount of experience in the design world, planning decora outfits when you're broke can often times be a struggle;
...trying to remember everything you have, seeing if you have enough money to buy a new piece of clothing, and making sure your colors aren't in too much chaos is a lot to juggle in you rhead!
This process of planning a coord takes me 2 1\2 weeks up to a whole month! Every month I attend the Harajuku Day fashion meet ups in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, so it gives me a whole month to think about what I want to look like. My process varies, but includes a lot of steps that include self analyzing, writing, and drawing! Let's delve in!
First, I review my last meet up outfit.
This can be in my head or reviewing pictures that have been taken, and I see how my outfit is reflected on the camera, what colors pop and go together and which do not, and what aspects of my look need to pop more. Usually for this step, I'll write some notes, like the ones below!
For the one above, I had realized that in my head I thought putting on mascara would be enough, but on camera my makeup was lack luster and I wanted my face to pop more! So I listed ways that could get that done!
Next, I take a break!
I'll usually take a break from thinking about it too seriously for 3-7 days! Give yourself time to detox from your last outfit and break ties with it--I've found that if you don't distance yourself from your last outfit, even if it was super awesome, you can't objectively look at it piece by piece, and you might have a hard time going with another style or color scheme that will leave you repeating the same look next time! For me I don't necessarily like to do that, I love to move forward and explore different aspects of myself through fashion so changing some looks to fit my mood or interest really works for me! Also, this detox will help you to not stress so much about the finances behind the decora fashion, deep breaths in and deep breaths out, and save that tip money!
I think about what look or looks I want to bring to the table, what color schemes I'm itching to try out, and what different styles I can incorporate into decora! For my next look on May 14th, I looked at my doodles and realized I've been drawing menhera girls for the past 3-4 months, and now I want my interest in that to be reflected in my next look, but along with my decora look since it's my favorite! I start with preliminary sketches-- and they usually change a lot after a little over a week of sketching and thinking! For decora, I think one of the most important things are accessories and colors, so I would recommend going through your necklaces and other accessories and seeing what you want to wear! I know it seems silly to ordinate an outfit around accessories, but this can really give you a feel for the direction and colors that you'd like to go with!
(Pictured: Outfit process drawing for May 14th on a napkin from work)
About two weeks or a week before the meet up, I usually have my final sketch for my outfit.
Next, it's time to write some more!
I write a list and divide it into two sides; "Things I have for this look" and "Things I need for the look". Under the things I need for this look, I'll also write which store I can purchase this at and for around what price, then give myself a subtotal that allows for sales tax and etc. That way I know exactly where I need to go, what I need to look for/buy, and how much money I'm going to need to save for it!
Once all is accounted for and the process of purchasing or getting things together (and usually making more things) is complete, I try on my look a day or two before the meet up! This makes me feel sure that if there are any problems with my outfit, I'll be able to fix them! When I say try on my look also, I mean full accessories, wig, layers, shoes, and bag!
This method really helps me improve on my decora game and helps me express myself in the way that I really want to! When it comes to everyday looks I definitely don't plan weeks in advance, usually I just think about what I would want to wear the night before while I'm laying in bed! Planning these kinds of things makes me feel more secure and let's me rest easier!
❤Hope this helps! Keep on keeping on broke decora peeps!❤
