Christian Siriano says there is only 1 rule in fashion
Siriano is an award-winning fashion designer.
As the seasons begin to change, we always start to think about ways to expand, update or reinvent our wardrobe.
To help get you the expert fashion advice you might be seeking, "Good Morning America" sat down with award-winning designer Christian Siriano to chat about owning your personal style ahead of his upcoming collaboration with Citi and Mastercard for The Curated Table.
Siriano has spent over two decades developing his unmistakable point of view, but when it comes to personal style, he says finding yours isn’t necessarily about chasing what’s trending. In fact, it may require breaking some of the fashion rules you’ve created for yourself.
“I love a signature look and I think we all should have one,” Siriano told "Good Morning America.” “But I do believe that it’s time to actually just try new things.”
Change just one thing
“We really have to start not thinking about what we would never do and do the complete opposite,” he said.
That experiment can be surprisingly small. If you normally wear black or white, Siriano suggested trying the same type of piece you already love in a bold color, like a bright fuchsia blouse.
“One item that really is a push for you,” he advised. The same philosophy applies to silhouettes. Maybe you’ve decided you don’t wear strapless dresses, wide leg pants or certain colors. Siriano’s question: When was the last time you actually tried one?
Rather than deciding an entire style isn’t for you, Siriano encourages shoppers to reconsider the rules they’ve carried with them for years.
How to know you’re in a style rut
According to Siriano, "overconsistency" is a clear sign that it’s time to experiment.
Eventually, he said, you may start to subconsciously realize you’re reaching for the same outfits again and again. It’s something he even recognizes in his own creative process. When designing a collection, he’ll sometimes look at a piece and think, “I’ve kind of made this dress like a million times.” His response? Go in another direction entirely.
“If it hits, great, and if it doesn’t, we try again,” he said. “That’s also what’s great about fashion. There are no rules,” Siriano said. “We can have fun with what we want to be and who we want to be.”
There is, however, one rule Siriano isn’t ready to abandon: Don’t underdress.
“I would much rather you be overdressed at the party, overdressed at the wedding, overdressed at your friend’s whatever,” he said.
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A must-have piece
While Siriano acknowledged classic wardrobe staples like a little black dress, trench coat or great blazer, his current must-have is considerably less expected: something metallic.
“It could be sequined, it could be beading, embroidery, it could be a leather piece,” he said. “I think that actually is more important than we think about.”
It doesn’t necessarily need to be a statement dress, either. Siriano said even a black piece with a metallic finish can accomplish the effect.
That ties into his simplest trick for making an otherwise basic outfit more interesting: play with shine and texture.
A watch, jewelry or shiny belt can be enough.
“You have to have one of those things,” he said. “I think it’s about having some type of shine, texture and the play on that effect.”
While his namesake clothing remains at a more elevated, couture-inspired price point, he said he intentionally looks for ways to make other projects more accessible. That includes his recently relaunched shoe collection, with styles he said are priced under $200.
“I’ve always shopped that way,” Siriano said. “We love designer clothes and we love that world, but we can’t always afford every piece.”
And maybe that’s the larger takeaway from Siriano’s approach to personal style, it’s not about buying an entirely new wardrobe or perfectly following what’s “in.”
It’s about knowing what makes you feel like yourself while also the willingness to experiment out of your comfort zone.