Millennial woman turns to the internet for fashion advice—instant success

Ahead of her milestone fortieth birthday, this woman decided it was time to update her wardrobe and try out some new looks. But unsure where to start, she turned to social media for fashion tips—and it didn’t disappoint.

As a mom and a business owner who works from home, Charlotte Briscoe, 39, often threw on the first thing she found in her wardrobe and paid little attention to her style. She saw no problem with that, until a recent shift in her mindset made her want to put more effort. She tells Newsweek that she wanted to “feel good” about herself again.

It’s easy to fall into bad habits and become complacent, but Briscoe, from the U.K., wanted to start afresh. In May she turned to TikTok (@charlottesworld1) to explain that she wanted to find a new style and needed some advice.

Within weeks, Briscoe was inundated with tips and ideas from social media users, leaving her feeling “overwhelmed by their kindness.”

She said: “I knew my styling was outdated and somewhat frumpy, and I came to the realization that I’m turning 40 this year, so I wanted to start wearing more stylish clothes that suit me. I have been using TikTok for a while, so on a whim, I decided to ask the audience what they thought.

“The advice I received online varied from wearing what I find comfortable, links to other creators, and the names of shops that would help me. Many people listed outfit ideas for me and recommended creating a capsule wardrobe.”

Despite how Briscoe was feeling, a survey has revealed that 55 percent of millennials consider themselves fashionable. According to the figures from YouGov, 20 percent of millennials think they’re very fashionable, whereas 36 percent say they’re not very stylish.

The results also show that older generations are more inclined to feel negatively about their style, as 55 percent of Generation X and 67 percent of Boomers say they’re not fashionable.

The quick response that Briscoe received online allowed her to start making changes almost immediately. Even the slightest changes, such as adding a belt, tucking her T-shirt in, or opting for a different pant style has transformed her look.

She has purchased some new wardrobe staples too, and she was “able to see the benefits” of her new look instantly. She hasn’t had to drastically change her fashion sense, she’s just updated it to make her outfits more considered. Now, Briscoe describes her style as casual, simple, yet easy to wear.

She continued: “It’s amazing how well-fitting clothes which are paired together correctly can make you feel so much better about yourself. This has been a wonderful experience for me, and I encourage others to do the same.

“The best piece of advice I received was to choose things that suit me, rather than what is currently in fashion.”

Briscoe hasn’t just been inundated with fashion tips for herself, but she’s also connected with other women in the same position. She’s more than happy that her TikTok videos can also help them find a way to make their outfits look more put together and suit their body types.

“I will continue to ask for advice and also share tips for others if they are in the same position and don’t know where to begin,” Briscoe told Newsweek.

Since posting her first video asking for fashion tips, she has continued sharing clips of her style evolution and showing off the amazing results. One clip, which showed a “dated and boring outfit” before revealing her elevated new look, went viral with more than 338,700 views and 24,000 likes.

Social media users have been left in awe of her transformation, leading to more than 370 comments on the video in just a matter of days. One TikTok user responded: “It’s actually kind of nuts the difference it makes. You genuinely look SO much younger in the second outfit?!”

Another person wrote: “Honestly you look years younger in the second outfit and so much more confident in yourself! Those trousers are gorgeous!”

While another comment reads: “The confidence in the second outfit is unmatched.”

Do you have a fashion dilemma? Let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.