Novelty is the beating heart of fashion. From the media’s rapid turnover of microtrends to the personal dopamine hit that comes with finding a new garment for your collection, we’re all accustomed – or, perhaps, desensitised – to the looming social expectation of aesthetic innovation. But does variety really have to come in the form of new clothes? Does it even require any spending at all?

As a lover of both alternative music and fashion, the subculture has provided me with a unique gateway for experimenting with styling. After all, if a community can be renowned for its often all-black wardrobes and still pull off strikingly unique outfits, then the rest of the fashion industry has no excuse. Of course, I’m not suggesting that everyone should regularly don vibrant eyeshadow or break out their sewing kits for some punk-style DIY, but maybe we could all learn something about sustainable styling from the alternative world.

“How many of us are truly accessorising to our full potential?”

Accessorising plays an essential role in many of our styles, but how many of us are truly accessorising to our full potential? Punks are the experts on accessory maximalism: from chains on belts to badges and patches on bags and jackets, these additions add texture and variety while remaining low-commitment and easy to switch out from day-to-day. Especially for those with a subtler dress sense, a bag can be the perfect canvas for a rotated badge collection. Even something as simple as jewellery stacking can quickly transform your outfits; alternating between different types and numbers of rings or varying the lengths of your necklaces and chains will draw the eye somewhere different every time.

Playing with hairstyles is another classic way to mitigate the outfit repeater accusations. If you’re willing to be bold, hair-dye can be a great way to keep your aesthetic fresh and exciting. Semi-permanent dye is the optimum choice for those seeking novelty – not only does it fade out, allowing you to try something new in just a few months’ time, but the fading process itself also lets you experience, and play with, a full spectrum of colour, from bright to pastel. As for shaping, a layered haircut with a central parting allows for a lot of flexibility, regardless of its length. Now sporting a fluffy, mullet-esque cut, I’m able to experiment with different levels of volume and weight in my hair, and I’ve even got an optional fringe. For those with longer hair, the possibilities are even more endless: braids or bunches, one or two, half-up or all tied back, the list goes on.

“Perhaps a lot can be said not just for what we wear but for how we wear it”

When I first started exploring alternative fashion, I was fearless with a pair of fabric scissors and a sewing needle. Unless you’re a textiles whizz, don’t try this at home – I lost all too many a t-shirt to irreparably wonky cuts and clumsily destroyed seams. Nonetheless, my reckless tailoring taught me a lot about the power of shape. You can easily play around with length, bagginess or fittedness (without permanent damage) by simply tucking shirts in or out, and wearing trousers higher or lower on your waist. Layering is another great way to increase variety in your outfits; the repeat rotation of t-shirts can grow old quickly, but add a few options of jackets, thermal long-sleeves or even collars and the possible combinations will start to add up rapidly.

That being said, even with all of this choice at my disposal, I must confess that I often make relatively low effort with my day-to-day outfits: once the stresses of term hit, I tend to default to the same old uniform of striped sleeves, baggy band tees, black jeans and some casual eyeliner and rings. Yet, even on my laziest days, I still receive outfit compliments. When we’re feeling insecure in our aesthetic, it’s easy to rely on novel purchases for a quick fix of dopamine, but the material items in our wardrobes can only get us so far. Perhaps a lot can be said not just for what we wear but for how we wear it.

When I receive praise for my style, it happens when I’m able to carry myself through the world most authentically. Some days this will look like an authoritative, self-affirmed gait, and a sense of certainty ringing loud and clear in my voice; other days, I’m complimented when I approach the world in a much softer way, perhaps when caring for my friends or taking in nature. A well-curated punk outfit on its own looks nice, but the look is elevated greatly when paired with confidence, both within and beyond your aesthetic. Whether your chic style makes you walk like a boss or your baggy bohemian fashion is coupled with an air of personal tranquillity, outfit repetition is hardly noticeable when you let your authentic, ever-evolving self shine through your clothes.