Fashion and music sometimes go hand in hand because once you start amassing a fan following for yourself, start live shows, or even use social media actively, the first thing you’ll have to develop, as an indie artist is your own fashion style. Something that sets you apart from all the other musicians and something that becomes your signature style.

Hence, it's easy to see how fashion has an impact on music and vice versa. Some of this generation’s greatest fashion inspirations are musicians. It's a typical desire for many independent music fans to jump in on the indie music fashion trends as soon as their favorite band and vocalists take the stage, so not only will you be showcasing your style, but you’ll also be influencing the fashion choices of all the fans who follow you! Talk about responsibility.

If you're looking for some new fashion inspiration (or just want to learn about some amazing indie tips), we’ve compiled a list of tips, tricks and techniques that can help you develop a solid style that you can become known for, so listen up!

1. Style and Fashion are timeless, trends are not.

Fashion is timeless. A fashionable person may or may not follow fashion trends, but they always remain loyal to their personal style. Personal style is more about having a feeling of self than merely following trends, so rather than jumping on the bandwagon of the latest fad, take some time and figure out what you like to wear and what don’t you like.

You’ll feel more confident if your style is genuine, rather than fake, it can either look effortless if done correctly or very uncomfortable and you definitely don’t want to be the latter.

2. Ask yourself these questions

When you start with a blank slate, it's easy to become stuck. Begin by asking yourself a few personal-style questions:

• Do you favor masculine or feminine clothing? Or pieces from both?
• Do you prefer vintage or modern fashion?
• What colors do you prefer to wear?
• Are you a minimalist or do you like to wear prints?
• Should you make your silhouettes fitting or loose? Or do you like a combination of the two?

Your fashion sense as a recording artist can also shape the image of your music to your fans.

3. Put together a mood board

A mood board is an excellent tool for building your unique style. Once you've thought about your likes and dislikes and gone through your current wardrobe, create a mood board with photographs of what you aspire your style to be like. Even if your inspiration is disjointed, you could notice a trend start to emerge.

Maybe you like dresses, or you like a certain pattern, or maybe you like certain color combinations, anything that can narrow down the upcoming shopping trip and keep you focused. Choose two or three photographs that best represent the style of the mood board and save them to your phone so you may refer to them when shopping.

4. Determine Your Style Requirements

As a musician, you're constantly on the road. Your style should express the reality that you live a busy lifestyle. Include apparel in your closet that is comfortable and simple to wear when traveling.

You'll also be performing on a regular basis. You're an entertainer on stage, and your attire should reflect that. The reality is that the instant you take the stage, your audience instinctively decides what your message will be and how they will react to it.

However, as much as your own style expresses your individuality, your tour outfit must still be functional. You should be able to move about freely without having to worry about your garments staying in place. It would be annoying for you and the audience if you repeatedly pulled up your shirt or jeans.

Do you use an instrument on stage? Keep in mind how you must move about the stage to perform at your best—and that the clothes you will be wearing for months must be robust enough to survive repeated performances.

If you plan to be performing or making public appearances it's important to put the time and effort into your fashion style.

5. Select a Signature Item

Perhaps you always wear a strong lip, or bold, expressive jewelry. Your signature piece does not necessarily mean a complete ensemble. It might be your go-to cosmetic look or an accessory.

Adele is well-known for her signature cat eye makeup. Bruno Mars is regularly seen wearing unique button-down shirts with striking designs. Amy Winehouse's style was distinguished by her excessive eyeliner.

The point is that having a go-to accessory, object, or even hairdo may assist you in claiming a surefire style that captures your spirit as an artist. It doesn't have to make a big statement, but it will help you be noticed.

Finding your style and building your brand

With some of these tips, you should be able to come up with a cohesive, new look for yourself or your band, or at least have some starting points to consult together on. If not, there are always stylists that you can consult to help you figure out what you or your band should do to stand apart from everyone else in the indie musician crowd.

Getting a consult or two is not a bad idea, especially in today’s world where fashion is changing rapidly and there’s always something new on the horizon that you might not have heard of.

So, while having the appropriate sound is essential for success, there is another aspect of being a musician to consider, and that’s your style. Your personality and appearance are important components of your brand. They may assist you in selling your songs and generating attention.

Remember, the link between fashion and music is unmistakable. From making political comments with clothing to creating the artist's personality, it's a relationship that has always been a wonderful match and something that every aspiring musician should explore because eventually, it’ll become another marketing tool that you can use to make more money.

This can be done by merch or by partnering with big brand names and getting a fashion line together. So, don’t ignore fashion as an indie musician, it really can matter a lot, in the long run.

Sources: Bustle | Femestella | Music Think Tank | Artist Serve