How To Create A Fashion Mood Board Worthy Of A Vogue Cover

Manifesting is fun (and works, BTW), and self-care is vital, but there’s one move you might be missing for leveling up in life creating a fashion mood board! Fashion is one of the easiest ways to showcase our personality and creativity; it’s like a little identity statement! 

But, with so many aesthetics and trends out there (clean girl, Y2K revival, strawberry girl summer, oh my!) It can feel like your style is just hanging in the balance, waiting around for the micro-trend to take the world by storm this episode of Girls Gotta Eat talks more about this exact topic. BUT, if you didn’t already know, creating a mood board is here to save the day.

Whether your camera roll is full of outfit inspo screenshots or you’re totally starting from scratch, it’s time to get real about what we wear. This guide is here to break down how to make a fashion mood board that feels true to you. Let’s begin, shall we?

How To Create A Fashion Mood Board Worthy Of A Vogue Cover

Knowing what a mood board is (and isn’t) makes all the difference in how you approach it. We’re not just throwing aesthetically pleasing pictures together and hoping for the best it’s all about function and practicality. Speaking of blending fashion and function, this episode of Let’s Get Dressed discusses more about the anatomy of a good outfit check it out!

Think of a fashion mood board like a vision board, but instead of focusing on interior design or future life goals (which we love, too!), we’re focusing on fashion. Let’s ditch the mid-getting-ready “I have nothing to wear” meltdowns it’s time to go back to enjoying putting looks together. 

What Is A Mood Board In Fashion?

What is a fashion mood board, exactly? Consider it a physical or digital diary for your style. It’s where outfit ideas and favorite aesthetics come together in one place. 

The goal is to curate color schemes, gather images, and compile inspo that reflects the vibe you’re aiming for with your wardrobe. You’re not just finding pretty pictures and adding them to a collection; your inspiration board should highlight which styles you’re into and how pieces can work together. Whether you’re looking to follow the trends or simply just create a timeless wardrobe, there’s nothing a fashion mood board can’t handle.

Before you know it, you’ll spot patterns that will have you saying, “Oh wow, maybe I am a neutral girl!” or “Wow, I can’t believe I thought these cargos would go with this top.” Part creative outlet, part clarity tool, 100% perfect for a no-BS guide for style and creativity. Now, let’s look at a few examples of what mood boards are used for in fashion! 

What Is A Mood Board Used For In Fashion?

• Defining your style: What is your personal style like? Forget “what’s hot” and “what’s not”; what do you love the look of when you wear it? This episode of With Whit is a super inspiring reminder to wear whatever the hell you want. 
• Finding your true aesthetic: You may love a top in plaid, but what if you absolutely rocked it in polka dots? Planning looks with a mood board helps you find styles you wouldn’t typically wear!
• Visualizing before you buy: Look, we love impulse buying as much as the next person. But we’re in our “money moves” mindset this year, so we’re done buying random clothes and sticking solely to styles that truly fit our vibe.
• Planning a refresh or capsule wardrobe: A mood board is a dream for building a cohesive closet. Listen to this episode of The Dream Bigger Podcast to hear more about how this tip will save you time, money, and stress. 
• Creating content for styling: Any inspiring fashion influencers here with us?!? Whether you’re creating looks or documenting your “OOTDs,” a mood board streamlines this whoooole process. Check out some of these fashion and beauty podcasts for more on upping your game!
• Narrowing down what works for you: Grabbing inspo from people online is beneficial, and this episode of Let’s Get Dressed talks all about it! But remember that so many factors play into how a style looks on someone. Don’t forget to remind yourself that envisioning the look on yourself, not your fave influencers, is crucial. 
• Mood setting for an occasion: Whether it’s a business trip, tropical vacay, or casual lunch with friends, a mood board is fantastic for getting that “final product” satisfaction no matter where you’re going. 
• Just having fun: Honestly, you don’t need a reason to create a fashion mood board it’s just fun! Sometimes, the good vibes and excitement are reason enough, right?

How To Create A Mood Board For Fashion: Channel Your Inner It-Girl

Step 1: Gather inspo. 

Before you define your vibe, you have to see the inspo. Start by diving into the black hole of fashion it’s a tedious first step, but trust us, it’s gonna pay off. Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, movie characters whose style you secretly adore you need to document it all. 

We’re not just looking at “these shorts pair perfectly with this top.” We’re looking at the color palette, accessories, textures, poses, shoes everything and anything. If you see something that makes you stop your scrolling, save it. Don’t forget to snap pictures of some of your most-worn pieces, too! Taking inspo from your own closet is super helpful in the long run. 

Alsoooo, might we add that there’s no better time to organize your closet??? If you need help with that, this episode of Let’s Get Dressed has you covered.

Step 2: Spot the vibe.

Once you have a good collection of images (… like, 30-50+), let’s look at the big picture and evaluate the vibe. Are there a bunch of earthy tones? Bright pops of color? Maybe your collection is full of flowy dresses and classic jewelry. Basically, this is when patterns will start to pop out. 

Whether your vibe is giving “downtown cool girl” or “easy breezy boho babe,” you should start to find your personal style. Don’t stress if it feels like your style is all over the place, either. There’s always room to blend styles that’s half the fun!

Step 3: Curate and refine.

Now that you’ve figured out your vibe, this is where the magic happens. Go through your collection and start taking out the things that don’t really make sense. Maybe you saved a bunch of things that you liked the idea of but you can’t see yourself truly wearing. 

You want to create a board that feels consistent, cohesive, and true to you. If you don’t see yourself wearing some of your outfit inspo in real life, DELETE. Ask yourself:

• Would I actually wear this, or do I just love how it looks in the pictures?
• Does this style fit my day-to-day aesthetic?
• Even though I created a specific look, could I also mix and match these pieces?

Listen to this episode of Let’s Get Dressed for more need-to-know styling hacks.

Step 4: Choose the format.

This step, arguably, is the best part of creating a fashion mood board all of your hard work comes to life. Maybe you prefer a digital mood board, in which case, get your Pinterest board prepped, your Canva account ready, or open up a folder on Insta. Digital versions are also super easy to share on social media!

Or, if you’re more of a “I have to physically have it in front of me” type of person, pull out those magazine clippings, fabric swatches, color swatches, and Polaroids and get to gluing! We’re channeling full scrapbook energy here. Decide on which format you want to use for creating your visual layout and start designing! 

Step 5: Define style keywords.

Now that your board is taking shape, it’s time to define your vibe. Style keywords make your aesthetic feel real! Also, once you start to define your style, it makes it sooo much easier to shop, plan outfits, and just describe your overall aesthetic. And, having that defined aesthetic can reignite your passion for fashion, so to speak. Check out this episode of Ready, Set Spill for more on finding your passion and ways to pursue it.

Look at your board and think of 3 adjectives that really sum up the mood. They don’t have to be elaborate or fancy they just have to make sense to you! Here are a few examples: 

• Minimalist, tailored, refined
• Bold, editorial, vintage-inspired
• Earthy, muted neutrals, soft layers

Step 6: Use it as a tool.

A mood board isn’t just something you make to forget about right after it’s basically your style GPS! Use it for inspiration when you feel lost in your closet or are tempted to buy something that might feel off-brand for you. 

Another reason why fashion mood boards are such fantastic tools is because they’re versatile and ever-changing. You can switch up design elements whenever your style shifts, or you can switch styles out based on the season. Overall, a fashion mood board is designed to make fashion choices feel personal, intentional, and refined. Remember, YOU are the main character dress like it!

Get ready to elevate your style through a curated fashion board!

It’s so easy to walk into a clothing store and start picking up styles you like. But, is there anything worse than getting home to try these pieces together just to realize that nothing matches??? Creating a fashion mood board helps you identify styles that don’t work, won’t work, and aren’t realistic. Make your life easier and start defining your style in the right way! 

Check out the Dear Media blog for advice on anything from health and wellness to relationships. And, don’t forget to check out the DM shop for tons of must-have products! We could honestly recommend any of the products for your new, stylish, “it-girl” era, but this “At Least I’m Cute” cap just fits the vibes the best.