Learn to be a better clothing consumer and use your resources wisely in making apparel choices. Determine which clothing styles are most appropriate for your age, body type, and lifestyle. What is your personal style and how does that fit with what is trending? How do you select clothing that enhances your body type, skin tone, and personal style? If you only have a limited budget, how could you go about updating your wardrobe?
Show Your Skills
- Display your favorite personal outfit or your dream designer outfit, explaining the principles of design including, but not limited to, color, line, and texture
- Create an inventory of your wardrobe, develop a poster or digital display of how you could mix and match items to create new looks
- Make a stain removal chart and kit
Service and Leadership
- Organize a clothing drive; donate to a shelter
- Organize a neighborhood clothing swap or sale
- Sort donated clothing at resale stores
- Organize a prom dress swap in your school
- Lead a club workshop about style on a budget
- Create a video demonstrating positive body image and dressing for different body types
- Teach others to read clothing care labels and do their own laundry
- Recycle clothing for new purposes, reducing waste sent to landfills
Entrepreneurship
- Create clothing or jewelry that you could sell
- Create a business plan- personal stylist or shopper
- Create your own blog or social media channel on fashion tips or trends
Technology Connection
- Clothing or accessories using wearable LED lights
- Advances in fibers/fabric - color changing/UV reactive, biodegradable, moisture wicking
Connecting with a Mentor
- Local clothing boutique and shop owners
- Local cleaners
- Local seamstress
- Retail clothing buyer from a local store
- Older 4-H members in the project area
Events
- 4-H sewing or related workshops or events
- Exhibit opportunities at your county and state fair
- Participate in your county’s 4-H fashion review
- Upcoming fashion show at a local mall
- Trunk shows or fashion shows hosted by prom or wedding dress stores or community groups
Project Manuals & Exhibit Requirements
- Shopping in Style
Purchase manuals from Nebraska Extension.
View exhibit requirements and scoresheets on the Illinois State Fair page.
Related Projects
“Shopping in Style” Cooperative Extension, University of Nebraska, Institute of Agriculture and Resources, 2013
University of California 4-H project sheet
Katie Duitsman, University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development Specialist
Spark Activity Created by Brittney Muschetto, University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development Intern
4-H Spark Sheets are a collaborative effort of 4-H staff, volunteers, alumni, and teens from across Illinois. A big thanks to the many contributors and reviewers!