7 ways to improve your style, according to a millennial mom who's known for her Gen Z outfits

"I always say that if you want to be trendy, thrift your trend," Lavrusik said.

Maybe you want to embrace the cherry-red color that's been everywhere this fall and winter, or the ballet flats that celebrities love. You can likely find pieces to achieve those looks secondhand.

Or if you simply want to dress more modern and youthful, thrifting is ideal for that too.

"Everything that Gen Z is wearing came from 20, 30 years ago anyway, and that's what so much of the thrift stores are full of," Lavrusik said. "You don't have to spend so much money to try things out."

You might think that being fashionable requires outfits with bold colors, standout prints, and one-of-a-kind pieces.

But as Lavrusik sees it, style is best achieved when you "start with the basics."

"Strip the patterns," she told BI. "Wear black, white, gray, and throw in some beige."

The simpler colors and styles look more chic and are also easier to style.

Lavrusik cites Pinterest as one of her "absolute favorite" places to find fashion inspiration — especially from young, trendy creators.

Whereas Instagram sees finished looks and styles that have already reached peak coolness, she said, Pinterest is "the creative wheelhouse" where you can see ideas in motion.

The mom of four says she often pins photos of styles she likes while in the beginning stages of planning an outfit.

"Then I'll take the idea and work it with what I have in my closet," she said.

When Lavrusik looks for fashion inspiration, she doesn't just stick to outfits worn by women.

"I look at Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt, and then I also look at Jennifer Anderson, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Princess Diana," she said. "They won't style things exactly the same, but you can find your own style through them."

It's less about what gender a garment is geared toward and more about how it's styled overall, she said.

Millennials, Lavrusik said, often get stuck in the 2010s and continue to wear pieces that were trendy years ago — like chunky ankle boots, patterned kimono-style garments, and skinny jeans.

"I wish I could go into closets around the world and just throw them away for you," she said with a laugh.

But generational fashion isn't all bad. In fact, it can be trendy to look back — so long as you choose the right decade and don't stay there for too long.

Lavrusik, for example, said she loves the fashion of 30 years ago and is in "a big '90s era" of her life — something that's on par with where many Gen Z members are finding their fashion inspo.

The main difference between trendy members of Gen Z and fashion-confused millennials, according to Lavrusik, is how they approach style.

"Gen Z doesn't take things too personally, and I feel like millennials do," she told Insider. "Like the whole side part and skinny jeans things — why don't millennials try changing them and see?"

The same rule applies to anyone in need of a styling boost: try new things.

Take denim, for example.

"If you don't want to go full wide-leg, baggy, or low-rise, there are straight-leg options," Lavrusik said. "There's so much to try."

There are some days when you just don't feel fashionable. When that's the case, Lavrusik suggests sticking with classic pieces to turn your entire look around.

"A plain white T-shirt and jeans can be the base for so many incredible looks," she said. "I can't tell you how obsessed I am with it — especially when I don't know what to wear."

Not only does the combo look great on its own, she said, but it can also be dressed up in various ways.

"Any jacket you own is going to look incredible with it," she said.

But most importantly, don't overthink the outfit.

"It seems too simple for most people," Lavrusik said. "They're like, 'I don't know. I just feel like it's too boring or too basic.' But no, it's not. It's actually perfection."