Defining one’s personal style is typically not a one-word answer. It’s also not easy for most to truly identify what their style is or what they want their style to say about them. It’s almost easier for us to say what we are not, and what doesn’t look good on us. Personal Style can’t be found on Instagram or in magazines, or from a checklist of what you should have from the season’s trends list.
However, to truly explore your style if that is your goal in 2024, then you will need some outside inspiration to help you along in this process. It is a journey to becoming your very best self-inside and out, so don’t rush it, invest the time and effort it takes. When you know what to wear, how to wear it, and feel incredible in it, this is where the magic happens.
To help you identify your style and create it, follow my 5 personal stylist tips for an elevated, but simplistic approach.
1. Gather Your Inspiration
Look for style icons, fashion blogs, magazines, and social media accounts that inspire you. Save images or create mood boards of outfits and looks that catch your eye. Pay attention to the colors, patterns, cuts, and accessories you are drawn to. Also pay close attention to your friends and social groups, there is usually a few standout women that just exude that effortless style.
2. Choose Your Style Words
This is so important. I’ve always said to pick 2-3 style adjectives, but by picking 3 you will break it down even further, gaining much more clarity on your personal style. How do you want to see yourself and be seen by others?
Adjective examples for using the 3 word rule would be; classic, modern, with a twist: feminine, elegant, chic: edgy, casual, fun: sporty, minimalist, casual: artsy, modern, chic. Once you land on your words the process gets easier.
3. Understand Your Body Shape
To shop and curate a wardrobe, it’s important to understand our body shape and what flatters it. Body shape doesn’t preclude you from your individual style but knowing it will enhance your style. There are no hard fast rules to body shape dressing, but when you do the homework, it does make shopping a whole lot easier.
A professional stylist will always push you out of your comfort zone a bit to show you how you can wear almost anything you like with the right tailoring, styling, and accessories, but that takes a lot of work. Keeping it simple with a few “body shape guidelines” I promise will help you in the process to honing your style. You can download my quick guide here or purchase my master class on Body Shape Dressing here!
4. Consider Your Lifestyle
While this doesn’t preclude you from your style, it is critical while doing your closet edit. You must think about where you go and what you do on a regular basis. The biggest challenge in the mornings is what to wear. Take this hassle out of the equation.
If your lifestyle is WFH, or stay at home mom, or both, then your clothes should reflect this. If you work in an office, and maybe travel a lot for work, you need pieces that mix and match and travel well. If your day to night personal style changes then you should have a wardrobe that represents both. Identifying your lifestyle will help narrow down your personal style.
5. What Makes You Happy
Analyze your wardrobe. What do you wear that you love and feel confident in? What do you put on that’s easy for you to style and pair back to create different outfit options? Take note of these pieces, silhouettes, fits, and colors, and discard the pieces that don’t fit your words, your body, or your lifestyle anymore!
It’s a scientific fact that when we wear things that bring us happiness that we feel great in, it sets the tone for the rest of our day. The same way color effects our moods.
Stylist Tip: finding a signature item such as a blazer, or a signature style of shoe or cut of pant can be your anchor to creating your signature style look.
All the above will help you identify your true style, allow you to edit your wardrobe and give you the permission to shop for new pieces with intention. It’s a simple, pragmatic approach that works. In the end you should have a true sense of your personal style, a closet that reflects your style, and a whole lot of happiness. 🙂
Schedule your complimentary call now to start on your personal style journey!
