Style is personal. It is the way that we express ourselves, and it is unique to each and every one of us. Figuring out our personal style can be a daunting task, but it is definitely worth the effort.
And the most important thing to remember is that there are no right or wrong answers – style should always be unique to each individual.
In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss how to find your personal style and create outfits that reflect who you are, and begin expressing yourself in unique and creative ways.
Defining Your Personal Style – What To Start With
Style is not just about picking clothes that match. It allows you to create a look that makes you feel confident and comfortable in your own skin. There are many details to consider, from what your interests are to which shapes, colors, and textured work best for you.
For many, it can be challenging to determine our personal style, but the key is to stay true to yourself. However, figuring out your personal style can be a really exciting, creative journey.
A comprehensive approach will help to determine what suits you best: delicate peach dresses or free-spirited grunge. It involves understanding the basics of fashion, experimenting with outfits, and discussing your likes and dislikes.
Start by looking at style trends and see which ones you are most drawn to, but remember that style is an expression of individuality, so resist the urge to blindly copy others and find something that feels right.
Look at what fashionistas have put together for inspiration, but keep in mind that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to style. It means finding the right balance between experimenting with trends and creating something that reflects your personality.
The climate you live in can also greatly impact what type of clothing you need. If you live in a warm climate, you’ll want to have a wardrobe filled with lightweight materials and breathable fabrics. If you live in a colder climate, you’ll want to have heavier clothing such as coats, jackets, and warm sweaters.
Once you’ve experimented with different styles and put together an outfit or look that truly expresses who you are and feels comfortably true to your self-image, you can begin to build your own style that will help you stand out.
It might take some trial-and-error but it will be worth it!
Consider Your Lifestyle When Building Your Wardrobe
When building your wardrobe, it pays to think about your lifestyle. Whether you’re a globetrotting business professional or an urbanite looking for something stylish but comfortable, fashion can be adapted to suit almost any situation.
Adventure Seeking
If you’re someone who loves to explore the great outdoors, your wardrobe should reflect that. Start with sturdy items like cargo pants and rugged jeans that are designed to stand up to harsh conditions while still looking fashionable. You can also invest in items made of durable fabrics such as canvas or heavy-duty cotton blends. Don’t forget practical pieces like:
- A lightweight but warm jacket to layer up when the weather takes a turn
- Waterproof boots or shoes for wet conditions
- A hat and sunglasses to protect you from the sun and wind
- A travel bag that’s spacious enough to fit all your essentials
Urban Living
When it comes to city life, you’ll want to tailor your wardrobe to the trends of the city. Think modern and stylish statement pieces like slim-fit trousers, tapered jeans, cool trainers or loafers, and a range of t-shirts that can be dressed up with blazers for smarter occasions. Urban style isn’t just about looking good; it’s also about filling your wardrobe with versatile items that can be worn in many different ways. Essential urban items include:
- High-quality leather jackets
- A selection of durable shoes
- Trendy sunglasses
- Designer bags
- Smart casual shirts and tops
- Statement jewelry
Active Lifestyle
For the active lifestyle, investing in running shoes and performance shirts are great choices to help maximize your fun. Athletic shorts and sports bras will also come in handy when taking part in physical activities like basketball, tennis, and other outdoor activities. To carry all of your gear, a stylish gym bag is a must-have. Make sure you own:
- Cross-training shoes
- Performance shirts
- Athletic shorts and leggings
- Sports bras
- Sweat-wicking caps
- Stylish gym bags
Casual Hangouts
For casual hangouts with friends or family, the right wardrobe items will make you look fashionable and effortlessly cool. Classic denim jeans paired with white sneakers is one way to show off your style in a relaxed way. Here are some other wardrobe items that will help you create a fashionable yet effortless look:
- A cool t-shirt
- Classic denim jeans
- Sneakers or loafers
- Simple accessories like hats and sunglasses
- A stylish watch
- A casual jacket or blazer
Formal Attire
In case you work in a formal office setting, you’ll need business attire such as suits, dress shirts, and dress shoes. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if your office is considered more casual then think tailored trousers or khakis paired with a polo or collared shirt rather than a suit – plus sneakers are often acceptable. So don’t forget to include these pieces:
- A tailored suit
- Dress shirts and dress pants
- Classic leather shoes for men and heels for women
- Accessories such as pocket squares and lapel pins
- A timeless blazer or cardigan
With just the right mix of casual and formal wear, you can go from day to night, dress up or down and always look amazing. Plus it’ll make getting dressed for every event much more enjoyable knowing you have options available no matter where life takes you!
Find a fashion icon whose style you admire and use them as inspiration
Looking up to a fashion icon may be a great way to find new style ideas and get inspired. All it takes is finding someone whose style you admire and whose fashion choices are compatible with your lifestyle.
There are plenty of style icons out there, from style bloggers to famous celebrities and each of them can offer something unique. So why not take a style cue from your favorite fashion icon and make it your own?
There are a few categories of style for which you can draw inspiration:
Modern Style
Look for bloggers or celebrities who capture your aesthetic and pay attention to what they wear on the red carpet, out in the streets, and on their social media feeds.
Whether you take style tips from influential celebrities like Kim Kardashian or Gwen Stefani, or iconic style bloggers like Chiara Ferragni or Jessica Walsh, the choice is yours!
Try mixing high and low-end pieces, investing in items that will last, and adding a personal touch to make look one’s own.
Vintage Style
If vintage style is your thing, there’s no one better than style icons like Coco Chanel, Grace Kelly, or Audrey Hepburn to take style cues from!
They were known for her timeless and elegant style, characterized by simple lines, minimal accessories, and classic clothing items like the little black dress and ballet flats.
Their style has a wearable vintage flair with a modern touch and everything looks so effortless and put together.
Classic Style
You can go for a more classic style, like the style of Princess Diana or Jackie Kennedy.
These style icons were known for their tailored, timeless style that can easily be replicated today.
By looking at the style of some of these style icons, you can create a look that is classic and timeless.
Avant Garde Style
If you’re feeling adventurous, consider the style of style icon avant garde style.
This style often pushes boundaries and is known for its unique and innovative style.
Think Lady Gaga or Rihanna for inspiration.
Edgy Style
If you’re looking for something edgy, there’s no shortage of style icons to inspire you.
Think style icons like Kate Moss, Zoë Kravitz or Billie Eilish for an edgy style that is sure to turn heads!
To add a bit of edgy style to your look, consider pairing leather with bold colors and textures.
Once you’ve found a fashion icon that resonates with you, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to turn their style into something uniquely yours. But if something doesn’t feel quite right, be sure to tweak it until it does—there are no rules in fashion.
As long as you stay true to yourself, you can’t go wrong!
Take inventory of your current wardrobe
Taking a personal inventory of your current wardrobe can be a great way to gain perspective about the style you prefer and the fashion that reflects your individuality.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in trends and fast fashion, so taking stock of what you currently have should empower you to make wiser choices going forward.
Start by grouping all of your clothes into categories – such as tops, pants, dresses, skirts, etc. Once you have everything sorted and grouped together you’ll be surprised what style combinations you come up with!
Not only does this make it easier for you to keep track of what clothes you have so you’re not constantly re-buying items, but it might just help awaken your fashion sense too!
Ask yourself which items you reach for again and again that you know look good on you and make you feel confident. Then assess the clothing pieces in your closet that are rarely worn—are they outdated or just not quite your style?
Asking yourself these questions can help you start focusing on pieces that suit your style while sticking to a budget when updating clothes.
Take the time now to move older pieces out, so that you can make more room for items that best reflect who you are. Donating or selling your old clothes is a great way to update your style while helping out others at the same time.
You’ll feel better while allowing yourself the space to focus on really embracing the pieces that make your style unique, chic, and extraordinary.
Shop for key pieces that will help build the foundation of your personal style
When it comes to fashion, having the right foundation pieces can really take your wardrobe to the next level.
Reinvigorate your wardrobe with pieces that you’ll be able to wear over and over again, saving money while still staying fashionable.
Focus on key style pieces that will form the basis of your signature style. This can include a few timeless staples like a classic T-shirt or blouse, neutral trousers and skirts, pieces in your favorite color, and quality denim.
They will provide a tailored and polished style no matter the occasion.
An instant style win-win is a great pair of black pants, a white button-down shirt, or a camel blazer which are all timeless staples that can be worn and re-worn with various items throughout your closet.
These pieces are timeless staples that can be combined with various other items in your closet for fresh new looks.
Don’t forget the all important accessories; jewelry and bags can be the icing on the cake of any truly chic style. From statement-making fashion items to timeless basics, adding accessories will make any ensemble memorable with little effort involved!
Whether you prefer to dress casually or chicly, make sure these key pieces are always part of your style and will be the building blocks for all of your fashion choices going forward.
Shopping for key style pieces isn’t just about having the latest looks, it’s also about having timeless looks that can blend seamlessly into your ever-growing wardrobe.
Embracing change – keep your personal style fresh and exciting over time
Keeping your style fresh and exciting over time doesn’t have to be difficult or require a lot of effort. It all boils down to embracing change and experimenting with new styles.
Keep an eye on the latest fashion trends, read fashion blogs and magazines, and follow fashion influencers on social media to get inspiration for new ideas and ways to refresh your personal style.
Making small adjustments, like updating the color of your wardrobe or trying out a style you never thought you’d pull off, can inject some much-needed energy into your style.
Try incorporating new elements into your wardrobe, such as new prints, or textures. This can help you add a fresh twist to your look.
If you don’t feel like stepping too far outside of your comfort zone, accessorizing is a simple and effective way to change up your look and add some excitement to your style.
Also, try accessorizing differently or discover what a different hairstyle can do for you!
Your style doesn’t have to be the same all the time though; it can be constantly changing and evolving as we discover new things about ourselves.
Experimentation is key to creating a look that is both timeless and reflective of you – so go ahead and embrace change for some style inspiration!
