The Ultimate Guide to Discovering Your Personal Style
Your personal style is more than just the clothes you wear - it's an extension of your personality, a reflection of your values, and a powerful tool for self-expression. When you discover your personal style, you unlock a world of possibilities for how you present yourself to the world, and you gain the confidence and self-assurance to truly be yourself.
But discovering your personal style can be a challenging and overwhelming process. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start, and many of us struggle to find a style that truly feels authentic and unique to us. That's why it's so important to take the time to explore your personal style, to experiment with different colors, patterns, and styles, and to find the clothing that truly makes you feel like the best version of yourself.
In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at how to discover your personal style, including practical tips and strategies for finding the clothing that truly speaks to you. We'll also explore some of the benefits of having a personal style, from increased confidence and self-assurance to a more sustainable and ethical approach to fashion. So whether you're just starting your style journey or looking to refresh your wardrobe, read on to discover the power of personal style.
Unleash Your Style Potential by Analyzing Your Lifestyle
Analyzing your lifestyle is the first step you should take when it comes to developing your personal style or even shopping for a new wardrobe. This step should not be overlooked and in most cases it is. Which is why most women struggle with finding something to wear on a daily basis. Essentially your closet should be full of clothing items that are functional for your daily life.
Here are some steps you can take to assess your lifestyle:
Consider your daily routine
Think about what you do on a daily basis, whether it’s going to work, running errands, working out, or socializing with friends. This can help you determine what types of clothes you need for each activity.
Identify your social events
Consider the social events you attend frequently or occasionally, such as weddings, parties, dinners, meetings, etc. These events may require different types of clothing, and you want to make sure you have outfits that make you feel comfortable and confident.
Determine your personal preferences
Think about what types of fabrics, colors, and patterns you prefer, as well as what types of clothes make you feel the most confident and comfortable.
Consider your environment
Think about the climate where you live, as well as any specific environmental factors that may impact your wardrobe choices. For example, if you live in a rainy climate, you may need a raincoat or waterproof boots.
Determine your budget
Consider how much you're willing to spend on clothes and accessories, as this can impact the types of items you purchase and the brands you choose.
The Benefits of Assessing Your Wardrobe for Personal Style
After you analyze your lifestyle, you want to take a closer look at your existing wardrobe.As you are looking at your clothes you want to think about if each item reflects your lifestyle. What clothes do you currently wear most often, and what pieces do you feel most comfortable and confident in? This will give you a starting point for identifying the styles and colors that naturally suit you.
Here are some steps you can take to assess your wardrobe:
Take everything out of your closet
The first step is to take everything out of your closet, so you can see exactly what you have. This can be a daunting task, but it's important to start with a clean slate.
Sort through your clothes
Once you have everything out of your closet, start sorting through your clothes. Divide them into categories such as tops, bottoms, dresses, and outerwear. Then, go through each category and sort your clothes into piles based on what you wear often, what you don't wear often, and what you don't wear at all.
Consider your favorite items
Take a closer look at the clothes you wear often and consider what you like about them. Do you like the fit, the color, and the style? This can give you insight into what styles and colors suit you best.
Consider your least favorite items
Take a look at the clothes you don't wear often or at all and consider why you don't wear them. Do they not fit well? Are they uncomfortable? Do you not like the color or style? This can help you identify what to avoid when choosing new clothes.
Determine what's missing
After assessing your current wardrobe, you may notice that there are gaps or areas where you're lacking clothes. For example, you may realize that you need more casual clothes for weekends or more professional clothes for work. Make a list of the types of clothes you need to fill these gaps.
Consider donating or selling unwanted items
Once you've sorted through your clothes, consider donating or selling the items you don't wear. This can help you make space for new clothes that reflect your personal style.
By assessing your wardrobe, you can get a better understanding of what styles and colors suit you best, and what types of clothes you need to build a wardrobe that reflects your unique identity and values.
How Documenting Your Style Can Unlock Your True Style
Documenting your current style can be a helpful way to assess your wardrobe and identify your desired style. Here are some ways to document your current style:
Take photos of your outfits
Take photos of your daily outfits for a week or two. This will give you a sense of what you wear most often and how you style different pieces.
Make notes on what you like and don't like
As you take photos, make notes on what you like and don't like about each outfit. This can help you identify patterns in your style and what you want to change.
Create a mood board
Use a site like Pinterest to create a mood board of outfits and styles that you like. Pin photos of clothing, accessories, and outfits that inspire you and that you could see yourself wearing
Identify key pieces
Look through your wardrobe and identify the pieces that you wear most often and that you feel the most confident in. These can be a good starting point for building your desired style.
Get feedback
Ask a trusted friend or family member for feedback on your style. They may be able to identify patterns or give you insights into your style that you haven't considered.
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Find Your Style Muse
Start by taking a closer look at the people and influencers whose style you admire. There are countless sources of fashion inspiration available online and offline, from fashion magazines and blogs to Instagram and Pinterest.
Search for images of their outfits and take note of the common themes and elements that make you feel drawn to their style. Pay attention to colors, patterns, fabrics, and silhouettes. When searching for style inspiration take it a step further and look for inspiration that aligns with your lifestyle to better help you put outfits together.
Not everyone has a style muse, however finding one is a great starting point. Why? Because if you are not sure how to style outfits, or how to put colors and patterns together then a style muse is going to be your guide. When finding your style muse, pay attention to the small details.
Such as:
Is she always wearing a jacket?
Does she wear her shirt tucked in?
Your style muse will give you little clues on how you can possibly elevate your personal style.
Find Your Style Archetype
As your style grows you will soon realize that your style may be a combination of things. But for now, try to figure out which style archetype yours matches the most. Knowing what your style is will give you a bit of an idea of what you should be looking for in terms of colors, patterns, prints, etc. Typing your style isn’t necessary, in fact, you may find that none of these styles represents yours at all. Which is good!
That means you have a small idea of what your style is you just need help with defining it. When searching for different styles that may reflect yours, you can simply log on to Pinterest and type in “ preppy style” or Boho fashion style. Here is the tricky part, I’ve noticed that when some of my clients save items to their Pinterest board, they are saving things that they admire but would never wear. So I recommend creating a separate board and titling it “things I would wear” When saving things to your Pinterest board, it’s important to pay attention to detail. This is why most lack the eye for detail. My goal is to always help my clients train their eye for detail so they can be able to determine if something is really for them or not.
Once you are finished selecting your style type, find inspiration that fits your style closely. Fill out the Style Likes & Dislikes worksheet, in the Personal Styled Workbook. The Style Likes & Dislikes worksheet covers everything from the type of styles you like. Fabrics you like etc.
Here are some of the most common style archetypes that yours may fall in:
Minimalist
style is more simple and more streamlined. Most minimalist wardrobes consist of little to no color at all. Basic pieces that are interchangeable.
Casual Style
Is just that casual. If your wardrobe falls in line with a more casual look. It means that you may have more t-shirts, jeans, leggings, and cardigans. Casual style is different from a minimalist style wardrobe because most casual wardrobes consist of more color.
If your wardrobe falls in line with the classical style. Then your wardrobe would consist of button-ups, blouses, blazers, and trousers. Denim jackets and a classic basic t-shirt.
Edgy Style
When I think of edgy style I think of things that are not of the norm. Such as dark lipstick, fun and vibrant hair colors, playful and funky colors, and silhouettes in your wardrobe.
Romantic style is all about flirty and feminine pieces. Think ruffle blouses, soft pink, and lace dresses. Soft silhouettes and pastel colors.
Preppy Style
Think Gossip Girl Blair! The preppy style is inspired by the East Coast collegiate style. This may be your style if you’re into classic style button-ups, pops of color, and nautical-themed style tops.
Boho Style
Boho style is my absolute favorite style. Now there are levels to achieving the boho style. When I think of boho I instantly think of Erykah Badu or 90s Lisa Bonet in the 90s. Boho is almost hippie style, but a bit more polished, think loose clothing, lots of floral, stacked bangles, etc.
Sparkly, glittery new Year's eve style but on a daily basis. The glam girl is always down to dress up. If this is your style then your wardrobe may consist of tons of statement pieces, faux fur coats, and bright vibrant lipstick.
Sporty style has been trending recently. Joggers mixed with crop tops, sneakers mixed with dresses. If this is your style you love to mix your glam pieces with your more sporty items.
Consider Your Body Shape
Your body shape plays a crucial role in finding your personal style, as different styles of clothing flatter different body types. Understanding your body shape can help you choose clothes that fit well, flatter your figure, and make you feel confident and comfortable.
Here are some tips for finding your personal style based on your body shape:
Determine your body shape
There are several common body shapes, including apple, pear, hourglass, and rectangle. You can determine your body shape by measuring your bust, waist, and hips, and comparing the measurements to each other.
Identify your best features
Think about the parts of your body that you love the most and want to highlight. For example, if you have long legs, you may want to wear skirts or pants to show them off.
Consider Your Problem Areas
Think about the parts of your body that you want to downplay or camouflage. For example, if you have a larger midsection, you may want to choose tops that skim over your belly and don’t cling to your body.
>>> Suggested Reading: What to Wear (and Not Wear!) to Make Big Arms Look Slimmer<<<
Choose clothing that flatters your body shape
Once you know your body shape and your best problem areas, you can choose clothing that flatters your figure. For example, if you have an hourglass figure, you may want to choose dresses and tops that cinch at the waist and show off your curves.
Experiment with different style
Don’t be afraid to try new styles and trends, but make sure they work well with your body shape. You may discover that certain styles work better for you than others.
Discover Your Personal Color Palette
Knowing your personal color palette is crucial for building a cohesive, stylish wardrobe. Your skin tone, hair color, and eyes all play a part in determining which colors suit you best. Take cues from celebrities or influencers who share the same or similar characteristics to make it easier for you. Embracing your personal color palette will instantly add a touch of sophistication and polish to your outfits.
:>>>Suggessted Reading How To Create A Color Palette For Your Wardrobe <<<
Now that you have a clearer vision of your desired style, personal color palette, and body shape, it's time to start building your signature look. Begin by investing in wardrobe essentials such as a great pair of jeans, a tailored blazer, or a classic white blouse. These basic pieces serve as the foundation for a multitude of stylish outfits.
Once you've nailed down your essentials, start adding specialty pieces that will truly bring your unique style to life. This can include statement accessories, eye-catching prints, or even a bold lip color that makes you feel unstoppable. Remember, it's all about staying true to yourself and embracing the elements that make you feel confident and beautiful. When searching for your signature pieces that are going to be tailored to your specific lifestyle, likes, and dislikes.
Shop With Intention
Now that you have a better understanding of your personal style, you can approach shopping with a more focused and purposeful mindset. Instead of impulse buying or getting swept away by trends, create a shopping list that outlines items you believe will complement your wardrobe and solidify your style. While it's okay to be inspired by trends or new pieces that catch your eye, always remember to ask yourself if it fits within your personal aesthetic before making a purchase.
Finding your personal style is an ongoing journey of self-discovery and growth, as it will undoubtedly evolve alongside you. Embrace the process, and remember that it's all about feeling confident and beautiful in your own skin. Use this guide to streamline your wardrobe, find inspiration, understand your body shape, define your unique aesthetic, and become a more intentional shopper. By doing so, you'll develop a style that is not only beautiful but also uniquely and authentically you.
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Other post to read that will help you find your style
You can check out the series of blog post here:
Land Your Dream Client Using Your Personal Style
How To Shop For Your Wardrobe Basics ( determine what to buy)
This blogpost was originally published August 25, 2020 and was updated March 21, 2023
