When we’re young, it’s easy to follow fashion trends and want to look like everyone else. However, that’s not always the best route to feeling good about yourself.
Some fashion trends simply don’t suit all body shapes, while others are ridiculous. You need to find clothes that make you feel like a rockstar.
Finding your own personal style is a journey, but it can be fun. It can also boost your confidence; help you get that job/girl/guy. In fact, psychologists have found that the right outfit can act as both our protection and inspiration. How cool is that?
First, What Is Style?
Style can apply to many things from an architectural period to a way of dressing. It is all about expression and developing your own style – from the way you wear your hair to your accessories.
Your personal style is a method of expressing yourself that helps define who you are. Why not put the best version of yourself out there?
It’s not about following the latest trend, but in fact, finding what works for you. When you know this, you’ll always be true to your own sense of style.
How Do You Get Your Own Style?
- What’s in your wardrobe? The best place to begin is to see what you have already.
- What are you drawn to?
- Do you prefer functional over form?
- What clothes do you not like?
- What do you wear over and over?
Answering these questions can give you a sense of what your style is. If everything is black, consider adding some color!
Seek Inspiration
If style seems alien to you, it’s okay, there is help at hand! It’s all right there when you type into Google, “style inspiration”.
Who do you think looks cool? Maybe it’s Cara Delevingne or Billie Eilish? Dua Lipa or Rihanna?
Google the people whose style you like and look at the outfits they wear. Themes should begin to emerge.
- Do you prefer a classic silhouette or something more modern?
- Feminine, masculine or androgynous?
- Casual or more formal?
Check out the fabrics and colors, which ones do you think look best? Make a list of what you really love, and you’ll see some things come up repeatedly.
You can also think about friends, family members or people in your community. If there’s someone whose style stands out to you, make a note of it.
Experiment
This may feel daring for some personality types, but if you don’t try, you’ll never know. It’s also part of the fun.
If you have a festival or party coming up, why not try out a new outfit that you like? You can experiment with the clothes you have – layering them a different way or wearing two pieces you like together.
You don’t need to spend a lot, borrow off a good friend or buy from a second-hand clothing app.
How do you feel after experimenting? Did anyone else comment on your new look?
This can help you on the way to discovering what works for you.
What’s Practical?
Most of us live in the real world, so we need to consider what works in everyday life. You might love wearing huge ball gowns, but if you’re an account executive, it may not be feasible.
This doesn’t mean abandoning your style, it just means adapting it for your life. Wear a frilly blouse under your fitted jacket or choose a skirt in a soft material.
- Build your basic collection
- You need some pieces that work with everything. Check your wardrobe for:
- A plain tee
- An LBD – little black dress, can be dressed up or down at a moment’s notice
- Plain jeans – blue, black or navy
- A neutral blazer
- A casual sweater in any color
Keep these if they’re comfy but throw out anything that you haven’t worn in a year. If you’ve got an outfit that you can wear out regularly, keep that, as long as it’s not threadbare!
Now, you’re set up and well on your way to defining your personal style. Keep your eye out for items that suit your aesthetic, wherever you might find them.
