Finding your personal style is more than just following trends—it’s about uncovering what truly reflects who you are, what makes you feel confident, and what suits your lifestyle. This journey can be exciting and empowering, allowing you to express your individuality and feel great in what you wear. Here are expert tips to help you discover your unique style and fully embrace it.
1. Get Inspiration from Everywhere
Start by collecting inspiration from a variety of sources. Fashion magazines, Instagram accounts, Pinterest boards, and even street style can give you insight into what resonates with you. Create a visual collection—whether it’s a digital board or a physical collage—of outfits, patterns, colors, and textures you’re drawn to. Over time, you’ll notice recurring themes that can help you build the foundation of your personal style. It’s less about copying trends and more about understanding what speaks to you.
2. Find Your Style Icons
Who inspires you in the world of fashion? Identify the people whose style you admire, whether it’s a celebrity, influencer, or someone in your own circle. Break down what it is about their look that you love—perhaps it’s their attention to detail, their choice of fabrics, or how they mix casual with formal. Your style icons don’t have to dress exactly how you would, but they can serve as a guide for finding elements you want to incorporate into your wardrobe.
3. Consider What You Actually Need
A huge part of personal style is practicality. Your wardrobe should be functional and cater to your daily life. If you spend most of your time in a professional setting, you’ll need pieces that are polished yet comfortable for long days. Alternatively, if you have an active or more laid-back lifestyle, you might prioritize casual or athleisure-inspired clothing. It’s essential to strike a balance between what you love aesthetically and what works for your everyday routine.
4. Start with Wardrobe Basics
Building your wardrobe with essential, timeless pieces is crucial. Invest in quality basics like a tailored blazer, versatile jeans, a classic white shirt, and neutral shoes. These are the foundations that you can mix and match with trendier or statement pieces. Think of them as the blank canvas on which you can layer your personality. Once your basics are solid, it becomes easier to experiment with bolder pieces without feeling overwhelmed.
5. Ignore Fashion “Rules”
Personal style isn’t about following every fashion rule or trend—it’s about what feels right for you. Love clashing patterns? Go for it. Feel confident in all black? Make it your signature. Traditional rules like “no white after Labor Day” or “don’t mix gold and silver” are outdated. The key is to wear what makes you feel your best, regardless of the so-called rules. Confidence in your choices will always trump conformity.
6. Experiment with Different Looks
Part of discovering your style is experimenting with different aesthetics. Try out a variety of styles, even those outside your comfort zone, whether that’s boho, minimalist, preppy, or edgy. You might find that you enjoy mixing elements from different genres or that a particular look you never considered before resonates with you. The important thing is not to limit yourself—fashion should be a fun exploration, and there’s no harm in trial and error.
7. Tailor Your Clothes for the Perfect Fit
Well-fitting clothes can make all the difference in how you feel and look. Even if you buy off-the-rack items, getting them tailored to suit your body shape can elevate your wardrobe to the next level. A simple alteration, like hemming pants or taking in a dress, can transform an outfit from average to stunning. Well-fitted clothes will enhance your confidence, making you feel put together, even in casual wear.
8. Declutter Your Closet
If you want to define your personal style, it helps to have a clear view of your wardrobe. Decluttering your closet by removing clothes that no longer fit or that you haven’t worn in years creates space for pieces that better represent your current self. It’s also a way to let go of trends that didn’t work for you and focus on items that you genuinely love. With a more curated wardrobe, getting dressed will become a quicker, more enjoyable process.
9. Notice What You Wear the Most
The pieces you gravitate towards regularly hold clues to your personal style. Whether it’s a go-to pair of jeans, a favorite cozy sweater, or your trusty sneakers, these items are often ones that make you feel most comfortable and confident. Pay attention to what you wear most frequently, and think about why you love those items. Use this knowledge to invest in similar styles or variations that align with your preferences.
10. Use Accessories to Elevate Your Style
Accessories are the finishing touches that can transform any outfit from ordinary to exceptional. Whether it’s a bold necklace, a chic handbag, or a stylish hat, accessories add personal flair and help define your style. They’re also a great way to experiment without fully committing to a trend. Swap out accessories to see how different pieces can change the mood of an outfit, making even your basics feel fresh and unique.
11. Create Your Signature Look
Having a signature look doesn’t mean wearing the same outfit every day—it’s about developing a recognizable aspect of your style that ties everything together. This could be a color palette, a particular type of clothing (like always having a great jacket), or an accessory that you never leave home without. A signature look is like a personal trademark that allows others to identify your unique approach to fashion.
12. Wear What Flatters Your Body
One of the most important aspects of personal style is dressing for your body shape. Forget about trends that don’t work for you and focus on silhouettes and cuts that highlight your favorite features. Whether that’s a high-waisted pant that emphasizes your waist or a tailored blazer that adds structure, wearing clothes that flatter your body will boost your confidence and ensure you always feel great in what you wear.
13. Be Patient with the Process
Discovering your personal style takes time and patience. It’s a journey, not a race, and it’s okay to evolve and make mistakes along the way. You might experiment with a style that doesn’t feel right, and that’s perfectly fine—part of finding your look is eliminating what doesn’t work. Allow yourself the freedom to explore and enjoy the process of self-discovery. Your style will grow and change as you do.
14. Confidence Is Everything
The final and most important piece of style advice is that confidence is key. No matter what you wear, if you feel confident in it, that energy will come through and enhance your look. Confidence can turn a simple outfit into something chic and memorable. Ultimately, personal style is about owning your choices and feeling great in whatever you choose to wear.
15. Have Fun with It
Fashion is meant to be enjoyable, so embrace the fun of experimenting with your style. Mix and match, try new things, and allow your creativity to guide you. The more fun you have with fashion, the more your personal style will reflect your unique personality, making it something truly unforgettable.