Fashion is one of the best forms of self-expression and a statement about one’s identity. Whether you define yourself as a boho, an eclectic, or an edgy modern woman, fashion speaks to our personalities without us having to talk. Think about Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress, Madonna’s extravagant on-stage outfits, and Marilyn Monroe’s high-waisted bikini.
Yet, refining our own personal style can seem like a confusing process. With so many personas in mind that you identify with and so many trends that are always evolving, it might be hard to pick one single style for yourself. However, having your own personal style doesn’t mean you always have to focus on a single style; instead, you can just have a prevailing theme for your outfits. These outfits should reflect your personality, speak up about who you are, and make you feel great while wearing them.
If you are trying to discover your inner fashion guru, here are some tips to help you out:
Snap your favorite outfits
This is the first, and easiest thing you can do to start forming a direction for your own personal style. We all have days when we feel that we are confident and looking our best. On those days, take a picture of your outfit and keep it in mind. This will help you understand your favorite looks and styles and can help you recreate similar looks later on.
Look for Inspiration
Look up your favorite fashion icons and celebrities on Instagram, Google, and Pinterest. Searching for inspiration from several sources can be a great way for you to find out what you like and dislike. There are several online resources that can help you out; if you are looking for streetwear inspirations, for example, reading an article on the 9 Best Streetwear Outfit Ideas for Men and Womxn can be a great start. You can also find inspiration in your everyday environment; while sitting at a restaurant or strolling in the mall, notice what you are most attracted to, and ask what makes you like it that much. Is it popping colors? The tote bag? The overall style? This will help you understand your taste.
Come up with a common theme
After you are done, look for a common theme between the styles you picked, and write down the adjectives that describe those styles or outfits. The characteristics you write down are the ones you are probably going to be most comfortable with, and what is going to help you form your own style.
Clean your closet
After you have built up your outfits and divided them into categories, look into your closet to make sure you pick the relevant styles and pieces and discard the rest. Not having clothes that don’t fit your style means you won’t be going for outfits that don’t fit the categories you chose. More clothes don’t necessarily mean you’ll have more outfits, but having less can actually help you define your style better.
Complement your outfit with accessories
Less is more, right? Well, when it comes to creating your own style, the final little touches are as important as the outfit itself. You can simply wear a basic white t-shirt and jeans, and turn it into elegant style by adding the right accessories; some gold delicate jewelry, a fancy leather belt, a nice branded bag, and, of course, a pair of elegant heels — and voila! If you want to create a bohemian look, add more colors to your accessories, probably adding a colorful headband, threaded bracelets, and anklets, chunky necklaces. The point is, your personality will definitely pop with the right choice of accessories.
Listen to your inner voice and be YOU
Use your own creativity. When you trust your instincts, you will never go out of style. You don’t have to focus on the trends or the designer labels if you don’t want to. Believe it or not, they will hinder your creativity and sense of style. Keep experimenting with different styles until you find the one that makes you feel YOU. The more authentic you are about your choices, the more original, creative, and fashionable you will look.
With each day, you have a new day to experiment with new colors, pieces, and accessories, and what’s even more important, a new chance to express yourself. Having a great personal style goes beyond making a remarkable first impression; it will help you to go out every day feeling beautiful and confident in whatever you are wearing.
not bad!