Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Personal Style
It’s totally normal to be overwhelmed by fashion and trends, but personal style is much more, well, personal. It’s not about having a pulse on current trends, but rather, expressing yourself through your clothing and appearance. Personal style shifts, grows, and evolves over time, just like we do. So if what you used to love just doesn’t feel like you anymore, that’s normal!
Your personal style will hardly ever be categorized into one style. Like Joanna Gaines says about home style, your style will probably be at least two style categories, or more. Take a look at these examples. If some of them stick out to you, take note and figure out what specifically you like about that style. Maybe you like the vibes of the styles (how you want to feel), or maybe it’s the actual clothing you’re drawn to.
Examples of Different Styles & Key Elements
Athletic
Vibe - sporty, on-the-go, comfortable
Key elements - leggings, sneakers, sweatshirts, apple watch/fitbit, matching sets, breathable
Textures - cotton, nylon, spandex, neoprene
Boho
Vibe - relaxed, free spirit, western
Key elements - wide brimmed hats, big metal jewelry, maxi dresses, dusters, western belt buckles
Textures - fringe, embroidery, straw, linen
Casual
Vibe - simple, comfortable, low maintenance
Key elements - crew neck tees, graphic tees, denim, dainty jewelry, shirt dresses, flat shoes
Textures - cotton, denim, canvas
Chic
Vibe - sleek, confident, modern classic, polished
Key elements - fitted tops, clean and straight lines, heeled shoes, denim, big sunglasses, dainty jewelry
Textures - satin, leather, cotton
Edgy
Vibe - cool girl, bold, nonconforming
Key elements - leather jacket, chains, ripped denim, studs, cool neutrals, leather boots, doc martens, band tees
Textures - leather, cotton, ripped denim
French
Vibe - classic, chic, sophisticated
Key elements - stripes, neutrals, a pop of red, flat shoes, well-fitting shapes, trendy but classic, slightly undone
Textures - cotton, denim, linen
Girly
Vibe - whimsical, feminine, youthful
Key elements - bows, pastel colors, midi skirts, blouses, polka dots, ruffles
Textures - tulle, chiffon, satin
Preppy
Vibe - academic, East Coast, structured
Key elements - crew necks, layers, pearls, loafers, closed toe flats, mini skirts, stripes, collared shirts, knee high boots
Textures - cotton, plaid, cashmere, wool
Street Style
Vibe - unconventional, trend setter, loud
Key elements - mixed patterns, trends, asymmetrical, layers, clashing colors, artistic, high waisted pants, long jackets, heels
Textures - leather, feathers, silk, cotton
Trendy
Vibe - popular, cool girl, current
Key elements - whatever is currently popular
Textures - denim, cotton, wool, leather, metallics
Vintage
Vibe - 1920s -1950s, old school, classic
Key elements - A-line dresses, peter pan collars, saddle shoes, high waisted capri pants, kitten heels, polka dots, turtlenecks, circle skirts
Textures - cotton, wool, nylon
There are many other styles out there, but these are just a few. Here are some more steps to take in finding out your personal style.
Find what styles appeal to you
To figure out what style appeals to you, compile fashion inspiration. You can make a board on Pinterest with all of the outfits you like, or you can take note of celebrities or friends/co-workers whose style you admire.
Once you have your fashion inspiration together, take note of the similarities in style, vibe, and common pieces. If you feel like this is where you struggle, you can enlist the help of Chat GPT. Take screenshots of your inspiration pictures, and upload it to Chat GPT with the prompt “describe this style.” It’s so easy! You can take it a step further and also ask “how to achieve this style?”
2. Look through your own closet
Now it’s time to take inventory. Do you have similar pieces to the style you want to have? Take notes of what you do have and what you don’t. Knowing what you have and what you need will be helpful so you know what to look for the next time you go shopping or thrifting.
If you’ve never taken the time to intentionally shop for items that align with the style you want to have, you might be discouraged about what’s not in your closet. It’s ok - it takes time to build a closet you love, so be patience and try to enjoy the journey.
3. Take more fashion risks
It can be everyday, it can be once a week, or even just once a month. Try styling your clothes in a way you normally wouldn’t. It’s ok if you feel uncomfortable - you’re supposed to! The whole point is to get out of your comfort zone and discover things you might actually like.
You can put together colors you never have, pair heels with sweatpants, mix textures and patterns. Try anything! See what you like, and what you don't like. I guarantee, even if you give a huge thumbs down to some of the outfits you create, you’ll also find out that you can put together awesome outfits that you love, and you’'ll stretch that creative muscle. You’re more creative than you think!
4. Reflect on your time of intentionally taking fashion risks
Which days did you feel most like yourself? When were you worried about the risk, but then it actually paid off? Reflect back on your risks. What did you end up loving? Why did you love it? What do you want to do more of, and what didn’t work? Maybe you wore more color, and realized you wear black as a default. Maybe you realized that wearing neutrals really is a personal choice that makes you feel like yourself. Or maybe you realized that while you admire your friend’s style, it’s not your style.
5. Clean out your closet
Once you have a grip on what your personal style is, it’s time to clean your closet! Get rid of the items that don’t serve you anymore, the pieces that dont’ make you feel like yourself, and everything you don’t feel confident in.
6. Go Shopping
I’m not suggesting you blow all of your money and go on a shopping spree (although I have nothing against that). But it’s time to replace some items in your closet. Maybe it’s time to finally get that leather jacket that you didn’t think you could pull off (but now you know you can).
I once heard someone say that going shopping without knowing what you’re looking for is like going to the grocery store without a list. In some sense, that is true. If you don’t know what your style is or what you like, you’ll probably end up with something you’re apathetic about. Look back to step 1 and see which styles appealed to you, and specifically which items. Go take a test run, find those pieces, and try them on! Give yourself a day to look with no commitment to buying anything - just look and see what you feel good.
Also, it’s worth noting that YES, you CAN pull it off! Whatever it is - I’m a firm believer that anyone can pull any look off if they wear it with confidence. If you like it, then you’ll pull it off.
I hope these tips are helpful, and until next time - may your weekend be full of creativity and style.
