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FIND YOUR STYLE, FIND YOUR CONFIDENCE

How to Develop Your Own Personal Style: The Ultimate Guide

A stylish young woman showcasing her personal style in an outdoor fall portrait, wearing trendy sunglasses, a camel-colored coat, turtleneck, and a textured leather shoulder bag, strolling through the streets of a European city.

Adobe Stock / Victoria Chudinova

Do you struggle to find your personal style?

For years, I found it very difficult to express myself through fashion. In the beginning I was in a shopping rut, buying clothes left and right, but never satisfied with what I had.

Come to find out, I was missing what defined my own personal style.

No matter how much money you spend on clothes, you won’t be able to uncover the solutions to your style exploration.

It can be frustrating and confusing to discover your personal style, particularly with the emergence of new trends every season.

This guide will help you discover your style journey, even if you’re a fashion newbie or have some previous experience.

This guide will help you identify your personal style, determine what clothes complement you, discover inspiration, and create a wardrobe that expresses your individuality.

What is personal style?

Personal style reflects your identity and personality.

The goal is to discover your distinct appearance that fits your way of living, enhances your physique, and provides comfort and confidence in any circumstance.

This involves multiple closet ideas such as clothing, accessories, hairstyles, makeup, jewelry, and other similar things.

Why is personal style important?

Personal style is essential because it allows you to better express your unique identity and creativity.

It also showcases your personality in a way that reflects who YOU are as a person.

Understanding Your Body Shape

Fashionable women expressing their personal style, wearing denim jeans and a white crop top.

Your body shape can have an impact on the type of clothing that suits you.

Understanding your shape and how it looks in an outfit can help you dress to flatter your figure.

Different shapes have different characteristics, and understanding these can help you find the right style.

Some common shapes include apple, pear, rectangle, hourglass, and inverted triangle. For each shape, different clothes look good.

Different body shapes and how to dress up:

  • Apple – Look for loose-fitting tops with v-necks to draw attention away from the midsection. Avoid clingy fabrics and opt for A-line skirts or boot-cut jeans to have more control.

  • Pear – Opt for A-line skirts and wide-legged trousers to create a more balanced beauty. Tailor your tops to fit properly. It will draw attention up towards the face rather than the hips.

  • Rectangle – Look for clothing that adds curves to your personality, such as wrap dresses or tailored blazers. Avoid boxy cuts that will make you appear shapeless.

  • Hourglass – Show off your curves with tailored pieces such as pencil skirts and wrap dresses. Look for clothing with nipped waists that will show off your shapely silhouette.

  • Inverted Triangle – Balance out broad shoulders by wearing wider-leg trousers and layered tops. To draw attention away from the shoulders, choose V-necks or scoop necks.

Finding Your Style Inspiration

A well-coordinated outfit featuring blue jeans, a white blouse, white handbag, wristwatch, sunglasses, and high-heeled blue shoes

Once you have an idea of your unique personal style, it’s time to find for some inspiration, this can be done through Pinterest.

Follow fashion influencers on Instagram and Pinterest for some outfit ideas.

Think about what styles you like and try to recreate them with items from your own closet.

Find clothing pieces that reflect your personality and make you feel confident.

Take this personal style quiz to find out what your ideal style is!

Answer questions about your favorite clothing items, favorite colors, and how you like to dress for different occasions.

Once you complete the quiz, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your personal style and discover which clothing types best flatter your body shape.

Take the Personal Style Quiz

Evaluating Your Current Closet

A closet filled with clothes in various shades of brown, neatly arranged on hangers

It’s time to check out your present clothing collection and ensure you wear clothes that complement your individual style.

Avoid the fast fashion world so you don’t buy clothes just because they’re trending, because chances are you won’t wear it as often.

Get rid of any items that don’t fit well or no longer reflect your style. Keep these items in a separate pile to donate or sell later.

Once you know what pieces work for you, it will be easier when shopping for new clothes.

Knowing Your Color Palette

A selection of brightly colored clothes displayed on hangers

Knowing your color palettes can be tricky. Although that one blouse may look nice, it probably won’t complement your best features.

In addition, choosing colors that match well can assist you in creating a unified appearance and ensure that your outfits are aesthetically pleasing.

This way, your clothes will not look too busy or look like they do not match.

Understanding the Colors That Suit Your Skin Tone

It also helps to know what colors look good on you to help you feel your best dressed.

Some good colors to pick from include beige, deep brown, and rich jewel tones such as emerald green or ruby red.

For instance, if you have warm undertones, try colors like olive green, cream, or maroon.

Don’t shy away from bright, bold colors if you have warm undertones like peach or turquoise.

If you have cool undertones, try colors like navy blue, or pastel shades of pink and purple.

Choosing colors that make you feel confident and comfortable is important, this way you can try on different shades and see which outfit work best for you.

Using Pinterest as a Mood Board

Pinterest mood board

Developing a Pinterest mood board of fashion ideas and outfits you love is a great way to get inspired.

Look for ideas from celebrities and influencers, as well as brands or stores you enjoy spending money at.

Once you have a sense of the styles you prefer, it will become much simpler to locate items that match your unique style and budget.

If you need help developing your mood board, use this Pinterest board guide.

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

An outdoor fall fashion portrait of a stylish woman wearing sunglasses, a white shirt, leather trousers, and holding a leopard print bag, strolling through a European city with ample copy space

It’s easy to get comfortable with the same style of clothes, occasionally trying on new things is one step out of your comfort zone every once in a while.

Try wearing new colors or silhouettes you haven’t worn before, and have fun with accessories.

You may realize that you like a new look or style, more than the one you’ve been wearing for years!

Mimic Your Fav Celebrity or Influencer Looks

Are there any celebrity looks or influencer styles that have caught your eye?

Why not try to recreate them with items from your own closet?

Try to find them on Instagram or Pinterest, then create a board to save your fav images.

Take inspiration from their looks and add your own twist to them.

Trying new styles can be a great way to experiment what works best for you.

Finding Your Signature Piece

A fashionable woman wearing a pink trench coat, white outfit, sunglasses, and carrying a brown purse, holding a Starbucks coffee while walking down the street

When shopping for your signature piece, it is essential to know what’s in your closet to make adjustments.

You first need to develop your personal preferences, like colors, shapes, fabrics, and what you find joy in wearing.

Ask yourself these questions:

  • What colors, shapes, and fabrics do you feel good in?

  • Do you want an outfit for work or casual wear?

  • What looks good on your body type?

Once you have a better understanding of your preferences, it will help you pick out outfits that will pair well with your personal style.

Exploring different fashion styles

In a world full of fashion, dive into what catches your eye.

Look at photos from fashion magazines, fashion bloggers, trends, fashion industry, watch shows on TV, or browse clothes online.

Once you know what looks you like, try experimenting with your own style.

Don’t hesitate to try out different combination of clothing and accessories. You can even draw inspiration from other people.

Ask friends and family members for their opinion on the best places to shop.

Start by investing in a few versatile pieces, like neutral-colored blazers and skirts.

Then, add statement pieces to spice up your looks, such as brightly colored shoes or a printed scarf.

Tips for building a versatile wardrobe

Cheerful woman holding a pair of yellow high heels, standing in her closet surrounded by a variety of bright and earth-toned clothing and shoes

Building a wardrobe of timeless and versatile pieces can be daunting!

  • Start by focusing on quality over quantity.

  • Invest in items that will last, like classic blazers and trousers.

  • Stick to neutral colors that are easy to mix and match, such as black, white, and navy blue.

It’s essential to invest in staple items that are of good quality and long-lasting when creating a wardrobe.

Pieces such as classic items like tailored blazers and trousers, as well as timeless accessories such as watches and handbags.

Look for quality fabrics such as wool or cashmere – these will look better over time, and you can wear them for years.

Investing in these pieces will help build quality, long-lasting wardrobes and help you make smart financial decisions.

Experimenting and Embracing the Process

Take a single day of the week to shop and look for inspiration from the fashion world- influencers, fashion bloggers, or even friends.

Finding your personal style is an ongoing journey.

You can always adjust and refine your look as you go.

Remember that it’s not about following all the latest trends or having the perfect wardrobe.

It’s about finding what leaves you feeling your best.

Conclusion

Finding your personal style doesn’t have to make you feel frantic.

It’s okay if you’re in a style rut, just remember it’s important to find confidence through self-expression. While it can be an overwhelming process, it is rewarding.

Remember to focus on quality, over quantity, when shopping. From understanding your body type to finding your signature pieces, we hope you learned how to find the style that represents you.

Be sure to take the personal style quiz above and subscribe for more great style tips.

FAQ

What is a personal style?

A personal style is a unique way of expressing yourself through clothing.

What are the 5 types of style?

The five types of the style include classic, preppy, chic, urban, and boho.