How to Discover Your Personal Style: A Step-by-Step Guide.

If you're feeling style-stuck, discovering your personal style can seem like a daunting task. You might ask yourself, “What do I like to wear?” “What styles fit me best?” or even, “How do I want people to perceive me?” These are all important questions to consider on your style journey. But when you feel overwhelmed by choices or unsure where to start, you may resort to the same old defaults: black or dark clothing, t-shirts and leggings, or any other outfit that requires little thought.

I firmly believe that we all have personal style, and we all deserve to feel stylish and put together. After all, how you dress can have a huge impact on how you feel. You can’t tell me your walk and confidence don’t change when you actually take the time to get dressed! These things matter, especially for professionals and entrepreneurs. Feeling your best gives you the power to present yourself with confidence to the world.

As a personal stylist, I’ve developed a 5-step process that helps my clients get a clearer understanding of how they want to express themselves through fashion. Whether you’re just starting out or trying to refine your look, these steps will guide you to a more confident and intentional style.

1. Identify Your Style Influences

We all have style icons—celebrities, influencers, or figures in the media whose style we admire and often find ourselves gravitating toward. This is one of the first questions I ask my clients because it helps me understand where they want to take their style and what inspires them.

Take a moment to think about the people whose outfits you often admire. Is it someone like Meghan Markle for her polished, classic looks? Or maybe Rihanna for her bold and eclectic style? Identifying your style influences is a key step in building your wardrobe because it gives you direction.

But here’s the thing: Style is a journey, and it’s often a process of trial and error. Just because you admire someone’s style doesn’t mean you have to copy it entirely. Instead, focus on the elements of their look that resonate with you the most, and then adapt those elements to fit your unique preferences and lifestyle.

2. Understand Your Body Type

Even though you may have a style icon, it’s important to recognize that we all have different body types. The clothes that look great on one person may not work the same way for another. There are classic body types—such as inverted triangle, pear, apple, rectangle, and hourglass—but each person has their own unique shape with individual quirks.

When you're figuring out your personal style, knowing your body type will help you make decisions about the best cuts, fits, and silhouettes that enhance your features. For example, if you have an hourglass figure, high-waisted trousers or form-fitting dresses may highlight your curves beautifully. If you're a pear shape, A-line skirts or dresses can balance your proportions.

The goal is not to try to “fit” into a specific body type mold, but rather to understand the natural shape of your body and how certain styles can work with it to make you feel your best.

3. Determine the Right Colors for You

Color plays a huge role in how clothes make you feel and how they present you to the world. Different colors can evoke different moods and communicate various messages. Are you drawn to bold, bright colors, or do you prefer softer, more muted tones? Understanding which colors complement your skin tone and make you feel confident is crucial in defining your personal style.

If you’re not sure where to start, you can experiment with colors by considering whether you look better in warm tones (like oranges, reds, and yellows) or cool tones (like blues, greens, and purples). Additionally, pay attention to how certain colors make you feel—do you feel more energized in vibrant hues or more grounded in neutrals?

Client Wardrobe Color Chart

This step isn’t just about picking colors that "look good" on you, but also about choosing colors that match the vibe you want to give off. Do you want to appear more professional and polished? Opt for classic, neutral colors like black, navy, or beige. Want to convey a fun, creative vibe? Bold and playful colors can help communicate that.

4. Identify the Areas of Your Life That Need Clothing

When discovering your personal style, it’s also important to think about the practical side of your wardrobe. What areas of your life need clothing? Are you focused on building a professional wardrobe, or do you need something more casual for your everyday life? Do you need outfits for special occasions or activewear for fitness?

Each area of your life calls for a different type of clothing, and each type should align with your personal style. For example, if you’re a professional working in a corporate setting, your personal style may lean towards polished, structured pieces. But if you work from home or are a creative entrepreneur, you may prefer more casual, comfortable, and versatile clothing.

By identifying where you need clothing, you can start to build a wardrobe that suits both your lifestyle and personal taste.

5. Establish Your Personal Style Boundaries

As much as personal style is about expressing yourself, it’s also about setting boundaries. Think about what styles or trends you absolutely don’t want to incorporate into your wardrobe. Maybe you hate skinny jeans, or perhaps you prefer not to wear bright patterns. Establishing these boundaries helps you streamline your options and ensures that you’re always staying true to your authentic self.

Personal style doesn’t mean following every trend or trying to please others—it’s about building a wardrobe that reflects who you are and makes you feel confident. Setting boundaries will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed by the constant influx of new styles and trends that may not align with your personal aesthetic.

Final Thoughts

Discovering your personal style is a journey that requires patience and self-reflection. It’s about understanding what makes you feel confident, comfortable, and true to who you are. By following these five steps—identifying your style influences, understanding your body type, choosing the right colors, pinpointing the areas of your life that need clothing, and establishing your style boundaries—you’ll be on your way to developing a wardrobe that feels uniquely you.

If you are feeling style stuck and need help discovering your personal style, I can help. Let's Chat!

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