How to Find Your Personal Style
As the years change, so do we. Many of us hope to level up our style game when the new year rolls around, but it can take time to know where to start.
Personal style is a form of self-expression that uses fashion to reflect one’s personality and lifestyle. Knowing our unique style allows us to express individuality and can boost confidence. In a time when social media dominates what is “in” and “out” in fashion and trends change rapidly, knowing what pieces you truly love can help you navigate your stylish sense of self.
Pay Attention to the Styles You Gravitate Toward
Nobody knows you better than you. Many of us have pieces that make us feel the most ourselves. When looking for new pieces to add to your wardrobe, it helps to pay attention to the styles you already own and tend to gravitate toward. For example, you might prefer silver jewelry to gold or that none of your outfits are complete without a pair of ankle socks peeking above your shoes.
Miss Vogue editor Naomi Pike suggests looking back on photos of previous looks for inspiration.
“When breaking down each look, it is likely you will notice common threads, be it shapes, colors, items, or hemlines,” Pike said in her guide on personal style.
Create a Mood Board
It can also be helpful to create a mood board to visualize the style you hope to achieve, whether on a digital platform like Pinterest or a physical medium like a collage.
Mood boards allow you to take inspiration from others by putting styles you like in one place. Doing so can help you establish a style theme or inspire you to look outside your comfort zone. Style mood boards often represent the goals you have for your style.
While digital mood boards are a quick and easy way to gather inspiration, creating physical collage mood boards can be fun for a craft night with friends. Follow this guide on how to make your own mood board.
Wardrobe consultant and stylist Allison Bornstein recommends following the three-word method when shaping your style. The technique involves choosing three adjectives to define the style you hope to achieve, and can serve as a starting point when deciding on your style goals.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
Fashion is meant to be fun, and finding your style is rarely linear. What you like now might be different at the end of the year, so why limit yourself? Try out pieces you never would have imagined yourself wearing, and pair unlikely pieces together– you might start a new trend!
Shopping second-hand is an affordable and sustainable way to experiment with new looks and find unique pieces. Clothing rental shops also allow you to experiment with styles without committing to owning the piece.
Rent the Runway is a monthly subscription service that allows users to rent designer pieces for a fixed rate. Three plans are available ranging from $89 for five items to $169 for 20 items.
Library in Oklahoma City is a local clothing rental service that allows subscribers to pick out preloved pieces from a range of brands for a monthly rate. The service offers two plans, “The Netflix,” at $16 monthly for one item, and “The Minimalist,” at $54 monthly for four items.
Whether you’re hoping to completely revamp your style or simply want to find a signature look, your style is a reflection of you, and the clothes you wear should make you feel good.
Written by
Shelby Emery