Finding Your Personal Style

Your personal style is a unique reflection of your personality, interests, and lifestyle. It’s the way you express yourself through your clothing choices, accessories and overall appearance. Finding your personal style can be a journey, but it’s one that’s well worth taking.

I have been trying to find my personal style for years. You may be like me and find that your personal style changes quite a lot. Maybe you find yourself dressing for the ‘crowd’, especially on days when you perhaps might not be feeling so sparky. Hopefully we can make it through the vast swathes of information out there and maybe, just maybe we might find our own unique style that makes us feel fabulous.

Why is it important to have a personal style?

Having a personal style can boost your confidence, it can make you feel more comfortable in your own skin and may help you stand out from the crowd if that is what you are aiming for, alternatively it may just make you look fabulous and be the woman where strangers go “she looks amazing, I wonder how she does it?”. It can also be a fun and creative way to express yourself. We are all unique and there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ style.

So, how do you find your personal style?

There are a few key things you can do to find your personal style:

1. Get to know yourself. What are your interests? What kind of lifestyle do you live? What makes you feel confident and beautiful? The more you know about yourself, the easier it will be to identify the style that’s right for you. I have a variety of interests and will dress to suit whatever I’m doing. There’s no point wearing a ball gown when I’m tinkering with the engine of my classic car is there! I know that I like to wear scarves and I’m often called the scarf mum by my children’s friends, I like the colours and pattern near my portrait area and prefer the softer fabric to clanky jewellery, especially when I’m teaching as it’s a distraction to students. My general lifestyle is smart casual for work and relaxed at home, I rarely have any ‘posh’ events to go to so I stick to what is comfortable but ‘chic’ (or at least I try).
2. Look for inspiration. Pay attention to the people whose style you admire. What are they wearing? How are they styling their outfits? You can also look for inspiration on social media, in fashion magazines, and on websites like Pinterest. I use Pinterest as a helpful tool to find outfit inspiration, I rarely buy women’s magazines these days but I do like to read fashion and style books. I’m an avid people watcher and can be found in coffee shops just watching the world go by.
3. Experiment. Don’t be afraid to try new things. The best way to find your personal style is to experiment with different looks and see what you like best. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Ask those close to you for their opinion, friends are good at being honest with you. You could get a personal stylist on-board and get the professional opinion but remember, they don’t know you as a person, so they may think you fit into one category but you may straddle more than that, but they are good for getting an outsiders viewpoint.
4. Pay attention to fit. It’s important to wear clothes that fit you well. Clothes that are too tight or too loose will make you look and feel your worst regardless of what your style is.
5. Have fun! Fashion should be enjoyable. Don’t take it too seriously.

Here are some additional tips for finding your personal style:

• Start with the basics. Build a foundation of good quality wardrobe staples that you can mix and match to create different looks.
• Don’t be afraid to mix and match. Don’t be afraid to mix different styles, colors, and patterns. This is a great way to create a unique look that’s all your own.
• Accessorize. Accessories can be a great way to add personality and flair to your outfits.
• Be yourself. The most important thing is to be yourself and wear clothes that make you feel confident and comfortable.

Why not try doing some of these exercises you can do to help you find your personal style:

• Create a mood board. Collect images of people, clothes, and accessories that you love. This will help you to identify the elements of style that you’re drawn to.
• Take a wardrobe audit. Go through your wardrobe and identify the pieces that you love, wear often, and make you feel good. Get rid of anything that doesn’t fit, is in poor condition, or doesn’t make you feel confident.
• Experiment with different looks. Try on different outfits and see what you like best. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. I have a stylist friend who often encourages her clients to “draw outside of the lines” when it comes to personal style. Not everything is prescriptive, often it’s a good idea need to experiment a little to make something just a little more you.
• Get feedback from others. Ask your friends, family, or a trusted stylist for their feedback on your outfits.

Finding your personal style takes time and effort, but it’s a journey that’s well worth taking. By following the tips above, you can develop a unique style that reflects your personality and makes you feel confident and comfortable.

So, what are the main style ‘types’? This is by no means prescriptive either!

The examples below can linked to dress codes.

There are more than just these, but here are ‘main’ style types:

• Casual: Casual style is all about comfort and ease. It’s characterised by loose-fitting clothes in soft, breathable fabrics like denim, cotton, and linen. Colors are typically neutral, but you can also add pops of color with accessories. Some popular casual items include jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, and sundresses.
• Business casual: Business casual style is a more polished approach to casual dressing. It’s appropriate for many workplaces, as well as for social events like dinners and parties. Business casual outfits typically include trousers, skirts, blouses, and button-down shirts. You can also add blazers, sweaters, and dress shoes to complete the look.
• Formal: Formal style is the most dressy of the three main styles. It’s reserved for special occasions like weddings, galas, and job interviews. Formal outfits for men typically include suits and ties, while formal outfits for women typically include evening gowns or cocktail dresses.
• Glam: Glam style is all about glamour and luxury. It’s characterised by body-con silhouettes, luxe fabrics like silk and satin, and eye-catching accessories. Glam outfits are often worn for special occasions, but they can also be dressed down for a more everyday look. Some popular glam items include sequins, feathers, and metallics. The use of satin slip dresses with biker boots and jackets is another way to wear this style for everyday.
• Minimalist: Minimalist style is all about simplicity and clean lines. It’s characterized by neutral colors, basic shapes, and few accessories. Minimalist outfits are often very versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Some popular minimalist items include black turtlenecks, white button-down shirts, and well-fitting jeans. Think Parisian chic, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

These are just a few of the many different style types that exist. With so many options to choose from, there’s a style out there for everyone.

In addition to the main style types listed above, there are also many other popular styles, such as:

• Bohemian: Bohemian style is all about free-spiritedness and individuality. It’s characterised by flowing fabrics, bold patterns, and eclectic accessories.
• Eclectic: Eclectic style is all about mixing and matching different styles to create a unique look. It’s characterised by a variety of colors, patterns, and textures. Think Iris Apfel.
• Athleisure: Athleisure style is a combination of athletic and leisure wear. Comfortable clothes that are also stylish. Some popular athleisure items include yoga pants, leggings, and sneakers, most often seen on the school run!
• Grunge: Grunge style is all about rebellion and individuality. It’s characterised by oversized clothes, ripped jeans, and combat boots.
• Vintage: Vintage style is all about nostalgia and timeless fashion. Here the use of clothes and accessories from previous eras is used in abundance. This one happens to be a favourite of mine, although I never really have managed to pull it off! There is a balance between being lost in time completely and looking out of place as if you’re dressing for a nostalgic event or using elements of the past and making it modern and you.

Ultimately, the best way to find your own personal style is to experiment and have fun. Try different things and see what feels good on you and makes you feel confident. You may cross over into a couple or more of the styles, be adventurous, you never know you might just like what you try.

Remember, your personal style is an ongoing journey. It’s okay to evolve and change your style as you grow and change. The most important thing is to be yourself and wear clothes that make you feel good.

Take care, stay safe.

Becks xo