Have you ever thought about your image and personal style? How do you feel about the way you dress and the message it sends to others? Are you in desperate need of a makeover? Gaining clarity on your style can be empowering.
Knowing and owning your personal style improves self-esteem and allows you to live in authenticity. Instead of just weaning “whatever”, how about being intentional about the message you send out to the world? Want to know how to find your style and be bold in your truth? Read on to find out how!
How to Find Your Style-3 Steps
There is no need to feel overwhelmed. Learning how to find your own personal style is easy and fun! Identifying your style personality is the first step of the process.
Before we dive into the 7 different types of style, you’ll need to find out more about your personal tastes. Are you feminine, classic, sporty or alluring? Here are the 3 steps below:
1. What Styles Resonates With You?
Taking a style quiz is an easy way to find your style personality. Many online quizzes will help you find your style type. Another way is by creating a style or mood board, either online, using Pinterest, or on good old-fashioned paper.
Collect looks of clothes and celebrities with styles that resonate with you from fashion magazines. You’ll soon discover a theme. Whatever dominates your style board is, you guessed it-your personal style! You may also have a secondary style.
2. Shop Your Closet
Ok, so now that you know how to find your style, it’s time to go shopping in your closet. Pull out all the outfits that fall into your style type. For example, if you are a Romantic, keep the lace, sheer, frills, and floral clothing. If you find clothes that are outliers, say Sporty pieces and Sporty is not your dominant or secondary style, get rid of these items.
3. Now Let’s Go Shopping, For Real
Now that you have paired down your existing wardrobe to just the items that are in line with your true style personality, it’s time to go shopping. Now that you’ve found your style type, shopping will be a breeze! No more impulse shopping and buying items that don’t go with what you already have or don’t make you feel like yourself.
Pro Tip: Learn the 5 simple steps to spotting high-quality clothing.
What is Personal Style and How Do You Find It?
Personal style or “style personality” are categories of 7 major style types. You may have a dominant type, but also a secondary type. Personal style is always in congruence with a person’s personality.
Here is the list of the 7 types of style personalities below. Which one are you?
1. Classic- Good Ole Reliable
Classic style is timeless and comfortable. Clean lines and solid colors are the major themes of this look. There are no bells and whistles. These classic pieces is professional and conservative. If you are a minimalist, this is the look for you (think little black dress). This Theory black sheath dress is a classic wardrobe staple.
2. Elegant- Nothing But the Finest
Elegant style is refined and polished. These quality pieces of clothing are impeccably tailored and fabrics are luxurious. This is a timeless high-end look. Learning how to shop for luxury on a budget is an important skill if this is your aesthetic. This Reformation silk dress is the perfect example of elegance.
3. Alluring- The Siren
Alluring style is seductive. Fabrics hug the body to enhance curves. Low necklines and high hems are typical characteristics of an alluring style. This Anthropology deep v-neck gown is an alluring stunner.
4. Romantic- The Bohemian
Romantic style is soft and delicate. Lace, sheer, and florals dominate the wardrobe of those with romantic style. Loose gathers and draped fabric are a must for romantics. This Lord and Taylor dress is the perfect romantic fun floral dress.
3. Dramatic- Who’s That Girl?
Dramatics demand attention. Fur, sequins, and bright colors are typical of this style type. Clothing accents and accessories are bold. This Mac Duggal tulle dress will have heads turning!
4. Sporty- Lets Be Friends
Sporty style is casual, easy going, and approachable. Comfort is the most important factor with this look. Fabrics are easy to care for, comfortable, and loose. This Athleta thera dress in modal spandex is easy to care for and comfortable.
7. Creative- The Unexpected
Anything goes with creative style. Creatives mix and match different looks to demonstrate their personality. Colors, patterns, and style types are used in unexpected ways. This multi-color shirt dress by The Knit is creative and unexpected.
Why is it Important to Know Your Personal Style?
Knowing your own personal style will improve how you look, feel, and show up in the world. It’s your personal branding, your signature look. Once you find your personal style, dressing in harmony is effortless. Don’t get carried away by the fashion industry. Learn how to find your own style and look and feel beautiful!
Having clarity about your style will allow you to:
Pro Tips for Owning Your Style
Now that you know how to find your style, assess your wardrobe, and how to shop, it’s time to take it to the next level. When shopping, look for brands that match your style and personality. For example, Banana Republic offers mostly classic styles.
Knowing your retailers and their style types will help you stay on track. Choose accessories that align with your style type and personality. If you are classic, get a leather tote, or if you are romantic, get a floral purse.
Next Level Personal Style
So, you’ve found your your style. Now, take it to the next level by curating a beautiful and sustainable capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe builds on itself using 30-40 pieces of clothing and accessories that all work together and can be mixed and matched.
Use your dominant style as a guide and incorporate a secondary style. This is how to craft a unique image and empower yourself to look and feel authentic.
Pro Tip: Knowing your personal color palette or seasonal color can help you look your best. Try getting a color analysis to identify your “best colors”. A personal stylist can help as well.
How an Image Consultant Can Help You Find Your Style
If you don’t have time to do all of this yourself, hire an Image Consultant. A personal stylist provides information and tools on how to look your best. They provide color and body analysis, personal shopping, and even create capsule wardrobes. Hiring an Image Consultant is a good option if you want help from a professional to learn how to find your style.
Know Your Body Shape
Understanding your body type is very important in flattering your features. Are you an hourglass, apple or inverted triangle shape? This will dictate the style of clothing you should wear to be in harmony with your personal attributes.
Benefits of Knowing Your Personal Style
Knowing your personal style allows you to live intentionally. It allows you to speak without words and send a message about who you are. What do you want this message to be? Show the world that you are bold and beautiful!
Knowing your style can also help create an authentic sustainable wardrobe that you feel good about wearing. If you’re serious about improving your personal or professional image, knowing and owning your style can help raise the bar and distinguish you from everyone else.
If you need help with the process, an Image Consultant can help you through the process. Now that you know how to find your style, what are you waiting for? Take these steps and create your own closet full of clothes with your own sense of style.
FAQ’s
How to I figure out my style?
Learn about the 7 style types and identify your dominant and secondary style. Identify your body type, and seasonal color palette and create a capsule wardrobe.
Why can’t I find my style?
If you can’t find your style, it means you are creative. Creative style has no rules and they dress to match their mood each day.
What clothes to I wear for my body type?
Learn the different body types and how to dress for your body shape:
Hourglass shapes dress to enhance the waist.
Apple shapes dress to create an illusion of a waist
Pear shapes need to balance the top half of their body.
Inverted triangles have broad shoulders and need to balance the lower part of the body
Rectangle shapes need to create the illusion of a waist
