How To Define Your Personal Style
When you hear the words “personal style,” do you think of expensive sessions with a professional stylist? The truth is, you can figure out your personal style yourself by asking the right questions…
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Why define your personal style?
to achieve the look you want
If your current outfits don’t express the way you want to look and feel, let’s find ones that do!
For example, you may have a classic closet full of tailored neutrals, but you may want to make it more romantic by adding colorful floral silk pieces.
to have clothes for what you do
If you have clothes that you never wear, they probably don’t fit your body, lifestyle, or personal style.
For example, you love the boho-chic maxi dress your favorite influencer wore, but if you work in an office you may need to focus on professional attire.
to know exactly what to buy
If you shop without a plan, you’re more likely to buy trends and sale items, rather than what you need.
For example, you see a silk blouse on sale, but if you have a casual and active lifestyle, you’ll probably get more wear out of those perfect-fit jeans.
How To Start Figuring Out Your Style
3 Questions To Ask Yourself
1
How and where do I spend most of my time?
The majority of your closet should reflect what you wear daily.
I work from home, so most of my clothes are casual. I also have a seasonal job and attend events that require professional attire. And I need formal clothes for annual parties and galas.
2
How much do I want to spend on my personal style?
With so many choices, it’s easy to overspend on what you don’t need.
As a young stay-at-home mom, I had a small budget that I spent mostly on athleisure. Now, as an over 50 blogger, I buy a mix of classic, contemporary, and luxury clothing and accessories.
3
What is my seasonal color palette and which of those colors do I love?
Your seasonal color palette is based on your hair, skin, and eye color.
As a Winter, I look best in saturated colors like black, white, ruby, and navy. Staying within my color palette, allows me to mix and match my clothes, getting more wear out of each piece.
When you define your personal style, you’re eliminating the clutter of fashion trends and fads. You buy intentionally, and wear what you buy.
Style Categories To Consider
Here are some style categories to help you figure out what you like and don’t like. They aren’t meant to “box you in” to certain styles but rather help you narrow down choices from the overwhelming information we receive daily. Combine a few of these categories to create your unique personal style.
For example, you may have a classic closet for the office, an athletic one for your weekend biking trips, and a romantic one for date nights.
Eco-Minimalist
- You buy only what you need.
- You support thrift stores, B Corps, and sustainable brands.
- Quality, longevity, and versatility are important to you.
Your closet favorites: organic cotton t-shirts, sustainably made sneakers, recycled wool sweaters, and classic pants.
Athletic
- If it doesn’t stretch, then it isn’t right!
- Function is just as important as fashion.
- Zippered pockets are worth a thousand purses.
Your closet favorites: leggings, joggers, performance T-shirts, cozy hoodies, and supportive running shoes.
Casual
- You wear jeans for work and play.
- Comfort is your favorite trend.
- If it needs ironing, then forget it!
Your closet favorites: jeans, button-up shirts (bonus if it has stretch), loafers and flats, t-shirt dresses, denim jackets.
Classic
- You choose timeless investment pieces over trends.
- You have your clothes tailored for a perfect fit.
- Most of your clothes and shoes are 5+ years old.
Your closet favorites: blazers, tailored pants, dark jeans, crisp shirts or soft blouses, cashmere sweaters, and wool coats.
Influencer
- You have a knack for spotting the next “it’ brand and trend.
- You have access to exclusive shopping events, limited edition items, and high-end designer collaborations.
- Friends and family count on you to tell them what to wear.
Your closet favorites: leather jackets, designer jeans, jaw-dropping dresses, designer handbags, and what everyone else will be wearing a year from now.
Boho Chic
- The ’70s is your favorite decade.
- You love ruffles, embroidered florals, flared silhouettes, and beads.
- Your hair is almost always long, and you love to accessorize it with scrunchies, scarves, or hats.
Your closet favorites: embroidered jeans, maxi dresses, lace or crochet blouses, and platform shoes.
Romantic
- Your favorite neutral is a soft pink.
- You love florals, ruffles, lace, cashmere, and anything delicate.
- If you could wear a dress every day, you would.
Your closet favorites: dresses and skirts, eyelet, lace and sheer blouses, cozy cardigans, and all things floral.
What’s Your Personal Style?
Which style categories resonated with you? I recommend choosing 3 or 4 style categories that fit your personality and lifestyle. If you’re looking for a change, think about which ones would make up your dream closet.
My personal style is a combination of athletic, casual, classic, and influencer. These are some of my closet staples – the clothes I wear most often:
I’ve put together different categories that create a style that is unique and appropriate to my needs. Defining my personal style has helped me resist impulse shopping, fast fashion, and overbuying.
Once you figure it out, leave me a comment with your personal style definition!
How To Shop Without Being Overwhelmed
Most brands/retailers fit into one or two style categories, so pick a few that work for your style and budget. For example, if you like a classic look, try Club Monaco (more expensive) or Ann Taylor (less expensive.)
Consider becoming a cardholder or “insider” for your favorite brands to get early access to sales, free shipping, and other perks. You’ll be able to buy what you really want, rather than what’s left on the clearance rack. For years, I only shopped at the end-of-season sales, and often found myself buying something because it was a bargain, not because I truly wanted/needed it. Now I’d rather pay a little more, buy less, and wear the clothes earlier in the season.
If you just want one-stop shopping, take a look at The Nordy Club/ Nordstrom where you’ll find hundreds of brands. Add a few “dream pieces” to your closet each year.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Sign up for my newsletter using the form below, and I’ll send you a fun and helpful flow chart that will help you define your personal style as well as the brands that cater to each style.
I am eco casual boho..might need to let go of a few pieces ? Loved this blog Nipa!! β₯οΈ
Thanks Carly, That sounds like a fun combination! Nipa
What an amazing and helpful post! I love everything you have written here. I’m a mix of romantic – influencer – classic style, but your post is definitely on point. Thanks for sharing it!
xo, Andreea | https://www.budistyle.com/en/
Thank you! xo Nipa
I’ve been trying to figure out my personal style for the longest time and this post really helped me! I would say I’m a mix of the influencer and casual styles. Different styles for different moods, of course!
Hi Kayla, So happy to hear that it was helpful! Xo Nipa
I love this! I am striving towards the eco-minimalist style because I feel that it makes my life feel less cluttered and more peaceful.
Thank you, Yuhua. I’m trying to incorporate elements of eco-minimalism, too, and trying to support smaller more transparent brands. xo Nipa
I LOVE the flowchart! I’ve always thought I had no style, and in a way, I guess my style is my own. When I’m home I tend to wear really big fleece Hello Kitty, Oscar the grouch and MonstersU pajama pants with whatever ratty T shirt I own. When I go out to the stores, I typically wear jeans (bootlegged) a nice T-shirt and I always wear some sort of cardigan over it. Yes, even in the heat of summer.
When I do go to work, I like to wear classic pieces, as I hate to shop. Although, I’m a huge fan of Trunk Club and Stitch Fix subscription services. I do love owning high-quality items, and I love the ease of having them select clothes for me. When I go into a store, if the item of clothes aren’t on an end-cap or display, I won’t go near it. I hate TJMaxx and Marshalls, due to having to rummage through the racks. Yes, I have fashion issues, but I know your blog will eventually get me past them. Hugs!
Thank you, Stacey! Your feedback means the world to me ? I love that you have your own unique style, and that you are open to new ideas! XO Nipa