3 Tips to Finding Your Personal Style
I have always been complimented on my styling and how I put garments together.
Rather as a preteen going through my growing pains or as an adult going through adulting pains. But I’ve always been in tune with my style as easy as breathing (thank you Madre!). And generally after said compliments some questions follow with the usual “How do you even think to put these things together?”
As I sat thinking on another similar interaction recently, I had a thought of why not create a post addressing that specific question with my own answer as a starting point. So here she is, my answer brought to you in 3 ways to begin finding your own style!
1. Identify Your Fashion Patterns
When it comes to personal style I always think the easiest place to start with is : “What am I most drawn to?” Now if you’re stumped on this, that’s alright! You can begin answering this by three different avenues: Your Closet, Pinterest Boards, and Instagram.
Your Closet
Your closet is one of your major clues to your patterns in terms of how and what you buy. If there’s duplicates in there -such as similar colors, patterns, silhouettes- that you are always grabbing without a second thought that’s a huge indicator of what you naturally are gravitating towards. For example, I might say you tend to be a tailored dresser if you have patterns such pinstripes, design elements of pleats, high waisted shorts or trousers that accentuate you’re shape in a very classic way. On the flip side if you have an abundance of patterns that you tend to weave together such as camouflage (the iconic print or with a twist), bright florals, African prints, poppy colors (cherry reds, turmeric oranges, jewel tones, etc.), then I would say you are a bold and print heavy dresser.
And you can have more than one style preference but these are just some examples.
Your Pinterest Board
Now I’m including this since, I’m an avid Pinterest user for my own creative inspirations (recipe ideas, hair Inspiration, room deco, just to name a few!). But also because as an idea generated source, Pinterest is the quickest way to get you to a starting point to brainstorm ideas.
So if your closet has not given you any indication of your style then this place definitely will! Now if you don’t have a fashion section in your Pinterest boards or a Pinterest in general then I would suggest creating your account and then a board titled “Personal Fashion” “Style Inspo” Board.
I would then just begin with searching “Fashion Outfits”, “Fashion Aesthetics”, or even “Fashion Inspo” works too. Going first for a vague description search will expose you to browse different styles and aesthetics all at once. And once you start saving things that catch your interest, check your fashion board in a week and see what you find. You might find a lot of similar energies that you vibe with, a singular style, or maybe a mix! These are great points to start off of while crafting your style.
Here’s my Pinterest Board for even more Fashion Inspiration. Follow here!
I know most of us are on social media, and at this point Instagram is generally a no brainer (although I know some who don’t mess with it general). To get more inspiration, there are so many fashion lovers and unique people around the globe that can jumpstart anyone’s creative juices.
The easiest way to find inspiration on Instagram, is as easy as typing in “fashion” or “fashion content”. Again, such a vague start will bring you so many different outfit combinations, a variety of content, fashion aesthetics, and so many fashion creatives you are bound to find something that sings to you.
If that is overwhelming, I personally follow a plethora of people whose fashions I admire, influence me, and are in some ways completely different from me as well. Such as Monroe Steele, KarenbritChic, ItsCarolynGrey, SheisFolaSade, ItsJustJhordan, to the atanga_twins, simplyshannah, Jenee Naylor, iknowlee, melburybadejo, and so many more (so many I honestly don’t want to overwhelm you).
Try to save images or style videos that excite you, pique your interest, or even take you by surprise. This way you can expose yourself to new ways of styling that you have never seen or even thought of before!
2. Explore Your Style Discoveries
Playing in Your Closet is for Adults Too
Once you’ve got an idea of a style aesthetic that excites you (or a couple!), it’s time to face your closet again and try it out! The best way to do this is to pick some inspiration pictures and see if you can create those with what’s in your closet. Before you hit the store or a good thrift stop, flexing your creative muscles at home is a perfect way to practice how you would bring these looks to life in your own image.
Think of it like this: your getting back into working out or maybe your getting back into reading. The movements or actions feel familiar but you’re out of practice so it feels a little off. This applies to practicing your own style.
Utilizing those images or reels from Pinterest or Instagram to get those creative thoughts going! While you’re using your fashion pictures for your looks keep in mind this too: what would you change about these images?
Would you add a different pattern? Add a button up under a dress? Or try the button up under a vest or maybe even a corset?
Consider adding layers or even taking away elements of a look is something you could always try too. Remember this: there is no right or wrong way to play in your closet. It is your closet after all. You make your own rules!
And if something doesn’t work out you’re not wasting money or running to the store to do a bunch of returns. Play around and just see what feels the most natural or evokes joy and just you!
After playing in your closet any form of shopping rather online or in store should not feel as daunting as in the beginning. This is because you have by now gotten the hang of what you personally are looking for when it comes to pieces and practiced numerous ways to mix fashion pieces that work best for you.
3. Strategies on Shopping Your Style
Ok at this stage you’ve tried a couple of looks and may have discovered what’s missing in your closet. Now is my favorite part: shopping! When it comes to shopping keep those pictures handy especially the ones you want to try but are not have present in your closet. I only have two other tips in regards to your strategy while shopping:
1. Focus on About 2 Pieces You Feel is Missing in Your Closet
2. If you can come up with 3 or more ways to style said pieces, then buy it! If not, leave it at the store.
These two guides generally have kept me in check with not going overboard and should help you as well. It will keep your initial purpose of shopping at the forefront, prevent you from getting overwhelmed, and also reduce the chance of you buying something you really don’t need.
So that’s my 3 tips to begin your fashion style journey, plus some more. I hope it’s helped you in someway and makes the exploration less overwhelming and more exciting.
Let me know how it goes.
Until Next Time!
xo Sierra
