How to Find Your Style: A Step-by-Step Guide

In an ever fast-moving fashion industry, social media influencers and changes in lifestyle, one of the most common challenges that women often face is losing sight of their style.  I often hear from those who once felt that they had a distinct style but now feel uncertain about their wardrobe choices, leading to a loss of confidence, a sense of never having anything to wear, money wasted on pieces that never see the light of day and the “getting dressed meltdown" (we all have them!).  

Why is finding your style important?

While some may consider style to be frivolous, for many, it serves an expression of their identity. Few women feel confident walking into a party or an office wearing a tracksuit. Your style is a pathway to confidence, and investing in it is fundamentally a commitment to investing in yourself.  Finding your style:

1. Simplifies shopping: Identifying your style makes navigating fashion easier and helps eliminate overwhelm.
2. Creates a cohesive look: A clear sense of style forms a solid foundation on which to experiment with different outfits.
3. Maximizes your wardrobe: Understanding your style means your clothes can work harder, leading to more ways to wear them.

What finding your style is not about

1. Age: Personal style is about attitude, not about age.
2. Body Shape: While we will discuss body shape and dressing in future posts, the focus is on how to make outfits work for you rather than enforcing strict rules about what you can and can't wear. It's about making the pieces work for you regarding of age or body shape.
3. Always Dressing the Same: Your style doesn't mean you must rule out options. It’s about how you incorporate various pieces into outfits that reflect who you are.  There’s a significant difference between style and taste: taste is about the pieces you select, while style is how you put those pieces together. The beauty of knowing your style personality is that you can express different versions of yourself depending on what you're doing that day, with an angle or signature touch that’s uniquely you.
4. Following Strict Rules: Personal style is more about breaking conventions with confidence and authenticity.  It's not about boxing yourself into a set of strict rules - because where is the joy in that?

How to Find Your Clothing Style

Stage 1: Define Your Style Personality

There are myriad ways to do this, from choosing a style icon to mimic, to choosing three words, to thinking about which outfits you feel most confident the comfortable in.  We have pored over the style journals and tools to come up with five categories style personality types that are specific enough to bring clarity but broad enough to adapt to your busy liefstyle.  You may not necessarily fall into just one of these, but knowing which to embrace and which don't feel "you" can bring focus and fun to dressing for any occasion.

Our five style personalities

To guide your exploration, here are five style personalities to consider.  

The Classic Minimalist leans towards timeless tailoring for workwear, a minimalist clothing style for casual outfits and a less-is-more take on partywear.  

• Includes: Timeless, professional, preppy, minimalist.
• Characteristics: Unfussy silhouettes, clean lines, and neutral tones.
• Brands: Cos
• Icons: Jennifer Aniston
• The Classic Minimalist Collection
• 

The Modern Romantic leans towards feminine style for workwear, pretty prints and boho style for daytime outfits and frills, ruffles or more bodycon outfits for partywear. 

• Includes: Boho, sexy, pretty.
• Characteristics: Flowing fabrics, feminine detailing, and softer color palettes.
• Brands: Doen, Karen Millen
• Icons: Sienna Miller
• The Modern Romantic Collection
• 

The Edgy Outfitter adds a tough edge to every look, favouring a rock chic aesthetic.  Workwear features leather or leopard print, casual outfits centre around washed black denim and band t-shirts, and party style sequins and metallics are pared back with a biker jacket or jeans. 

• Includes: Street style, biker/rock chic.
• Characteristics: Informal, toughened looks with muted colors.
• Brands: All Saints
• Icons: Kate Moss
• The Edgy Outfitter Collection
• 

The Eclectic Maximalist embraces a creative exuberance, with colourful outfits and strong, confident prints.  Unafraid to break traditional style rules, the Eclectic Maximalist experiments with colour combinations and print clash outfits. 

• Includes: Bold color enthusiasts.
• Characteristics: Vibrant colors, striking prints, and artistic flair.
• Brands: Anthropology
• Icons: Iris Apfel
• The Eclectic Maximalist Collection
• 

La Parisienne combines nonchalance and elegance, understatement and sensuality, delivering the essence of French Style. 

• Includes: Nonchalence and elegance.  Subtle sensuality and a carefree attitude.
• Characteristics: A "less is more" approach with muted tones and a touch of sexiness.
• Brands: Sezanne
• Icons: Bridget Bardot
• La Parisienne Collection
• 

Which style personalities speak most to you?  Do you fall squarely into one camp, or are you a combination of personalities? 

Our Style Solutions Blog series and Instagram Lives at 8.30 a.m. on a Sunday will take you on a journey of discover to a greater sense of style confidence.