How to Find Your Style: Practical Tips to Define Your Look
Finding your unique fashion style is a deeply personal journey, yet it’s one that many people struggle with, falling back on trends, fast fashion, or simply defaulting to a safe, neutral wardrobe that feels bland.
Often, the overwhelming options in fashion or the constraints of a current wardrobe can make it hard to feel confident in your fashion choices.
Whether you’re navigating trends, exploring different looks, or trying to identify your style personality, the key lies in balancing inspiration with authenticity.
This blog will guide you through actionable steps to discover and refine your individual style with practical steps on how to get started.
You’ll learn how to draw inspiration from various sources, experiment with intention, and curate a wardrobe that evolves alongside you.
By the end, you’ll not only have the tools to build a wardrobe that reflects your true self but also the confidence to express your style with clarity and purpose.
1. Draw Style Inspiration from Everywhere
Gather as much inspiration to find your style from a wide variety of sources, not just one. This can be social media, magazines, historical photographs, fashion shows, nature etc.
Inspiration allows you to find possibilities you’ve never considered before, create a fusion of different styles that appeal to you and spark unique ideas that feel authentic to you.
The inspiration you collect doesn’t have to match perfectly to your day-to-day activities and environment (work dress code, climate, etc.) but it should serve as a starting point to adapt and interpret ideas in a way that fits your lifestyle.
Practical Tips
Explore visual platforms: Use visual platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok to curate a list of outfit inspiration and looks that resonate with you. Explore unexpected places, like art galleries, historic fashion archives, magazines like teen vogue, cultural festivals, or observing the way colors and textures exist in nature.
Study style icons: Concentrate on a specific public figure or fashion blogger you love so you can analyze their approach to color, proportion, layering, and accessorizing. This method is not about a single outfit but rather analyzing a series of looks from one style icon to understand their overall approach to fashion to reinterpret in a way that fits you.
Create a fashion mood board: Gather images, colors, and textures that resonate with you, whether digitally or on a physical board. By externalising, clarifying and organizing your ideas, you’ll start to see patterns in what you’re drawn to and your style will become more concrete than an abstract idea in your head.
2. Experiment Intentionally with Your Style
To find your style, experimenting is not an option, it’s a necessity. Many people are reluctant to truly experiment because it puts them out of their comfort zone.
But if you want to discover what truly resonates with you, it’s essential to leave your pride at the door and have the courage to enjoy trying new garments or techniques in your style.
While it’s fine to have some favourite looks to fall back on, without a constant spirit of experimentation, your style will fall flat and stay static making your outfits look all the same.
Practical Tips
Mimic and modify looks you admire: Take inspiration from images of outfits you love and recreate it using pieces that are similar or that you already own. The idea is not to directly copy but to pay attention to key elements like proportions, color combinations, and accessory pairings, then adapt them to suit your style.
Step out of your comfort zone: Dare yourself to experiment with one new garment, style technique or color etc. each week or month that makes you slightly uncomfortable. It doesn’t have to be dramatic but it should be fun and help you expand your confidence to try new things.
Use a clothes rack to experiment: Keep a rack of pieces you want to style or have aspirations to wear and use it as a dedicated space to experiment with outfits. This visual setup allows you to focus on items that excite or challenge you while giving you the freedom to mix and match without the distractions of your full wardrobe.
Try without buying: Shop smarter by trying on pieces you thought you’d never wear without buying to explore different styles without committing to something that might not suit you. If you shop online, create a wishlist to keep track of your wardrobe gaps and focus on intentional purchases.
3. Step Outside Mainstream Fashion
Try to branch away from mainstream fashion stores to discover clothes that resonate with your individuality on a deeper level, rather than simply following what’s widely available.
This helps you to find a personal style that’s unique and unlike anybody else, otherwise your style can start to become too reliant on a few main fashion stores.
Practical Tips
Embrace vintage and second-hand shopping: Explore thrift stores, consignment shops, and online platforms like Depop or Poshmark to discover unique pieces with character. Vintage and second-hand will help you create a one-of-a-kind wardrobe that stands out from mainstream fashion.
Seek out unique and niche brands: Research independent designers, small-scale labels, or local artisans to uncover styles that aren’t mass-produced. These brands often prioritize quality, creativity, and sustainability, offering pieces that appear personal and distinct.
Explore affordable luxury brands for special pieces: Seek out mid-range or lesser-known luxury labels that offer high-quality pieces at more accessible prices. Brands like these often excel in timeless design and craftsmanship that can last longer than fast fashion at a fraction of the price of high-end brands.
4. Adopt Style Techniques for Your Shape
Adopt style techniques that actually flatter you and suit your outfits by learning how to highlight your best features and balance your silhouette.
Using a style technique just because it’s popular can leave you with outfits that look unflattering or feel uncomfortable and it’s important to find a way to adapt it to you.
Practical Tips
Understanding your body shape: Take the time to learn about your body shape—whether it’s pear, hourglass, rectangle, or inverted triangle—and how different cuts, fits, and styles work best for you. Try a new style technique, clothing item and silhouette to see which ones naturally enhance your features.
Master the art of layering: Layering is an essential styling tool that everyone needs to know, but it needs to be done thoughtfully to flatter your body shape. Balance is key—the right approach enhances your proportions without drowning out your frame or adding unnecessary bulk so pair pieces that create a harmonious silhouette.
Develop your signature details: Your signature details are the small yet impactful elements that make your style uniquely yours. Play around with accessories like statement jewelry, scarves, belts, or even specific types of shoe to identify the pieces that feel most like “you.”
5. Use Fashion Trends Wisely
Incorporating trends wisely allows you to keep your style fresh and modern without compromising your individuality or wardrobe coherence.
By selectively choosing trends that align with your personal style, you can add interest to your look without falling into the trap of too much fast fashion.
Practical Tips
Reconsider trends thoughtfully: Appreciating a trend from afar is perfectly valid if it doesn’t align with your personal style. Sometimes the fear of missing out can make us want to join something but just remember, not wearing something can be just as big a style statement as following the crowd.
Incorporate trends as accent pieces: This approach allows you to embrace current styles without overwhelming your wardrobe or straying from your core aesthetic. For example, a trendy metallic bag or a pair of bright, bold shoes can inject freshness into your look while staying rooted in your aesthetic.
Shop trends secondhand: Unlike mass-market fast fashion, secondhand shopping offers one-of-a-kind finds, allowing you to give a subtle nod to the trend and maintain your unique style without looking identical to everyone else.
6. Invest in Quality Over Quantity
Having style is not about having an endless amount of clothes at your disposal, it’s about finding a way to make the pieces you have work.
Prioritizing quality over quantity in your wardrobe ensures that your style is built on durable, classic pieces that last longer, elevates your appearance and evolves with you through your style journey.
Practical Tips
Create a capsule wardrobe of quality basics: Focus your efforts on investing in quality around timeless essentials that serve as the foundation of your style with a budget that is right for you. Opt for staple items like a white cotton shirt, tailored black pants or an elegant pencil skirt, which give endless outfit possibilities and pair effortlessly with trend-driven pieces.
Learn to assess fabric and construction: Educate yourself on recognizing high-quality fabrics and stitching. When shopping, check labels for natural fibers like cotton, wool, or silk, and examine seams for durability. This skill ensures you’re choosing pieces that last.
Try the one-In, one-out rule: For every new piece you add to your wardrobe, commit to removing one item that no longer serves your style. This keeps your closet streamlined, ensures you prioritize quality over quantity, and encourages intentional purchasing decisions.
7. Create a Signature Color Palette for Your Style
Unless you wear all black outfits everyday, understanding and using color effectively is vital to finding a style that complements your natural features.
Color is one of the first things others notice about your outfit so using it in a skilled and thoughtful way is so impactful and a crucial step in finding your style.
Practical Tips
Curating a foundation of neutral anchors: Start by identifying different shades of natural tones that fit seamlessly into your wardrobe. Neutral colors like black, white, beige, navy, and gray provide versatility and act as a reliable base for any outfit. Choose neutrals that flatter your skin tone—for example, warm undertones pair well with cream and taupe, while cool undertones shine in stark white or gray.
Use color wheel theory: Learn the basics of color harmony to create outfits that are visually balanced and appealing. Complementary colors (opposites on the wheel, like blue and orange) create bold, dynamic looks, while analogous colors (adjacent on the wheel, like blue and green) offer subtle, harmonious pairings. Monochromatic schemes—different shades of a single color—provide a sleek, elegant appearance.
Get a professional color analysis: This service helps you discover the seasonal colors that best complement your natural features, such as your skin tone, hair color, and eye color. Look for a trained color consultant who can guide you through the process, either in-person or online. Alternatively, you can try at-home tools like seasonal color analysis kits or apps for a more budget-friendly option.
8. Allow Your Style Room to Evolve
Your personal style is a reflection of your growth, interests, and life experiences, so allowing it to evolve ensures it stays relevant and authentic.
Embracing change in your wardrobe, rather than sticking rigidly to particular styles helps you adapt to new phases in life while keeping your look fresh and exciting.
Practical Tips
Adopt changes gradually: Set aside time every season to review your wardrobe. Incorporate a new trend, colour, or accessory gradually rather than overhauling your wardrobe all at once. For instance, if you’re curious about tailored looks, try starting with a structured blazer before committing to an entire collection of formalwear.
Document your style journey: Keep track of how your style evolves over time by storing images of your favourite outfits. Reflecting on your journey and collecting a visual diary can inspire future outfit ideas and ensure your wardrobe grows in a direction that feels true to you.
Book a session with a personal stylist: Gain fresh insights and guidance tailored to your evolving style from a professional. A stylist or app can help you identify wardrobe gaps, introduce you to new silhouettes or garments, and provide advice on refining your look or set a new direction for your style journey.
9. Stay True to Your Authentic Self
Staying true to your authentic self is the cornerstone of developing a personal style that feels natural and empowering.
Straying too far from your authenticity in pursuit of trends or approval can lead you further and further away from your true style and who you really are.
Practical Tips
Create your fashion mantra: Define your style with three adjectives (e.g., casual, elegant, colorful) to guide purchases and keep your wardrobe cohesive. Feature these three words prominently on your mood board or other places in your life as a reminder to simplify your decision-making.
Keep a fashion journal: By documenting your outfits, and reflections, you can identify patterns in what makes you feel confident and comfortable versus what feels out of alignment. Use your journal to note the pieces you gravitate toward, the colors and silhouettes you enjoy wearing, and how certain outfits make you feel in different settings.
Do a wardrobe audit regularly: Take time each season to go through your wardrobe with a critical eye. Donate or sell items that don’t fit your vision, and keep the pieces that spark confidence and resonate with your personal style. This will help you have clarity, ensuring your wardrobe is a reflection of your evolving style and authentic self.
What is personal style in fashion?
Personal style is a person’s unique way of expressing their personality through clothing, accessories, and overall appearance, reflecting their tastes, preferences, and lifestyle while aligning with their comfort and confidence.
Your personal fashion style embodies a personal narrative that reflects your journey through life, your aspirations, and your identity while sidestepping rigid labels and fleeting trends imposed by the fashion industry.
It doesn’t have to follow strict categories or reject trends entirely but it should represent your personality and preferences so that you can build a wardrobe that empowers and celebrates your uniqueness.
Why am I struggling to find my style?
You may be struggling to find your style because you haven’t yet explored what truly resonates with your personality, body type, lifestyle, and preferences, or because you’re overwhelmed by trends and external influences instead of focusing on what feels authentic to you.