How To Lock In on Your Personal Style
5 Hair Products I Used All Summer (and won’t stop using this fall)
In the last year or so, I was really able to hone in on my personal style, and it has made shopping infinitely easier! I still feel like it is very much a work in progress, but generally I feel better in my outfits than I’ve felt in a long time.
The first thing I asked myself is, “What do I want people to notice?” Once I answered that question, it helped inform where I wanted to put emphasis and which parts of my outfit could sort of act as a “background” element.
Next, I started picking a color palette to stay within that I knew would be complementary to my skin tone and also allow me to mix and match items in my closet. Some people shop for outfits or sets, but I am not one of those people. I like to buy individual pieces to mix together.
Lastly, I made a mood board of outfits, clothes, and accessories that I loved and referenced it whenever I felt like shopping for something new. The feeling of confidence and ease in getting dressed became more important than the dopamine hit of buying something new in the moment.
Once I had those things nailed down, I uploaded the mood board to ChatGPT and asked it to define that style. I took those words and saved them in a little note on my phone.
Effortless French Americana is what AI called it, and listen – I don’t hate that! The style is relaxed but not sloppy; it has classic features but isn’t preppy, and there is a factor of restraint in the simplicity of each look. The highlights are jewelry, bags, and texture!
So now, with new trends popping up each season, I look at them through the filter of “will that fit easily into my effortless French Americana style?” And if I can’t see a way that it would work, I pass on it.
Fashion and personal style aren’t always black and white, and a lot of getting dressed for the day is based on feel and function. But knowing how I like to dress and choosing outfits I feel good in has simplified my morning routine in the best way possible.
If you’re trying to lock in your personal style, ask yourself these questions:
One. What do I want people to notice about my outfit?
Two. If I had to pick a celebrity or influencer to trade closets with, who would that be and why?
Three. What clothes or outfits feel like a costume? Any of the items that you name here should be donated.
Four. Are you in a temporary season of life? If the answer is yes, make sure your personal style decisions are held loosely and serve this particular season (example: postpartum) and return to this when you’re in a more permanent phase of life.
From there, browse Instagram and Pinterest and look for images that represent some of the answers you gave above. Pull them together on a single board and then upload it to ChatGPT and see how it defines it!
This is just a quick exercise to help identify what you care about when it comes to style, and also things that you don’t vibe with. Through all of this, remember that individual style is deeply personal, and while it does matter how you feel and how you present yourself to the world, also remember we’re just talking about clothes and accessories at the end of the day.
Although it’s a small thing, it has been a value add to my life to have figured out my personal style. I hope this helps you too.
comments