Have you been searching for tips on how to find your style and how to create your signature look?
In this article I´m going to give you the 5 steps in finding your style. Use them as a guide in creating outfits that you are comfortable and confident to wear. Outfits that convey your personality and a style that is truly your own.
Style is NOT fashion. It is your expression of how you see yourself, what you believe in, what you like and don´t like, and how you take care of yourself. That´s why it´s called „personal style“ because it is how you present your personality to the world. And how you present yourself is how the world will see you.
But to some, if not many women, their style is elusive. They follow the trends, mimic the style of someone they admire, or they just wear whatever they find on the racks.
Yet dressing yourself this way isn´t only confusing, it can also be impractical … even disappointing. That´s probably the reason why some women are overwhelmed when it comes to personal styling. So they´ve convinced themselves that “styling is vain” and unimportant.
It´s true that as you go through life your style evolves. Whether it´s the age, financial status, a new lifestyle or a new job that can affect your style, you may find yourself tweaking your style a few times according to where you are in life. But generally, once you found your style, you tend to stick to it.
You may improve your wardrobe, explore new outfits, but your personal style will always be the foundation of it.
Here are the steps on how to find your style.
Table of Contents
Step 1. Know Your Proportions.
The first step to finding your style is to understand your proportions. Getting to know your body shape will help you identify the clothes that are flattering to your figure. You´ll also know which parts of your body to highlight and which to tone down.
But depending on which expert you´re talking to, they may tell you different body shape names and descriptions. Some experts say that there are eigth types of body shape, or there are four types, or twelve types, or five types.
However, if you really study all these different body types, you´ll realize that they all boil down to three basic body proportions – the pear shape, the hourglass, and the boyish shape.
Under the boyish shape are the rectangle and the inverted triangle.
So let´s clarify this a little bit.
The Pear Shape
You have a pear shape if the width of your shoulders and torso are smaller than the width of your hips and thighs. You have small waist. Your body fats are mostly distributed on your hips, thighs and buttocks.
The Hourglass Shape
You have an hourglass if the width of your shoulders and your hips are roughly about the same and you have small, emphasized waist.
The Boyish Shape
Boyish shapes are determined by having narrow hips, waist line that isn´t emphasized, and flat to small breasts.
a. Rectangular Boyish Shape
You have a Rectangle Boyish Shape if the width of your shoulders and hips are roughly about the same but you don´t have waist.
b. Inverted Triangle Boyish shape
You have an Inverted Triangle Boyish Shape if your shoulders are wider than your hips and you don´t have waist, or the width of your waist and hips are about the same.
Remember that your body type is defined by the silhoutte of your torso and it´s that silhoutte which determines the clothes that will look flattering on your body.
You can be a small, medium or plus size version of one of these shapes. And you can have a short torso or long torso, as well as having a fuller tummy or some body handles, or you can be tall or petite. All these will also go into consideration when dressing up your proportions.
Step 2. Find Clothes That Flatter Your Shape
Once you got to know your proportions, the next step is to look for flattering clothes.
Goal for the Pear shape
Create illusion of having wider shoulders and slimmer hips and thighs. Lighter colors on top, darker colors on the bottom. Sleeve details that add width to your shoulders. Horizontal lines on top, vertical lines on the bottom.
Goal for the Hourglass:
Use your waist as the focal point on your outfits to emphasize your perfect proportions. If you are a slim Hourglass and you have flat chest, use padded bras to create balance on your torso.
Monochrome is best for you, as well as clothes that skims and accentuates your curves.
Goal for the Rectangular Boyish Shape
Create an illusion of having slimmer waist using belts, and an illusion of having wider hips through tops with peplum hems or skirts with A-line silhouttes.
Goal for the Inverted Triangle Boyish Shape:
Soften your broad, strong shoulders by wearing solid colored tops and create illusion of having wider hips through peplum or flared silhouttes, and details or prints around your hips.
- How to Dress a Body Building Muscular Female Shape with Broad Shoulders
- Fashion Tips for Apple Shape Body Type
Step 3. Discard everything that doesn´t flatter.
The next step in finding your style is to discard anything that doesn´t flatter.
Monochrome outfits aren´t flattering for pear shapes. Shapeless clothes aren´t flattering for hourglass shape. Feminine, very girly dresses will look awkward on mascular, boyish shapes.
Anything that doesn´t flatter your proportions, it´s time to let them go.
Step 4. Determine your likes and dislikes.
Determining your likes and dislikes are essential in creating an authentic personal style that is truly your own.
a. Do a closet inventory.
Identify the clothes that you love wearing, dresses that make you feel beautiful, and pieces that you usually wear.
Put on the bed all the clothes and accessories that make you feel good. The clothes and accessories that make you feel dull (they don´t spark joy), put them on the floor.
Once you´re done, go through the pieces that you love and see what´s the common theme. What do you love about them? Most likely these pieces will already give you an idea of your personal style.
b. Find inspiration on Pinterest or Instagram.
Create a Pinterest board for outfits and pieces that you love. Pin into that board all the lookbooks or items you see online that light you up.
Alternatively, you can do your research on instagram and make screenshots of the looks that you´d like to try wearing.
Once you have enough pins or screenshots, go through them and see what´s the common theme. Is it the color, texture, print or silhouttes that you like?
Step 5. Learn to break the rules.
If it feels good, go ahead and break the rules.
Rules are there as a guide, but they´re not set in stones. If you have the confidence, and you know your figure very well, you can break the rules.
The secret in breaking the rules is to get to know yourself, get to know your imperfections and then embrace them.
Self-acceptance is key, then go ahead and wear whatever it is that makes you feel good.
In the video I walked you through the five steps on how to find your style, I included two bonus tips at the end on how to establish your signature look. Enjoy!