Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Personal Style
Personal style is your own self expression manifested into your appearance. If the thought of defining your personal style feels claustrophobic, then you’re letting your style define you, instead of you defining your style. Personal style shifts, grows, and evolves over time, just like we do. So if what you used to love just doesn’t feel like you anymore, that’s normal!
Your personal style will hardly ever be categorized into one style. Like Joanna Gaines says about home style, your style will probably be at least two style categories, oftentimes more. Take a look at these examples. If some of them stick out to you, take note and figure out what specifically you like about that style. Maybe you like the vibes of the styles (how you want to feel), or maybe it’s the actual clothing you’re drawn to.
Examples of Different Styles & Key Elements
Athletic
Vibe - sporty, on-the-go, comfortable
Key elements - leggings, sneakers, sweatshirts, apple watch, matching sets (workout or lounge), baseball caps, tennis skirts
Textures - cotton, nylon, spandex, neoprene, breathable materials
Picture sources from left to right: Roolee, Fashion Jackson, Princess Diana, Pinterest
Boho
Vibe - relaxed, free spirit, western
Key elements - wide brimmed hats, big metal jewelry, maxi dresses, dusters, western belt buckles
Textures - fringe, embroidery, straw, linen, suede
Brands - Free People, Bohme, 12th Tribe, Anthropologie
Picture sources from left to right: 12th Tribe, Pinterest, Ibiza Boho Girl, The Daileigh,
Casual
Vibe - simple, comfortable, low maintenance, everyday
Key elements - crew neck tees, graphic tees, denim, dainty jewelry, shirt dresses, flat shoes, shackets
Textures - cotton, denim, canvas, linen
Brands - Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, H&M, Madewell
Picture sources from left to right: Livy Land, Pinterest, Pinterest, Fancy Pants Report
Chic
Vibe - sleek, confident, modern, classic, polished
Key elements - fitted tops, clean and straight lines, heeled shoes, big sunglasses, metal jewelry, tailored trousers
Textures - satin, leather, cotton, cashmere, luxury materials
Brands: Banana Republic, Avec les Filles, Revolve, Veronica Beard
Picture sources from left to right: Tumblr, Vogue, Pinterest, Pinterest
Click to read about wearing pants that aren’t denim.
Edgy
Vibe - cool girl, bold, nonconforming
Key elements - leather jackets, chains, ripped denim, studs, black, leather boots, band tees, sunglasses
Textures - leather, cotton, ripped denim, distressed, metals
Brands: Dr. Martens, Anine Bing, AllSaints, Rag & Bone
Picture sources from left to right: Harper’s Bazaar, Pinterest, Pinterest, Pinterest,
Click to read if you’re looking to incorporate more leather in your wardrobe.
French
Vibe - classic, chic, sophisticated, model “off duty”
Key elements - stripes, neutrals, a pop of red, flat shoes, well-fitting shapes, slightly undone (hair), structured, equestrian, handkerchief scarf around neck
Textures - cotton, denim, leather, tweed, silk
Brands: Longchamp, Sezane, Mango, Scotch & Soda
Picture sources from left to right: Juila Berolzheimer, Love Shack Fancy, Atlantic-Pacific, Julia Berolzheimer
Preppy
Vibe - academic, East Coast (New England and/or Southern), polished
Key elements - crew necks, polos, loafers, flats, boat shoes, mini skirts, stripes, collared shirts, riding boots, scalloped hems
Textures - cotton, plaid, cashmere, wool, pearls
Brands - J. Crew, Vineyard Vines, Kate Spade
Picture sources from left to right: Classy Girls Wear Pearls, Kiel James Patrick, The Zoe Report, Julia Berolzheimer,
Street Style
Vibe - unconventional, trend setter, loud - anything goes
Key elements - mixed patterns, trends, asymmetrical, layers, clashing colors, artistic, long jackets, heels
Textures - leather, feathers, silk, cotton
Brands: Anthropologie, Avec les Filles, Free People (anywhere really)
Picture sources from left to right: Glamour, Pinterest, Tumblr, Pinterest
Vintage
Vibe - 1920s -1950s, old school, classic
Key elements - A-line dresses, peter pan collars, saddle shoes, high waisted capri pants, kitten heels, polka dots, fitted turtlenecks, circle skirts, peacoats
Textures - cotton, wool, nylon
Brands: Mod Cloth, Anthropologie, Loft
Picture sources from left to right: Pinterest, Atlantic-Pacific, Fashion for Lunch, Soy Virgo
There are many other styles out there, but these are just a few that are popular. Like I said before, your style most likely consists of 2 or 3 of these styles. Here are some examples of combining styles:
Athletic Chic
These are all outfits that combine elements from the Chic style (blazers, leather handbags, gold jewelry, sunglasses) and the Athletic style (leggings, sweat pants, sneakers, baseball caps).
Picture sources from left to right: Pinterest, Pinterest, Behind the Gram, Pinterest
Edgy French
All of these outfits have elements of both Edgy style (black, leather, metal hardware) and French style (stripes, beret, riding boots, neck scarf).
Picture sources from left to right: How To Wear Fashion, Pinterest, Vogue, Who What Wear
Now that you’ve taken some time to figure out your style categories, take a look at these 5 steps to take in finding out your personal style.
Find what styles appeal to you
Write down 5 different women whose style you admire. They can be celebrities, bloggers, or a coworker. Think about their style or pull up Instagram posts or pictures of their outfits. What about their outfit do you love? What vibe are they giving off? Are there certain pieces you would want for yourself?
Answer these questions for each woman, then compare your notes to each other. Where are the similarities between them? This is a good way to find out which styles are appealing to you. It also helps to figure out why it’s appealing to you. Do you love the vibe of the outfit? Or do you like the crisp clean lines? Are you drawn to certain materials? Think about it.
Look through your own closet
I was a total tomboy in high school. My wardrobe consisted of running shorts, sweatpants, and tshirts from my sports teams. One day, a girl I did office work with told me she loved my Pinterest, but she was surprised at what I was pinning because I didn’t dress that way at all.
In actuality, I really did want to dress like the women did on my Pinterest boards. However, I did have reasons I didn’t.
First, I couldn’t. My family did not have a lot of money, and sometimes we couldn’t even afford to go back to school shopping. So since I played sports and needed athletic clothes for practice, that’s what I ended up wearing throughout the day.
Second, I was not confident (poor high school Makenzey!). I did not want to branch out and try new styles. I did not want people noticing me because I was really insecure.
Third, I was sooo uncomfortable in my body. I hated going through puberty and felt uncomfortable all the time. I hid under baggy shirts and sweatshirts. It went hand in hand with my insecurity issues, so I hid even more.
Once I got my first retail job in college, I was forced to get nicer clothes. But I was also excited! I finally had a reason to stop wearing jeans and my old sports t-shirts.
I know first hand that it can be really uncomfortable to start trying different styles, but it’s so rewarding! Now I feel like myself when I get dressed. I love what’s in my closet. And I feel like I have the freedom to dress how I actually want.
So your homework is to look through your closet and take inventory. What items are consistent with your ideal style? Which ones aren’t? Items can fit into multiple style categories, so don’t throw out too many items. You can also try to work your clothes into your ideal style categories - don’t force it though! It is totally ok to get rid of clothes.
Take more fashion risks
It can be everyday, it can be once a week, or even just once a month. Try styling your clothes in a way you normally wouldn’t. It’s ok if you feel uncomfortable - you’re supposed to! The whole point is to get out of your comfort zone and discover things you might actually like.
You can put together colors you never have, pair heels with sweatpants, mix textures and patterns. Try anything! See what you like, and what you don't like. I guarantee, even if you give a huge thumbs down to some of the outfits you create, you’ll also find out that you can put together awesome outfits that you love. You’re more creative than you think!
Afterwards, reflect on your time of intentionally taking fashion risks.
Which days did you feel most like yourself? When were you worried about the risk, but then it actually paid off? What did you end up loving? Why did you love it? What didn’t work? Maybe you wore more color, and realized you wear black as a default. Maybe you realized that wearing neutrals really is a personal choice that makes you feel like yourself. Or maybe you realized that while you admire your friend’s style, it’s not your style.
Clean out your closet
Once you have a grip on what your personal style is, it’s time to deep clean your closet! Get rid of the items that don’t serve you anymore. The stuff that doesn’t make you feel like yourself. Everything you don’t feel confident in.
Read my blog post for major tips on cleaning out your closet.
Go Shopping
I’m not suggesting you blow all of your money and go on a shopping spree (although I have nothing against that). But it’s time to replace some items in your closet. Maybe it’s time to finally get that leather jacket that you didn’t think you could pull off (but now you know you can), or invest in a really great pair of jeans.
I once heard someone say that going shopping without knowing what you’re looking for is like going to the grocery store without a list. In some sense, that is true. If you don’t know what your style is or what you like, you’ll probably end up with something you’re apathetic about. Look back to step 1 and see which styles appealed to you, and specifically which items. Go take a test run, find those pieces, and try them on! Give yourself a day to look with no commitment to buying anything - just look and see what you feel good.
Also, it’s worth noting that YES, you CAN pull it off! I’m a firm believer that anyone can pull any look off if they rock it with confidence. If you like it, then you’ll pull it off.
Please leave a comment or DM me with questions - I love giving style tips and helping how I can!
