Defining Your Personal Style

If you find yourself envying the girl who has her own flair or wondering if you even have style, here is an intelligent discussion about how to dig deep and create your own ‘look’.

TO EACH THEIR OWN

Personal style goes beyond just wearing the latest trends, donning the newest designer, or sporting the most recent celebrity hair cut. It is something that we see right away when we look at someone. The 'look' of a stylish ensemble makes a statement and reflects something about the wearer and their personality.

YOU ARE YOUR OWN INSPIRATION

It may seem easy to simply garner a style from someone else such as your favorite diva or fashion icon. But true style is really about individuality. Your individual style should be as unique as you are bringing together elements of your personality, your creativity, and your personal vision of yourself.

Style has nothing to do with trying hard by wearing outfits that are outlandish or theatrical, totally chic or overly glam. Your style should come naturally and be based on the framework that is your personal fashion values + your concept of yourself.

DEVELOP YOUR VISION

Just as we are all born with a personality we are all born with a potential style. Some people are born with an innate sense of themselves, and tap into that when selecting their and fashion choices. Many are greatly lacking this innate sense and struggle with expressing themselves through their wardrobe, while still others already have their own style without even realizing it.

In order to tap into that self expression, get to know yourself better. What are the characteristics that distinguish you from others? How are you reflecting yourself to the world? What is the inner you like? Be introspective.

Once you figure this out, get to know the ideal you and how you want to be viewed by the world. Develop the ideal vision of yourself by asking what does the ideal you look like? What are her preferences? How does she present herself? Your personal style is a reflection of both the real you and the ideal you. Bring these visions of your ultimate self to life.

TRANSLATE IDEAL TO REAL

To bring your personal style to life make a list of the colors, textures, and fashion features that best fit with your identity. Find pictures of items you would like in your ideal wardrobe and even designers that share a similar vision. Search in shops, online, and fashion mags to find the items that complement you.

One way to figure out where you are and where you need to go is to take inventory. Go through your closet to determine how many of your items really reflect your ideal. Try to rid yourself of the items which don’t and replace them with the those that are a true reflection of your vision. Eventually, as you become more focused you will refine it even further - your style will become as unique as the vision you have of yourself.

WORK IN PROGRESS

As you become more familiar with yourself, your style will become more pronounced. Think of it as ever evolving; your personalities grow and your tastes may change; your style will also reflect that growth. You will probably become more bold in adding new statements to define your personal style. Each statement, each piece in your wardrobe, is one component of your entire vision.

Remember, a personal style has to be found and cannot be forced, it must be created. Copying someone else simply results in you having someone else’s style, not one that is all your own.

Contributed by Sonceree Nada