In multiple ways, personal style is about more than just an individual’s appearance. While wanting to look nice is part of it, style is also a form of expression. It’s a way to showcase yourself to the world, instantly conveying important facets of your personality and telling people what you’re about. Authenticity is everything when it comes to this topic, and you’ve also got to feel wholly comfortable with what you wear (you should never wear clothes or accessories for someone else’s sake).
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If you’ve decided that you’d like to try something a little different, this article is for you. To get you started on your journey of developing or revamping your personal style, here are ten things you could consider today.
Getting the Basics Sorted First
Personal style, in part, comes down to your ability to pair different types of clothes together. It’s about layering, and when you’re considering layers, it’s essential to develop a strong foundation. Spend some time sourcing quality trousers/jeans, t-shirts, button shirts, simple dresses and skirts, and a couple of high-quality jackets. Go for neutral colours so they’re easy to match. Starting here gives you the versatility you need to then begin accenting and building outfits you can keep going back to.
Knowing What Works for You
One of the most difficult parts of this process is learning what truly works for you; this can be challenging if you don’t have a decent idea already. The best place to start is typically colours, and from there, get a feel for what textures work best. While it can be hard to figure this stuff out, the best course of action is to simply go with what you like. If you enjoy wearing it and think it looks good, that’s really all you need to know, though if you’re unsure, having a trusted friend or family member advise you can be beneficial.
Understanding Fit
The reality is that most people are walking around with poorly fitting clothes and don’t even know it. If you’ve never been properly measured or shown, you’re only ever making an educated guess. The best way to eyeball fit is by assessing whether or not the clothes restrict movement or feel too loose, though this can be subjective. Ideally, book an appointment with a tailor to be properly measured, and then apply these measurements to any item of clothing you buy online or try on.
Don’t Forget About Footwear
It’s often said that footwear can make or break an outfit, and this is commonly the case. You don’t have to have dozens of pairs of shoes and boots – three pairs usually work well in the beginning. Get yourself a good pair of smart shoes, some trainers, and some sturdy boots that can be paired with many different styles.
Using Jewellery to Make an Outfit Pop
Jewellery can be a powerful asset for augmenting your personal style, and there are many different options to choose from. A necklace and bracelet pairing can be a safe, traditional choice, and if you’d like something a little bolder, there are thousands of earring designs you could pick from. You could also go for a body piercing – gold nose rings from Urban Body Jewelry are particularly popular at the moment.
Prioritizing Grooming Habits
While style is mostly about the clothing and accessories you wear, grooming also plays a critical role. Having a haircut that suits you, for example, can transform your entire look, and conversely, having something that doesn’t quite fit can throw off your style completely. It’s all about striking a good balance between something you like and gaining insight from the professionals (a great hairdresser will be able to steer you in the right direction).
Don’t Follow Trends
While it might be tempting, it’s best not to follow trends. Timeless fashion is always the best route to go, as the classic styles suit just about anyone, whereas it’s not guaranteed that a given trend will work for you. If you do consider certain trends, use them sparingly to accent an outfit.
Understanding How to Use Different Fabrics
Material influences texture and the overall look and feel of an outfit, so it’s important to pay attention to composition when you’re buying clothes. Natural fabrics are usually the best choice for longevity (think wool, linen, and cotton). They’ll cost you a little bit more, but they’re considered a better investment than synthetic materials like polyester. Semi-synthetic options, like viscose, can be a good middle ground, however.
Organising Your Wardrobe
While not a fashion tip per se, organisation is very important when it comes to managing your personal style. Naturally, having a larger wardrobe with multiple compartments is very helpful, as you’re then able to segment different styles and outfits and select them easily when needed. Using drawers to organise smaller items, such as T-Shirts, skirts, socks, and so on, can help keep things from getting messy, and having a pull-out rail so that you can see your clothes clearly makes the process of getting dressed much more efficient.
If you have the space and the budget, a walk-in closet is usually optimal, but having a well-designed free-standing wardrobe works nearly as well.
The Importance of Confidence
And finally, don’t forget about confidence. How you wear an outfit is just as important as what you wear. You could be wearing what is technically considered one of the most stylish looks of all time, but if you don’t feel confident wearing it, it’ll just feel and look forced.
If this is something you often struggle with, simply practising choosing items you like and going out in them regardless of what other people think is the way forward. This is hard, of course: it’ll take some getting used to, and you might feel self-conscious at first, but before long, you’ll wear what you love with pride and positivity. Good luck, and have fun rediscovering yourself!