Personal Journey: Identifying Your Personal Style
When I launched my consulting agency several years ago, I incorporated an image consulting service into the offerings I provided during client sessions. A big chunk of my client sessions supports them in identifying their personal style. Whether launching a brand for the first time or rebranding an existing one, an integral part of any rebrand is understanding who you are, what makes you, and how you will express that in the things you create, wear and say.
During the beginning stages of getting to know a client, I always ask, "remove your business from the equation; how do you see yourself? How do you define yourself and your style?" If I could sense they struggled with identifying their personal style, I knew it would be challenging for them to step out into the world and be the creative force they desired. Even when we think it doesn't play a role or make a difference, it does.
If you struggle with self-identification or confidence, embracing your truth and confidently stepping into who you are can feel isolating. As isolating as it can feel, it isn't as uncommon as you think. Our personal image and style are layers to the many parts of us that are ever-evolving. Discovering your personal style is part of a process that takes time and commitment.
Your style is an expression of your creativity and grounds you in your individuality; it is the voice that introduces you to a room without you having to speak. Your personal style is more than how you look; it is rooted in how you feel. Are you showing up confident? Do you feel empowered when you enter a space? Do you shrink in intimidation when you think you do not fit in with your surroundings? Now that you've answered the pressing questions, below is a quick guide to put you on the path to discovering looks and personas that speak to and support you with discovering and owning your unique style.
“Your style is an expression of your creativity and grounds you in your individuality; it is the voice that introduces you to a room without you having to speak. Your personal style is more than how you look; it is rooted in how you feel.”
Change The Way You Relate to the Things You Wear
There is a deep connection between your clothes and how they impact you. Maybe your view is you don't need to look your best to thrive in life, but what if you challenged this perspective? Discovering your personal style requires you to dig deep and reconnect with why you love the things you love and if it's time to switch things up. In the past, studies have been conducted, and researchers have found that the things you wear could positively impact your mental clarity, focus, and overall ability to perform well. When you carry the mindset that "it is just a jacket, or it is just something to throw on," you're diminishing the power your clothing has. Changing how you relate to what you wear helps you see that your clothes are more than articles of clothing you throw on; they are a part of the story of who you are when you wear them. There is personal power in valuing the clothes you choose to express yourself in.
Assess What You Currently Have
Sometimes what you need is hidden in plain sight. Here's a task: Go through all of the clothes you currently own. With each piece, think about when you purchased it, why, and if it helps tell the story of who you are. When you assess what you already own, one of two things happens: you hate everything or come across long-lost finds you love. We've often spent years building the perfect wardrobe and everything we need, but we may not always know how to put the pieces together and feel confident in them. Next time you're having a fit session in your closet, focus on how you feel in said clothing. You may need extra layering, better accessories, pieces that accentuate your proportions, or simply pairing your signature pieces with different pants or tops to complete the look. The key to confidence is wearing the clothes and not allowing them to wear you.
Don't Buy Into Trends
Resist the need to buy into what's happening at the moment and lean more into sustainability. You want long-lasting pieces that you love and identify with, no matter how long you've owned them or when they were curated. I am not a super trendy person and cannot recall a time in my life when I was. When you know yourself, you know exactly what you like. You gravitate to what feels good rather than what an ad or an Instagram influencer told you will look good on you. In a world that is constantly interrupted by what's "popular,” you or your wallet shouldn’t buy into keeping up with trends.
“Personal style is not exclusive to a designer or high-end brands. You can develop a personal image that feels tailored perfectly for you and do it on a budget. Playing on strengths also means curating looks that work for YOU!?
Seek Inspiration
Even the most stylish person in the world looks for inspiration outside of themselves. The style influences that you see on Instagram or the things that you see on Pinterest can actually tell you a lot about your personal style. I always tell my clients, “gravitate toward the repeated finds.” If there is a specific article of clothing or style of dressing that you gravitate toward when looking for inspiration, keep moving in that direction.
Build Your Capsule
It sounds daunting when you're encouraged to build a single capsule, but I am an advocate of building a capsule by season. This way, you don't feel limited and can mix and match pieces from each capsule. Your capsules should always consist of articles of clothing that are interchangeable and appreciate with time. Building a capsule wardrobe helps you create looks without feeling like you have nothing to wear or need to shop for every big moment or special occasion. Maximizing what you have is also a way to be socially responsible. You resist the urge to buy into trends and end up with an influx of pieces you may never repurpose.
Play on your strengths
If your strength is shopping on a budget, then go with that. There is nothing wrong with looking good affordably. I am a high-low gal and always opt for more low than high. I may have to wear an expensive pair of shoes or an expensive bag, but the look is likely not wholly high-end designer pieces, which is perfectly okay. The measure of one's style is not how much they spend but how they look. Personal style is not exclusive to a designer or high-end brands. You can develop a personal image that feels tailored perfectly for you and do it on a budget. Playing on strengths also means curating looks that work for YOU! Think proportions and what you feel your best assets are. Whatever comes to mind, focus on that when styling yourself. You are your most powerful and confident when you wear clothing that compliments you, and that is compelling.
In Conclusion
Overall, how we view and define style is subjective. Your personal style is just that, personal. It is how you express yourself, so it should feel relatable and comfortable. If you ever feel like you walk into a room with others and you shrink, it may be that the look you've chosen doesn't reflect who you are at your core. While I don't define myself as a professional guru on style, I know what has worked for myself and my clients in the past. Your individuality should speak for you through the things that you wear. Your personal style should not require you to comprise yourself in any way. It's not about acquiring and curating looks you relate to and that compliment you. If your journey is rooted in subscribing to trendy aesthetics, you will always feel like something is missing. While your personal style will differ from the world around you, it will always be what differentiates you from the crowd. Trust that the way you define your style or what looks good to you will continue to evolve with time, but that is the beauty of it all. Even when we change and our style separates us from the rest of the world, we are connected through the same goal, the desire for self-expression through the things we wear. My advice is to continuously pursue play on the looks that make you feel most empowered and like yourself. You want to reach the point where you become the inspiration you seek.