Fashion is more than just what you wear—it’s a way to express your individuality. It allows you to showcase your personality and send a message to the world without having to say a word. Figuring out what you want that message to be will require a bit of effort, self-reflection, and experimentation. However, your hard work will be worth it when you curate a style that makes you feel confident and undeniably yourself. To develop a sense of style that is uniquely your own—rather than just a carbon copy of your favorite fashion icon or influencer—here are some helpful ways to develop your personal style.
Do some self-reflection
Your personal style should reflect your unique personality and interests. As such, determining what your individual style is will require some self-reflection. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you determine your individual style:
- Do you prefer wearing casual or formal attire?
- Do you enjoy following the latest trends or wearing timeless pieces?
- Are you more conservative or daring in your fashion choices?
- Do you prefer wearing neutral colors or bold shades?
- Do you prefer form-fitted clothing or more relaxed fit tops, dresses, and bottoms?
Answering these questions will help you determine what persona you want to convey to the world and what styles are best suited to your distinctive disposition.
Consider your lifestyle
When developing your personal style, it’s important to consider your lifestyle. If your job has a certain dress code that you must adhere to, try to figure out a way to allow your style to shine through despite such restrictions. After all, you don’t want to develop your dream style and wardrobe and only be able to wear it on the weekends.
In addition to dress code restrictions your work may enforce, you should also consider what you like to do for fun. For example, if you live a very active lifestyle, you should probably avoid incorporating long, flowing dresses or sky-high heels into your wardrobe.
Scroll through social media for inspiration
Social media sites such as Pinterest or Instagram can be valuable for discovering and developing one’s personal style. If you don’t have a vision of exactly what you want your style to be, such sites can serve as inspiration.
If you already have a few fashion icons or influencers whose style you admire, consider taking to Instagram and checking out their feeds. In doing so, you can take inspiration from their styles and apply components of their signature style to your own. Now, we aren’t saying you should copy their wardrobe, but looking at styles you appreciate can guide you in the right direction. Use these styles to help you determine the general look you want to convey, and then add your own unique touches to make your style your own. By incorporating elements you like from various style icons, you’ll ultimately end up with an individual style that is a unique blend of all your fashion inspirations.
Pinterest can also provide inspiration and direction for developing your individual style. It will allow you to create digital vision boards of outfits and styles that you enjoy. Upon pinning an ample amount of images, you can get a sense of what direction you would like your style to go in. Referencing your digital vision board before or while shopping will help guide you on your journey towards curating your personal style.
Scan fashion magazines that suit your style goals
Another great place to find fashion inspiration is in fashion magazines. Flipping through fashion magazines will familiarize you with current trends and help you determine what is currently in style. There are many different types of fashion magazines to choose from that each cater to different fashion inclinations.
If you’re trying to emulate a chic, high-fashion style, consider sifting through the pages (or webpages) of Vogue or Elle. Those that prefer more of an indie style could check out AnOther Magazine or perhaps Russh. Whatever your ideal style is, picking up a magazine or scrolling through its online website can provide you with a wealth of inspiration that specifically aligns with your goal look.
Know what styles best suit your body type
Above all else, your individual style should make you feel confident. A great way to develop a style that empowers you and boosts your self-esteem is by knowing what styles of clothing are best suited to your body type and will highlight your favorite features.
General categories for body shapes include pear, hourglass, apple, or athletic. Of course, there are far more than four body types. However, classifying your figure into one of these basic categories will provide you some general guidelines of what styles of clothing may be particularly flattering for you. To determine what your body type is and start tailoring your style to your unique silhouette, measure your bust, hips, shoulders, and waist.
Try everything on before purchasing it
Now that you’ve developed a good idea of what you want your individual style to look like, it’s time to do some shopping.
While shopping for new clothing, make sure to try everything on before purchasing it. A style that you like in theory might end up making you feel uncomfortable when you’re wearing it. Trying clothing on will ensure that everything fits correctly and makes you feel comfortable and confident before you purchase it.
Experiment with different styles
When developing your sense of style, don’t be afraid to have fun and play around with fashion. One of the most fun steps to developing your personal style is by experimenting with different looks. As such, you shouldn’t be afraid to try on pieces that are a little outside your comfort zone while shopping. For example, if you usually stick to neutral colors, consider trying on a brightly colored top every once in a while. You never know when you’ll end up loving a look that you never thought would work for you.
To help you on your journey to developing your own unique style, Cozi Bear Boutique offers a wide range of fashion and affordably priced clothing. From outerwear to accessories, we have everything you need to craft a wardrobe that makes you feel confident and undeniably yourself.
