How Do You Find Your Personal Style, Anyway?

One of the foremost pieces of advice anyone looking to dress themselves with more intention gets is “just find your style, and don’t sweat the small stuff!” It’s good advice, especially for those who are nervous about getting things right instead of just having fun, which is what fashion and beauty should be about to begin with. You’re not passing an examination here, but expressing yourself, and that’s what makes the process enjoyable.

So far so good. Just one small problem. What does “just find your style” even mean?! After all, you wouldn’t just tell a new painter to find their own style before they could learn the rules of perspective, but outside of the basic wisdom of “trousers are for your legs” and other lessons we learn before we can even walk upright, there are few handrails to guide us.

So - how do you find your style anyway? Never fear, because if you stick to the following guidelines, you’re sure to understand where it was lurking the whole time:

Discover Your Color Palette

Ultimately, the kind of color palette you wear will depend on your tastes. For example, it’s considered that those with “warm undertones” or “cool undertones” to their face, skin and hair would be better off with gold or silver jewelry. Conventional wisdom says gold works better with brown hair and silver with blonde, but that’s just a rule of thumb, and you can look great both ways. That’s why taking time to experiment, to see what works for you, and to notice that a particular shade of a particular color is your “type,” like cool blue, can give you a framework to operate from.

Try Some Fun Brands

There’s so much prestige and intrigue around certain brands, but the truth is, you get to explore what you like and have fun with those purchases. They’re all here for you if you like them. For example, you might enjoy wearing an Alexander McQueen shirt one day, and a supermarket’s own jumper during the festive season on another day. Mix and matching, considering which styles most feel in line with your tastes, and not being afraid to try something new will always see you winning in the end.

Consider Your Lifestyle Needs

You might not have the same lifestyle needs as another person, and that’s completely fine. This can define your sense of dress and how you like to adorn yourself. Someone who may be out for their work constantly may prefer to invest in nicer jackets than shirts, for example, while some working in the hot sun may prefer great cargo shorts, to the point where it becomes part of their style. It’s nice to make a certain thing “your thing,” no matter if that’s wearing a fun bow tie at work or wearing a flat cap for that rustic charm. Just give things a go, and experiment. Remember, you dress for today, not for the rest of your life. Ultimately, your style should be predicated on one thing - how you feel that day.

With this advice, you’re certain to find your personal style, by having fun and removing tired obligation from the entire process.