How to discover your personal style?
If someone asked me what my personal style is, I’m not sure I could give a straight answer. My style depends so much on my mood, on the weather, and on how tired I am. I bet you can relate to this.
But to make sure that style improves confidence for us we need to have some sort of an image of it. If not quite sure where to start with it, here are couple steps to help you kickstart the discoveries:
1 Know your body type
Firstly, don’t underestimate the importance to understand which colours and shapes compliment your figure the best.
Are your shoulders wider than your hips or are you a pear shape? Measuring yourself and figuring out your body shape will make choosing the right shapes for you so much easier.
Make sure you have all of these measurements available especially when shopping online:
- around the bust
- around the waist
- around the hips
- also knowing the length of your arms and legs helps in making sure style improves confidence.
2 Find your signature pieces
This is an easy one, when you really think about it:
what is your favourite
- piece of clothing
- colour
- a shape in your closet?
Which pieces do you keep going back to? Those are your signature pieces! And that’s what you should start building your personal style around to make sure that style improves confidence.
As an example, my ultimate signature piece is definitely a bardot neckline anything: top or dress, if it reveals my collar bones, I’ll be going for it.
3 Invest in items you’ll wear forever
Once you’ve figured out your signature pieces, think whether they are of quality that you can still wear in 5 years’ time. Especially with accessories, investing once will take you a looong way.
4 Find the best colours for you
Bright colours are great because they tend to suit everyone (in my opinion). But there are some colours that we need to stay aware of:
For example, some lighter tones should be avoided at all costs if you have a pale complexion. Otherwise you will drown yourself in it. You can figure out the best colours for your skin tone easily with a simple colour analysis.
Bright colours are great as mood boosts but they also work in the sense of style improves confidence.
5 Create a mood board
Saving inspiring outfit photos on Instagram and Pinterest can save you a lot of time when figuring out what to wear next. I always refer to my ‘Outfit inspiration’ board on Pinterest when I’m running out of ideas, and I always find something worth wearing.
How personal style improves confidence?
So, we already know that by dressing in a certain way, we unconsciously send out signals to passers-by about our persona. There is a clear distinction between how we address a person who looks very put-together versus someone who’s style is more bohemian, right?
Just as importantly, we should focus on what we want to feel like when we dress in a certain way. Because believe it or not, your style improves confidence and affects the way you carry yourself.
Sometimes you feel a bit miserable and couldn’t give a toss about what you look like. But what if you still put a bit of effort into your look for the day?
- It can be something as simple as a bright lipstick or a pair of heels. For me, leaving the house knowing that I look good makes me feel that much better throughout the day.
- Another thing you could do is to have a ‘bad day comfort-outfit’ at the ready for those days when looks really aren’t the priority for you.
- When you know your signature pieces, you can always refer to them, and look and feel a tad better than you might if you trundled out in sweat pants and a hoodie.
Choose something that you feel comfortable in, but something that also makes a statement. Add a pair of sexy heels on that jeans and hoodie combo, or rock out that handbag that you spent a bit more money on.
Or try going all out and wear that outfit that makes you feel confident and beautiful. Walk around at home first and feel it out. And when you leave the house, pay attention to how much your mood has improved just because you look like you’re completely slaying it.
Final Thoughts
Some people think style isn’t that important. That there are more urgent matters in our lives to put our energy on. And they’re right, stressing about one’s style really isn’t on top of the life’s priorities list.
But there’s no denying, personal style does affect how we perceive ourselves and how we are perceived by the outside world. Also, style improves confidence when approached from the correct angle.
So, to figure out your personal style, and have that go-to outfit ready for those “I have nothing to wear“-days can save you a lot of time and effort.
