How to Find Your Personal Style - A Beginner's Guide

To someone without much experience putting outfits together, the fashion world can feel very intimidating.

Unfortunately, this isn't all in your head; it's somewhat by design. The fashion industry profits from exclusivity and thrives on insecurity. This is how it's functioned for years, and it can make dressing well feel like an insurmountable task.

If you're just starting to find your look, you're probably wondering, 'Where do I start?'

As personal stylists, we hear this every day, so let's get into some fun ways to find your style.

Where To Look to Find Your Personal Style

Everyone's style (even the chicest) is referencing something.

Style is a collection of everything we love and identify with, mixed with our lifestyle! Know what you love and appeals to you, and how you need to fit into the world, and the rest will follow.

Creating a Pinterest board or other collage will help you see the throughline and get clear on what your ideal personal style is.

Once you've started your Pinterest, evolve beyond the pins.

Where to Look to Figure out Your Personal Style

• Read high-quality fashion magazines, like Vogue or Harper's Bazaar.

• Pinterest can also be a super valuable tool - it's a bit oversaturated with ads these days, but the gold is absolutely still there.

• Browse the runway shoes on Vogue or during fashion weeks, so you can see first-hand inspiration

• Only follow influencers that inspire you AND fit your lifestyle

If you really want to commit and get creative, use magazines to bring your Pinterest boards to life! Cut or tear out pages that appeal to you and compile them. If you're looking at them all in one place, it will be far easier to see the recurring themes/silhouettes/colors/etc.

How Your Lifestyle Helps Determine Your Style

Now that you're starting to pull favorites together, you can break them up into categories.

You can break up your looks however you want, but if you'd like a guide, pick 3-5 below:

• evening wear

• autumn/winter

• spring/summer

• office

• travel

• day off weekend wear

• professional meetings

• casual meetings

• parenthood

• date looks

• insert specific detailed category only for you

Some pieces are versatile and can work in different settings, so don't get too rigid with these categories!

Audit and Edit Your Closet to Find Your Personal Style

Before you run out to Bloomingdale's or scour the web for perfect pieces, take notes of what you already have.

Donate the pieces in your closet that don't fit your new look (or your body anymore), and bring the pieces that you already love to the forefront.

That way, you won't forget to wear them or buy something too similar!

Make a running list of items you DON'T have that are repeating over and over in your vision. For instance, if you see slim '90s jeans in multiple outfits and you love that jean style, if you need a pair, make sure it's on the list.

How To Shop To Make Sure You're Defining Your Style

Go back to your vision, and check your list twice. When you shop, only focus on wardrobe wonders that are on your list, and you can wear repeatedly.

Trends and "pretty little things" lead to impulsive buys that might not even fit into your style vision or your lifestyle.

If it's not on your list and doesn't cross off a NEED item, pass!

How To Experiment With Your Style

The scariest step of developing your personal style is taking it out on the town.

You don't have to do this all at once; start small. Small steps add up over time, and your confidence will grow!

Try a color you wouldn't normally wear, or a different silhouette than your everyday choice.

Chances are, you'll start hearing more compliments about your clothing choices. People love authenticity and expression, so don't be surprised if you start getting a lot more attention!

Over time, you'll begin to integrate your new style more, and your "look" will become much clearer to you.

Don't try to rush this part of the process; let it evolve.

Let it breathe with you, and don't forget to have fun with it! It's just clothes.

Finding your personal style isn’t about following every trend or trying to fit into someone else’s idea of “cool.” It’s about discovering what makes you feel confident, authentic, and excited to get dressed each day. Your style is a reflection of who you are, and there's so much power in embracing that.

Every outfit, every color choice, every silhouette you try teaches you something about yourself. Some experiments will stick, some won’t—and that’s okay. The journey is just as important as the destination.

Enjoy the process, and remember: your personal style is yours alone.