If you have tried finding your personal style based on what’s trending on Instagram or buying whatever mannequin’s wearing at the mall, you know that it’s actually way more personal than that… like, who would’ve thought, right?
Your style should feel like you threw it on without thinking, even if you spent twenty minutes staring at your closet this morning.
The thing is, most people think they need to fit into some style box, but I’m here to show you what actually works and how find your personal style.
Your Personal Style Isn’t About Trends or Labels
Authenticity is your secret weapon in a world obsessed with following every fashion rule that pops up on social media.
Your personal style shouldn’t be related to what everyone else thinks is cool or buying clothes just because they’ve fancy labels.
It’s about finding what makes YOU feel amazing. That designer shirt everyone’s wearing? If it doesn’t vibe with your personality, it’s just expensive fabric.
Real style comes from understanding who you are, not copying what you see online or in magazines.
In this post I walk you through some ideas on how to find your personal style. Let’s go.
Tips on How To Find Your Own Personal Style
The best place to start finding your style is staring at you from your closet… those outfits you reach for when you’re running late and need to look decent without thinking too hard about it!
You want you to pull out those go-to pieces and play detective with your own wardrobe, looking for patterns in what you naturally gravitate toward.
Whether it’s that one pair of jeans that fits just right or the sweater you’ve worn three times this week, these repeat offenders are going to tell you everything you need to know about what makes you feel confident and comfortable.
Pull out outfits you repeat and note common elements
Look through your closet and grab those outfits you reach for again and again… you know, the ones that make you feel like your best self without even trying!
These are your style goldmines, seriously. Lay them out and become a fashion detective; what do they all have in common?
Maybe it’s flowy fabrics, bold colors or that perfect high-waisted situation. Notice the silhouettes, textures and vibes that keep showing up.
Are you always reaching for oversized sweaters? Do you gravitate toward earth tones?
These patterns aren’t coincidences, their clues to your authentic style DNA!
Identify colors, fabrics or fits you’re drawn to
Colors can make or break how you feel in an outfit, so let’s dig into what’s already making you shine!
Look at your favorite pieces and spot the patterns. Are you secretly obsessed with jewel tones or do neutrals make your heart skip a beat?
Notice fabrics too… maybe you’re always reaching for that buttery soft sweater or those perfectly worn jeans.
Pay attention to fits that make you feel like the main character. Do flowy silhouettes give you confidence or do structured pieces make you feel unstoppable?
Your preferences are already telling your style story!
Take quick selfies for reference if you’re visual
Once you’ve spotted those patterns in your closet, grab your phone and start snapping!
Take quick selfies of outfits that make you feel amazing… even if it’s just your favorite jeans and tee combo. I promise you’re not being vain, you’re doing research!
These photos become your personal style mood board that you can scroll through whenever you feel stuck.
Notice what makes you smile when you look back at these pics. Is it the way that oversized blazer makes you feel powerful? Or how those high-waisted pants give you confidence?
Your camera roll doesn’t lie!
Use Pinterest or save pics on your phone
Now that you’ve figured out what’s already working in your closet, it’s time to get visual and create a mood board that’ll become your style compass!
I love using Pinterest for this because it’s like having a giant digital magazine at your fingertips, but honestly saving screenshots to your phone works just as good.
The magic happens when you start noticing patterns in all those images you’ve been collecting… maybe you’re drawn to flowy fabrics, bold colors, or that effortlessly cool vibe that makes you think “I wish I could look like that without even trying.”
Don’t copy, get inspired
Once you’ve cracked your style code, it’s time to turn those scattered pins and screenshots into something that actually makes sense!
Here’s the thing though… copying someone’s entire vibe is like wearing a costume that don’t quite fit. Instead, I want you to get inspired by specific elements.
Love those chunky gold hoops? Great! Obsessed with how someone layers her necklaces? Perfect!
But mixing it with your own twist is where the magic happens. Think of inspiration as ingredients, not the whole recipe.
You’re the chef of your own style kitchen, and trust me, your unique flavor is what’s gonna make it absolutely delicious!
Audit Your Closet Like a Style Detective
Something magical happens when you start playing closet detective; you finally get to separate the clothes that make you feel like yourself from the ones that have been collecting dust like forgotten museum pieces.
Make two piles: the “Yes, this is totally me!” pile and the “Why did I even buy this?” pile. Trust your gut here… if something makes you feel awkward or uncomfortable, it’s probably not your vibe.
Let go of clothes that feel like someone else
Those clothes sitting in your “Why did I even buy this?” pile are basically costumes for a character you thought you wanted to be but never actually became.
That blazer screaming “corporate queen”? If you’re more coffee shop vibes than boardroom energy, it’s gotta go.
Same with those trendy pieces that looked fire on your friend but feel totally wrong on you.
Keeping clothes that don’t match your actual personality is like carrying around someone else’s diary… weird and pointless. Donate them guilt-free and make room for pieces that actually feel like home.
Highlight your go-to pieces and build from there
While you’re channeling your inner fashion detective, start by identifying the pieces you reach for when you’re running late and your brain’s on autopilot.
These are your real MVPs, not that fancy blazer that’s been collecting dust since 2019. Look for patterns… do you always grab the same black jeans? That oversized sweater that makes you feel like a cozy burrito?
These pieces are telling you something important about your style DNA. They’re comfortable, they make you feel confident and they actually fit your lifestyle.
Use these gems as your foundation and build around them strategically.
Play around with shapes and layering
Since you’ve got your colors figured out, it’s time to get a little wild with shapes and see what magic happens when you start layering pieces together.
I’m talking about throwing a cropped jacket over that flowy dress, or pairing wide-leg pants with a fitted top. Mix textures too… velvet with denim, silk with cotton.
Step out of your comfort zone just a little. It’s like being a fashion scientist, except way more fun and less exploding beakers.
Don’t worry if some combos look weird at first. That’s totally normal! The goal isn’t perfection, it’s discovering what makes you feel amazing when you look in the mirror.
Final Tip: Your Style Is Allowed to Evolve… Just Like You
While you’re busy documenting your style wins and figuring out what makes you feel amazing, remember that your personal style isn’t some permanent tattoo you’re stuck with forever.
You’re gonna change, grow and discover new things about yourself… and that’s totally cool!
Maybe you’ll go through a preppy phase, then pivot to grunge or mix both because why not? Your style should grow with you.
Don’t stress about staying consistent forever. Embrace the evolution, experiment with different vibes and let your wardrobe tell the story of who you’re becoming.
