Discovering Your Signature Style

In the quest to curate a capsule wardrobe that reflects your essence, understanding and defining your personal style is paramount. This journey to self-expression through fashion is not just about filling your closet with trendy pieces; it's about discovering the elements that resonate with your individuality. Following up on last week's guide to building a capsule wardrobe, this article delves into the crucial next step: finding your personal style. Let's navigate through three simple yet profound steps to uncover your fashion identity.

Step 1: Define Your Style in Three Words

The path to recognizing your personal style begins with reflection. Think deeply about the fashion statement you wish to make. Can you describe it in three words? For instance, my style encapsulates 'feminine', 'glitzy', and 'elegant' - each word representing a distinct aspect of my fashion choices. 'Feminine' reflects the refined cuts and understated yet sweet tones in my apparel. 'Glitzy' captures my love for complementing ensembles with shimmering accessories. 'Elegant' speaks to my gravitation towards timeless pieces like a tailored blazer or a sleek bodysuit paired with suit pants and kitten heels. Armed with these defining terms, the act of curating your wardrobe and drawing inspiration for your style becomes an intuitive endeavour. These chosen words will gently steer your decisions, from selecting fashion pieces to making lifestyle and interior design choices, guaranteeing that every new element is a cohesive extension of your personal aesthetic.

Below is a table of ‘style words’ to get you started on defining your style:

Step 2: Understand Your Body Shape

An integral part of fashion is dressing for your body type. Whether you're an inverted triangle, an hourglass, or another shape, recognizing your body's contours is a stepping stone to fashion that flatters and enhances. Reflect on the attributes you admire in yourself and aim to accentuate them. My journey evolved from choices that didn't quite complement my form to outfits that not only fit me perfectly but also accentuate my best features. For example, combining tighter tops (like bodysuits) with flowing pants accentuates my shape better than the reverse.

Pinpoint a couple of features of your body that you truly admire. It could be your elegant shoulders that look stunning in sleeveless cuts, or your graceful collarbones that deserve the framing of a boat neck top. Highlighting these attributes can profoundly shift your self-image and naturally enhance your confidence.

Step 3: Craft Your Style Blueprint

With your personal style now coming into sharper focus, it's the perfect moment to craft a specialized tool: your very own "Wardrobe Style Guide." Initiate this by creating a fresh Pinterest board, Instagram folder or photo album. This board should mirror your evolved style perspective, acting as a pivotal reference throughout your fashion evolution. Embed your style keywords into the board's description as a constant reminder of your fashion ethos. As you sift through your ‘Style Inspiration’ collection, selectively repin’ to your style guide those images that truly echo your personal aesthetic. Ask yourself:

• Does this capture the essence of my style?
• Can I see myself feeling attractive, authentic, and confident in this?
• Would this outfit make me feel comfortable?

This selective process prioritizes authenticity, focusing solely on outfits that you can envision yourself wearing with confidence. To broaden your horizons, seek out additional inspiration by merging one of your style descriptors with "style" or "outfits" in your search queries, like "feminine style" or "feminine outfits." This method ensures a continuous influx of ideas that align with your unique sense of style.

By following these steps, you're not just assembling a wardrobe; you're building a narrative of your personal style. It’s an ongoing process, one where each choice is a step closer to a wardrobe that’s intrinsically 'you'.