Most of us build up our wardrobes as the years go by almost by accident. Through gifts, impulse buys, urgent holiday purchases and pieces we had to buy for work, we slowly develop a style that’s ours, but often not intentionally so.
At a certain point, it can be nice to take a step back and be a bit more intentional about the whole thing. From looking at what you have to the importance of confidence in what you do, here are a few ideas on how you can establish your own, personal style.
Look at where you’re at
First things first, it’s important to take stock of what you already have. While your wardrobe may not have been put together with complete intention, at least some of the pieces you own will likely be there because you enjoy wearing them.
Go through your wardrobe, take out the pieces you love, and think about what they all have in common. You’ll likely be able to come up with some common threads that tie it all together, and gain a better understanding of what it is you like to wear.
Look for inspiration
Next, you can look at other people and areas of culture for trends that you feel inspired by. That could be the trousers the protagonist in your favorite film wears, or the hat that the barista at your local cafe sports when the sun is out.
Take this on with an open mind, and don’t be afraid to experiment a little bit. If you’re trying to shape what you’re wearing a little, you’ll likely end up wearing some things you’re unfamiliar with and you need to be ok with that.
Sourcing it all
If you try to dress exactly like celebrities, you’ll likely find that the brands they wear are eye-wateringly expensive. Luckily, you don’t actually need to spend £480 on a plain white t-shirt – you can find one for about 100th of the price at sites like Screen Textiles.
Make sure that you look at second-hand sites as well, like Vinted, to reduce your expenditure even more.
Own your look
Lastly, while you might be concerned about how other people perceive you and your particular style, what really matters is how it makes you feel. The people on your commute might see your outfit for 10 minutes each, but you have to live with it all day.
Own your look and try to wear things that make you feel good. If you feel comfortable, you’re much more likely to end up sporting an outfit that other people enjoy as well – it’s all about confidence at the end of the day.
Establishing your own personal style isn’t going to happen overnight. You’ll need to come back to it constantly, making sure that you’re still wearing items that you actually enjoy, rather than falling back into old patterns. Ultimately, this should be a fun process that you enjoy, not something that you dread or feels like a chore – make sure it stays that way.
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