Style is much more than fleeting, fast-fashion trends. Fashion is deeply personal and a reflection of who you are and the experiences, quirks, and passions that make you who you are. Most people make a judgment and first impression within seconds of meeting a person. Through your fashion sense, you are communicating to the world a lot about who you are without saying a word. In order to better understand your style, it starts with better understanding yourself.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself to develop your personal style:
Who Are You
This is a big question to ask yourself. The person you are is made up of all your experiences, your physical and personality traits and your preferences. Take time to think about the woman you are and the woman you’d like to become. Look in the mirror and jot down 10 words to describe yourself. Now, take time to look through your closet and discard anything that does not align with the description of the woman you wrote. Style yourself authentically to that woman.
What Are Your Likes and Dislikes
Maybe you’ve never been the girl to rock dresses or maybe you prefer heels over sneakers. Maybe you love a lot of bright colors or perhaps, your palette is neutral and muted tones. Take time to think about what you like and dislike in a wardrobe, but also in life. Knowing your preferences is a big defining factor for your wardrobe. Be aware that likes and dislikes can change throughout time, so it’s important to re-evaluate.
What Stage of Life Are You In
Are you a stay-at home mom? Are you an entrepreneur who is always on the go or works remotely 24/7? Are you a student? Assessing the season of life that you are in will serve as a large determinant of your style. Just as your preferences can change, so does your stage of life. If you have recently stepped into a new stage of your life, it might be time for a closet reset.
What is Your Message
This is an essential question to consider. It takes 1/10 of a second for the human brain to make a first impression of another human being. Ask yourself: What message am I giving to the world? Is it one that I am proud of? If the answer is no, take time to evaluate why and reconsider anything in your closet that is not creating the image you want to portray.