There is nothing worse than wearing clothes you don’t feel good in. You’re uncomfortable and, even worse, you look uncomfortable. You can avoid this predicament by honing in on a personal style of your own.
1. What do you like?
Rule number one of personal style is wearing what you like—not what is in style. I hardly ever wear pants, because they don’t look good on me and I don’t like them. My wardrobe consists mostly of skirts and dresses. They flatter my body type and—perhaps most importantly—they make me feel confident.
So, what do you like? Go to a department store and try on all sorts of clothing. Maybe you don’t like pants, either. Or you hate dresses. You may be surprised by what you find out. It is liberating to say “goodbye” to clothing you don’t want to wear. Who cares if skinny jeans are in style? If the thought of wearing them makes you want to cry, turn your back on that fad and walk way.
2. What looks good on you?
This part is a little tricky. It is important to acknowledge and accept what looks good on you, and what doesn’t. I would love to wear a shirtdress or a dropped waist frock but it will never happen. Those styles just don’t look good on my body and after many frustrating years of trying to “make it work” I have given up and it feels great.
How do you determine what looks good on you? Any outfit you get constant compliments on is a keeper and a template for future successful outfits.
It’s also a good idea to determine your body shape. To do this, take your bust, waist, and hip measurements. This will shed light on your shape—pear, apple, celery stick, or hourglass. Whatever you are, dress for it.
3. What impression do you want to leave?
This is an important part of personal style. We all may be more physically comfortable in yoga pants, and they look pretty good on everyone. But that’s not what personal style is all about. What kind of person do you want to appear to be? The clothes don’t make the woman, but they do contribute to your first (and second and third) impressions. Dress as the person you want to be, or for the job you want to have.
Personal style is your own fashion fingerprint. By determining what clothing and accessories make you look and feel your best, you are ready to take on the world.
Written by: Julie Anne Long