Back in high school, you style likely determined your social group. There were the preps and the punks, the scene kids and the hippies. As an adult, though, you may not even have language for your style. Instead, like many adults, you just get dressed in the morning and that’s enough – but this approach could be keeping your from reaching your style potential. If you’re ready to take your look to the next level, focusing on these three factors will help you get a sense of your preferred style while maintaining a mature, coordinated wardrobe.
Get Inspired
One of the first things you should do when trying to develop a signature style is to look to the media and pop culture to find inspiration. Don’t just look for one fashion icon, though – instead, look for a collection of fashion forward figures whose looks you can borrow from. Look at different pictures of their outfits, read interviews where they describe their style, and then look for accessible versions of their clothes in stores.
What’s In Your Wardrobe?
Another way you can start shaping your personal style is by evaluating your existing wardrobe. Don’t try to look at everything, though. Rather, focus on two questions: what clothing makes you feel most confident and what pieces do you wear the most? The answers to each of those questions will help you get a clear sense of what clothing you gravitate toward and what you should be building your wardrobe around.
Get Down To The Details
Now that you build the foundation for your wardrobe, it’s time to start accessorizing. As opposed to teen wardrobes, which are often built around bold pieces, more mature style tends to be expressed through distinctive accessories. You might consider accenting your wardrobe with some of the following:
- Bags: Every woman needs at least one great bag, and we don’t mean the ubiquitous cotton totes we all have. Just because you have a dozen of them hanging in your closet, that doesn’t mean they’re an appropriate style choice. Instead, look for bags that are both practical and accent your new wardrobe. A more indie, boho style pairs well with a leather crossbody while a little black bag may suit those with an edgier look.
- Glasses: Whether you sport prescription lenses or just fashion frames, glasses can be a lot of fun, and online shops make owning multiple frames more affordable than ever. Lightweight metal frames offer a more polished, professional look, while those who like a retro or quirky style might opt for cat-eye frames or bright colors.
- Jewelry: You’ve surely known people with signature pieces of jewelry, so why not set yourself apart by finding your own distinctive pieces? Whether you’re drawn to dangly earrings or sleek leather cuffs, there are plenty of ways to accent your basic wardrobe elements with a little daily flare.
Just because your scene kid or hippie days are in your past, that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a distinctive look. Make your clothing a priority, because that’s part of affirming your own value and boosting your confidence each and every day.