Finding your clothing style can be confusing largely because the magazines suggest combinations from the latest fad fashion to mix and match creatively but they are not always practical for work or wearable for play. In the image business we make it simple. It takes knowing your style preferences and how to build a “style story”. Knowing your fashion personality can help you build a wardrobe that makes it easy to shop, plan and organize. Plus, a well-defined signature style will help you make a memorable impression every time. Knowing the fabric, cut, styles, accessories, hairstyles and makeup for each fashion personality are useful short cuts to build the style you want effortlessly, when you want it, for the appropriate situation. The knowledge will save you the time and money wasted on clothing you buy but never wear.
Know Your Preferences
Interestingly, people’s preferences all over the world fall into about 7-8 main personality styles. Typically, you lean towards one dominant style and perhaps one or two secondary styles. More than that and you give the impression you are not sure who you are. Choose one signature style for work for example and vary the look with color and accessories.
Here are seven different styles which are universal and timeless. As each style projects a strong message you are able to project the message you want without uttering a word: a useful strategy for first impressions, networking, interviews, meetings and first dates. However, there is also a pitfall to each one if overdone. Find the balance, maintain your personality but adjust the extreme version of the look and your fashion personality will speak volumes.
Creative
The creative woman values her individuality and puts together her own style story. Every item has a past history. In fact, you often shop in vintage boutiques inspired by the past, making your outfit quirky with a modern twist. Today’s most popular vintage looks come from the 1920s through the 1970s. Some of the classic styles from the 1960’s Mad Men and the 1950s full skirts have made a comeback in the past few years. Unusual accessories, boots, socks and stockings, belts, head gear and hats are favored to complete the creative look.
The “Boho” style is a creative look that relies on wild patterns, extravagant textures, and artsy accessories. Think hippie or gypsy looks, updated. The Olsen twins are known for their Bohemian style. The style can make a statement, but it can also give you an air of mystery. The pitfall of this look if overdone is that it can look like costume and may be misunderstood by many people! The trick is to dress more conservatively at work for example but add creative accessories, prints and patterns when the look requires a more professional approach.
Classic Elegant
The elegant woman values excellence and well-tailored stylish clothes that always look chic and updated. You are detailed oriented and favor unusual designer fabrics, (without the haute couture price tag), well-cut garments and exquisite finished details such as an unusual lining and buttons. The colors can be understated but never boring because your monochromatic choices, (or one- shade outfits), are varied through textures and statement pieces like costume jewelry, a silk scarf, elegant shoes or bag in the best quality. Your makeup is polished and your hair precision-cut so that it always looks good. Don’t be afraid of showing that your personality is fun and human because this look can give you an air of over perfectionism.
Alluring
The style is for the woman who values the body beautiful. It can also be sexy as it shows off your assets. You might choose tight-fitting tops with plunging necklines and thigh-high mini-skirts that show off your legs. You work on your shape and wear form-fitting dresses that let you stand out in the crowd. A great look for clubbing and evenings out. However, you can still be alluring and tasteful in a garment fitted to glide over the body, not a skin-tight bandage dress that tugs and strains. For day wear, don’t reveal too much skin all at once and opt for showing either legs or cleavage but not both. For example, choose low but not revealing necklines and skirts above the knee but not pelmets. The trick is to keep the look classy without giving the wrong impression.
Natural
You value comfort above anything else! You give the impression you are easy going and keep your wardrobe simple, favoring a looser fit over form-fitting or constricting styles. You like an unconstructed look, nothing fussy or detailed. You are loving the new, looser overtops and wider trousers which are fashionable and you probably enjoy wearing a comfortable pair of denim jeans with a cotton t-shirt or light weight sweater. Your shoes are focused on comfort, rather than being outrageously fashionable. You might choose a long scarf wound round the neck for warmth, minimal makeup and a tousled cut hair needing low maintenance. Watch that your look doesn’t get so messy and the fit so loose it gives the impression you are sloppy and uncaring with no attention to detail in other areas. Pay attention to the details and the fit so that the clothing complements your shape not engulfs you.
Classic Traditional
The classic woman values quality and timeless styles, such as a Chanel little black dress or a classic skirt with a silk blouse or well-cut shirt. You give the impression that you can be counted on at all costs and your work with be well executed. You probably prefer tailored cuts following the body shape with refined or fine jewelry such as real metals and stones, chains, pearls and a quality watch that stands the test of time. You may include an accessory that feels trendy such as the new bow blouse, but most of your closet contains items that will look great for years, defying fashion. You love blazers, trench coats, good wool coats, shirtwaist dresses, twinset knitwear, quality leather bags, belts and trouser shoes, smaller prints and a bob or short hairstyle. The only pitfall to watch is that your look can appear outdated and boring, giving the impression that your ideas and outlook are too conservative and entrenched. Always update your hairstyle, eyebrows, glasses and makeup.
Romantic
The romantic style woman values her femininity and gives the impression that she will be supportive, soft and affectionate. You are a girl at heart even at work and prefer curved lines, soft silhouettes and rounded collars rather than more masculine straight lines and constructed or tailored construction. You love soft, flowing skirts and dresses, translucent fabrics, lightweight bolero and waterfall cardigans, soft pleats. Your fabrics are pretty such as lace, velvet, silks and satins; patterns are rounded, lacy, floral or leaf shaped. Your clothing will show off your waist, shoulders, neck and your details will be bows, ruffles, jabots, flounces and gathers. You may prefer fuller skirts with movement that fall below your knee and ballet flats, lace pumps, strappy sandals, adorned with rosettes, bows and ribbons. No geometrics, checks or stripes for you. The pitfall of this look is that it can lack credibility when needed and in a man’s world people might take advantage of your girlish nature. When the situation demands, keep your lines curved and your fabrics soft but cut down on too many bows, fowers, long curly hair, frilly blouses and pastel shades. Wear more tailored styles and tie your hair back or put it up to enhance your authority when needed.
High Fashion/Dramatic
You are a daring individual who loves new trends and flouting convention. You value being noticed and enjoy standing out in the crowd. You give the impression that you can take risks yet still fall on your feet. To make a statement you choose well-thought-out styles that are large scale or brightly colored or both. You love mixing and matching unlikely combinations of styles, fabrics, patterns and colors. Your accessories such as glasses, bags, boots, shoes and jewelry or adornments are exaggerated, memorable and fun. You will experiment with dramatic hair styles and colors such as green and pink or multi colored hair. The pitfall to this look is that it could be considered “all about you”. That you are a maverick not a team player. In the instances when you have to fit in, modify the accessories; adjust the scale and try zingy and unusual color combinations, keeping your basic garments more neutral such as black, white and red, navy and coral, dark green and yellow. Understanding the connection between colors and emotions is key.
Don’t Be Afraid to Leave Your Comfort Zone
If you find a piece of clothing that you love that doesn’t fit into your normal pattern, go ahead and try it out. Go with a splash of color that makes you happy. Invest in a blouse that makes you confident or try a new fashion color out in a scarf or camisole. You will be surprised by the complements.
Don’t Forget the Winners!
One way to really get a handle on your style is to take pictures of your daily outfits and make notes of what gets noticed and how you feel. Having a picture of your clothes can also help you remember what you put together to look good. Next time you go shopping, you can search for similar items that will fit into your wardrobe for more great looks.
Final Thoughts on Finding Your Clothing Style
Discovering your own fashion sense and clothing style should be a fun process. As you get more confident and comfortable, choosing new items for your wardrobe will be easy. Just remember to build a style story from top to toe with different accessories, fabric, cuts and hairstyle that give you one signature style like a picture.
Want to learn more about style, image, and fashion? If so, click to contact London Image Institute today and discover how a career in image consulting may be the right path for you!
