How to Find Your Personal Style: Things I Wish I Knew Earlier
For most of my life, I pushed back against the idea of having a defined personal style. Every time I saw people online talking about how to find your style, it seemed restrictive, like I’d have to box myself into a specific aesthetic forever. It just didn’t feel right. But, over time, I decided to explore it more deeply and realized that personal style can actually be fun and liberating if you approach it the right way.
There are quite a few things I wish I knew sooner, and today, I’m sharing them in the hopes that they might help you find your style and make your journey more enjoyable.
1. Personal Style Evolves Over Time
One of the biggest lessons I learned is that personal style isn’t a static thing. I used to think once I “discovered” my style, I’d be stuck with it forever, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Personal style is fluid and meant to change as you grow and experience life. As your tastes, lifestyle, and circumstances change, so will your style—and that’s totally normal. You’re not failing if you feel the need to change it up; in fact, it’s a sign that you’re evolving.
Early on, I started using the 3-word method to define my current style as “simple, effortlessly cool, and comfortable.” These three (technically four) words guide my wardrobe choices right now, but I know that as I grow and enter new life stages, my preferences might shift. I might lean into more colorful and bold choices, or double down on minimalism. Whatever the direction, the key takeaway is that finding your style is about having a guiding vision while allowing room for flexibility and evolution. Your style should adapt and move with you, not lock you into a box.
2. You Can Have More Than One Personal Style
Another thing that tripped me up when trying to find my style was the belief that I had to stick to just one aesthetic. But real life is layered, and your style can be too! You don’t have to define yourself by a single aesthetic. It’s perfectly fine to have different styles for different parts of your life. Maybe you have a more polished, professional style for work but lean into edgy or casual looks on the weekends. There’s no rulebook that says you can only dress one way.
In fact, having multiple facets to your personal style can be empowering. It reflects the different aspects of who you are. If your life has multiple dimensions, why shouldn’t your wardrobe? Instead of feeling pressured to make everything fit perfectly, allow yourself to experiment. Let your wardrobe reflect all parts of your personality and be as dynamic and versatile as you are. When you embrace these layers, it makes it easier to find your style in a way that feels authentic.
3. It’s Okay to Take Inspiration From Others
There’s often pressure online to create a completely unique personal style, but let’s be honest—drawing inspiration from others is totally normal and helpful. If you admire someone’s style, whether it’s a friend, an influencer, or anyone in-between, it’s fine to take elements from their look. This is especially common with capsule wardrobes and minimalist aesthetics, and there’s absolutely no shame in it. If their style resonates with you, why not use it as a guide?
The idea that your style needs to be entirely original adds unnecessary pressure. The internet is an amazing resource for shaping your style. Use it to find your style by blending what you love and adding your own personal twist. You’re not “copying” if you’re adapting what inspires you to fit your life and tastes. At the end of the day, how to find your style often starts by seeing what works for others and making it your own.
4. You Don’t Have to Spend a Lot of Money to Find Your Style
One of the biggest myths about finding your style is that you need to overhaul your entire wardrobe and spend a ton of money. That’s simply not true. The best place to start is by working with what you already have. Go through your closet and identify what you love and what you don’t. Understanding why certain pieces make you feel great and others don’t can give you a lot of insight into how to find your style.
Learning to restyle and repurpose existing pieces is an excellent way to grow your style without overspending. Get creative! Try new combinations, layer pieces differently, or accessorize in ways you haven’t before. And when you do feel the need to add something new, remember that it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Shopping secondhand, swapping with friends, or being intentional about your purchases can help you develop your personal style without breaking the bank.
5. Lean Into What Makes You Happy
Above all else, personal style should make you happy. It’s called “personal” for a reason! If you love wearing feminine floral dresses and they make you feel joyful, go for it. If blazers and jeans are your thing, rock them confidently. Maybe wearing bright yellow every day brings you energy and positivity—if that’s what makes you feel amazing, embrace it!
The most important part of finding your style is staying true to yourself and wearing what brings you joy and confidence. Don’t let other people’s opinions or trends dictate what you wear. It’s your style journey, and it’s all about expressing who you are. Whether you love to stand out or prefer to blend in, your style is valid as long as it makes you happy.
The goal is to feel comfortable and confident in what you wear, so lean into what resonates with you. Trends come and go, and outside opinions may try to sway you, but the heart of how to find your style lies in being true to yourself. There’s no right or wrong way to express yourself through clothes—just embrace what makes you feel good!
