Wednesday, July 1, 2015

5 Steps To Developing Your Personal Style




Let me start by saying that I never considered myself a “fashionable” person. I never really understood how to dress for my curves and until fairly recently my wardrobe typically consisted of scrubs, jeans and t-shirts. Last year I decided this was the year that I would finally dress the way I really  felt inside, and as part of my quest to figure out what being an adult really means to me. After a few months of going through my closet, lots of online searching, and too many exhausting trip to the mall to count, I’ve finally started to build a wardrobe I really love!  

Finding your personal style is about getting to know yourself. It’s about being connected with who you are, and being confident about it!

So what exactly does being yourself have to do with fashion?

Imagine a world where everybody wore the same clothes. A place where they had the same style and liked the same things….Now that wouldn't exactly be the most stimulating world... would it?
But the sad reality is - the majority of people tend to go this route when it comes to clothes! So this is where developing your style comes into the picture.
Dare to be yourself and wear the clothes that express the unique and fabulous person you are! 

Creating your personal style is about putting together an outfit that reflects various aspects of your personality and lifestyle. Your taste, interests, desires, inspirations, aspirations and history. You bring a couple (or all) of them together and let it shine in the way you dress.

Here are 5 tips I learned along the way of developing my personal style...

1. Seek Inspiration
Make a short list of your favorite fashion icon, and do quick search via Google, Pinterest and Instagram to gather inspiration on their looks. Your favorite fashion bloggers also make amazing points of reference pulling together inspiration from many sources can be a great way to really get an idea of what you like and dislike.

Homework assignment: Make a Pinterest board titled "Personal Style Inspiration." (Tip: It can be a secret board!) Create a list of your five favorite celebs or bloggers, do a quick search on each of them, and pin the images and outfits that most resonate with you. 

2.  Embrace Your Shape
Hear me when I say, I am a big proponent of wearing what you want regardless of your body shape, however learning to dress for your body type can be a good jumping off point when developing your style. Knowing how to highlight your best features can save you time and take your look from average to amazing.



Homework assignment: Find fashion bloggers whose body shape is similar to yours, pay close attention to silhouette they wear, choose several looks and pin the images and outfits that most resonate with you. Finished? Now, write down all the elements they have in common. Chances are, the characteristics you write down most frequently are the ones you most relate to, and the vibe that makes you the most comfortable. Why is this important? When you feel comfortable, you look and feel your best! 


3. Take Inventory
Take a good long look at your closet and what you already own. I know so many of the “experts” say toss anything that you haven’t worn in a year...I hate that rule! It’s not rare for me to pull something out of my closet that hasn’t been worn in over a year and give it new life, so I say toss or donate anything that doesn't make you feel good in it! You'll be amazed at how easy it is to get dressed when you have only a few spot-on options, instead of unnecessary clothing clutter!

4. Shop Smarter, Not Harder
Can I confess to you all that I hate shopping! I know, you're appalled, but the fact is that the whole process stresses me out, and I hate the idea of spending a ton of money. Over the years I have learned tricks that have made the process less painful. Buy good quality staple pieces (leather boots, jeans, slacks and jackets) that will last multiple seasons. By purchasing quality staples that will last, you can easily update your seasonal wardrobe by adding inexpensive trendy pieces from stores like Ross and Forever21.  

Homework assignment: Next time you go shopping, revisit your Pinterest inspiration board. Likely there are certain items and themes you'll need to re-create the looks you admire. Make a list of the items you don't already have, and take it with you.

5. When in doubt Accessorize 
Accessories are, without a doubt, the easiest way to pull any look together regardless of the vibe you want to achieve. You can update jeans and a white t-shirt with a bold necklace or pair layered, delicate jewelry with a dress for a more feminine feel. A cool ear cuff or stacked rings can give you an instant edge, and pearls can make you look polished and lady-like in an instant. Add a patterned scarf, opt for edgy ankle booties instead of your normal black pumps, or pull out a bright clutch to add more personality.


The single most important thing when creating your personal style is to stay true to yourself. Own your style, be proud of it and embrace fashion as a way to express who you are and who you want to be. 

Have you struggled with your personal style in the past? What tips helped you?

Linked Up With// M&MF/ High Five Friday

25 comments :

  1. Loved all the tips darling! My style is also still developing, but hey some progress is better than none! #BLMgirls

    www.hollytiara.blogspot.com

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    1. I agree, there is nothing wrong with being a late style bloomer!

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  2. Love these tips Saprina and really enjoying your blog! Keep it up you're doing an amazing job!

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    1. Thanks Kishina for always supporting and having so many wonderful things to say!

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  3. These are some fanatic tips!!! Embracing your shape is key! I can't stand it when I see a pretty girl wearing something unflattering and not made for her specific body type. Like I was always stick thin when I was younger so obviously things that show of curves were not my fashion friend and made me look goofy lol

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    1. Ya that can be a hard pill to swallow, it took me a while to accept that some trends I simply can not wear and not look silly!

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  4. Inspiration is key! And finding your own style. Uniqueness is important when developing an aesthetic.

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    1. I agree, Inspiration has been the key to figuring out what i like and what looks good on me!

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    2. Well girl, looks like those outfits look good on you! You've got GREAT taste :)

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  5. I love the EMBRACE YOUR SHAPE tip :) Probably the most important one. Thanks for sharing these awesome tips!

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  6. I agree with Shelby! embracing your shape is key. I always tend to forget that and sometimes buy clothes online that really aren't flattering on my shape. Its a constant struggle and something to always work on!

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    1. I have the same problem and I shop online a lot (since I hate shopping its much easier for me) one tip I use a lot with online shopping is to find bloggers with my body shape, I always try to find photos of them in a piece before I order or similar.

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  7. I agree with everything you have said in this post. My instagram account survives on photos of my outfit of each day and that has truly inspired me to dress nicely! Because I feel great!!

    It is great to keep inspiration and dress the way you feel inside :) Thanks for sharing xoxo

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  8. Such awesome tips!! I definitely believe in #4. I tend to buy clothing that I know will be of multiple use for me. I love fashion but hate spending too much. aha. :)

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  9. Great tips!!! Sometimes being a woman it's really hard to find ways to dress ourselves and be comfortable, but when we find that perfect piece of clothing, it makes things a million times better. And accessories help make an outfit even better.

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  10. Such a great list of tips, I love accessorizing too. :)

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  11. This is where I struggle! Great tips, and very doable. I love that dress, by the way!

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  12. Great tips! Staying true to yourself is so important!

    xo, Jordan
    Braidsandbuttercream.blospot.com

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  13. These tips are great, we should embrace are shape because beauty comes in every form, shape, size

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  14. I'm no fashion connoisseur myself, but I believe you're very on point with your tips! I'm constantly struggling to find the perfect pieces that will flatter my figure, but what you said about trying to find a blogger that looks like you is a great tip!

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  15. Totally needed these reminders. I'm always being so hard on myself for not being very fashionable but lately I have been accessorizing more! Thanks for the tips, love that teal dress!

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  16. Thank you for making me feel "normal" for still going back and fourth with my style options. lol I have all kinds of clothing in my closet that touches every style pattern. I am not a trendy person and really enjoy the "J.Crew look" but every now and again I love a hot pink or a tight fitting dress. I struggle with "How should I dress for my age syndrome". lol This post was very helpful

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  17. Thank you for making me feel "normal" for still going back and fourth with my style options. lol I have all kinds of clothing in my closet that touches every style pattern. I am not a trendy person and really enjoy the "J.Crew look" but every now and again I love a hot pink or a tight fitting dress. I struggle with "How should I dress for my age syndrome". lol This post was very helpful

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