I’ve had personal style on my mind lately. What makes someone stylish? How do you define personal style? What separates good style from great style? What makes you look at someone’s outfit and go “Wow I want to dress like them”. I also wonder when everyone stop taking risks and everything got so beige and boring. I don’t have all the answers, but I have 5 principles to focus on when defining personal style.

Describe Your Style in 3 Words

This is your starting point. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your style. For me it’s classic, feminine, and preppy. I love being put together. I love wearing bright colors. I love feminine details like puff sleeves and lace. I love simple tailored cuts that fit like a glove. I have a closet full of cable knit sweaters and striped shirts. I’ve parted ways with my Sperry’s, but my flats and riding boots are here for the long haul. Everything I purchase falls into one of these 3 categories style wise. Figure out your style attributes, and start building your wardrobe from there.

Find Style Icons that Embody Your Style

Now that you’ve figured out how you define your personal style, find your icons that embody that style. There are a handful of people whose style I really love and aim to emulate. They include my grandmother, Dominique Devereaux, and the women of one of my favorite movies, Eve’s Bayou. My beloved granny was the first person who’s style I ever admired. She got fully dressed just to sit in the living room, and had a suit in every color and a hat to match. She made sure I never left the house wrinkled, and always wore stockings with my dresses to church. She made sure to look her best no matter the event, whether that be one of my school programs or a family gathering.

Dominque Devereaux is the first person that comes to mind when I think of vintage black glamour. I mean who can forget her entrance on Dynasty? That scene is almost 40 years old, and her outfit could just as easily have been worn today. She walked thru that hotel lobby dripping in grace and elegance and I still want to be her when I grow up. Lastly, the women of Eve’s Bayou. I watched this movie alot growing up. While the subject matter was a bit mature for me at the time, the thing that I remembered most were the women and the clothes. I’m a southern girl, through and through. The women in Eve’s Bayou were so elegant. They were impeccably dressed and polished but never too much. They embodied Southern womanhood to me. These are my style icons, when I get dressed I’m channeling them.

Dress For Your Body

Now don’t fight me, cause I know y’all like to tussle. Learning to dress for my body type and sticking to clothing that works for it have made all the difference for me. I’m tall, with long legs and a long torso. I carry most of my weight in my midsection. Skinny jeans never fail me. Short fit and flare dresses compliment my shape, and make my legs look even longer. Figuring out what styles of clothing compliment your body best will ensure that you actually like how your clothes fit.

Don’t Follow Every Trend

Once you figure out what works for you, stop trying to follow every trend. I sometimes look at old photos of myself and I can pinpoint the time frame just by looking at my outfit. Trends are trends for a reason, they come and go without much fanfare. I mean have you seen anyone wearing a blazer and spandex shorts lately? I haven’t. It was ridiculous when it came out and it’s ridiculous now. Do you really want to be dressed EXACTLY like everyone else? Following trends will leave your wardrobe looking dated, and feeling like you never have anything to wear.

Stop Trying To Reinvent The Wheel

If I had to boil down my fashion advice to one thing it’s this. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Classics are classics for a reason. A white button down will never go out of style. You will always look good in a black turtleneck. I think alot of people overthink it, with trends and capsule wardrobes and ig models. If you find yourself overwhelmed, start with the basics and build from there. If you only wear neutrals, pick one bright color to mix in. As you get comfortable with it add more color. Take a risk and buy something out of your comfort zone. You may be surprised at the results. I resisted faux leather for years and now I’m fully onboard. Most of all wear what makes you feel good. As long as you put it on and like what you see and how you feel, nothing else matters.