My Personal Style Journey x How To Figure Out Your Style.

If there’s one other thing I get constant emails on asides from the usual “blog questions” (check out my blog tips segment here), its on fashion/style tips from people who are still a bit confused about their style, figuring it out and  just dressing better in general.

I’ve been meaning to address this for a while now so this post is long overdue. I mentioned in this post – on the power of the extras in making an outfit, that I was going to blog about how to figure out your personal style.

I thought to not only finally address that but to also chip in a bit about my style journey as well and some lessons/tips to guide you towards finding yours.

For me, figuring out this whole fashion thing and my own personal style was a gradual process. Looking back at my my very early years, up until Secondary School, I didn’t really have a sense of style. My mum did ninety percent of my shopping for me, and in retrospect, I couldn’t really be bothered, no jokes.

Fast forward to my university days which were my ‘more formative years’ when it came to figuring out my style. This was because I had almost full control over what went into my wardrobe.
During my first year, I basically wore cargo shorts a lot, I also had this floral monochrome dress I wore a lot.
Currently? I wouldn’t wear either of them.
From my second year to about my third year in the university, my style went through some more changes, but one thing that was a constant was that I was always more in tune with “street style type” outfits, than “prim and proper/classy” ones.

The end of 2012/2013 (around the time I started style blogging – see my first ever style post here!) was when I really started coming into my own regarding my personal style. It was my crazy vintage year, when I really fell in love with the bright retro shirts and big pleated skirt. It’s a love that still hasn’t left me. Since then, I’ve kept on fine tuning my style – I like to say its an evolving process but I definitely have a full understanding of what I like and works for me now.

Here’s what I know from my own style journey about finding your style.

– It’s okay if you still haven’t figured out your style by now. 

Like I said, I only really started understanding mine about three years ago. So it’s never too late to start the journey to figuring yours out. Also your style might evolve and change over time and that’s okay too.

Not sure about this style thing? Check out these six tips to help you define your personal style! Click to tweet!

– At the very least, you have to know yourself. 

I can’t stress this enough because having a “personal style” is basically dressing to reflect yourself. You will have to at least know what your preferences are. For instance, are you a more laid back person? Or do you have a more bubbly out-there personality? These things all play a role in determining your style.

– You will need to seek Inspiration.  

There are lots of different style types – vintage, classic, preppy, bohemian, androgynous etc
To figure out which one you fall under, you might have to do a bit of research (this should be fun :)).

Now there’s pinterest, tumblr, lots of instagram fashionistas, fashion bloggers and even the good ole fashion magazines at your fingertips. There’s basically style inspiration everywhere on the internet.
Think about it for a second. Who are some of your style icons? Or people whose style you just love? Write down a list of some of these people and try to figure out what they have in common.
Also, you should ask yourself ‘what do I want my clothes to say about me?’. I want mine to say that I’m interesting, creative, authentic and possibly artsy too.

I used to be all over fashion blogs back then and though I was never crazy about foreign magazines, I would always wait for the sunday copy of Thisday style to pore over it. Over time, I realized that I was more in tune with people with eccentric styles.
Attending my first ever fashion week – Arise Fashion Week, opened me up to a whole lot of style inspiration also. Till this day, I still screen munch people whose style I love to try out later on.

– You will have to do some experimenting. 

Because that’s how you’ll eventually figure out what works for you and what doesn’t. I would never have imagined wearing conflicting prints before but right now I’m about that life, and I would never have known if I didn’t try it out. Also play dress up and experiment with some of the style inspirations from the people you’ve listed.

– Know Your Body. 

I rarely wear fitted tees with fitted bottoms. Although I used to back in my first year in university, but I’ve seen the light and now I know that it just doesn’t work for my body frame. I’m a ‘model type chick’ (yes that’s what I’ve decided to call my body frame) and as such, I don’t have much booty or boobies so wearing something fitted both at the top and bottom would just make me look straight.

– Be Confident. 

And don’t apologize for your style. I actually found myself struggling with this at some point and I blogged about that here.
I’ve found that people would always have an opinion on what you wear. Till date, my mum still goes on about how she doesn’t understand the way I dress and how I need to wear more dresses and be more “chic”.
I always try to remember that I dress for me and that feeling comfortable in my own skin and outfit is more important than any opinion anyone else has.
Like I said in this post, also remember that its not just an outfit but an attitude! Most times its not just about what you wear but also how you carry yourself in what you wear.