As women we have so much on our plates, between the demands of motherhood and the time constraints of our careers, that dressing in a way that makes us feel both confident and stylish seems like an unattainable goal. But it’s not!
Have you ever noticed that there are some women who have a consistent quality about them that feels both effortless and perfectly polished? You get the impression that the way they dress just comes naturally, and what feels impossible to you looks like an innate skill they possess.
The truth is, for these women, fashion has much less to do with a hidden talent and is much more based on knowing what works for them and following a few guiding principles. They build a strategy for their personal style so that majority of the guesswork is eliminated right off the bat and getting dressed in the morning is a breeze.
If you want to learn how to look more stylish and put-together without having to invest in an entirely new wardrobe, the secret can be found in a few key rules.
1. DETERMINE HOW YOU WANT TO SHOW UP IN THE WORLD
The first step in establishing your sense of style is to build your message. Think of this as your personal branding – an external package that shows the world exactly who you are on the inside and highlights your strongest qualities.
Begin by asking yourself how you’d like to be perceived by the people you interact with. Choose words that paint a vivid mental picture of the way you want to represent yourself. Adjectives like powerful, compassionate, sophisticated and intelligent, provide a measurement to assess your image against, so it’s important to get as clear and concise as possible. When we first begin the personal styling process with a new client, this is the initial step we start with. Before knowing what your clothing will look like, you have to be clear on your message.
Keep in mind that you’re always driving your personal narrative, whether you’re conscious of it or not. What do you want your style to say?
2. BE AUTHENTIC
The clothing you wear is an extension of who you are. It should strengthen your image and be an expression of your true self, so don’t force it. This means not wedging your feet into 5-inch stilettos that require an hour foot massage at the end of the work day if you’re more comfortable in flats, or wearing the latest trends just because all of your friends are. Wear clothing that feels like YOU.
If you’re unsure how you feel in something, take the authenticity test by asking yourself 3 simple questions: Does the outfit feel comfortable or will I be constantly adjusting it? Do I recognize myself in the mirror or am I trying to be someone I’m not? Does this clothing bring me joy and am I excited to wear it? If you answer yes to all 3, you’re good to go! If not, look for another option.
3. DON'T PRIORITIZE FASHION OVER COMFORT
When it comes to style tips for women, this one is a non-negotiable.
If torn between style and comfort, always opt for what feels the best. When you’re uncomfortable or restricted in any way, you’re not able to exude power. The old adage that beauty is pain is not a reality we should ascribe to. As women, we juggle busy careers on top of child rearing and family life. The last thing we need to worry about is spending an 8-hour work day in a dress that sucks the life out of us or jeans that feel too restricting. There’s always an alternative, equally as stylish option, that we can find.
4. IDENTIFY YOUR INSPIRATION
Studying the work of those who’ve already mastered a skill is a useful place to start when learning something new. As you begin to determine the framework for your sense of style, it’s helpful to draw inspiration from people who fit your mold.
Whether it’s celebrities, politicians, TV characters, or co-workers, make a list of individuals you view as consistently well-dressed. Getting clear on who you look up to helps you better identify what your preferences are as you build a unique personal style of your own.
This exercise can often feel difficult. As creatures of habit, it’s challenging to envision ourselves wearing something other than what we’re familiar with. For the time being, ignore the natural hesitation to step outside your comfort zone and instead focus on what appeals to you.
5. BUILD A VISUAL STYLE GUIDE
Create a collection of images that reflect your desired sense of style – search for outfits you’d like to try, icons who embody your aesthetic, and anything else you can use as reference to help build your personal brand.
Pinterest is a great platform for compiling ideas. Their algorithm is quick to learn your preferences and make personalized recommendations. If you need a place to start, our account has lots of outfit inspiration to get you going.
Alternatively, you can save images into a designated folder on your phone, or cut out pictures from magazines and build a physical mood board.
Collecting photos allows you to see what your preferences look like as a whole and easily identify patterns in your taste. This visual framework serves as your style guide while you begin to put outfits together and decide what you’re going to wear.
6. ASSESS WHAT YOU OWN AND LET GO OF WHAT DOESN'T ALIGN
Getting clear on the image you’re creating for yourself will help you assess what’s in your closet with honesty and objectivity. Chances are you’ve been wearing the same thing for years, not because you chose it strategically but because it was familiar. It’s time to be more methodical about what you’re wearing.
Review your current wardrobe piece by piece, to determine if each item fits with the style you plan to achieve. Commit to letting go of anything that doesn’t align. Holding on to clothing out of sentimental attachment will only guarantee you repeat old patterns. Keep the items that match your goals and part with the rest.
If you want to learn how to organize your closet effectively, try our simple 7 step process, which will help you easily maintain a more effective, comprehensive wardrobe
7. GIVE YOUR CLOTHES A SECOND LIFE
Clothing is a gift that keeps on giving, and what no longer works for you will most certainly provide value for someone else. Check with family and friends to see who may be in need of a clothing refreshment. Businesses like Goodwill and the Salvation Army are easy donation drop offs, and you can also look into local non-profits that partner with the homeless community. We donate our clients’ unwanted clothing to organizations like Chrysalis and Dress For Success, which are both fantastic options for giving clothing to people in need who are working to re-enter the job market.
And finally, if you want to make some extra income, sites like Poshmark, The RealReal and thredUP are all great options for reselling your unwanted items
reverse-hanger-trick
8. USE HANGERS TO SEE WHICH ITEMS DON'T GET WORN
After you’ve done a major edit, you’ll still want to keep an eye on everything you’ve kept in case you held on to something that isn’t getting used. To see which clothes you never wear, try the hanger test. Start by turning all the hangers in your closet with the hook towards you, opposite to what you’d usually do. As you wear items, re-hang them back with the hook facing away from you in the normal direction.
Set a time frame to reassess what you’ve used, generally 6 months to 1 year, taking note of everything still hanging in the original manner. These can be donated or sold as it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever wear them again and they’re taking up valuable real estate in your closet.
9. TRY THE ONE IN, ONE OUT METHOD
Now you’re organized with a wardrobe that’s ready to showcase your updated style. To keep it that way, you’ll have to be disciplined. Remember, the objective of an overhauled closet is to maintain a selection of clothing you wear on a consistent basis, all of which makes you feel like your most confident self. As time moves forward, put systems in place that prevent you from over-accumulating. A great way to do this is to maintain your organization by removing an item each time you add something. If you buy a new pair of jeans, one pair should go. Everything needs a purpose within your closet so that you know it’s there and don’t lose it within the clutter.
10. SHOP YOUR SHAPE
Understanding your body shape is a key piece in successfully achieving a great sense of personal style. When you know which cuts and silhouettes work best for your body, you eliminate a lot of the confusion around what to wear and a closet filled with items that go unworn.
One of the best style tips for women is learning how to master balance. If you hold more weight on the bottom, the trick is to offset it by adding more volume to your top (think structured shoulders, jackets with breast pockets). If your bust or shoulders are bigger, than you fool the eye into creating visual balance by increasing the weight on your lower half (ie. A-line skirt, wide leg pants).
Women who dress with ease know exactly what flatters their body and what to avoid, always enhancing their best assets. If you aren’t sure of your shape, do some research into the most common female body types so you can easily identify which category you fall into.
The most important part about developing your style is choosing clothing you feel great in – and there’s nothing that feels better than wearing clothing that enhances your body.