One of the first questions that I always ask my clients is “how would you describe your personal style?” There is no wrong answer to this question. The answer is and should be entirely dependent on your personal preference. You’ve spent years if not decades building your wardrobe (whether you realize it or not) and in the process deciding what you like and don’t. You find styles that you’re attracted to or items that you fall in love with. Perhaps over time you find that you gravitate towards a more classic/preppy wardrobe. Perhaps you prefer to keep up with a trendy wardrobe. Maybe you like skirts and dresses over pants. Maybe you demand comfort and live in whatever wardrobe provides that. The options are endless, but what matters is that you recognize and identify a style as your own.
My personal style is classic with splashes of trendy and preppy thrown in for fun. I like timeless pieces that will last several seasons. I like a neutral base with pops of color. I feel confident in black and/or white and always heels. It took me a while to figure this all out but now it’s how I define my wardrobe.
As a part of the process in defining your personal style, you may also be deciding what looks best on you and how you want to present yourself. This is where it’s worth putting some thought and consideration to your wardrobe. Be deliberate in your decisions regarding what to wear, what to buy and what to purge. What you ultimately keep in your wardrobe will be a reflection of those decisions.
Staying true to that personal style and living in it, allow you to be comfortable in any situation. Whatever the occasion, you can dress appropriately without having to abandon your style. One example of this that I love is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, recently sworn in as the youngest woman to ever serve in Congress. This strong woman showed up to her swearing in ceremony in red lipstick and hoop earrings. Why is this significant? Ocasio-Cortez tweeted about her lipstick & earrings. Here is what she said:
This young Congresswoman was making a point. She stood not only for her district but for all young women struggling to figure out how to fit in. She showed us all that we can be true to our personal style, be true to ourselves and who we are in any situation. We can pave our own way… make our own path.
I’m impressed by the strength and confidence in this young Congresswoman. But we all have the ability to do the same. Perhaps not on such a large scale, but each of us encounters situations where we might hesitate to be ourselves. Summon that confidence to be exactly who you are by thinking of your own version of lipstick and hoops, whatever that might be.