How to identify your personal style

Wow, for once I am very much straight to the point. Or perhaps I should have mentioned some naked celebrity?

My melancholic mood washed off with a few nights of good sleep and I am back to help you get rid of the phrase “I have nothing to wear” despite the fact that you most likely have a decent amount of clothing items in your possession.

Let me remind you that you don’t need to get rid of all the clothes this very second and panic about how much the new would cost you.

You can still utilise what you own. Unless you have changed your weight by +/- 15–20 kg overnight. If so you better be reading this while heading to check up with a medical professional.

Anyway, as I have said many times before, your personal style is a direct representation of what’s inside of you. Yes, even if your wardrobe consists of suits and office wear by 95%, those are still representing what is at your core.

When I begin to work with any client — the first thing I ask them is what their desired result is after we have completed whatever service and upgrade we are working on.

The majority cannot give a straight answer. Totally normal response because I am there to actually hold their hand (physically or virtually) throughout the process. I use my expertise in fashion, science, and physiology to show how to learn the skill to then be able to use it as a tool when it comes to picking up everyday outfits with minimal to no help from a personal stylist.

In case you are not ready to actually invest in a personal stylist — you might want to sit down for a good 30–60 minutes (to begin with) and ask yourself that very same question.

What do I want my personal style to look like?

The answer will come up in random words and phrases.

Looking more expensive without spending more.

I want to always have different outfits using minimum items.

My style is boring, I want to spark it.

I love colour and want to have fun with my style.

I want my style to be better.

The list goes on and on, but those are the most common phrases and thoughts. So I encourage you to sit down and think. Get yourself surrounded by favourite magazines (online or offline issues), open Pinterest, and your favourite brands on social media. Scroll through the latest Vogue runway.

Save those looks and aesthetics that you feel are in your core.

Pay attention and differentiate what you want to wear yourself and what you enjoy seeing on others. The latter we don’t need right now. And yes, those could be all in the mix together.

I know, I know. It can be confusing

In the upcoming Signature Identity Style Guide (!) you will have a more detailed step-by-step, but as of today, you need to identify what you are drawn towards more. What styles not only do you adore but see yourself wearing?

Mark your calendars for October 18th

Do you want to be perceived as a more classy, old-money persona?

Or you are sick and tired of it all and trying to break the rules and break freefrom the standard norms?

Perhaps you are obsessed with Femme Fatal (playlist of the week) and desire to be that extremely confident sire of a woman with dramatic aesthetics.

Or you are absolutely ready to channel your inner Charlotte York with her hopeless romantic nature and soft silhouettes.

And let’s not forget the option where you can be free as a child and continue to play with funky clothing and colours. Mixing jewellery shaped like chilly peppers and representing all colours of the Rainbow City.

Don’t worry, I am not here to judge if you can’t select just one.

In the matter of fact, it is nearly impossible to select only one. You should be drawn towards the 2–3 aesthetics mentioned above. Or more (otherwise just one aesthetic would limit your style and most of your outfits would look like a costume and not a finished effortless outfit).

I, myself, love all 5 aesthetics. And just like the results for my love languages, they all come in a short distance between each other. I need all 5 styles and I need love to be in all 5 (actually 7) love languages.

Obviously, this is only step 1 towards your elevated dream style. However, once you identify this beautiful core of yours — you will start to look at your wardrobe differently. Pinky promise.

In the next coming week, these newsletters will give you insight into how to audit your clothing and accessories items, how to build a functional wardrobe depending on your current lifestyle, and most importantly how to fit all desires in your budget without breaking the bank.

However for now…

That’s all.

Okay, love you, bye xo

Your slightly nonchalant fashion stylist,

Aya x