Tips on Finding Your Style

Probably the most question I get is.. “How do you find what works for you?”. Let me tell you it has taken me YEARS to find what I like and can count on, and in the process find confidence in what I wear. I’ve always been on the curvy side in my younger years and I had my clothes made or shopped from JcPenny’s husky clothing – Lol. As I got older I never thought about what I wore, I just wore what actually “fit” me and then just blew it out of the waters with accessories. I’m embarrassed to think of all the money I spent on chunky bracelets, necklaces, and rings it was crazy! My style back in the day was on the classic side because if you grew up in plus-size, you know that it was hard to find trendy cute clothing. Thank goodness the plus-size fashion industry has come a long way in providing fun trendy clothing! Below are a few throw-back photos of myself:

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Fast forward, I would like to say I’m more fashion forward and value quality over quantity, comfort over “feeling constraint” in my styles. I love shopping for pieces that make me feel confident and put a smile on my face. I also know what prints and fabrics that don’t work well for me, so I stay away from those things. I use less accessories than I did back in the day. I love simple clean jewelry nothing over the top or too flashy. I stick with gold metal because it pairs so well with everything. I also follow the rule of before heading out the door, looking in the mirror, and removing one thing.

I would like to say my “style” has changed over the years. In my 20’s, I was more trendy and in a lot of t-shirts and jeans and leggings. Once I reached my 30’s I transitioned into a more #classic look with a handful of colorful trendy pieces thrown into the mix (I still keep my t-shirts and leggings though tehehe). I’m a total basics girl so I love a good pair of dark denim, black jeggings, and a handful of neutral tone color blouses and sweaters. With this mix I can easily create a month’s worth of outfits just with my classic and neutral pieces. I have a few bold and colorful pieces in my closet for special occasions, or for times when I’m feeling “extra”. Right now my lifestyle is working in a business casual setting so my closet is not filled with high heels and power suits, so my looks that I share are outfits that can take me to the office but also on a lunch date, or looks for the weekend.

Here are some tips to think about when finding your “style”

• Get inspired, and get on Pinterest. Start pinning styles that you like or others who have a style that you feel would be something of your taste
• Choose a few words that describe the vibe of the looks you picked/saved. Are the looks classic, modern, eclectic, bohemian, or trend-forward? Settle on a few that feel true to your style, and write them down, as they will help you clarify and define your look. My look is more classic with a mix of “trendy”.
• Take a mirror selfie on those days where you feel the most stylish. Many times these outfits epitomize your personal style and can serve as inspiration for more outfits you can re-create.
• Choose your go-to or most signature piece. You will notice that all fashionable women own a signature item or two that makes up their style identity. It can be a personalized jewelry piece or something as a pair of leopard shoes. My most used item in my closet are my black jeggings, I mean you can literally dress them up or down.
• Take a play on your strengths! Think about things your wear that you get tons of compliments on whether it’s a style of dress you wear often or maybe it’s your collection of shoes. Use that as a way to determine your style.
• What makes you smile when you put on something? Is it a certain style type of dress, or a color? Whatever it is, buy more of it and stick to the same or similar style. If you’re not happy when you’re wearing an outfit, you’re not going to feel confident or fashionable in your look, so make sure whatever you decide to wear – you feel great in it!
• If you want to experiment, start simple and gradually layer on top of that style. For example, I love the bohemian look but I can never truly pull it off because it’s not my “look” but the days I want to try the bohemian look I may throw on a bohemian style kimono with my classic look and now I’m in my true authentic classic style but I added a little twist to it.
• It’s normal that your style changes after a couple of years or so, because we’re all in different seasons. Your style should fit your current lifestyle.
• Shop at retailers or local businesses that cater to your style the most! A few of mine are: Loft, Target, Old Navy, J.Crew, and Nordstrom.
• You already have a great sense of style, you just need to embrace it, fresh it up a bit and just rock it – it goes back to confidence.

I hope my tips and encouragement have created the opportunity for you to observe your closet to determine what is your style or given you the push to re-vamp your style that will create the best and authentic version of yourself. Remember, no one is you’er than you – that’s your superpower! At the end of the day it comes down to confidence and a smile to complete your look. So of course if it doesn’t make you smile or feel confident, go back to the drawing board. Start small, and build on top of that, that’s the key to fining your style!

Showering confetti for you always!