Style Comes from Within

Have you lost your sense of style?  Do you feel as if you never had one to begin with?  I hear from many women that they have no idea what their style is, or how to find it.  My best advice?  Don’t look outside yourself – look within.

Say what?  While style may seem to be external, it is simply an expression of who you are from the inside out.  When how you dress on the outside matches who you are on the inside, it’s a recipe for success any way you look at it. 

You don’t have to tell me how many things are on your to do list or how busy you are.  I’m right there with you and I know there are a million reasons why you’ve lost touch with your personal style.  Yet the day you wake up and look in the mirror, only to realize that you don’t recognize (or connect with) the woman you see in the mirror, you will be in for a shock.  But before you become overwhelmed, here are a few questions to ask yourself to help you get your groove back and get in touch with your own style.

1/ Who are you now?  Chances are your style has changed over the years and what worked for you then doesn’t support you now.  Define your life, including your day to day tasks, your hobbies and your passions.  Wear clothing that flatters your body type and your stature.  Work with what you have, including your hair, and you’ll find your style will emerge effortlessly and gracefully. 

2/ What do you want to create?  Cultivating your own signature style starts with knowing what you want to look like.  Do you want to wear more color?  Create a more fun look?  Be more sophisticated?  What speaks to your heart?  What’s always caught your eye?  What do you secretly wish you were wearing right now?  Answer these questions honestly and you’ll start to get a good idea of what style expresses you authentically.

3/ What does your perfect outfit look like?  On any given day, what would your perfect outfit consist of?  Define and describe it as best as you can and you’ll be on your way to getting clear on what your style is.  If what you want to wear is vastly different from what you do wear, you’re bound to feel disconnected.  A few  small changes can help you move things in a new direction, boost your confidence and leave you feeling great about yourself!

4/ What’s missing?  If your wardrobe is filled with black and devoid of color, perhaps you want to bring in more brights and prints.  Or if you’re stuck in a rut perhaps bringing in accessories or changing things up a bit can help you to bring out your style – or discover a new one!

5/ What does my image say?  When you ask yourself openly and honestly what your image says about you before you even open your mouth, you’ll know if you need to make some changes.  If it’s not saying what you want it to, first define what you want it to say and then map out a plan to get there.

Cultivating your own style takes work but it doesn’t have to feel like work.  Make it fun!  Take some time to pull out pictures, images or words that you resonate with to help you discover who you are now and what your authentic style looks like.