Can You Find Your Personal Style?

By Lelalo

The idea of “personal style” often feels like a mystery. Magazines, influencers, and fashion experts all encourage us to discover it, as if it were a hidden treasure buried somewhere between department store racks. But can you truly find your personal style, or is it something you create and refine over time? This question matters because how we dress and present ourselves affects not only how others perceive us, but also how we feel about ourselves.

The Myth of Discovery

When people talk about “finding” style, it can sound like it’s already out there waiting for us, ready to be uncovered like a fossil. In reality, style is rarely discovered - it is built. Style ultimately is the individual combination of pieces that you choose to match into an outfit and only you can make those same combinations. We form it through choices, habits, and experiments. Every shirt we buy, every outfit we put together, and even every fashion mistake contributes to the larger picture of what our personal style looks like.

Treating style as something fixed and predetermined can set us up for frustration. Many people believe they don’t have one because they cannot fit themselves neatly into a category - bohemian, minimalist, edgy, or classic. Yet style doesn’t have to be a label. It is better understood as a flexible expression of personality, lifestyle, and preferences.

The Role of Lifestyle

One of the most practical factors in developing personal style is lifestyle. A student who spends most of their time in classrooms or libraries will likely choose different clothing than someone working in a corporate office or someone who spends days outdoors. Our wardrobes naturally adapt to where we go and what we do.

This doesn’t mean lifestyle dictates style entirely, but it creates the framework. If your daily routine requires comfort and mobility, then sneakers and relaxed fits may become your staples. If your workplace calls for professionalism, tailored blazers or button-downs might anchor your look. Once these practical needs are met, personality can layer on top.

Experimentation and Growth

The journey toward personal style is filled with trial and error. Sometimes, a new purchase feels exciting in the store but sits untouched in the closet because it never feels right to wear. Other times, we take risks - a bold colour, an unusual cut - and are surprised at how much we enjoy them.

Experimentation is essential because it teaches us about preferences we cannot discover through theory alone. Much like developing a taste for certain foods, you only know whether you like a style once you try it. Over time, repeated experiments form your patterns: the colours you feel most confident in, the silhouettes you gravitate toward, or the accessories that feel indispensable. These patterns slowly shape what becomes your personal style.

The Influence of Culture and Media

Of course, no one creates style in isolation. Culture, social circles, and media all influence what we perceive as attractive or acceptable. Trends rise and fade, often tempting us to adopt new looks that may not align with what truly feels like us. This is both a challenge and an opportunity.

The challenge is avoiding the trap of chasing every trend. Doing so can leave a wardrobe cluttered and inconsistent. The opportunity is that exposure to different aesthetics can expand our imagination. Trying out a trend may confirm it is not for us—or it may add a fresh element that becomes part of our long-term style identity.

Feelings as a Compass

Style is not only about appearances; it is also about feelings. Clothes affect our mood and self-perception. An outfit can make us feel powerful, carefree, elegant, or uncomfortable. Paying attention to how we feel in different outfits may be the most reliable guide to shaping personal style.

This means that style cannot be judged only by mirrors or photographs. Two people may look equally fashionable in similar clothes, yet one may feel authentic while the other feels like they are wearing a costume. Authenticity is the difference between borrowed fashion and true personal style.

The Answer

So, can you find your personal style? The answer is both yes and no. Yes, because through reflection, experimentation, and attention to your own preferences, you can arrive at a wardrobe that feels uniquely yours. But no, because style is not something final or static to be discovered once and for all. Instead, it is an evolving process shaped by who you are, where you are, and what you value at any given moment.

Conclusion

Finding personal style is less like solving a puzzle and more like writing a story. The story

changes as new chapters of life unfold, but the themes remain recognisable: the colours you love, the silhouettes you trust, and the moods you want your clothing to express. While you may never “find” your style as a finished product, you can build and refine it over time. In the end, personal style is not about perfection but about authenticity - wearing what makes you feel most yourself.

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