5 Ways to Find Your Personal Fashion Style

Punk. Preppy. Grunge. Rocker. Tomboy. Boho. Gothic. Girly. Classic. Sporty. Casual.

Am I missing any? I sure hope not. Because for someone who lives in one of the world’s fashion capitals (NYC), I’m about as committed to fashion as I am to a root canal. So trust me, I get it. Finding your personal style can be a bit of a doozy.

College made it even easier to fly under the radar with my go-to uniform: messy buns, black leggings, white T-shirts, and anything with a college logo. Go Tar Heels!

It wasn’t until a couple of Pinterest boards, magazine clippings, and online orders later that I realized my style wasn’t necessarily one thing. It was a blend of a few different looks. A little casual, a dash of chic, a sprinkle of girly, and a touch of athleisure. Mix it all together, and there I was.

And honestly? That’s the fun of personal style. You don’t have to fit neatly into one category or recreate someone else’s wardrobe to look put together.

Whether you’re trying to figure out what you love, feeling like your closet is full of clothes but somehow nothing to wear, or simply ready for a little style refresh, here are five ways to discover what feels like you.

1. Pay Attention to the Colors You Love

Color is a great place to start when you’re figuring out your personal style.

Think about the shades you’re naturally drawn to when shopping. Do you gravitate toward bold, vibrant colors? Soft pastels? Earthy neutrals? A wardrobe full of black, white, and denim?

You can absolutely consider which colors complement your complexion, but don’t let that become a strict set of rules. If a particular shade makes you happy and confident, that’s worth paying attention to, too.

If bright colors make you want to channel your inner diva, lean into them! If softer shades feel more romantic and understated, explore those instead. And if you’re happiest in neutrals with the occasional pop of color, there’s nothing wrong with that either.

Try noticing which colors show up repeatedly in the clothes you save, the outfits you admire, and the pieces you reach for most often. You might discover that your preferences are more consistent than you realized.

2. Experiment With Patterns and Textures

Similar to color, patterns can tell you a lot about the styles you gravitate toward.

Maybe you’re a stripes-and-classic-prints kind of person. Perhaps florals, polka dots, and playful patterns are more your speed. Or maybe you prefer solid colors and let your accessories do the talking.

Texture matters, too. Denim, leather, linen, chunky knits, satin, and lace can all create completely different moods—even when the colors are similar.

You don’t need to commit to a particular aesthetic just because you like one pattern or fabric. Instead, pay attention to what catches your eye and how different pieces make you feel when you wear them.

Over time, you’ll start to notice common threads. And once you know which colors, patterns, and textures you love, it’s much easier to put together outfits that feel cohesive without looking like you bought everything from the same rack.

3. Create a Style Inspiration Board

If you need some outfit inspiration (and who doesn’t occasionally?), start collecting looks that catch your attention.

Browse Pinterest, save Instagram outfits, flip through magazines, or take note of what people are wearing when you’re out and about. You don’t need to copy an entire look. Sometimes it’s a particular jacket, the way someone layers their jewelry, or a color combination that makes you stop scrolling.

Save your favorites to a dedicated style board. Then, after a few days, go back and look through everything you’ve collected.

Delete the outfits you’re no longer excited about and keep the ones that still feel like something you’d love to wear.

Now look for patterns.

Are you saving a lot of tailored trousers, oversized blazers, and loafers? Maybe your style leans toward classic and polished. Are you drawn to relaxed denim, sneakers, and oversized sweaters? Casual might be your sweet spot. Or perhaps your board is a delightful mix of feminine dresses, sporty pieces, and statement accessories.

That’s perfectly fine! Your inspiration board isn’t a test you need to pass. It’s simply a way to understand what you’re drawn to and find ways to translate those ideas into your own wardrobe.

4. Identify Your Favorite Pieces

We all have that outfit. The one that takes your confidence from a one to a ten in approximately three seconds. You know the one I’m talking about.

Maybe it’s your favorite pair of jeans, a dress that fits just right, or a blazer that somehow makes even a basic T-shirt look intentional.

Take a closer look at those pieces. What do they have in common? Do you prefer fitted or relaxed silhouettes? Do you feel best in structured clothing or softer, flowy fabrics? Are there certain colors, necklines, or cuts you consistently reach for?

You can even take photos of yourself wearing your favorite outfits. Not only is this a handy reference when shopping, but it also gives you a little lookbook of outfits you already know make you feel good.

And here’s an important reminder: the clothes you feel best in don’t have to be trendy, expensive, or particularly exciting to anyone else. They just have to work for you.

5. Edit Your Closet and Shop More Intentionally

We all know we need to do it, but boy, is cleaning out your closet tougher than it sounds.

Suddenly, that sweater you haven’t worn in three years looks adorable again. Those jeans that don’t fit quite right become a reason to hold on to them. And that dress you bought for a very specific occasion? Surely you’ll wear it again someday.

Maybe! But if you’re consistently passing over certain pieces, it might be time to ask yourself why.

Start by separating the clothes you genuinely love and wear from the ones that no longer fit your lifestyle, preferences, or needs. Donate or sell pieces that are still in good condition but no longer serve you. And don’t feel pressured to get rid of something simply because it’s not currently trendy.

Once you’ve edited your closet, look at what’s left.

Are you surrounded by jeans, T-shirts, and relaxed jackets? Do you have a collection of feminine dresses and tailored pieces? Are there plenty of basics but very few accessories?

Your existing wardrobe can offer clues about your preferences. It can also reveal what’s missing between the style you currently have and the one you’d like to explore.

If your closet reflects your budget more than your dream wardrobe, that’s completely normal. You don’t need to replace everything overnight. Use your inspiration board, outfit photos, and favorite pieces to create a short list of items that would make your wardrobe more versatile.

Then build gradually. Thrift stores and consignment shops can be excellent places to find unique pieces without spending a fortune. You could even organize a clothing swap with friends to give pre-loved items a new home.

And don’t underestimate accessories! A statement belt, a colorful scarf, interesting jewelry, or a great pair of shoes can help you experiment with a new look without investing in an entirely new wardrobe.

Your Style, Your Rules

Finding your personal fashion style isn’t about choosing a label and sticking to it forever. Your tastes will change, your lifestyle will evolve, and the things you love wearing today might look a little different a few years from now.

That’s part of the fun.

Start with what you already love, experiment with pieces that catch your eye, and give yourself permission to try something new. You might discover a signature look, or you might find that your style is a combination of several different aesthetics.

Either way, the goal isn’t to dress like someone else. It’s to build a wardrobe that makes getting dressed feel a little easier and helps you feel like yourself.

How would you describe your personal style?