How to create your signature style in 7 simple steps!
Let’s play a game. Close your eyes. Now, if I tell you the name of Audrey Hepburn, describe her outfit. Did you say a little black dress and pearls? Well, that’s what a signature style is. It’s a distinctive, consistent way of dressing that reflects your identity.
Creating a signature style is about expressing your personality through your wardrobe, making you feel confident and authentic every day. It’s the essence of who you are, reflected in what you wear. Let’s explore what a signature style is, why you need one, and how to create it step by step.
What is a Signature Style?
A signature style is a unique way of dressing that consistently reflects your personality and preferences. It’s your fashion fingerprint, making you recognizable and memorable. Think of iconic figures like Jackie Kennedy, known for her classic sophistication with tailored suits, pillbox hats, and oversized sunglasses, or Steve Jobs, famous for his black turtlenecks and jeans. These styles are not just clothes; they are extensions of their identities. It’s like creating your “uniform,” where uniform doesn’t stand for a repetitive outfit but a combination of outfits you know you look good in and are happy to wear over and over again because you know you look good in them no matter what. This curated and consistent approach to dressing ensures that you always present yourself in the best possible light, with minimal effort.
Personal Style vs. Signature Style
Personal style and signature style are closely related but distinct concepts in the realm of fashion. Personal style refers to the overall aesthetic and preferences that an individual gravitates towards, encompassing a wide range of choices that reflect their personality, lifestyle, and mood. It’s more fluid and can change based on trends, seasons, or personal growth. In contrast, a signature style is a more defined and consistent way of dressing that becomes synonymous with the individual. It is a curated and recognizable look that one consistently adopts, making them easily identifiable. While personal style is broad and encompassing, allowing for variety and experimentation, a signature style is focused and specific, creating a unique fashion identity. In essence, personal style is the broader canvas of one’s fashion choices, while signature style is the distinctive mark or signature on that canvas, making a lasting impression.
Why You Need a Signature Style
- Consistency: A signature style gives you a consistent look that makes you easily recognizable.
- Confidence: Wearing what truly represents you boosts your confidence.
- Ease of Shopping: Knowing your style simplifies shopping; you can quickly identify what works for you.
- Personal Branding: Your style becomes part of your personal brand, essential in both personal and professional settings.
Before digging into the step-by-step guide on how to practically create your signature style, I would like you to first think about these three main points: Understanding Your Personal Taste, Understanding Your Body Type, and Choosing Your Colors.
Understanding Your Personal Taste
Understanding your personal taste is a journey of self-discovery that involves recognizing what makes you feel most confident and authentic. It requires paying attention to the colors, patterns, fabrics, and silhouettes that you are naturally drawn to and that complement your lifestyle and personality. Start by reflecting on your favorite outfits and why you love them—consider the details, fit, and overall vibe. Experiment with different styles to see what resonates with you and makes you feel good. Additionally, consider your daily activities and how your clothing needs to function. By being mindful of these preferences and how they align with your sense of self, you can develop a wardrobe that truly reflects your individuality. Understanding your personal taste not only enhances your fashion choices but also boosts your confidence and helps you make more intentional, satisfying purchases.
Understanding Your Body Type
Understanding your body type is essential for building a wardrobe that enhances your best features and makes you feel confident in your skin. Body types vary widely, and knowing yours helps you choose clothing that fits well and flatters your shape. Begin by assessing your proportions—consider the width of your shoulders, waist, and hips. Common body types include hourglass, pear, apple, rectangle, and inverted triangle. Each type has specific styles that can highlight or balance your features. For instance, an hourglass figure might benefit from fitted clothes that accentuate the waist, while a pear-shaped body might look great in A-line skirts that balance wider hips. By understanding your body type, you can make more informed choices, selecting cuts, fabrics, and styles that complement your unique shape and enhance your overall look. This awareness not only improves your fashion sense but also boosts your self-esteem by making you feel more comfortable and stylish in your clothing.
Choosing Your Colors
Choosing your colors is a crucial step in creating a cohesive and flattering wardrobe. The right colors can enhance your natural features, make you look more vibrant, and elevate your overall style. Start by identifying your skin tone, undertone, eye color, and hair color. These elements will help you determine which color palette suits you best. Generally, skin tones are categorized as warm, cool, or neutral. Warm tones look great in earthy shades like gold, orange, and olive, while cool tones are complemented by jewel tones such as sapphire, emerald, and ruby. Neutral tones have the flexibility to wear a wide range of colors. Experiment with different hues to see which ones make your complexion glow and your eyes pop. Additionally, consider creating a color palette that includes a mix of neutrals for versatility and a few bold colors for statement pieces. By choosing colors that harmonize with your natural features and personal taste, you can build a wardrobe that is not only stylish but also uniquely yours.
7 Steps to Create Your Signature Style / “Uniform”
Step 1: Discover Your Inspiration
Start by finding inspiration from fashion icons, bloggers, magazines, and social media. Create a mood board on Pinterest or a physical one with images that resonate with you. Pay attention to patterns in the styles you are drawn to—this could be a particular color palette, type of clothing, or overall vibe.
Step 2: Assess Your Wardrobe
Take a good look at your current wardrobe. Pull out pieces you love and wear often. Analyze what these pieces have in common. Is it the color, fabric, fit, or style? This will help you identify the elements that make you feel comfortable and confident.
Step 3: Define Your Style Keywords
Based on your inspiration and wardrobe assessment, choose a few keywords that define your style. These could be words like “bohemian,” “minimalist,” “classic,” “edgy,” or “romantic.” These keywords will guide your future clothing choices.
Step 4: Invest in Basics
Build a foundation of versatile basics that align with your style keywords. These pieces should be timeless and high-quality, as they will be the backbone of your wardrobe. Think of items like a perfect pair of jeans, a little black dress, crisp white shirts, and a tailored blazer.
Step 5: Add Signature Pieces
Signature pieces are unique items that showcase your personality and style. These could be statement accessories, unique patterns, or distinctive clothing items. For example, if you love a bohemian style, you might add flowing maxi dresses, chunky jewelry, and fringe bags.
Step 6: Create a Color Palette
Choose a color palette that flatters your complexion and makes you feel good. Your palette should include a mix of neutral colors for versatility and a few accent colors that you love. This will ensure your wardrobe pieces work well together.
Step 7: Edit and Evolve
Your style will evolve over time, and that’s okay. Regularly edit your wardrobe to remove items that no longer fit your style or make you feel good. Stay open to new inspirations and allow your style to grow with you. If you are thinking this can be boring, keep in mind that you are not signing a contract but, as with anything in fashion, you can keep developing your personal style over time, adapting it and changing it as you and your life change. However, having a signature style is meant to make your everyday life easier, a bit like creating your capsule wardrobe does. It also helps keep your shopping in order.
A great example of this is Madonna, who has changed her signature style every decade and made each one iconic. From the punk-inspired looks of the 1980s to the glamorous and edgy styles of the 2000s, Madonna has always been a true trendsetter, showing that evolving your style can keep it fresh and exciting. By embracing change and allowing your style to reflect different phases of your life, you can maintain a dynamic and relevant personal style that truly represents who you are.
Signature Style vs. Capsule Wardrobe
While a signature style and a capsule wardrobe both aim to simplify and enhance your fashion choices, they serve slightly different purposes. A signature style is about defining a unique, consistent look that reflects your personality and makes you instantly recognizable. It’s your fashion identity, encompassing the colors, patterns, and types of clothing that you consistently choose. On the other hand, a capsule wardrobe is a curated collection of versatile, timeless pieces that can be mixed and matched to create numerous outfits. It focuses on practicality and minimalism, ensuring you have the essential items to meet your daily needs with ease. While your signature style guides the overall aesthetic of your wardrobe, a capsule wardrobe provides the functional framework to ensure that you always have something to wear that aligns with your personal style. Together, they make fashion both expressive and effortless, allowing you to look and feel your best every day.
If you want to create your capsule wardrobe go here.
Iconic Signature Styles
- Audrey Hepburn: Timeless elegance with little black dresses, ballet flats, and pearls.
- Coco Chanel: Quintessentially chic with tweed suits, quilted handbags, and timeless little black dresses.
- Anna Wintour: Sharp, fashionable with a signature bob haircut, oversized sunglasses, and statement print dresses.
- Steve Jobs: Minimalist uniform of black turtlenecks, jeans, and sneakers.
- Rihanna: Bold and daring with vibrant colors, unique patterns, and statement accessories.
- David Bowie: Eclectic and bold with vibrant colors, unique patterns, and daring accessories.
- Jackie Kennedy: Classic sophistication with tailored suits, pillbox hats, and oversized sunglasses.
- Giorgio Armani: Sleek, modern tailoring with a focus on neutral colors and luxurious fabrics.
- Diane Keaton: Androgynous elegance with menswear-inspired outfits, including tailored suits, wide-brimmed hats, and layered accessories.
These styles are not just clothes; they are extensions of their identities, making each person instantly recognizable and memorable.
Final Thoughts
Creating your signature style is a journey of self-discovery and expression. It’s about finding what makes you feel most like yourself and wearing it with confidence. By following these steps, you can develop a wardrobe that not only looks great but also feels authentically you.
Remember, fashion is a powerful tool to express who you are. Embrace it, enjoy the process, and let your unique style shine!
