How to Define Your Personal Style - Part 1

Finding your personal style can be difficult, and no matter how many beautiful outfits you have hanging in your closet, if you aren't confident, you won't feel good.  The first step in finding your personal style is to like who you are.  Clothes are secondary, however we all know that on a bad day, a great pair of shoes can help!

We've all done it!  We stand in front of a closet stuffed full of clothes and can't figure out what to wear.  Developing a personal style can make getting dressed so much easier.  It's important to know what you like, what looks good on you and how to shop. 

If you have no idea what your personal style is, take an hour tonight, pour a glass of wine or make a cup of tea and grab your laptop.  Create a secret board on Pinterest and begin by scrolling through fashion images and pin the looks that you love without overthinking.  At the end of the hour, scroll through the images that you've pinned and you will begin to see the looks that appeal to you.

I tend to love neutrals in my wardrobe and over the years, I've learned that if I try to wear to much color I feel uncomfortable.  I use color in pops mostly with bags although I do have some exceptions in my closet.  The shoes pictured below go with nearly every combination of jeans and tops that I own.  They have a substantial heel, which is one of my personal style trademarks (because I'm short) as are the classic bracelets, sunglasses and my signature scent, Jo Malone, Pomegranate Noir.

Two of my Pinterest fashion inspirations are Olivia Palermo and Joanna Hillman.  I love the way they both put outfits together and I have pinned many of their pictures on my Pinterest Style Pin boards.  When I need inspiration, I can go to those boards and get ideas about what to wear.  I also get inspiration from my Instagram because I follow so many fashion bloggers!

The outfit below is one that I feel extremely comfortable in, which translates into feeling confident.  I can wear any combination of jeans and a cream blouse and go anywhere!

A staple of my wardrobe is jeans.  I wear them almost every day!  I am obviously not 20, but I love ripped jeans and feel comfortable and confident wearing them.  I believe that some rules apply, but also that rules were made to be broken.  Know what looks good on your body type!

Basics are important and should be updated every season.  Invest in quality tee shirts in black, white, cream, grey and navy.  Try on to see what neckline and sleeve length works for you.  I have found that a v-neck tee looks best on me.

I invest more money in shoes than I do in anything else.  I have shoes in my closet that I have been wearing for 15 years.  Quality lasts and good shoes elevate any outfit.

This bag from Henri Bendel is one that I'll carry all year long (not just this summer), it is on trend with the round handle, but still a classic shape.  Olive green and white are a favorite color combination in the summer.

Below is another outfit combination that never goes out of style.  Chambray blouses can be worn year round and look great with shorts, skirts and jeans.  I think everyone should have a chambray blouse in their closet!

I wear dresses mostly when the weather is warm and I love something flowy!  Tolani makes the most beautiful dresses!

These Valentino shoes were an investment and I love them every bit as much today as I did the day I bought them.  I wear them every season mostly with jeans or cropped pants.

Our personal style is always evolving, but as you go through your Pinterest images, look at the outfits and try to pick a few words that describe the looks that appeal to you.  Words such as ladylike, bohemian, edgy, classic.  These words will help you to define your style.

Another way to start to define your personal style is to notice what you already have in your closet.  I have way to many striped tees, but I know that I can put on a striped tee with a leopard jacket, camel sweater or a pair of shorts, and feel comfortable.  Consider the items that you have way too many of one of your signature staples and rely that staple on days when you need to get dressed in a hurry.

In the picture below, my daughters and I are wearing the same blouse, but we all styled it differently to make it our own.

I believe that our personal style evolves and changes at almost every age and that you can be stylish at every age.  Style is not about age, it's about mindset!  Trust your instincts and wear what makes you feel comfortable and the best version of yourself! 

I've included some items below that you can shop, a few at every price point!  I'm off to Atlanta!  Have a great weekend everyone and follow me on Instagram @crazyblondelifeblog!