4 Steps to Help You Identify Your Personal Style

Hello everyone and welcome to Half Past Seven, fashion styling that will take you from day to night and everything in between. Thank you for following me on this journey and I'm looking forward to what's yet to come! With that being said... let get into it! (Oh, and have your pen and paper, or notes on your phone ready as this is an interactive blog post!)

A few of your have asked... what's style? Do I have style? How do I find MY style?? Well I'm so glad you asked because this blog post is for you -- or for anyone who's looking to pin point their style identity. Personal style encompasses everything from head to toe -- hair, makeup, accessories... could be your nails, the way you walk, to way you talk -- it's your confidence and you own it. Now finding your true style doesn't happen over night... it's takes time, patience, research, and trial and error. I'd also like to note, identifying your personal style takes some introspection -- we are digging deep ya'll. Fashion ties back to ones own mental and emotional processes so you'll have to look inside of you to see what makes sense and what doesn't in your personal style journey.

There are a few advantages to knowing your personal style -- one, it'll help you create a cohesive wardrobe where you can mix and match, swap pieces in and out and still have your set style identity. Two, it'll save you some coins!!!! Knowing you have identified your personal style, you won't be tempted when you see new trends or sales at your favorite store because you know sequins and sparkles don't fit within your personal style. Three, as you are getting dressed from one event to the next, it'll save you time! However I'm always down for a fashionably late entrance lol. Four, having a personal style gives you a sense of identity. When you have on your fit that you know is YOUR fit, no body can tell you nothing okayyyyyy. Five, personal style promotes sustainability. The fashion industry is the third most polluting industry, responsible for around 10% of the globes carbon emissions. A stylish yet sustainable gworl?? Love to see it!!

Ready to get into these 4 steps to help identify your personal style? Here we go!

Step 1: Identify Your Lifestyle

Your lifestyle makes up your location, occupation, and how you spend most of your time ie, are you a mom, student, work from home, etc. Grab your pen and paper or get to the "notes" app on your phone and jot your responses down. Based on these answers this will influence your personal style. If you reside in New York, work in marketing from home, your wardrobe may be a bit laid back with a few buttoned up pieces that utilizes layering to create your personal style.

Step 2: Identify Your Inspiration

Who or what inspires you? When you are on TikTok or Instagram what celebrity or celebrity stylist makes you stop scrolling and hit the save or reshare button? For me, I'm inspired by dark and rich color hues with pops of gold and neutral tones. I'm inspired by comfort, menswear and versatility. When it comes to my style idols, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, and Kahlana Barfield Brown are my style queens!!! They have this laidback effortless style that looks expensive yet approachable. What I also love about them is that they embody personal style from head to toe. To their hair styles, to their footwear, to their nails -- these women really know how to make a statement when they enter a room. Grab that pen and paper and write down your overall influences around you that inspire your style or who you aspire to dress like.

Step 3: Identify Your Style Goal

If you could describe your style goal, write it down and describe it in three words. For example, minimal, elevated, and functional. Another tool, you can use Pinterest to help guide you. Moment of truth, of all the social media platforms Pinterest is honestly my favorite!!! What I love about this platform is that it's tailored to your interests and the more you pin the more the platform will push images, videos, and inspiration tailored to your taste. On Pinterest, create a private personal style board and start pinning! Pin everything from color, to clothing, to locations, to people, to home decor... pin everything that you draw inspiration from in that board. Also another Pinterest tip, Pinterest allows you to organize your boards by creating sections within your boards. So if you have blazer looks in your personal style board, section all of those together and title the section blazers.

Step 4: Identify Your Signature

What is it that sets you apart from the rest when it comes to your style? Before leaving the house what is the one accessory you can't leave home without? What is that final touch that adds the "period" to complete your look? We all have that special signature! Like when you sign off on important documents, your signature is one of one, can't be replicated or duplicated. It's the same for your personal style -- It can be a bold lip, hats, frames, your hair, or layering pieces to name a few examples. As you are finding your signature it's okay to rewear, copy looks, or stick to your "outfit formula" but what makes it yours is your signature and to top it off your confidence.

This concludes our 4 steps to help you identify your personal style! I hope this helped. What I love about fashion and style is that inspiration can come from anywhere. When ever your feel inspired lean into that inspiration and take note of it! It could lead you down the path of identifying what works for your personal style and what doesn't. And remember the BEST addition to personal style is confidence. If you love it, wear it, and own it.

Until next time!

It's "Half Past Seven" somewhere -- Will you be ready??