Save time and money by shopping in your clothing style

Blonde woman in white shirt and blue trousers looing at a rack of shirts in a shop

Knowing your clothing style is a strategy that minimises the effort when buying and wearing clothes. Once you know the colours you look your best in and combine that with a consistent style, you will have the formula to shop for clothes and combine elements in your wardrobe knowing everything will go with everything and will look great on you. You will save money and time in the store.

Because I know my colour and style profile, I can scan a shop from the doorway and know if it’s worthwhile spending time in the store. For instance, if there is mainly black on the rails it’s not for me. I don’t wear black, it’s too hard for me and is ageing. It’s not in my palette, so I have no reason to wade through rails of black clothing. Chocolate brown and navy are my black.

Adopting your unique style by dressing authentically with your personality and lifestyle can be a fun process. It’s a way to express your personality and individuality through your clothes. Here are some ideas to help you work out your personal style:

Look in your wardrobe: What do you wear most often? What do you feel most comfortable in? These are likely items that reflect your personal style.

Consider your personality: Are you relaxed and playful or are you more formal? Are you a flowery romantic, or do you have a more dramatic nature? Believe it or not, these characteristics will also show up in your body type and are considered in professional style analysis. E.g people who are relaxed and playful could be a pixie, ‘gamin’ type or a ‘natural’ depending on other combined factors.

Think about your favourite brands: Are you attracted to certain brands or designers? This can give you an idea of the types of clothing that you prefer. 

Assess your lifestyle: What do you do on a daily basis? If you have a more active lifestyle, you may prefer athletic clothing or leisurewear. If you work in a formal office setting, you may prefer a more professional look.

Consider your body type: It’s important to choose clothing that flatters your body type. If you’re petite, you want to avoid clothing that is oversized because it will swamp you, causing you to disappear. For years I wore a size larger than I am (there are lots of reasons we do this .. that’s another article). When I realised and started wearing the correct size, my clothes suddenly looked better on me. Conversely, if you’re taller, you may want to avoid clothing that is too short or tight and might go up a size.

Experiment with different looks: Try on new things and see what you like best. You can do this in the privacy of a changing room just for fun. You might discover that you enjoy a more bohemian, laid-back style, or that you prefer a more polished, classic look.

Consider current trends: While it’s important to not get too caught up in trends, it can be helpful to see what’s popular in the fashion world. You may find that you like certain trends and want to incorporate them into your personal style. Adding accessories on trend is a way of looking up to date but retaining your personality.

Take inspiration from others: Look to celebrities, influencers, or friends whose style you like. See what they wear and how they put outfits together and try to recreate a similar look for yourself. You can often replicate outfits you see more economically.

Be true to yourself: Ultimately, these points are only guidelines and ideas. The most important thing is to be true to yourself and wear what makes you feel confident and comfortable. Don’t worry too much about what others think or what’s “in fashion”. If you feel good about what you’re wearing, that’s all that matters.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and see what works for you. You’ll be able to figure out your clothing style and develop it as you add pieces to your wardrobe.

Published by Elaine Flook

I spent around 20 years working in design management and corporate branding. I cut my teeth as a Publicity Executive for a UK TV company in the 80s and progressed through design agencies to Global Head of Branding & Corporate Identity for a major international investment bank. A chronic health condition led me to complementary health and to become a practitioner. After another 21 years working as a therapist/coach to business people I pursued a long-held dream and graduated from The London School of Make-Up and The British College of Professional Styling. Funny how it can take a lifetime to find out what you really want to do. I'm reminded of Baz Lhurmann "Some of the most interesting 40 year-olds I know, still don't'. 2019 and the Pandemic led me again to a reassessment of what I want to do and how I want to work led me to pursue my interests and seems to have brought me right back around to design, bringing my 21 years of building confidence in people along with me. I enjoy design from all aspects but particularly its key purpose - functionality. I've always had a natural eye for colour and design running alongside a love of clothes. I wouldn't say 'fashion' per se. Fashion is fun and enjoyable but I've never been a fashion addict. I enjoy trends and do follow some but I am more interested in craftsmanship and the development of individual style for myself and others. I enjoy sewing. Being a seamstress is a great way of understanding how clothing is constructed, especially reverse engineering it by taking something apart to alter it or just to see how it is made. Men’s tailoring, women’s clothing and couture has long been a passion of mine. I am fascinated by how we can change our appearance by a single, simple gesture and how we are perceived by how we dress and present ourselves. Confidence can be built or crushed by what we wear and either elevate or destroy style. I love the synergy between the art and science of creating style. I'm loving working with people to create their own personal style and have a passion for dressing sustainably.

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