How to Find Your Signature Style?
What’s Your Signature Style?
Jill Chivers of 16 Style Types and I have discussed this before here in a video post.
Many people have commented that they notice that I always wear a necklace, and normally a larger scale necklace. The big necklace has become my signature piece. They are all different and I have lots of them, but these days I don’t feel quite right without some sort of large-scale necklace on.
I didn’t go out to make the necklace my signature piece, but once I discovered that a large necklace makes my large bust look more balanced and creates a new focal point above my bust (people used to always talk to the boobs), it became the staple in my wardrobe diet.
The joy of having a signature piece like a necklace is that it will make an otherwise dull outfit look more interesting. Boring shirt and pants? Whack on a big necklace and suddenly you have a more interesting outfit.
Anna Wintour’s Signature Bob and Glasses
How about dedicating some time to find your signature style? It may be a particular print (like my friend Jill Chivers of 16 Style Types always wears animal print). It may be like Anna Wintour, her classic bob and large sunglasses that just don’t change. You may wear some stunning shoes. Or choose a palette of colours such as black, white and red.
Poppy King’s Signature Red Lips
Today I want you to start noticing if there are particular themes in your wardrobe or an item that you don’t feel dressed if you’re not wearing, or if the thought of wearing colours outside of a few certain shades. Maybe it’s a makeup look (Poppy King and her red lipstick).
Have you found a signature item or style already or are you still searching?
Discovering what works for you – your body, your personality, your colouring and your lifestyle also help to find the elements that flatter and may reveal to you a signature style element or item. My 7 Steps to Style program covers all these plus so much more – find out more here.
More posts on helping you find your signature style:
Find out how Rosina discovered hers.
Style is a journey not a destination
What is your Style Recipe?
For me, it isnt a wardrobe piece or color because my style is so mixed, sometimes I dress simple, other times gothic/alternative, other times very girly and I like to have a huge variety of different styles of buttoms, tops, one-pieces, shoes, accessories etc so I couldnt pick one. I love wearing tights and skirts, but I can live without them for days!
The only makeup product I cant live without or leaving the house without it, must be my concealer. -_-;; I don’t like to look like a zombie or sick in front of others (heavy dark circles), so its a must for me. :3
…but I prefer classic/classy silhouettes for my outfits (nipped waist, overall balanced outfit that are neither too conservative or too revealing) but Im not sure if silhouttes can be counted as signature styles. 😛
I could echo the poster before me, there was a time when I had no distinct style, and the way I dressed was much more versatile, I was a real chameleon. It’s different now and I am still not sure I have a signature style now, but I have noticed that vast majority of my outfits are what you’d call elegant. I don’t feel as comfortable dressing down/looking casual. (Although if I pop out to the shops I don’t exactly care what I look like and am fine being as dowdy as they come.)
Another thing I suppose is that I would not wear anything without accompanying earrings. (But they are not always signature earrings.) And I always try to wear two or three colours now on top of neutrals. And finally, looking at my outfits these days, I don’t feel as confident if my waist is not emphasised so usually either wear a belt/close fitting top that shows curves. (I am an 8.) And weather permitting, I really prefer skirts and dresses to trousers (but that brings us back to the elegance aspect perhaps and the fact that I’m an 8 with a long rise and trousers are not as comfortable).
I am planning to explore my signature style this week. Probably “random sporty”, “bright simplicity” or something similar would sum me up! I do tend to wear jeans and trousers most of the time as I am retired and walk a lot, plus I have two trouser suits for smarter occasions. Having said that, in the summer months I enjoy wearing skirts and dresses more, especially living in Spain where the summers are hot. I think I’m known for wearing necklaces too, as I’m sometimes given them as presents, though mine aren’t quite as large scale as yours because I’m a petite size.
I’m looking forward to following all your links and discovering more!
Scarves — not *all* the time, but usually when I go out in public.
Yes! Me too!
Interesting to think about.
(1) Comfort. I feel like I’m ‘trying too hard’ if I’m uncomfortable. Flat shoes, knits, occasionally heels – but only if I’m in the mood.
(2) Friendly (unaggressive). Nothing loud, some soft textures (knits), some casual-fun colours/prints/jewellery, colour almost always (and lately more multiple colours thanks to this blog!) but not too bright/loud.
(3) Something going on around the upper third: often scarf or long necklace or at least ear rings + eye shadow.
Since I started reading your blog I’ve gone from outdated preppy and T-shirt frump to a little more streamlined but still trying too hard (or aiming and missing). I hate scarves, love jackets but live in a hot humid environment (plus have personal summer moments now!), so I’m using statement necklaces. I learned from you that being short (petite) doesn’t mean dainty, and now that I’ve embraced bold necklaces I feel so “right.”
My signature look is belts. I love belts so much. I look for them everywhere to get especially unusual ones. I don’t feel complete without them .even when I got pregnant and heavy, I still found a way to incorporate them into my outfits.
My signature look is getting more defined the more I learn from all the posts. It is starting to include colour – greyed navy has to be somewhere in an outfit for me; rounded things / curved always looks good – nearly all my facial features are rounded; it must, must be comfortable and I love the art deco period so I have an angled bob which really works for me as I’m petite as well so too much hair length drags me down.
So greyed navy blue, curved silhouettes curved lapels, rounded toes on shoes / boots too, and accessories: rounded sunglasses, and the bob and cloche hats. That sounds like too many things but it is sort of becoming a signature look.
Adrienne
I’ve been thinking about this for awhile. I think my main style theme is ALWAYS elegance, whether casual or formal. At home, in winter, I wear black leggings with a matching tank and a couple of coordinating tops over them. In the summer, my in-home wear is REALLY casual, plaid shorts with a matching top. When I leave the house/our property, I’m always at refinement level 2 unless the event requires more. I think my style has several elements, some recently added as I’ve learned more from you:
– The past few years, because of thinning hair and very fair skin, from sunrise to sunset, if I’m out of doors, I’m wearing a wide-brimmed hat. I’m known for it and I have a collection of nearly a dozen for year-round wear.
– Because I’m sensitive to sunscreens, from sunrise to sunset, if I’m out of doors, I ALWAYS wear a jacket that is thick enough to protect me from the sun. I have a collection of nearly a dozen, most of which can be worn year round with creative layering. In the summertime, I pair it with a tank top. This can be really uncomfortable during the hot months. To me, the seasons here in the Deep South of the USA are Almost Summer, Summer, Still Summer, and Christmas :-).
– I’ve had to quit wearing most patterned tops although marling is now flattering because of my silvering hair. In the winter, my scarves provide as much pattern as I can handle.
– Because I, too, have a large bust, I’ve adopted your trick of always wearing a necklace, usually a rather substantial one.
– In winter, I ALWAYS have a scarf that coordinates with my outer wear and it usually coordinates with my column of color too.
– My hemlines and footwear are always coordinated to maximize my leg length. I’m 5’5″, petite, short-waisted, with a large bust so I have to be careful or I will look MUCH heavier than I am.
Changes I hope to make in the future include adding brooches as a style element in the cooler months, maybe summer too, but for now, just fall/winter. I will not be replacing any of my black items and will continue to expand my collection of medium and charcoal gray items. I’m contemplating slowly shifting to an all-neutral color palette while relying on accessories for color. I’d also like to wear more skirts throughout the year and once my weight stabilizes, I’m considering having a few made although the right style skirt could be very forgiving. I really love the chicness of earlier times (the 1960s in particular) and I think my evolving style reflects that.