Discovering and refining your personal style is much like handwriting, while it’s unique to each individual, it’s shaped by countless influences (including your 3rd-grade teacher!). Your style is a reflection of your personality, your lifestyle, and your experiences, yet it’s also a blend of ideas, images, and inspiration you’ve picked up from the world around you.
The beauty of personal style is that it’s always evolving. You’re never stuck in one fashion “box.” Whether you’re starting to discover your style for the first time or looking to refine what already feels like you, finding inspiration from a variety of sources can help you create a wardrobe that is not only stylish but deeply personal.
Here’s how you can explore and refine your personal style, using inspiration from a range of places and people.
Start with Self-Reflection – What Makes You Feel Like You?
Before you start looking outward for inspiration, it’s essential to look inward. The foundation of any great personal style is understanding what makes you feel most authentic and confident. Think about the times when you’ve worn something that made you feel truly yourself. Was it a bold colour that brought out your energy? A certain silhouette that flattered your figure in all the right ways?
In my 7 Steps to Style program, I encourage women to identify what they love about their current wardrobe before they begin searching for new inspiration. This allows you to focus on refining and enhancing your style rather than chasing trends that might not suit you.
Ask yourself:
- Which outfits make me feel confident and comfortable?
- What styles, colours, or fabrics do I gravitate towards naturally?
- Are there certain pieces I wear on repeat, and why?
This is just a starter list of questions (we go deep inside 7 Steps to Style), and it’s a great place to start!
For example, pink is my happy colour so when I want to feel bright and bold I find the version in my palette and wear it! I also love soft fabrics that drape and clothes that are comfortable to wear and easy to move in, that doesn’t mean I have to wear activewear – there are so many other options like this outfit!
Once you have a sense of what feels right to you, you can build on that foundation by incorporating new influences.
Look to Your Surroundings
Your everyday life is a rich source of style inspiration—whether it’s the vibrant colours of your favourite flowers, the texture of a cityscape, or the relaxed elegance of a coastal town. Your environment can shape not only what’s practical for you to wear but also what inspires your aesthetic preferences.
Living in Melbourne, I’ve found that my style has been shaped by the city’s unique climate and vibe. Melbourne’s weather can be famously unpredictable, so layering is essential. Natural fabrics like linen and cotton work well in the warmer months, while lightweight wool and knits along with funky jackets help me transition between cooler mornings and warmer afternoons.
Take a moment to notice the colours, patterns, and textures that catch your eye in your everyday life. Whether it’s the rust tones of autumn leaves or the sleek lines of modern architecture, your surroundings can offer clues to what appeals to you.
Who Do You Admire?
When discovering personal style, looking to style icons can help you identify elements that resonate with you. Whether it’s the effortless chic of Audrey Hepburn, the bold power-dressing of Queen Letizia, or the eclectic mix of textures and prints worn by Sarah Jessica Parker, there’s always something to learn from those who have honed their personal style over time.
But don’t just think about famous faces—your style inspiration could come from people in your own life. It might be a colleague who always nails the balance between professional and creative or a friend whose wardrobe choices reflect their personality so perfectly.
Rather than copying someone’s exact outfits, think about the details that speak to you. Is it the way they mix patterns? The confidence with which they wear certain colours? The fact that they never sacrifice comfort for style? These observations can help you pinpoint what you want to bring into your own wardrobe.
Your colouring and body may be completely different from theirs, which is why copying another’s style doesn’t work, but being able to see what it is that you love can help you adapt and develop your own unique style.
Explore Different Eras and Cultures
Fashion isn’t just about the here and now. The history of style is rich with ideas that can inspire your look today. Whether you’re drawn to the glamour of 1920s Art Deco, the boldness of 1970s bohemian fashion, or the sleek minimalism of the 1990s, exploring different eras can help you uncover aspects of style that feel right for you.
I often encourage clients to browse vintage shops or fashion archives for ideas. Sometimes a piece from another era, like a structured 1950s coat or a pair of 1980s statement earrings, can fit seamlessly into your modern wardrobe. The trick is to blend elements of the past with pieces that feel current and true to your lifestyle. You don’t have to go to a gallery to do this (though that’s always a fun and enlightening option) but head to the library and browse some fashion history books and even browsing Pinterest using these ideas as search terms helps you discover more about your aesthetic and what you want to include in your style.
The same goes for cultural influences. The bold prints of African textiles, the intricate detailing of Indian embroidery, or the minimalistic lines of Japanese design can all offer fresh ideas for adding unique touches to your personal style.
Embrace the Digital World: Pinterest, Instagram, and Beyond
We’re lucky to live in a time when style inspiration is just a click away. Platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and even fashion blogs (like my own Inside Out Style Blog) are treasure troves of ideas. Creating a Pinterest board for style inspiration is a great way to gather images that speak to you. Over time, you’ll likely notice themes emerging—certain colours, silhouettes, or outfits that repeat themselves.
Instagram can also be a fantastic source of daily style ideas. Follow influencers or accounts that align with your personal taste, and don’t be afraid to step outside your usual circles. Sometimes a street style snapshot or a fashion-forward brand campaign can spark new ideas for how to style your existing wardrobe in fresh ways.
When browsing online, ask yourself:
- What is it about this look that appeals to me? The colours? The shape? The accessories? The flow, the drape the details?
- How could I adapt this style to suit my body, colouring, lifestyle, and wardrobe?
- Does this feel like me, or am I simply drawn to the trend because I’m seeing it everywhere and my brain thinks that I should have something new (and it’s searching for a dopamine hit)?
Experiment and Evolve: Try New Things
Personal style is not static—it evolves as you do. So don’t be afraid to experiment! Try incorporating a colour you’ve never worn before, or play with different silhouettes to see what flatters your shape and fits your lifestyle. As you try new things, some will feel right, and others won’t—and that’s okay. It’s all part of the process. I’m always challenging myself to create a new outfit from existing items in my wardrobe, it makes for greater variety which keeps me happy (and gets me that dopamine hit).
These check pants have become a wardrobe staple for me this past winter and I can dress them down with a denim jacket and knit top, or below, I’ve dressed them up with a blouse and a blazer.
One of the most effective ways to experiment is to shop your own wardrobe. Instead of buying new items, try styling what you already have in different ways. Pair unexpected pieces together, or accessorise in ways you haven’t tried before. Sometimes a small change—like swapping out a belt or adding a scarf—can completely transform an outfit. Doing my Evolve Your Style challenge can give you lots of ideas to try as you are working through your wardrobe.
Trust Your Intuition: Own Your Style
At the end of the day, the most important thing about personal style is that it feels authentic to you. Trust your intuition when discovering personal style, as it’s deeply personal and always evolving. Fashion trends come and go, but your style should always make you feel comfortable and confident. Don’t be afraid to break the “rules” and wear what makes you happy.
Style is deeply personal, and it’s an ongoing journey. As you evolve, so will your preferences and your wardrobe. Embrace that fluidity and let it guide you toward a style that is truly your own.
If you’re looking for more guidance on discovering and refining your personal style, consider joining my 7 Steps to Style program, where we dive deep into understanding your unique body, colour palette, and style preferences to help you craft a wardrobe that feels completely you.
Further Reading
Forget Fitting In: How Authenticity Attracts More Than You Think
This is such a great and inspirational article, Imogen. I know it has been in the back of my mind at times, but for some reason I never thought to ask myself the direct question: “What makes me feel like me?” Thanks so much for this. 🙂 I’ll be paying more attention to that one.