When it comes to fashion and personal style, I truly have come a long way. One that has truly been and continues to be an incredible adventure. It’s a journey filled with trial and error. A journey of experimenting with styles and colours that resonate with my personality. And, learning how to create outfits that truly express who I am.
It hasn’t always been easy, and I’ve definitely had my fair share of fashion mishaps along the way! But through it all, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of what works for me, what makes me feel confident and empowered, and how to curate a wardrobe that reflects my unique spirit. It’s an ongoing process, constantly evolving as I grow and change, but I’m excited to share my experiences and insights with you, hoping to inspire you on your own personal style journey.
from Shopping with Friends to Shopping Solo
For years, shopping with friends was a ritual as comforting as a favourite cashmere jumper. There was laughter in the fitting rooms, shared triumphs over the perfect find, and the reassuring nods of group approval. Back then, it felt like an essential part of exploring my personal style. Yet over time I realised something important: to truly define my signature look, I had to listen to my own voice above all others.
So, one crisp Saturday afternoon I took myself on a solo shopping trip with nothing but my tote bag and an open mind. It was unexpectedly liberating. Without the gentle, but often distracting, chorus of opinions, I could wander at my own pace. For once I reached for pieces purely because they spoke to me, choosing silhouettes that flattered, fabrics that felt luxurious, and colours that instantly boosted my wardrobe confidence. I no longer felt the need to justify my choices.
Little by little my wardrobe began to transform. I moved away from trend-led impulse buys and towards timeless fashion pieces that reflected who I truly was. These weren’t clothes that shouted “this is what’s in” but whispered “this is who I am.” Shopping alone stopped being a quick errand and became a cherished ritual of fashion self-discovery, a quiet celebration of knowing my worth and my taste.
Ignoring Trends and Listening to Your Inner Voice
As my solo shopping trips became the norm, I also began to see fashion differently. I realised that true personal style isn’t about chasing every trend that sweeps through Instagram. It’s about understanding what makes you feel confident, empowered, and unapologetically yourself. Rather than bending to the pressure of fast-changing fashion trends, I started focusing on what genuinely brought me joy and reflected my personality.
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Trusting my instincts meant paying attention to the colours that lifted my mood. And the textures I loved to touch, and the silhouettes that made me feel instantly at ease.
And if you find yourself stuck in the cycle of chasing the “next big thing,” it might be time to take a step back. Reconnect with your wardrobe essentials and experiment with pieces that make you feel alive.
One of the best ways to start finding your unique voice in fashion is through second-hand shopping. Thrift stores, vintage boutiques, and online marketplaces are treasure troves of one-of-a-kind pieces that can help you step away from the mainstream. Not only will you discover vintage fashion finds that set you apart, but you’ll also build a timeless wardrobe that feels authentically yours.
Visualising Your Style with Moodboards
Now, if you’re a visual person like me, creating a fashion mood board can be an absolute game-changer for refining your personal style. Think of it as a curated scrapbook of your fashion dreams, brimming with images, colours and textures that spark your creativity. It’s more than just pretty pictures; it’s your personal style compass, guiding you through the exciting journey of self-discovery.
Photo by Natalie Dupin / Pexels
Mood boards are also one of the most playful ways to experiment with style. Whenever I feel stuck, I start mixing and matching different looks to see what actually feels right.
I’m also always on the lookout for fresh inspiration. If a celebrity nails a look I adore, it goes straight into my saved folder. Sometimes it’s someone walking down the street whose outfit catches my eye, and I won’t hesitate to snap a quick photo for reference. I mean, inspiration can be anywhere.
When it comes to sourcing ideas, the world is your runway. Browse fashion magazines. Scroll through style blogs, Pinterest boards, and Instagram feeds or take in the colours and patterns in your everyday surroundings. The more diverse your influences, the more distinctive and personalised your mood board will be. And the closer you’ll get, to refining your own unique fashion look.
Read More: Must-Have Wardrobe Essentials to Elevate Your Personal Style
Going back to basics
When it comes to personal style, it’s really about getting comfortable with the fundamentals. That means figuring out the silhouettes, colours and textures you naturally gravitate towards, and more importantly, embracing what feels authentically you.
For me, this part of the journey actually started by recognising what I didn’t like. The moment I realised I had zero patience for cluttered, overly patterned clothing, everything began to click. The more I experimented, the more I found myself drawn to the simplicity and elegance of plain fabrics. No fuss. No distractions.
From there, things began to fall into place. I leaned into minimalism, appreciating clean lines and understated sophistication. Looking back, understanding those basics was like unlocking a little style cheat code. It didn’t happen overnight. It was a gradual process, filled with trial, error and a few questionable purchases along the way. But the lesson stuck. Stay true to yourself, and let your wardrobe reflect who you are, not who you think you should be.
My Four Little Words: “I Absolutely Love It!”
From the basics, I stumbled into something else. A mantra that quietly became my shopping rulebook: “I absolutely love it!”. Honestly, it’s the best style filter I’ve ever had. If a piece didn’t give me that little spark the second I saw it, it stayed on the hanger.
It might sound overly simple, but trust me, it works. Similar to most things in life, if your gut feeling says something isn’t right, it usually isn’t. The same logic applies to buying clothes. That quick gut-check keeps my wardrobe filled with pieces I’m genuinely excited to wear and saves me from those “What was I thinking?” moments. Now, every time I shop, I mentally run through that question. It’s like having my own invisible stylist whispering, “Only buy it if you really love it.”
Finding Inspiration in Famous Icons
Once I had my wardrobe basics and style mantra set, I began exploring how to find my personal style by looking outward for inspiration. Instagram quickly became my favourite virtual runway. I followed fashion influencers, designers, and everyday style stars whose fresh, authentic looks sparked endless outfit ideas.
Great style isn’t about copying others; it’s about borrowing elements and reimagining them to reflect your own unique fashion sense. Whether inspired by classic fashion icons, bold street style trendsetters, or minimalist influencers, these details can transform your wardrobe in exciting ways.
And remember, fashion inspiration from style icons is everywhere!
All in all, when I think about my style journey, it’s been a mix of back-to-basics discoveries, gut-check shopping rules, and gathering inspiration from everywhere. It’s like a fashion treasure hunt—one that’s as fun as it is personal.
So if you’re in the middle of finding your own style, try slowing down. Go shopping solo, and really pay attention to what makes you feel good. Trust your instincts. Enjoy the process. And remember, the right pieces are the ones you can look at and say, without hesitation, “I absolutely love it.”
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