Why Style Should Be Personal
First, let’s define our terms:
Style – A distinctive appearance, typically determined by the principles according to which something is designed.
Personal – Of, affecting, or belonging to a particular person rather than anyone else.
Unless you’re living under a rock, we’re all affected by the endless suggestions from social media and marketing campaigns. Emails, ads, catalogs—constant streams telling us what to buy and how to wear it. It’s a copy-and-paste mentality. And even though there’s so much for sale, it’s often just more of the same.
After COVID, I noticed something else: fewer pieces being produced, higher logistics costs, and brands playing it safe—rarely taking risks on styles that feel different.
Even with this perceived scarcity, I still champion personal style.
And here’s why: some of the most iconic pieces in fashion came from deeply personal stories.
Or the Cartier “Juste un Clou” bracelet. Designer Aldo Cipullo took an ordinary nail—something industrial and unremarkable—and reimagined it as a piece of fine jewelry. It was a simple, personal idea that became a luxury statement worn around the world.
Take the Birkin bag. Jane Birkin’s belongings once spilled out of her purse during a flight. The head of Hermès, sitting nearby, suggested creating a larger, more practical bag for her. That very personal problem became an enduring fashion icon.
And denim—my personal favorite. It began as durable workwear for miners and laborers. It wasn’t about fashion; it was about solving a problem. Today, it’s one of the most worn fabrics in the world.
The pattern is clear
Much of the most wearable, lasting fashion began as a personal solution, not a passing trend.
When it comes to your own style, start with your life—not what’s trending online. Here’s the process I use with my clients:
Take inventory – What’s in your wardrobe right now? What do you wear most? What silhouettes work best on you? Why do you like what you like? What makes you feel good?
Define yourself in words – Write down adjectives that feel true to your personality. Think of items or symbols that represent them.
Map your current lifestyle – List your activities and engagements so your wardrobe reflects your real life. Clothes should be wearable.
Map your aspirational lifestyle – Where do you want to go? Keep it realistic but forward-looking.
Make a focused shopping list – Choose pieces that live between where you are now and where you want to be. The goal is to elevate, not to create a fantasy wardrobe.
Build a mood board – Use your words, lifestyle, and list to guide the imagery you collect.
A final tip: stick to your list and your mood board. Buying random pieces is like grocery shopping when you’re hungry—it rarely ends well.
Personal style should be rooted in who you are and where you’re going—not in someone else’s idea of what’s “in.” The most memorable style is the kind that’s unmistakably yours.
