Opening Words
This morning was yet another day of being defeated by my closet. Looking at the packed wardrobe, yet feeling like there's nothing to wear - this feeling couldn't be more real! After each shopping spree, the closet is filled with all kinds of clothes, but when it comes time to get dressed, decision paralysis sets in. This isn't just your struggle; it was mine too. After years of exploration and learning, I finally found the code to creating a personal style. Today, I'll share my insights with you on how to say goodbye to "closet crisis" and create your own fashion style.
Know Yourself
Before starting to shop, we need to clarify an important question: what style actually suits you? It's like dating - before meeting the right person, you need to understand who you are first. When it comes to knowing yourself, the most basic thing is understanding your skin tone.
I remember when I took an image management course last year, the first lesson was testing everyone's skin tone. The teacher had each of us hold a white paper next to our face and observe in natural light. This testing method is super simple but incredibly effective. If your skin appears yellowish against the white paper, or you can see a warm golden glow, then you have a warm skin tone; if your skin looks pinkish, or you can see a slight blue undertone, then you have a cool skin tone.
Besides observing skin tone, you can also judge through jewelry. If gold jewelry looks particularly striking on you and makes you look radiant, you're likely warm-toned; if silver jewelry makes you look more refined and elegant, you might lean towards cool-toned. I myself have a warm skin tone, which I didn't know before, and often bought cool-toned clothes that looked odd on me - thinking back now, I wasted quite a bit of money.
Understanding your body type is equally important. For example, if you have a pear-shaped body with a narrow top and wide bottom, you need to pay special attention when choosing pants, and can opt for high-waisted wide-leg pants to flatter your leg shape; if you have an apple-shaped body with a thicker waist area, you can use flowing fabrics to conceal waist bulge. I have a friend who's typically pear-shaped, and she used to love wearing skinny pants, which made her lower body look particularly heavy. After switching to high-waisted wide-leg pants, her proportions immediately became much more balanced.
Another particularly important point is understanding your lifestyle. If you're a professional who frequently travels for work, your wardrobe needs more formal business attire; if you're a freelancer with a relaxed work environment, you can focus more on casual wear. I previously didn't consider this point and bought many beautiful dresses and high heels, but due to the nature of my work, never had the chance to wear them, ultimately leaving them to collect dust in the closet.
Color Code
After understanding your skin tone, the next step is choosing colors that suit you. This is really important - choosing the right colors can immediately make you look radiant, while wrong colors can make even expensive clothes look cheap on you.
For those with warm skin tones, earth tones are absolutely your best choice. Colors like terra-cotta, camel, and beige look particularly elegant when worn. I especially recommend caramel and ginger yellow - these colors are not only versatile but also particularly flattering. Last autumn, I bought a caramel-colored knit cardigan and paired it with a beige inner layer, making me look particularly gentle.
If you have a cool skin tone, then you're more suited to cooler shades. Colors like sapphire blue, purple, and rose red look particularly elegant on you. I have a close friend who's a typical cool-toned beauty - she used to think black, white, and gray were most versatile, but ended up looking particularly lifeless. After switching to some cool-toned colors, she immediately looked more vibrant.
Speaking of color matching, there's a particularly useful technique called monochromatic coordination. For example, you can match different shades of beige together, or use different shades of blue for coordination. This matching method looks particularly sophisticated and is hard to go wrong with. Recently, I particularly like all-beige outfits - an ivory knit sweater as the inner layer, topped with a light camel blazer, and finished with a dark camel coat as the outer layer, creating strong layering while looking particularly harmonious.
However, color matching should also consider the occasion. For instance, in formal settings, it's better to stick with dark colors as the main tone, like navy blue or dark gray. In casual settings, you can be bolder and try some bright colors. Last month, I attended an important business meeting and specifically chose a navy suit paired with a light blue shirt, which was both formal and not too serious.
Another often overlooked detail is the proportion of colors. Generally, the main color should make up about 60% of the overall outfit, the secondary color 30%, and accent colors 10%. This ratio isn't absolute but can serve as a reference. For example, you can choose a beige coat as the main color, pair it with a camel sweater as the secondary color, and use a dark brown belt as an accent - such a combination is very harmonious.
The Art of Layering
When it comes to sophistication, layering is absolutely a killer technique. But many people encounter a problem when trying layering: too many layers look bulky, too few look monotonous. Actually, layering has its techniques, just remember one golden rule: thin to thick, tight to loose.
The base layer must be fitted but not tight, preferably in thinner fabrics like modal or knit materials. I particularly like basic turtleneck sweaters, which are fitted but don't look bulky, and are very versatile. The middle layer can be slightly looser items, like shirts or blazers, which can nicely conceal minor body flaws. The outer layer can be more structured pieces like coats or trench coats, which not only show layering well but also help shape the figure.
Layering also needs to consider length variation. Generally, the base layer should be shorter than the middle layer, which should be shorter than the outer layer, to properly show layering. For example, you can choose a hip-length knit sweater as the base layer, pair it with a mid-thigh blazer, and top it with a calf-length coat - such an outfit has great layering.
Color matching is also important in layered outfits. It's recommended to choose items in the same or similar color families for coordination, which is less likely to go wrong. For example, you can choose a beige turtleneck sweater as the base layer, pair it with a camel blazer, and top it with a dark brown coat - such an outfit has both layering and harmony.
Fabric texture is another important factor to consider in layering. Different fabric textures can create great layering effects. For example, you can combine soft knit materials with structured wool, or pair silk fabrics with rough woolen materials to create nice textural contrasts.
Temperature regulation is also an important consideration in layering. In seasons with variable temperatures, layering can effectively handle temperature changes. For example, when there's a big temperature difference between morning and evening, you can wear more layers, and when temperature rises at noon, you can remove outer layers. Now when I go out, I basically always layer, so I can handle any temperature changes with ease.
Investing in Classics
When it comes to elevating your wardrobe quality, investing in some classic pieces is absolutely essential. But what kinds of pieces are worth investing in? I think there are three main aspects to consider: practicality, durability, and versatility.
Let's start with practicality. No matter how beautiful a piece of clothing is, if it doesn't fit your lifestyle, it's a useless piece. For example, if your work environment is relatively formal, investing in a quality suit is worthwhile; if you frequently attend formal occasions, a pair of versatile leather heels is necessary.
Durability is also a very important factor to consider. Quality materials and craftsmanship can keep a piece of clothing in good condition for many years. Last year, I spent quite a bit on a cashmere coat - although expensive, it still maintains its shape and quality after wearing it all winter. Compared to some cheaper coats that pill and lose shape easily, this cashmere coat is definitely a worthy investment.
Versatility is another important factor in determining whether a piece is worth investing in. If an item can be paired with most clothes in your wardrobe, its value for money increases significantly. For example, a classic bag can be used for both work and dates; a pair of basic leather boots can be paired with both pants and skirts.
Speaking of specific recommendations, I think these items are very worth investing in:
First is a quality coat. A coat is one of the items that best reflects quality - a good coat not only keeps you warm in cold winter but can instantly elevate your overall look. When choosing a coat, it's recommended to choose classic styles and colors like camel, black, or navy blue to ensure its long-term practicality.
Second is a classic bag. A bag is an accessory used daily - a good bag is not only practical but can also add points to your overall look. When choosing a bag, it's recommended to choose classic styles from well-known brands. Although the price might be higher, because of good value retention, it's actually a wise investment in the long run.
Third is a pair of versatile leather shoes. Shoe quality directly affects wearing comfort, and it's also one of the details most easily noticed by others. It's recommended to choose basic style leather shoes, like a pair of black leather heels or brown leather boots - such shoes are both versatile and durable.
Finally, some basic base layers. Although base layers might not be expensive per piece, because they're frequently worn, quality shouldn't be compromised. It's recommended to choose good quality knit sweaters or shirts - these items might look simple, but their quality directly affects overall wearing comfort.
Occasion Transitions
Many people now pursue value for money, hoping one piece of clothing can be useful for different occasions. This is indeed a very practical idea, but to achieve this, you need to master some matching techniques.
Take the most common black dress for example - it's a very good versatile piece. For work occasions, you can layer it with a crisp blazer and pair it with pointed toe heels, immediately looking very professional. For after-work dates, remove the blazer, switch to an elegant necklace and Mary Jane shoes, and the whole look becomes elegantly romantic. For parties, you can add some sparkly accessories and change into shiny heels, instantly creating a party atmosphere.
A blazer is also a good versatile piece. For formal occasions, you can button up the blazer and pair it with a shirt for a formal look; for casual occasions, you can wear the blazer open and pair it with a T-shirt or sweater for a casual look. Now when I travel for business, I basically always bring a blazer because it's really so versatile.
Knitwear is also a good transitional piece. In autumn, you can wear a sweater alone or drape it over your shoulders; in winter, you can use it as a base layer with an outer coat. Plus, knitwear can be paired with both pants and skirts - it's really a versatile essential.
Changes in accessories can also make the same piece of clothing present different effects. For example, the same white shirt looks elegant with pearl necklaces, modern with long necklaces, and vintage with scarves. I have a scarf that can be tied as a necklace around the neck, used as decoration on bags, or used as a headband - it really looks good however you use it.
Details Make the Difference
After talking about so many matching techniques, finally I want to emphasize the importance of details. Often, it's these small details that determine the level of the overall look.
First is the selection and use of accessories. Accessories are like finishing touches that add points to the overall look, but using accessories should also be moderate. Generally, don't wear more than three accessories at the same time to avoid looking too messy. For example, you can choose a necklace, a pair of earrings, and a watch - such a combination is very appropriate.
Second is clothing care. Even expensive clothes will look shabby if not properly maintained. It's recommended to carefully read care labels when buying clothes and follow the instructions for maintenance. Some valuable garments are better sent to professional dry cleaners, which can extend the life of clothes.
Third are the details of wearing methods. For example, which button of a shirt should be buttoned, whether blazer buttons should be buttoned - these are all details that need attention. Generally, the top button of a shirt can be left unbuttoned to look less rigid; for double-breasted blazers, all buttons should be buttoned, while for single-breasted blazers, the bottom button can be left unbuttoned.
Finally is the coordination of the overall look. All pieces should serve the overall look, and you shouldn't destroy overall harmony just to highlight one point. For example, if the top is already very fancy, then the bottom should choose simpler styles; if the bag is eye-catching, then other accessories should be more low-key.
Final Words
After saying so much in this article, the most important thing is still finding a style that suits you. You don't need to chase all trends, but you must understand yourself and know what style suits you best. As I often say: fashion is trending, but style is eternal.
Fashion isn't about following trends, but finding the most suitable way of expression for yourself. Everyone is a unique individual, and there's no need to completely copy others' outfits. You can get inspiration from others, but ultimately need to digest and absorb these elements and transform them into your own style.
Building a personal style is a gradual process that requires constant trial and adjustment. In this process, you might make mistakes and take detours, but these are all necessary stages. The important thing is to maintain an open and learning attitude, and slowly, you'll find your own style code.
If you're also looking for your own style, try sharing your insights. Everyone's experience is unique, and your experience might just help other friends who are looking for their personal style. Let's learn from each other and progress together on this path of pursuing fashion.
