Opening Words
Do you often stand in front of your closet worrying about what to wear? Or have you bought lots of clothes while shopping but still feel lost when putting together outfits? Actually, these concerns aren't just yours - we all go through this phase when pursuing our personal style.
As a former fashion novice, I deeply understand that anxiety of never being satisfied with how outfits look in the mirror. But after years of experience in the fashion world, I finally found my own style direction. Today, let me share my insights with you in the most down-to-earth way.
Know Yourself
To be honest, before I started studying fashion, I didn't know that everyone has their own unique skin tone. Take me for example - I have typical warm yellow-toned skin, which gave me a clear direction when choosing clothes. Earth tones like camel and olive green look particularly flattering on me, and I never have to worry about them looking dull.
I remember once shopping with my best friend when she tried on a light blue knit sweater and instantly looked amazing. I wanted to buy one too, but when I tried it on, it didn't have the same effect. Later I learned it was because she has typical cool-toned fair skin, which works particularly well with cool colors like light blue and purple.
There are many ways to determine if you have cool or warm undertones. The simplest is to look at the color of the veins on your inner wrist - if they appear green, you're warm-toned; if blue, you're cool-toned. However, this method isn't completely accurate since everyone's skin tone is complex. I recommend getting a professional color analysis - it might cost some money, but it's definitely worth it. Once you find the right colors for your skin tone, you won't make mistakes when buying clothes.
Besides skin tone, we also need to pay attention to our body type. For example, I have a pear-shaped figure - narrow on top and wider on the bottom - so I particularly focus on choosing designs that emphasize my upper body, while selecting darker colors or flowing fabrics for the lower body to make overall proportions look more balanced.
Style Exploration
When it comes to style exploration, I really want to share my journey of trials and tribulations. When I first became interested in fashion, I was basically a "style collector," wanting to copy every good outfit I saw. The result was a closet full of clothes in various styles, but I became even more confused about what to wear each day.
One day while going through my closet, I had an epiphany: although each piece looked good individually, the styles were too mixed to create a unified personal image. After all, one person can't be both an elegant lady and a cool girl at the same time, right?
Later, I began consciously organizing the styles I truly liked. I discovered that I particularly appreciate simple and sophisticated outfits that don't need complicated designs but feature timeless pieces. So I started cleaning out my closet, getting rid of those "impulse purchases" I'd only worn once or twice. Now my closet is 80% basics like solid-colored T-shirts, straight-leg jeans, and knit cardigans, with the remaining 20% being more designed pieces.
This wardrobe composition makes putting together outfits much easier. Basic pieces always work well together, and adding just one or two designed pieces creates an interesting overall look. For example, my most frequent outfit is a white T-shirt with straight-leg jeans and a camel coat - simple but sophisticated.
Practical Tips
Speaking of specific styling tips, what I most want to share is creating layers. Many people think their outfits look plain simply because they overlook the importance of layering. Take me for example - I used to just pair a top with pants and call it done, looking rather flat overall.
Later I learned to use layering principles and discovered that the same clothes could create completely different effects with slight adjustments. For instance, one of my recent favorite combinations is: a basic white T-shirt underneath, topped with a denim jacket, and finished with a textured scarf. These three seemingly simple pieces create rich layers through variations in fabric and length.
Another particularly useful principle I've found is the "rule of three." The core of this rule is: don't exceed three colors or three fabrics in one outfit. This might sound complicated, so here's an example: my most common combination is a white cashmere sweater, topped with a camel wool coat, and black straight-cut dress pants. This combination avoids being either too monotonous or too flashy.
Color coordination also has its techniques. I particularly like monochromatic combinations - using different shades of the same color. For example, an all-camel outfit might have a light camel top, dark camel coat, and neutral camel pants, creating a very harmonious look.
Another tip is to pay attention to fabric combinations. Different fabrics create different textures, and proper combinations can add layers to the overall look. For example, in winter, I like to combine cashmere, wool, and leather - it's both warm and textured.
Accessorizing
When it comes to elevating your look, accessories are definitely the most worthwhile investment. I remember when I first started studying fashion, I thought people who wore lots of accessories looked very sophisticated, but when I tried to copy them, it just looked messy. Looking back now, it's quite funny.
After years of exploration, I've developed a golden rule for accessories: always highlight just one focal point. For example, if I'm wearing a striking necklace, other accessories should be kept simple. Or if I'm wearing statement earrings, I don't need any other neck decorations.
Accessory choices should also be based on the occasion. For work, I choose simple and elegant pieces like small pearl studs or delicate chain necklaces. For parties, I can choose more dramatic designs to make the overall look more interesting.
Another important point about accessories is maintaining overall balance. If the clothing already has strong design elements, accessories should be more subdued. Conversely, if the clothes are basic, an eye-catching accessory can instantly elevate the entire look.
Dressing for Occasions
Different occasions indeed have different dress requirements, but this doesn't mean we need different clothes for every occasion. The key is learning how to make the same piece work differently in different settings.
Take my favorite black dress for example - for work, I pair it with a crisp blazer and pointed heels for a professional look; for after-work dates, I switch to a denim jacket and white sneakers for a casual vibe; for formal occasions, I add a pearl necklace and stiletto sandals for an elegant appearance.
This is why I particularly recommend investing in versatile basics. Although these pieces might look ordinary, they're the foundation of your entire wardrobe and can create interesting combinations with other items.
Speaking of basics, I recommend preparing these pieces: 1. A well-fitting white T-shirt 2. A good-cut pair of jeans 3. A well-tailored blazer 4. A versatile black dress 5. A comfortable pair of white sneakers 6. A pair of formal heels
With these pieces as a foundation, you can gradually add other clothes based on your preferences and needs to easily handle various occasions.
Final Thoughts
After saying all this, the most important aspect of building personal style is persistence. My current style took several years of trial and adjustment to gradually develop. I've made countless mistakes along the way, but these experiences helped me better understand what I truly like.
Remember, fashion isn't about blindly following trends but finding your own way of expression. Everyone is unique, and there's no need to completely copy others' outfits. What's important is understanding yourself and finding the style that suits you best.
Fashion is an evolving process, and our aesthetics and taste continue to grow with time. So don't rush - give yourself time and space to explore. Through continuous experimentation and accumulation, you'll definitely find your own style.
Finally, I'm really curious about how you found your personal style? Do you have favorite colors or styles? Or do you have any interesting experiences in your fashion journey that you'd like to share? Welcome to tell me in the comments section, let's learn from each other and inspire one another.
