Every so often, I’m complimented on my style and, consequently, asked about the thought process behind the pieces I choose to acquire. Alas, the response is not a simple one: My journey to the style I have now—somewhere between a (millennial) minimalist and an eclectic (geriatric)—grew out of a desire to express myself through my clothes, create a more sustainable wardrobe that wasn’t dictated by cyclical trends, and support and pay homage to the designers and style subsets I adored.

Being someone who hates small talk, this new (fashion) moral code would be a way to say who I was (and subsequently how I wish to be treated) without engaging in the effete, sometimes uncomfortable small talk that accompanies such developmental milestones.

“My journey to the style I have now - somewhere between a (millennial) minimalist and an eclectic (geriatric) - grew out of a desire to express myself through my clothes…”

To achieve this, I had to—in other words—know myself. I had to identify what I liked about specific pieces of clothing and about the worlds and minds of the designers who designed them. I also had to learn my body: At 5’8” (175 cm) tall, with a torso as long as my legs, I had to gain an understanding—through trial and error, no less—of what looked good on me and what I felt good wearing.

Subscribe now

Thankfully, in fashion, this age-old adage of “know thyself” holds more weight than you might think. To wit, personal style is not just about following trends or being able to dress in the most fashionable or expensive labels. Ultimately, it reflects who you are at your innermost core and is an expression of your staunchest values, which in my case were such individuality, sustainability and timelessness.

Here are six (6) easy steps to help you better learn and define your personal style.

1-Reflect on Your Lifestyle and Personality: Consider your daily activities, work environment, and leisure preferences. Are you more inclined towards formal, casual, or sporty attire? Where do you spend most of your time? Align your wardrobe with your TRUE lifestyle (not the one for show or social media), and let your clothes be an extension of your personality. For instance, my creative office environment means that many pieces I buy and wear for work are also great for casual events with friends or a stroll around town. A few of my current faves like Our Legacy, Needles and Jacques Soloviere fit perfectly into my minimal eclectic aesthetic, not only for their timeless yet unique designs, but also their cultural variety (Our Legacy is from Sweden, Needles from Japan and Jacques Soloviere from France).

2-Understand Your Body Shape: Knowing your body type is crucial in selecting clothes that fit well and flatter your physique. Some styles and cuts naturally complement your shape, whether you’re tall, short, athletic, or stocky. Also, have a good tailor on speed dial. Even ready-to-wear looks better tailored! Understanding my body shape helped me to understand that cropped clothing (tops and bottoms) was a way to trick the eye into thinking I was taller than I was. Or that oversized clothing, when in the right proportions, isn't to be avoided. The Intact sleeveless vest in 100% cotton from Swedish brand Our Legacy has been one of my favourite (and most worn) purchases this summer.

Source: Farfetch.com

Share

3-Seek Inspiration but Never Imitate: Identify and follow the fashion icons whose style you like, read style blogs, and observe the street style of your favourite influencer. However, think less about fashion trends and imitating the outfits that you see. Instead, the goal is to identify and articulate what you like about particular outfits and adapt these inspirations to suit your individuality rather than imitating them. Is it the shape, the colour, the texture, or the pairings? Some of the style influencers I follow like Amanda Murray, ASAP Rocky and Rihanna, are masters at incorporating even the most avant-garde looks with daywear! Something I was hesitant to do has become almost second-nature now simply because I have seen others do it.

Source: Pinterest.com

4-Emphasize Quality Over Quantity - Start With The Basics: When a wardrobe overhaul is imminent, you might be tempted to do it quickly. However, the road to personal style mastery - i.e. learning what flatters your body and what you feel good wearing - should be a slow burn, kind of like Bridgerton Season 2. Start with the basics and choose quality fabrics, which in the long run last longer and look better. For instance, a crisp white shirt, well-made jeans and sturdy leather shoes are timeless investments. For variety, however, I have created my own personal 3-3 Rule: I try to have only three (3) variations of an item, which may differ in cut, design or materials. And when I am about to purchase a new item, I ask myself, “Can this be worn with three (3) things I currently own?” You can create your own system. Remember, though, it's not about the number of clothes you have, but the quality and how they make you feel.

Leave a comment

5-Wear and Keep Only What Makes You Feel Good: Periodically review and edit your wardrobe. Discard those items that no longer fit or make you feel self-conscious. Great outfits are the result of an organised, curated closet. Keep only the things in your defined style in which you feel confident and comfortable.

“Personal style is not just about following trends or being able to dress in the most fashionable or expensive labels… it reflects who you are at your innermost core…”

6-Know Thy Future Self: Conversely, the best way to achieve the personal style you want is to also think about your future self: Where do you see yourself in the next ten years, or at 50, for example, and how do you wish to be addressed - or even remembered? An adage says, dress for the job you want. But I say, dress for the golden-ager you wish to become!

Source: instagram.com/gramparents

Personal style is about individuality and self-expression. Ultimately, the only rule is to wear whatever makes you feel good. Mastering your personal style is an evolving journey that includes trial, error, and, most of all, discovery. Know yourself, be authentic, and let your style speak for you.

02/07/2024

Person & Style, a monthly column and your ultimate guide to discovering and refining your personal style through my own journey. Join me as we explore the art of personal dressing, empowering you to present your best self with confidence and flair.

After the passing of Karl Lagerfeld last winter, Chanel announced the "Kaiser’s" right hand, Virginie Viard, as the brand's new creative director. Outside of fashion’s inner circle, not much is known of Viard – a Frenchwoman by way of Dijon, who had been a part of Lagerfeld’s inner circle for the last thirty years. The appointment, nonetheless, was met with a positive reaction – especially in this charged #METOO era for its unmistakable nod to diversity and continuity of Lagerfeld’s brilliant legacy.

Photos: Alessandro Lucioni / Vogue.com

For her debut, Viard and Co. transformed the mythic Grand Palais into a picturesque railway terminal, complete with train tracks, ballast, signposts, passenger platforms, and benches to boot. There was no locomotive, however, which is perhaps summative of the collection she showed. Satisfactory, albeit low on steam.

To wit, a succession of tiered dresses, which were more Oscar de la Renta in their styling than Rue Cambon. Tapered trousers – topped by oversized blazers – recalled the routine play of Olivier Rousteing’s Balmain, and an A-line coatdress was more evocative of Miuccia than Coco – not to mention a few odd colour and styling combinations.

“Satisfactory, albeit low on steam”

And although the house’s signature (tweed) was present, alongside bags and jewellery, which were quite interesting, the glaring difference between this collection and those before was hard to ignore. This collection had a rote countedness – as if the clothes were decided via an abacus, or by ticking items off a grocery checklist: A dress here. A pair of shorts there…leggings…safari jacket, coats, skirts…

Viard’s debut, I thought, keeled in a similar fashion to the debuts of two other famous women designers of recent times: Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior, and before that, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. (Clare Waight Keller’s Givenchy debut thankfully did not suffer that fate). In that, while the collection was tidy (and varied, if I am to be honest), it lacked bite, balladry and individuality. Which begs the question: is routine, nondescript, quotidianness what women (truly) want?

The beauty of Lagerfeld’s collections was in their thoroughness, poetry and the interest he was also able to create around the clothes by way of his polymathic mind and (completed) set designs. The set was integral to the story. It gave us an idea who the girl – or woman – was for that season, what she liked, who she read, her current passions and her protests. It also gave us an insight into the mind of Lagerfeld himself. His "Chanel" was feminine and feline in her stride and wit, yet masculine in her resolve and independence. Karl proposed; here, Viard schelps.

“is routine, nondescript, quotidianness what women (truly) want?”

It is still early days yet. Perhaps Cruise 2020, à la Viard, was simply a palate cleanser; an appetizer meant to whet as many tastes as possible while the company gleans through sales (and social media feedback) what women want from Chanel, sans Lagerfeld, sans theatrics. Let's hope though that after the numbers are crunched, Viard will offer us more than tidy separates. For it would be a crying shame for this now beautiful Aurora to return to her sleepy past.

05/05/2019

Talking Fashion is monthly series that attempts to dissect the inner workings of fashion from an outlier - yet culturally astute - lens.