Finding Your Personal Style
- Alexis Majeau
- Jan 20
- 5 min read
Much like writing, the clothes you wear can tell a story of who you are. When you learn who you are you can create looks that easily give you the confidence you need to be radiant when you leave the house. They always say that your natural hair colour suits you best, much like clothes that match your personality.
The Beginning of Personal Style
The release of Avril Lavigne’s 2007 album, “The Best Damn Thing”, was when my fashion journey began. The bleach blonde hair and hot pink streaks with the polka dot tee-shirt with gold AND silver necklaces. I thought it was revolutionary. It changed the way I viewed clothes. Clothes were no longer just some covers for your nude body, but it was a statement on who you were.
At least from what I can remember, 2007 was the time when colour combinations like hot pink and black were seen everywhere. To general society, that combination, like fishnets and leather jackets, was perceived as punk or rebellious. It was not just a colour combination but a personal statement. Everything you wear, from the colours to the material, all give characteristics of your personality– and that is what fashion truly is.
Identify Key Personality Traits
Finding your personal style is more than what suits your body type or what looks “flattering”, it is about what type of style or fit’s that make you feel confident. Confidence is truly what makes or breaks any outfit. The only solution to feeling confident in an outfit is to wear clothes that you genuinely enjoy.
Finding clothes you enjoy, however, that can be the hard part. So, let's start small and with the basics.
What's your favourite colour, or a colour you feel happy in? You can create a colour palette based on your favourite colour or colours. This is a great starting point as you can limit out options that don’t suit your colour palette.
Your interests and hobbies can have a major influence on who you are and niche personality traits that you can incorporate into your outfits. Ask yourself what kinds of music you listen to, what activities you enjoy doing, etc. After you’ve figured that out, inspiration for outfits will start to flourish.
After you’ve figured out those starting points, I would say that you have enough to explore different styles and find the one that aligns with you.
Let’s explore some timeless and trendy options.
London Chic
The modern trend I’ve seen the most is what I like to call “London Chic”, otherwise known as the “off duty model”. A relaxed but very modern and stylish look. Think slick back buns, form fitting denim, fur coats and bomber jackets.
For more inspiration, check out Rihanna’s daytime looks, Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber and Emily Ratajkowski.
Quiet Luxury
This look was probably the most common trend of 2025. Since Covid, things in the fashion world have muted. Because the economy was so bad, designers were struggling to make the mark, which enviably resulted in simpler runway looks that were more focused on fit and fabric rather than pattern and bright colours.
However, society ran with it, and tons of people followed along in the shift from bold and eye-catching to minimal and sleek.
Quiet Luxury consists of blazers, fitted trousers, denim jeans, neutral colours and smaller shapes. Think understated modern elegance for this look.
Celebrities who do it well are Sofia Richie Grainge (after she got married), Gwyneth Paltrow and Margot Robbie.
Cottagecore
Rise for this trend was seen in the summer of 2025, where people were swapping their short shorts for milkmaid dresses and floral corsets.
This outfit style is darling, it is romantic, flowy, earthy and rustic. Think corsets, silk, linen and flowy clothes.
Earthy, neutral, and muted blush pinks are essential in this style. Cottagecore enables free-spirted outfits, and combinations of patterns, textures and shapes.
Calling all Swifties and Lana Del Rey fans, this style is coded with these artists. Magical, ethereal and wispy is what will inspire you when shopping for this style.
Old Money
This style is my personal favourite. I love the simple but put together looks that can be easily dressed up or down. My favourite part of this style is that you only need a few basics to create numerous combinations of outfits.
This style is Lily van der Woodsen, with neutral colours, linens, minimal jewellery and overall, a quite conservative but chic and elegant look (also Ralph Lauren).
The main difference I find between old money and quiet luxury is that the latter is more modern; it focuses on conservatism with contemporary touches and trends. Old money is traditional; it takes core pieces from past generations, like turtlenecks and fitted clothes and modifies them to today’s standards.
The most important thing about this style is how you wear the clothes. Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and Princess Dianna are the queens of old money, but it wasn’t necessarily what they were wearing; it was how they made it look chic and classy with minimal effort. It is basics worn with elegance and a radiant confidence.
For more modern examples, we have Kate Middleton and Keira Knightley.
Boho Chic
In another life, I would be one of these cool and stylish girls. I am envious of the role of jewellery in these pieces. This is the epitome of accessories to enhance your outfits.
Boho chic is bohemian, free-spirited and artistic. Jewel tones, florals, and patchwork make up the standards for this look. And of course, tons of accessories!
Florence Welch is a perfect example of boho chic, Rachel Zoe and of course, Stevie Nicks.
Alternative Grunge
This kind of dressing emerged with the likes of Kurt Cobain, and Paramore. The style is bold, moody and requires lots of ripped denim and leather.
It’s a quite modern look that includes band shirts, cool tones and layering. For even bolder looks, neon colours are used as accents and chunky combat boots are a must.
I can't mention this style without mentioning Courtney Love, between the slip dresses and layering, she is the ultimate inspiration. Billie Eilish is a great example of a more relaxed version of this look, and Taylor Momsen for a bolder take.
Don't be Shy!
There are so many different styles out there. They can be mixed or altered in any way that suits you and your personality. The most important thing is how you feel in the outfit. You’ll know which style resonates with you best when you put it on and you feel like the best possible version of yourself.
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