By LaShanda Millner-Murphy
As an expert in the fashion industry, I feel one way to build a “perfect” wardrobe is to know the style that fits your personality. One tends to get an idea of what that style is when you notice similar silhouettes, patterns, colors, textures and fabrics that tells a story throughout your closet/drawers. Your style defines who you are most of the time. We do find ourselves tweaking our style more in formal attire, however our routine work wardrobe gives us more clarity of our style. Diane van Furstenberg said it well:
“Style is an effortless confidence in being yourself; it is a way of putting yourself together according to your mood and what you want to project. Personal style appears to come naturally for some, but for others it can take a while to find it.”
Do you know your style? Have you discovered who you really are through your wardrobe choices? Have you allowed yourself to truly express your individuality? Is the way you dress aligning with your personality? The dictionary definition of style is: Characteristics or elements combined and expressed in a particular (often unique) and consistent manner. The benefits of discovering your style will build self-confidence , help you purchase more needed than wanted items, create the more authentic you, allow you to be comfortable in environments and you have a more consistent look. All of these are ways leading you towards your personality signature style.
Your personality conveys your signature style which in turn creates your style theme. There is one of the six style themes which describes your “predominate” signature look . Your style is not necessarily stuck in one box, but can be a combination of these style descriptions.
| STYLE THEMES | DESCRIPTION OF STYLE | PERSONALITY |
| CREATIVE | exotic patterns/textures, artistic, non-traditional | Whimsical
|
| TRENDY | chic, stylish/modern, strong striking colors | Cool, Confident |
| CLASSIC | Style: tailored, quality fabrics, clean lines | Punctual, Organized |
| ROMANTIC | lighter colors, soft fabrics, gentle curve lines | Soft spoken, Peaceful |
| NATURAL | traditional, practical, classic | Simplicity, Conservative |
| DRAMATIC | bright colors, flashy, multi-colored, outlandish prints | Fearless, Risky |
As you see, your personality is not only showcased by your “actions” and what you “say” but in your choices of external appearance: clothing, hair, colors and more. You cannot hide your authenticity because someone is always watching, even when you are not aware.
LaShanda Millner-Murphy is the author of Professionables-The Art of Being a Fashionable Professional (amazon.com)