how to find your personal style (part two).
if you missed my first post on this topic, i highly recommend taking a moment to go back and read it. it will give you all the background you need so you won't be lost as we jump into part two of this series. make sure to save or pin these posts so you can come back to them if you decide to use these tips down the road! click here to read the final post in the series. 
now that you've gone through and cleaned out your wardrobe, you're starting with a clean slate. you're hopefully down to the clothes that you love and actually wear, which is the best feeling ever, right? and now comes the fun part, at least if you're a nerd like me. taking what you have and using it to find what your personal style really is.
the great thing about the next step is that it allows to to learn things about your style that you might not have been aware of before (who knew that you liked relaxed denim more than skinnies?), and it allows you to be creative while still following a style blueprint that you set for yourself.
the important thing to remember as you go through and identify themes and name your style is that you need to make it a judgement free process. for example, i realized that i own a silly amount of leggings. but because i did the work to figure out what i love and wear, that's okay, because they all get some use, even if it means i'm not the high fashion maven i wish i could be. once i let go of some of my preconceived notions of my style, i'm able to more fully express myself in what my style actually is instead of what i wish it was.
how to find your personal style
(identifying themes and naming your style)
- notice any common color themes. what colors does your style tend toward? are all your tops in vibrant, bold colors? do you lean more towards neutral tops with colored bottoms? or are you black on black on black, all day everyday? once you identify your color themes, you have a better idea of what to add to your wardrobe in the future. if you've figured out that you NEVER wear pastels, then you also know to not buy any pastels, because they'll just go to waste.
- notice any common style themes. when i took a closer look at my wardrobe, i was shocked at how clear my style became. i clearly favor classic dress silhouettes, styles with nipped-in waists, and relaxed tops with fitted bottoms. when you start to notice style themes in your own wardrobe, you might see that you love tops that show off your arms, or high-waisted bottoms. it doesn't matter what you find, as long as it helps you identify your style more clearly for the future.
- let go of your preconceived notions. we all have trends and styles we wish we could wear and look good in. but the reality is that some of us (me) will never look good in some styles (racerback tanks). and it's okay to be okay with that. once you let go of what you wish your style was, the sooner you can embrace what your style is, and make it your own.
- give your style a name. this is my favorite part of the process, because you get to nerd out a bit. when you name your personal style, you make it official. i've dubbed my style "classic bohemian". i tend to like classic cuts and colors, but at the same time lean towards styles that are more relaxed and easygoing. now whenever i see the words "classic", "relaxed", "bohemian", "comfortable", "polished", etc. describing clothing, i know that there's a good chance that it'll fit my style. your style might be "retro chic" or "uptown polished", but whatever it is, it's yours to embrace!
next week i'll share the final post on this topic and talk about filling the gaps in your newly identified personal style. hope to see you there!
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