How to build a coherent personal style?

[TanyaKiller]

First of all, I'm not sure if there is already a thread like that, but it seems
like it's getting more and more difficult to use the search tool in tfs,
cause there's just too much content and it takes a lot of time ( a time that I don't really have anymore )... And anyway, for some reason
I'm not being able to see the thread pages in its entirety. So, sorry if a thread like this already exists.
Now, I've been thinking about my style recently and I came to the conclusion
that I don't know if it would look coherent if someone with a clinical eye
would check it out. I mean, some years ago, I was a mess, no coherence at all, because I just didn't know what I liked. But, now, fortunately, I've grown into it and have narrowed it down to 3 types of style, like sort of hipster, romantic and an all black kinda like Rick Owens minimalist style. Don't even know how to call that. Anyway, I'm sure there are many people with the same doubts as myself, so does anyone have some good tips on how to built a coherent personal style? How to make pieces, that seem totally out of place, look like they belong to your wardrobe, like they were made for you? And, the most important question, is coherence in your style important for all of you? Can you manage to do it? ​

 

[Sophie66]

Good topic, but I have no idea how to answer it!

Sometimes I think I get trapped by trying too hard to have a coherent 'personal style' sometimes I see things I like and I think oh no I can't buy that. It's not very 'me'

I wear a lot of black too and a lot of textures so lots of beading, sequins, feathers and leather but all black, very tailored pieces. So often if I see a pair of neon high tops or something crazy that I love I won't buy them because they don't fit into my style.

I think that I use black to uniform everything so that nothing looks 'out of place' or too much.

However I used to have white blonde hair until a week ago when I dyed it dark brown. This was a huge change and so I now need to mix up my wardrobe so I don't look too 'goth' (even though I love a lot of gothic styling)

My boyfriend who is really into fashion suggested I start with a few key pieces that I really love. E.g a coat and a bag and then build around them.

So you build up a sort of capsule wardrobe of pieces in the same style, but then you can buy cheaper pieces to mix up your look.

For example buying a dress that is very 'you' but then one day wearing it with heeled brogues for a smark look and the next wearing some leopard print desert boots with it so mix it up a bit.

The biggest tip I would have too look like your style is your own and that cothes were made for you is to wear them with confidence! Easier said than done in some cases (I own a lot of crazy sh*t)

But confidence can really help pull off an outfit.

 

[softgrey]

may i direct your attention to this thread...
a lot of useful info...
including a very good definition of 'style' at the very beginning...
http://forums.thefashionspot.com/f58/born-bred-style-discussion-20789-4.html

most people agree that it can't be taught...you either have 'it' or you don't...
or you figure it out as you go along...

good luck...


i also suggest just typing 'personal style' into the search function and clicking the titles only button...
a lot of interesting threads come up...