Calling all fashion & style enthusiasts! One’s personal style journal may be different but there’s no doubt that we learn things along the way, and sometimes we get to learn from others as well. In a recent podcast episode by Vanguard (A Filipino Based Art & Fashion Platform), Bianca Rafaelle (Vanguard Founder), collaborated with our editor and style expert Kamara, to guide you through the process of finding your own personal style while giving tips in staying true to one’s fashion identity. Here are our five biggest takeaways in finding your personal style, have a look.
1. PERSONAL STYLE COMES FROM WITHIN
As you may know, stylists are experts in giving looks to a person that best suits their personality. But before stylists make their move, they have to know what’s within their client. Treat yourself as your own stylist. Personal style comes from everything about who you are – your authenticity from what you like, or what you’re most comfortable in expressing yourself.
“Personal style comes from within. It’s not from what you see on the outside. even if you have inspiration you still have to personalize it because it’s “personal style.” You have to decide what you wanna say, how you wanna feel and how it ties to your lifestyle. From there you can find out or choose the right pieces. ”
2. CREATE A VISION FOR YOURSELF
Apart from staying true to yourself, creating a vision means visualizing how you’d want to show up. Creating your personal style vision boards may help, but simply writing down words or pieces that best describe your style may work as well.
“The first thing is to figure out what you want to say or how you want to show up, your vision for yourself. Style has so many ways you can go so think about how you wanna feel in your clothes and then find the type of clothes or brands that embody you.”
3. TRENDS ARE YOUR ALLIES, NOT YOUR ENEMY
Even if in this day and age trends are moving so fast, this shouldn’t stop you from experimenting with them. Whether it be a regular errands fit or picking a style for NYFW, there’s no shame in trying! Take for example Law Roach (@luxurylaw – Celebrity Stylist) and styling Zendaya with one of the 10 mega spring summer trends: Rosettes.
“I think it’s just important to remember your own personal style so you can take from the trends and make it your own. That’s always been my approach because I feel like trends get a bad wrap but not really. It’s just cool to see the different interpretations people have of that trend.”
4. NEVER BE AFRAID OF YOUR STYLE EVOLUTION
Ever thought of looking back and thinking “why was I wearing that?”? Never shame your younger self for your old style. Each timeline defines a personal style era, whether it be the chunky sneakers you used to wear back in 2020, or simply the small frame glasses that were on trend in 2018. Embrace it. After all, it is with this style evolution that makes up your current style.
“That’s honestly my favorite thing to do, which is to look back at my old photos and see the progress of my style because it’s so fun for me.”
5. HAVE FUN IN TRYING NEW THINGS
Our personal style isn’t boxed into one, sometimes it takes a lot of iteration and seeing how it works for you.
“I think a lot of people see someone with great style and they get discouraged because of THE years of iteration It takes. but for me I just try new things even if it looks silly! I take it OFF and move on. Just have fun, know what you wanna say, keep trying new things and develop your style.”
Catch the full episode here.
