Photo credit: Gordon Parks
Most people call me a fashion blogger, which was how I began when The Girl Who Stole the Eiffel Tower first came into fruition. And it always surprises me that, as a fashion blogger, I’m sometimes mystified, sometimes completely out-of-touch with my own personal style. It’s easy to get swept up into the idea of new trends and popular styles, but more recently when I’ve turned to my wardrobe I find myself perplexed at how the style in my head fails to coincide with what’s in my closet, or even on my bookshelf, or in my collection of movies. Am I a romantic? An edgy glamazon? An ardent collector of bold statement jewelry? To each, yes, and to each, no. A New Year’s resolution of mine was to finally break down the elements of my uniqueness and cultivate my signature style. I’ve read several articles on the topic of creating a signature style, something we often leave to icons – yet we deserve to be icons in our own lives, don’t we?
Photo credit: Gordon Parks
Your personal style is your identity. As you create it, as you discover the things that enhance your view of the world and figure out how to bring them into your life, your personal style transforms into a moniker, something distinguishable as belonging to no one else but fabulous you. It’s your personal style amplified, flourished and complete.
Part of my journey to pinning down my signature style was creating, on the fly and almost mindlessly, my inspiration board. It showed me that I admire carefully cultivated opulence and natural elegance. I like classic pieces reinvented by the woman wearing them. I like comfort and excess at the same time. I like statement jewelry, loose hair, the boldest red lipstick on the planet. Add to that some of the elements I’m already in touch with – my love of books, jazz music and everything French – and I’m starting to get a pretty good idea of myself.
Taking personal style into the signature territory is about a lot of things. Analyzing your life and understanding the many elements of it – from how you behave to what you wear, read, watch and eat – can give you more insight into who you are and what best describes your style. Do you have a signature scent? A signature lipstick? A signature film? Things that not only your friends recognize as being very “you”, but things that you instantly recognize as being favorites; deeply-important-to-you favorites.
Photo credit: Gordon Parks
As I’m challenging myself to cultivate my signature style, I’ll invite anyone else to take on the same initiative in two possible ways:
Create a visual interpretation of the things that serve as signatures in your style – it can be an offline inspiration board, a special board on Pinterest (I’ve just started mine here) or even a Polyvore set. Tap into your truest self, trends and influences aside, and be honest. See what happens, and what resonates with you the most.
Secondly, take it out of the visual and put it into words: literal, singular words; any words that come into your head that instantly remind you of your style, your life and your favorite things. I listed a few of mine earlier, but I’ll throw them out here again for inspiration: red lipstick, books, Audrey Hepburn, jazz music, elegance, black-and-white, Impressionism, wine, scarves, glamour, and intellect.
Have you ever thought about the signature in your style? I’d love to know about it. For some ladies whose styles scream of their signature, check out The Citizen Rosebud, By Anika, Barbro Andersen, Crimson Rosella, All This Happiness, Her Waise Choice, Little Girl Big World, and the many fabulous women captured by Ari Seth Cohen on Advanced Style (perhaps the definition of icons in my world).
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Such an interesting thing to think about! I think it’s important to have pieces that you see as yours, but at the same time realizing that style isn’t something that’s set in stone.
I struggle with the idea of style as a blogger. Because to me, style is whatever I feel comfortable in. I get into phases where all I want to wear is stripes or solid color tank tops or skinny jeans. I think it’s all about finding what makes you feel like you.
Great post!
Thanks so much, Courtney! It’s so true, there’s a certain element of freedom that always has to come with style in order for it to be truly personal. I sometimes think the idea of “signature style” is more often perceived by other people than something any of us have a grip on – sometimes we won’t even realize that we gravitate towards certain things until other people point it out. It’s interesting how that works!
Casee Marie, my darling friend. I loved this post, and I can relate. I wasn`t always clear on my style, but as I started just going with my instinct it became that special mix that is always evolving, always me. I love that you are taking this voyage of self exploration, and I am exited to see what you come up with. I feel that you are very distinctly you, and that you do have a style indeed. I admire you and love you. And thank you so much for mentioning me! Hugs and kisses from me to you.
Thank you, dear Anika! (Miss you terribly, by the way, I was just thinking of your smiling face earlier this afternoon.) I think one of the things I admire so much about your personal style is that while it’s changing and growing it’s always very clearly and definitively you in the moment. Sometimes I feel like I’m on a path to discerning my style – metaphorically speaking, it’s like I’m trying on all sorts of hats and none of them are really me. You wear many hats and each one becomes you! That’s inspiring.
Great post! I’m definitely taking up your challenge, especially since I’ve found so much inspiration in this month’s Vogue (well, next month, the March issue. Whatever.)
I think for me, though, what matters more is what ISN’T a part of my style, which is possibly more important than what IS my style since I love experimenting with different styles – I feel about fashion what actors feel about acting different roles everyday! Also because I have a pretty hard frame to dress, especially in popular trends, since I’m very (veryyyy) petite but curvy.
For example, I can’t have more than one bow on my clothes without looking like a 10-year-old. Or, as much as I live off colour, if I have every single item of clothing and accessory in a different colour (think red shirt, yellow skirt, blue purse, green heels, etc…) I’ll just look very overwhelmed since I’m so petite, as much as I love the trend. I think, if I ever wanted to wear Art Deco-1920′s-style dresses, it would somehow have to be combined with a tight waist instead of a drop waist or thin straps instead of wide ones, for example.
I think the main element of my style that I’m sure of is that, for very formal dress, I like going towards the sexy-classy-bombshell-tight dress look.
Basically, I think I get bored easily, so even if I decided that red is my signature lip (at this point it kind of is, actually) – I need to break out into a hardcore rock style with lots of black eyeliner and pale gloss (paired with a leather jacket once I find a nice one, of course) for some variety at least, I don’t know, once or twice a week?
All to say (sorry if this turned into rambling), thanks for bringing this up, because it IS very important!
Wish me luck on this challenge – as you can probably already tell, I’m a bit all over the place! (Even if that’s what I like).
- Laura
Oh, what a brilliant comment! (You always leave the most brilliant comments – thank you for that! They always get me thinking.) It’s absolutely true, I don’t think I ever thought about it in the sense of eliminating the things that don’t fit into my style rather than focusing on what does. There’s so much insight in that, and I think your whole attitude will contribute magnificently to your experiences with finding what works for you. I’m full-figured and average height, and I think I’m also overtly lacking in confidence so for a long time there were things I just didn’t try – like skinny jeans. But I think a big goal for me is to experiment, and if I prove myself right about certain things, just moving on to the next thing will be enough. It really is a growing experience!
I’m SO sorry I’m only answering now, for some reason I just noticed the reply in my inbox!
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But aw thank you, you’re so sweet – I’m glad my comments make you think!
I think you should DEFINITELY try skinny jeans, I think dark blue ones would look really nice on you and fit in with your wardrobe!
Like you said, experimenting is the key
- Laura
I want to put some thought into this—– but in the meantime, those signature words are perfect for you! (Or at least my impression of you!)
Thanks, Alexis! I think it’s something people could spend years working on, defining their personal style. There’s so much to our personalities when we really start to investigate them!
Great article! I have yet to find my signature style. I think most young people are- we change so much in our 20′s that its OK if we change our style year to year. After loosing weight I could fit into so many different things that I could never before so I was trying out so many different trends and styles. And I still am, maybe I will take your tips and start building an inspiration board. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Heidi! That’s so true, it’s important to allow for the changes that are sure to come about – there’s always something new to be inspired by, and for me seeing one picture could throw a whole new element into my style. It can be a little intimidating sometimes to not feel like you have a clear definition for your own style, but at the same time it’s freeing! (:
This is such a great post. I too have a big gap between my pinterest dream style board and my closet, mostly out of practicality. It’s starting to change but it’s a slow process.
The one thing that is my absolute signature is my scent. It’s been Coco Mademoiselle for over five years now. I have changed it a couple of times but everytime I go back to it it feels like I smell like myself again. Hehe. It’s even like that for my friends. My bestie Julie texted me out of the blue once: the street smells like you. It’s Coco Mademoiselle. Hahaha.
Thanks, dear! And I love that Coco Mademoiselle is your signature scent, it seems so appropriate to my idea of you. I’ve tried a few different scents, but nothing has stuck. My mom says you know you’ve found your signature scent when you don’t notice it on yourself because it seems that natural.
A smart woman, your mother. And very true.
I only notice it when I just sprayed it and it does smell weird when I’m not wearing it or I try something new.
Do you have a signature scent?
Ha, she certainly is.
I don’t have a signature scent, really. About a year ago I started wearing 212 by Carolina Herrera and that may be it. It’s a simple, clean scent and charming – and I never notice I’m wearing it, ha – but on the downside (silly as it sounds) it’s got one of the most frustrating bottles. I’m not sure if you’re familiar with it, but you can see it here. It’s got two little bottles on the end of a metal piece that you sort of twist and pop off to use. Interesting, but not really my ideal for quick use, and aesthetically it’s not my style. So, scent-wise I love it but product-wise I’m not a fan. I’d much rather have my perfume in one bottle that I can spritz on quickly. And while that doesn’t change the scent, it does take a little something away from the overall experience of it. If that makes any sense?
Yes it does. Easy access is very important. That’s why I love my twist and spray edt bottle from Mademoiselle. I can take it everywhere with me as it’s sturdy enough. I like that the 212 scent though, it’s very nice.
Such a great written piece. It is sometimes easy, especially with internet, to just go with what’s trendy and fashionable, instead of actually thinking of what your own style really is. I love the two tips you wrote, and the pictures as well:)
Thanks so much! I agree completely, the internet can be both a resource and a deterrent for personal style. It can open you up to a lot of new worlds and inspirations, but getting to see that beyond the trends can be so difficult!
great post. i enjoyed reading this. one thing though i do think that it’s totally ok to NOT have a signature style yet since most of us are young and if we don’t experiment now, when will we? i think this should be a natural process that grows over time and matures on its own.
Thanks so much, Joy! And that’s such a true thought. It seems to me that we live in a world so focused on branding and image-making – there’s so much attention on getting noticed for your specific identity and building an empire on it – that we forget about the art of self-discovery, and the time and experiences that go into it. I’ve always been sort of an “old soul” so I think I rush myself into being somewhere else; it’s important to remember the here and now. Like that whole bit about happiness being a journey, not a destination – style can be perceived in the same way.
Last year I had written a similar post…sure my style has evolved through the years, but honestly I can’t narrow it down in someway or another! Last year I’ve also done an inspiration board and yes what was on the board and what was in my closet didn’t coincide at all!!!
The only thing I know about my style is that I want to stand out… but what I like and what I don’t changed quickly…
I don’t even have a signature scent, because I like so many perfumes!!!
Ah…it’s a hard task…the signature style!
I hope you achieve it!
Oh, I can relate to you, Anna! I wish I could look at something and say, “That’s so me” but it never quite seems to happen – “me” doesn’t have a clear definition. For some people I think that’s happiness, there’s a sense of freedom and infinite opportunity to it. For me, I’m a little more traditional and wanting to be set in my ways. But we’ll get to our signature style someday, I’m sure!
Oh, wow, thank you so much for including me in your links! I’m so honored <3
It's actually funny, though – because I find myself being completely confused about my personal style at times. What am I? Is it really that important to label ones style? I'm beginning to realize that I really shouldn't label it, because it's just my style. We are who we are, and should be damn proud of that!
Again, thanks for including me. It means a lot to me!
Aww, of course! That’s so interesting to me that you don’t feel like your style necessarily has a signature – I’ve really started to think that the “signature” part of it is seen by everyone else rather than oneself. Style-wise you seem like you’re always true to yourself, you wear what you love, and I think in itself that becomes a signature. For me, I’m not even sure what I do like yet! It’s interesting: sometimes people will see things and say “Oh Casee, that’s so you” but it doesn’t seem to match my perception of myself at all. Then other times I’ll see something I like and other people will say “I can’t see you ever wearing it.” I guess what I want is for the style in my imagination to match the style I convey to the world – and I think that all comes down to being honest and true to yourself.
Anyway! I’m not sure if that made any sense at all. Haha. Thanks so much for your comment, dear!
I have always had a style I think, but at times it’s hard to pin it down. I love classic looks and simple lines, and at the same time I love to try out trends. I need to infuse more color into my wardrobe, but I guess I can say that I am starting to learn ‘what’s me’ when shopping.
So true. I feel like I can go from one extreme to another, which is fun, but I wish I had specific favorite looks that I felt represented my personality through fashion a little more. But style is definitely a learning experience!
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