So, you want to create a style uniform that is comprised of your best outfits? If your current style is a little all over the place, that may seem like a tall order! But I’m here to reassure you, it might be easier than you think. First, follow the 7 simple steps below to figure out your best outfits. From there, you can create a custom style uniform full of looks that make you feel both chic and confident.
1. Pay attention to the pieces you already love to wear
If you’re looking to curate your style and create a style uniform, one of the best places to start is with the pieces and outfits you already love to wear! Make an intentional effort to really think about what you reach for over and over again. Maybe it’s a button-down shirt and jeans. Or maybe your favorite striped t-shirt and ballet flats. Whatever pieces consistently catch your eye are usually good indicators of your true personal style.
Pro Tip: As you take note of your wardrobe all-stars, find a way to keep track of them in order to create a personal style visual. Try dedicating a section of your closet reserved for your VIPs (Very Important Pieces). This way, you can see them all in one place and start to recognize what they have in common. Or, try taking photos and saving them to a dedicated album on your phone or computer. You could also purchase a free-standing wardrobe rack if you have the space for it.
No matter which strategy you choose, this practice will help you to recognize patterns and commonalities in your current favorite pieces.
trench coat | t-shirt | jeans | flats | tote bag | necklace
2. Analyze the contents of what’s in your closet
The next step in becoming your own style icon is to analyze the full contents of what’s hanging in your closet. This goes hand in hand with our first step. Take a long, hard look at what pieces make up your wardrobe, and in what quantities. Do you have a drawer full of folded cardigans (this is definitely me), or do you have an entire section of your closet dedicated to linen pants? Whatever pieces you have the most of probably indicate a style that you feel excited about wearing. You know it works for you and makes you feel great, and so you find yourself purchasing similar pieces in different cuts, colors, etc.
Once you identify the pieces that you already have and become more familiar with your wardrobe “stock”, it will make it that much easier to start mixing and matching pieces to create your perfect style uniform.
linen pants | button-down | tank top | sandals | hat
3. Figure out what pieces make you feel confident
It’s not enough to figure out what pieces you have multitudes of – you have to figure out what pieces you not only love, but that also make you feel confident. Sometimes, those are two separate things! You can love a piece while it’s on the hanger, but once you put it on your body, you’re not so obsessed with it. On the flip side, you can recognize certain pieces that flatter your body shape that don’t make you excited about wearing them.
Start this step by trying on every item in your wardrobe. This sounds like a daunting process, but it’s worth it! Turn on some good music, have a snack waiting for you when you need a break, and make sure you have great lighting and a full-length mirror at the ready. Then, host your own personal fashion show. You can do this by yourself, or if you like the moral support of a friend or family member, make it a fun afternoon with company.
As you’re trying everything on, ask yourself: does this item make me feel like I could sit down front row at New York Fashion Week like a celebrity and present my best, most chic self? Does this piece fit my body well, and make me feel like a million dollars, ready to take center stage? Is it comfortable, easy to move in, and make me excited about getting dressed in the morning?
If the answer to these questions is “no,” that item probably doesn’t have a place in your best go-to outfits (and maybe not even in your closet at all). After all, clothes serve a purpose in our lives but should also make us feel good!
blazer | jeans | t-shirt | flats | earrings | watch
4. Think about what words describe your personal style
Part of identifying your best go-to outfits and style uniform is identifying your personal style in a few words or phrases! This verbal acknowledgement of your style can help guide you in your shopping moving forward, and give you keywords to search on Pinterest, Instagram, etc., when you’re looking for outfit representation.
Maybe you love bright, flowy pieces and identify with “cottagecore”, “feminine“, and “delicate.” Or, maybe you lean towards a more casual look that could be described as “nautical,” “East Coast” or “preppy.” If you can, try to condense your personal style to three words. This may be challenging, but it can also help steer you in the direction of where you would like your style uniform to end up!
blouse | midi skirt | sandals | basket bag | sunglasses
5. Prioritize your best colors
Your street style uniform and go-to outfits should prioritize your best colors. Even if you’ve never had your best colors professionally identified before, you probably still know that certain colors make you feel more confident than others! These are the perfect shades to build your best go-to outfits around. For example, if a pop of red makes you happy, try building looks around wardrobe classics and accessories in shades of red. If you love shades of blue, go for timeless denim, navy trousers, blue button-downs, etc.
white t-shirt | cardigan | jeans | flats | bag | earrings
6. Create a Pinterest board all about your dream style
Once you identify your current style obsessions, you can start to branch out and dream about your future style. Of course, this might just be a refined version of what you currently wear! The point is, looking at inspiration online can be very helpful when you’re in a style rut or looking to curate a more cohesive style uniform. Pinterest, Instagram, magazines, and Internet blogs are all great sources to find visual representations of outfits you’d love to wear. You might even discover that you’re already wearing some of these looks, and that you want to start wearing them more often!
Another great source of style inspiration can be found in identifying designer brands that align with your best go-to outfits. If you love a matching jacket and tweed skirt set, check out Chanel‘s lookbook. If you prefer a more modern look with a bit of edge, Prada or Saint Laurent could be your go-to designers. Love a classy, elegant aesthetic? Check out Valentino!
You don’t have to actually purchase anything from these brands – the point is that you can get inspired by their products and styling, which could help you to better form your own personal lookbook of best go-to outfits.
basket tote | jeans | flats | shirt | sunglasses | scarf
7. Design a style uniform inspired by your favorite go-to best looks
Once you’ve identified your best go-to outfits, you can start to curate your style uniform. A style uniform is not rigid, but it does provide you with a set of guidelines to help you get dressed in the morning and shop with intention. A style uniform is a helpful tool that will assist you in staying the course. No more getting distracted by shiny trends or the latest runways – if a piece doesn’t fit into your style uniform, you’ll probably rethink that impulse buy.
Knowing your best go-to outfits will allow you to create a style uniform of a few key looks or pieces that are mainstays in your getting-ready process. Whether it’s a cardigan and jeans, a little black dress with tights, or linen pants and an oversized button-down, these go-to looks are identifiers of your core personal style. Having a style uniform can help you to feel more confident and more like yourself on a daily basis. And that is chic!
midi dress | heels | top-handle bag | lady jacket sweater | sunglasses
This is Your Year of Great Style
If one of your New Year’s resolutions in January had to do with improving your style, use this post as inspiration to start your style journey and curate your style uniform. These tips will guide you to not only identify your best outfits but also help you create a style uniform that makes you excited about getting dressed every single day! Come December, you won’t believe how confident you feel in your daily style.
Ready for more personal style advice? Up Next: How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe That Works for You
Carolyn/Cassie, I like the idea of wearing scarves but only do during the cold months with my coat. Those scarves are wool or cashmere. Perhaps you all could do a post on how to buy, where to buy, how to wear silk scarves, what size to use, etc. I’ve read that it is best to buy hand-rolled rather than machine finished edges but where can they be purchased that don’t cost hundreds of dollars? it’s one accessory I have trouble with. Thank you for your time! Love reading your posts.
Thank you so much for the feedback. This has been noted!
Carolyn,
I LOVE EVERYTHING in this (and all of your posts)! Your look is perfect and timeless! Yay, you!!! You inspire me every time I see your posts! Thank you!
Thanks for the feedback, Julie! So happy to hear that.