Personal Style vs. Fashion

What Is Style?

Style is the way someone expresses themselves through aesthetic choices such as their clothes, accessories, hairstyles, and the way they dress. Style is at an individual level. 

 What Is Fashion?

Fashion is the current style within a given culture at a particular time. Fashion is the style of the collective.

What Is the Difference Between Style and Fashion?

• Individual vs. collective: Personal style is a means of self-expression. Fashion, on the other hand, has to do with current trends. 
• Timeless vs. trendy: Style is timeless, while fashion is timely. Someone who is fashionable follows new trends and wears designer clothing. Someone who is stylish may or may not follow fashion trends, but they always stay true to their own personal style. 
• Intangible vs. Tangible: Personal style is rooted in personalities, habits, mood etc. All the intangible characteristics of who someone is. Where fashion is of physical products and currency. 

How many styles are there?

There are currently 30+ identified styles and counting. As individuals are not the same, so are styles. Here are a few examples of types of styles: vintage, artsy, casual, grunge style, chic, bohemian, sexy, exotic, Trendy, Vibrant, preppy, elegant, cowgirl, girl next door, punk, tomboy, gothic, rocker, sporty, ethnic, girly, hip hop etc. 

There are also styles specific to an event, occasion or lifestyle such as; office wear, athleisure, vacation, maternity wear etc. 

How do I discover my style?

1. Find fashion inspiration. Start by looking at family members, friends, and colleagues whose style you admire. Brothen your search by scrolling through social media. Influencers and celebrities are always putting out content that could inspire you. Flip through magazines. Expose yourself to different style types and identify which ones closely match your desired style .
2. Create a “basic” wardrobe. Have pieces in your closet that you can mix and match to create effortless looks. Here are some clothing basics you might want to consider having in your closet: a “little black dress”, a denim jacket, simple T-shirts, a pair of plain blue jeans, a pair of plain black jeans. 
3. Try different styles. In order for you to truly own your own personal style, try experimenting with different styles. See how you feel in those styles. This is the stage where you would want to invest in those unique pieces that show off your uniques style. Buy that faux jacket. Wear those big earrings you stole from your mom's closet. Wear what makes you stand out. 

When all else fails, take inventory of your own closet. Think about the clothes you already have that bring you joy. Notice their similarities. Figure out what makes them the right pieces for you. Notice what they have in common. Invest in those pieces. At the end of the day, it's about what YOU feel CONFIDENT in. Remember, the first and last thing you must always wear is confidence.