How Do I Figure Out My Style? A Practical Guide to Finding Your True Fashion Sense

Ever stood in front of your closet and felt like you have nothing to wear-even though it’s full? You’re not alone. Figuring out your style isn’t about following trends or copying influencers. It’s about finding what feels like you. And that starts with looking inward, not outward.

Start by Looking at What You Already Love

Don’t jump straight into buying new clothes. Go through your wardrobe and pull out the top five items you reach for again and again. Not the ones you keep because they’re expensive or ‘should’ fit. The ones you wear because they make you feel confident, comfortable, or just right.

Maybe it’s a pair of dark jeans with a slight flare. Or a loose linen shirt you throw on every weekend. Maybe it’s that one black turtleneck you’ve worn for three winters straight. Write down what these items have in common. Is it the fit? The fabric? The color? The way they move with you? These are clues. They’re your style DNA.

Here’s a real example: A woman in Sydney kept pulling out her high-waisted, wide-leg trousers and simple white tees. She thought she was just being lazy. But when she looked closer, she realized she loved the ease of movement, the clean lines, and how the fabric didn’t wrinkle after a long day. That wasn’t laziness-that was a preference for minimalist, functional elegance.

Pay Attention to How You Feel, Not Just How You Look

Style isn’t just visual. It’s emotional. The next time you put something on, pause for five seconds. How does it make you feel? Do you stand taller? Do you feel invisible? Do you keep adjusting it because it’s too tight, too loose, or just… off?

There’s a reason you avoid certain cuts or fabrics. Maybe you’ve had a bad experience-like a dress that made you feel too exposed, or a blazer that made you look stiff. Those feelings stick. And they’re telling you something important: you’re wired to respond to comfort, proportion, and authenticity.

Try this: For one week, wear one outfit a day that makes you feel good, even if it’s not ‘fashionable.’ Notice how people react (or don’t). Notice how you move through your day. You’ll start to see patterns. The outfits that feel right usually have something in common: they match your body, your rhythm, and your real life.

Stop Trying to Fit Into a Label

You’ve probably heard terms like ‘minimalist,’ ‘boho,’ ‘athleisure,’ or ‘dark academia.’ They sound nice, but they’re not you. Labels are marketing tools. They’re meant to make you feel like you’re missing out if you don’t belong to one.

Real style doesn’t fit neatly into boxes. It’s messy, personal, and sometimes contradictory. You might love the structure of a tailored coat but also wear ripped jeans with it. You might wear chunky boots with a flowy dress. That’s not inconsistency-that’s expression.

Instead of asking, ‘Am I a boho girl?’ ask: ‘What elements from different styles do I keep coming back to?’ Maybe you like the earthy tones of boho, the sharp lines of workwear, and the comfort of loungewear. That’s your unique mix. You don’t need a label. You need clarity.

Use Your Life as a Guide

Your style should serve your life, not the other way around. Think about your daily routine.

• Do you walk to work? Then you need shoes that are comfy and weather-resistant.
• Do you sit at a desk all day? Then breathable fabrics and stretchy waistbands matter more than a perfectly pressed collar.
• Do you spend weekends at the beach or hiking? Then you’ll wear more casual, durable pieces than someone who works in a corporate office.

Style isn’t about pretending to be someone else. It’s about dressing for the person you actually are, not the person you think you should be.

One woman in Bondi wore designer heels to her job as a marine biologist. She hated them. She finally switched to waterproof ankle boots with cushioned soles. Suddenly, she wasn’t just surviving her workday-she was enjoying it. Her style didn’t change because she bought something new. It changed because she aligned it with her reality.

Build a Mood Board (Without Pinterest)

You don’t need an app to find inspiration. Grab a notebook. Cut out pictures from magazines, take photos of outfits you admire on strangers, or even sketch what you like. Don’t overthink it. Just collect.

Look for patterns. Do you keep choosing neutral tones? Or maybe bold sleeves? Are you drawn to textures-knits, leather, linen? Do you notice how people carry themselves in the clothes? That’s more important than the clothes themselves.

One man in Newtown started collecting photos of people wearing trench coats with sneakers. He didn’t know why until he realized he loved the contrast: formal meets casual, serious meets playful. That became his signature look. He didn’t copy anyone. He recognized a feeling.

Try a 30-Day Capsule Wardrobe

Here’s a simple experiment: pick 30 items-clothes, shoes, accessories-that you love and can mix and match. No new purchases. Just these 30 pieces for a month.

It sounds limiting. But it’s freeing. You’ll stop wondering what to wear. You’ll notice what combinations feel best. You’ll learn what you don’t need. And you’ll start to see what’s missing-not because it’s trendy, but because it’s missing from your life.

At the end of 30 days, you’ll have a clearer idea of what works. Maybe you realize you need more layering pieces. Or more shoes that work for both rain and heat. Or a jacket that doesn’t make you feel like a tent.

This isn’t about owning less. It’s about owning what matters.

Style Is a Practice, Not a Destination

You won’t figure out your style in a day. Or a week. It evolves. As you grow, your priorities shift. Your body changes. Your routines change. Your confidence grows. Your style should too.

Don’t get stuck in a ‘phase.’ If you loved punk in your 20s and now you love soft neutrals, that’s not a betrayal. That’s growth. Style isn’t about being consistent. It’s about being honest.

Every time you try something new-whether it’s a color you’ve never worn or a cut you’ve avoided-you’re not abandoning your style. You’re expanding it.

There’s no finish line. There’s just more of you.

What’s Holding You Back?

Most people don’t find their style because they’re waiting for permission. Permission to be bold. Permission to be quiet. Permission to look different from everyone else.

Here’s the truth: Your style doesn’t need to make sense to anyone else. It just needs to make sense to you.

Start small. Wear one thing that feels like you-even if it’s just a pair of socks with stripes. Notice how it changes your day. Then do it again tomorrow. And the next day. Slowly, you’ll stop asking, ‘What should I wear?’ and start saying, ‘This is me.’