Style goes beyond the image or the wardrobe. It is about the way people express themselves. The image is projected through the style and is born on the inside, from the unique personality of each individual. That is why it is important to reflect who we are through appearance, behavior, and communication.
FASHION VS STYLE
Fashion is a way of dressing that varies every season depending on new trends, while style is a unique representation of a person’s identity. Fashion brings many design proposals from which people, based on their tastes, choose and add to their wardrobe. Then, these suggestions add to what they want to convey to the world.
The personal style communicates people’s personality and tastes. The message is sent through colors, accessories, clothing, and body language. Personal style allows people to create their own aesthetic language. There are certain parameters that classify styles. But, there can be as many styles as there are people in the world due to the fact that style is the expression of an individual’s identity.
FINDING A PERSONAL STYLE
That said, finding a personal style is a process based on identifying one’s identity. The personality, interests, and circumstances of each individual are distinct, so the tastes will also be different. When dressing, people should always feel confident and comfortable.
Style is your personality reflected in your looks, influenced by factors of your daily and social life. For instance, people with an introverted character prefer a soft color wardrobe. Meanwhile, people with an extroverted personality prefer a bold and strong look that allows them to stand out.
There are 4 fundamental steps to define a personal style. It can be discovered with time, always associating them with people’s personality and lifestyle. The key is to know oneself, recognize one’s style, and get the most out of it:
- Learning which is the body type and best features.
- Defining the personal color palette.
- Discovering the true tastes and preferences.
- Adapting the style to the lifestyle personally and professionally.
THE 7 STYLES OF PERSONAL IMAGE
The theory of the 7 universal styles was first mentioned in the book “Universal Style: Dress for Who You Are and What You Want” by Alyce Parsons and Diana Parente, published in 1991. In their book, the two fashion specialists identified seven ways of dressing in which people can be represented.
From the 7 different styles, it is very likely that there will be combinations by having one of them as dominant and another subordinate. Identifying which style you belong to is essential to project an attractive, confident, and charming image.
Natural style
Images from Stephanie Suarez and Avec Lumiere Productions
Also known as casual style, it is usually worn by people with a friendly and calm personality, those who inspire kindness. People who belong to this style are capable of generating or inspiring trust in others in business and personal relationships.
The key to this style lies in comfort as a priority on a day-to-day basis, for this reason the sets are relaxed and there is a preference of basics over trends. The items in this style are usually simple and versatile.
The predominant fabrics are linen or cotton and in terms of colors, they lean towards neutral or subdued tones such as white, gray, beige, earth, and green. Accessories do not usually have much protagonist in the looks. But, when used, they are normally made of leather or other natural materials.
For makeup and hairstyle, the looks are relaxed and natural, as the style itself is called. People with natural style don’t spend too much time getting ready and don’t feel the need to buy new clothes frequently.
Classic style
Images from Stephanie Suarez and Pinterest
It is also called traditional style. It denotes elegance, professionalism, and leadership. For this reason, it is used very frequently within the corporate context. It is usually worn by people who express credibility and seriousness, disciplined, dedicated, and with great attention to detail. Those who identify with this style do not usually follow trends, but instead bet on clothing that prevails over time.
It usually consists of traditional, classy, and timeless garments combined in an elegant and harmonious way. Usually, the sets are monochromatic with neutral colors, putting aside the prints. Some of the fundamental pieces are: tailored suits, pants with straight cuts, button-down shirts, skirts that accentuate the figure for women, and masculine accessories that complement the outfits for men.
Sophisticated style
Images from Stephanie Suarez and Pinterest
In most cases, people with a sophisticated style transmit confidence, look attractive on all occasions, and are always well-groomed. They are usually people who show leadership and have great manners, and tend to be structured and rational individuals. They also mind the details, from their hairstyle to the makeup and accessories.
The elegant style is a reinvention and update of the classic. It is about high-quality and classic clothing with fashionable touches. Therefore, it is common to see clothes that are more modern, with vivid colors or unique details. The wardrobe always includes fashionable but comfortable clothes: jeans, trendy prints, and many layers. Accessories, such as bags, shoes or jewelry, are usually statement pieces in the outfits.
Romantic style
Images from Stephanie Suarez and Pinterest
Mostly for women, it is one of the easiest universal styles to identify. It is about very feminine, soft and delicate garments, which are usually the reflection of sweet, sensitive, and dreamy personalities. They look for everything to combine and generate a certain harmony in their clothes.
Neutral and soft colors such as pastels predominate, as well as subtle and floral prints. In this style, other elements like laces, embroidery, and bows are often used. In the case of women, they tend to choose skirts, dresses, and pay a lot of attention to their hairstyle and makeup. In the case of men, they like wearing checkered shirts and light colors.
Creative style
Images from Stephanie Suarez and Pinterest
This style fits people who seek to differentiate themselves and stand out. They dare to combine styles, textures, prints in a very natural way, which reflects their openness of thought. Those people are normally creative, unique, and expressive, seeking to express their talent and spontaneity through their image.
The garments in this style are combined in an innovative way. For this reason, the mixtures of colors, textures, patterns, and shapes stand out; also, there are usually many touches of color.
Dramatic style
Images from Stephanie Suarez and Vogue
The dramatic style is the creative style taken to another level. Bright colors are an important part of this style, as well as risky mixes of textures and prints accompanied by surprise elements such as overlapping garments. It is a style that is out of the ordinary but can remain elegant and sophisticated.
The people who usually wear it are demanding, modern, maximalists, and extroverts. They are risky both with their way of dressing and with their ideals, which makes them always be one step further. Their high self-esteem allows them to influence others and makes them admirable individuals who often come across as charismatic.
Seductive style
Images from Stephanie Suarez and Rapidleaks
Like the romantic style, it is a very recognizable style. People who identify with this style are confident, magnetic, and project a sensual image. They seek to attract or capture attention through their silhouette.
The garments are usually fitted to the body and short to mark the figure in a daring way without being too flashy or unrefined. In this style’s outfits, it is common to find both front and back necklines, fabrics such as lycra, leather, or transparencies. The predominant colors are strong tones such as red or black, as well as animal prints.
Does the style evolve or stay?
A personal style is not necessarily always the same. Although the main elements remain the same, their style can evolve over time and can even be multifaceted. The style evolves with the person and can be influenced by many styles. No style is better than another; each one is different and adapts to a type of person. The way of dressing is an extension of who people are, a window into their personality.
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