personal style: find yours!

Finding your personal style is the key to making your style and your closet work for you.  It can really focus your spending and shopping habits; making for an easier getting dressed experience each day.  For my on-going personal style series I like to focus on 5 different types of styles and then give examples of what those styles might look like and how to achieve the look.  

As we focus on the end of summer and the beginning of fall, simple and transitional pieces are key… shorts and dresses are on their way out, but tons of layers aren't necessary yet.  Here I broke down my five favorite styles.  Often times our styles will overlap a little or we will find that we relate to two types of styles.  That is totally normal and gives your style it's own personal flair.  For more of these types of posts click here for the archives… or find great resources on my Pinterest boards as well: boho, casual, classic, modern, preppy.

Boho

Boho is carefree and relaxed, often overtly feminine and plays off of lots of unique details to make this look successful.  Details like lace, floral and fringe can be added with closet basics like white tees and denim shorts to pull off this look.

get the boho look: jeans, tee, bag, shoes, sunglasses, ring (image)

Casual

Laid back and relaxed pieces define casual style.  Sweatshirts, relaxed cuts of denim and simplicity make this look work.  To make this look successful make sure pieces are well fitting and add in a refined piece like a watch or jacket to still look relaxed and pulled together.

get the casual look: jeans, tee, sunglasses, sandals, bag (image)

Classic

 Beautiful pieces that stand the test of time make for classic style.  Leopard, denim, oxfords and accessory staples like flats and simple jewelry create a classic wardrobe. Simplicity and beauty is key.

get the classic look: jeans, top, sunglasses, flats, lip gloss (image)

Modern

Modern style takes the classics and adds a little trend to them to make them pop.  So revisions on the classics with a trendy feel will pull off the modern style.  Think classic black dresses in new silhouettes or trendy accessories like the hottest shoes and purses paired with gorgeous basics. 

get the modern look: jeans, jacket, tee, clutch, shoes (image)

Preppy

Preppy style is similar to classic style in that the pieces and looks are timeless, but preppy tends towards a more collegiate or nautical style alongside the classics.  Think stripes, East Coast flair, layers, plaids, reds/blues/whites/pinks and a monogram or two.

get the preppy look: jeans, sweatshirt, denim shirt, hat, flats (image)

What personal style(s) do you most relate to?  Lately I've been feeling the casual/classic feel.  But my style often changes!

personal style: find yours (featuring Robin Long and what to wear to BlogHer)!

Last month I re-launched my wardrobe consultation services in conjunction with a new series here on the blog all about finding your personal style. This month I am featuring one of my awesome clients to maybe give you some inspiration and also to show you how the process works!

Robin Long runs the Pilates lifestyle blog The Balanced Life.  I am a HUGE fan of her work (and her workouts!) and when she came to me for style inspiration I was thrilled to work with her.  Robin is heading to BlogHer this weekend and she asked what likely a lot of other bloggers ask when they get set to go to conferences.  The dreaded "what to wear to BlogHer!?!?" problem!  She wanted looks that reflected her blogger/mother/Pilates instructor/business woman lifestyle and that can be difficult especially when your work uniform is fitness clothes and you have to make the jump to "regular" clothes.

For Robin I worked to choose pieces that fit her stated boho/preppy style with the requirement of comfortable shoes and then split those outfits into day looks and then night looks.  When packing for blogging conferences you want clear outfits laid out for each day and night (usually conference events call for an outfit change) and have those outfits semi set in stone because you will be so busy learning, meeting and networking the last thing you want to think about is clothes.  It's important not to go overboard or over think dressing for a conference.  Wear clothes that feel good to you and are a good reflection of you and you will look great!  (Please note I usually do not put wardrobe consults on the blog, but Robin agreed to it - thanks Robin!)

Here are her "day" looks:

one: white jeans, blue top, cuff bracelet, sandals

two: maxi skirt, chambray top, sandals, earrings

three: jeans, striped top, cuff bracelet, leopard flats

And here are her "night" looks:

one: printed dress, bracelet, sandals

two: black dress, necklace, leopard flats

Have a great BlogHer trip Robin!!! Be sure to check out her blog The Balanced Life - her workouts are awesome and her blog is so down to Earth and real.  You feel like you are chatting or working out with a girlfriend!

personal style: find yours! (a new series and announcement!)

Years and years and years ago I did a series on finding your personal style that was unfortunately short lived.  A lot of my readers at the time really enjoyed the series and found it very helpful in defining their personal style.

I find that my own personal style covers a few different genres of style - and I am sure you may find the same thing - the combination of different defined styles is what makes your own style so unique.  Today I am kicking off a new series to help you nail down what your personal style is or what styles you are naturally drawn to, this should help make getting dressed each day and shopping for clothes much much easier now and over the long term.

While there are infinite types of styles, here I zoned in on five of the styles that are most popular this season from my point of view.  With this blog I try to focus on the styles and trends that I feel most comfortable with so that I can really hone in on what I know and do best.

So read on for lots of inspiration and an exciting announcement below…

Boho

Boho is carefree and relaxed, often overtly feminine and plays off of lots of unique details to make this look successful.  Details like lace, floral and fringe can be added with closet basics like white tees and denim shorts to pull off this look. 

(get the boho look: dress, kimono style cardigan, purse, earrings, necklace, scarf, sandals, jeans shorts, image inspiration)

Casual

Laid back and relaxed pieces define casual style.  Sweatshirts, relaxed cuts of denim and simplicity make this look work.  To make this look successful make sure pieces are well fitting and add in a refined piece like a watch or jacket to still look relaxed and pulled together.

(get the casual look: striped dress, denim jacket, sneakers, sweatshirt, leather clutch, short-alls, watch, belt, image inspiration)

Classic

Beautiful pieces that stand the test of time make for classic style.  Leopard, denim, oxfords and accessory staples like flats and simple jewelry create a classic wardrobe. Simplicity and beauty is key.

(get the classic look: jeans, sunglasses, oxford top, bracelet, clutches, handbag, flats, image inspiration)

Modern

Modern style takes the classics and adds a little trend to them to make them pop.  So revisions on the classics with a trendy feel will pull off the modern style.  Think classic black dresses in new silhouettes or trendy accessories like the hottest shoes and purses paired with gorgeous basics. 

(get the modern look: black/white top, black peplum top, white shorts, black dress, flats, clutch, necklace, image inspiration)

Preppy

Preppy style is similar to classic style in that the pieces and looks are timeless, but preppy tends towards a more collegiate or nautical style alongside the classics.  Think stripes, East Coast flair, layers, plaids, reds/blues/whites/pinks and a monogram or two.

(get the preppy look: monogramed bangle, white denim shorts, striped sweater, red tote, sundress, jacket, sperry, image inspiration)

In addition to launching this awesome new series here on the blog (look for it about once a month on the blog!) I am bringing back my much loved and requested wardrobe consultation services as well!  These consults will now be centered around finding and shopping for your personal style (or combos of styles).  For all the details and pricing information… click here!