I spent the better part of twenties thinking about personal style. I thought about the personal style of clients, whether it was for a red carpet or a magazine. I was constantly contemplating what a certain look or color would say about them and if it felt true and authentic to what they would naturally gravitate towards had a stylist not been hired. What would make that person feel so comfortable and confident in what they were wearing that they wouldn't be thinking about their clothes when they could be thinking about so many other things? I shopped for years for a certain female client whose personal style is rocking the most chic, best tailored pant suits. On multiple occasions, though, I would be in a store and the owner or shop person would say something like, "Oh wouldn't it be so great if she wore this skirt?!" (Where's the "hmmm" emoji when you need it.)
It's not that personal style doesn't evolve as fashion and trends change season to season, but there is a true north that manifests itself in different ways along the way. For example, the 2008 version of this outfit would have been the same striped tee, but instead of this mustard yellow color it likely would have been navy. Instead of these high-waist vintage mom jeans, I would have been wearing a tailored pair of dark denim with a much shorter inseam for sure. The delicate layers of gold necklaces would have given way to something much more "statementy". Swap the mules for my camel Lanvin ballet flats and lose the headband and voilà! My twenty-four year old self.
Don't be afraid to get inspiration from other sources. Do you love a classic look like Jennifer Aniston? Or bold color choices like Elizabeth Banks? Are you a Free People girl or prefer understated pieces like Everlane? Like anything in life, I think creating a vision for your personal style is important. This is a board that I made about a year ago and shared in our Wardrobe Overhaul series.
Being able to articulate your personal style will keep you from buying unnecessary things that will get unused or leave you feeling less than your most confident self.
Your personal style should be at the intersection of what allows you to live your best life in a practical sense (I should be able to wear 95% of my wardrobe with my kids in tow because that is my life) and what makes you feel like your best self. This super simple, casual look checks both of those boxes for me. What types of looks do that for you?
Striped Tee, Madewell || Jeans, Madewell || Bandana, Madewell || Mules, Maryam Nassir Zadeh (Similar) || Locket (Similar)
Photography by Katie Jameson
chel says
Lookig great Jen xx
Jen Pinkston says
Thank you, Chel!
Leslie says
So as someone much older, i find that i just seem to buy a variation of the same thing over and over and over again. with a tweak here a tweak there.
the main difference in my wardrobe is based on what's going on in my life. full time work in my 20's equaled skirt suits with hose and pumps. full time mom jeans and leggings with sweaters and t-shirts in flats. back to work in business casual.
i have always been drawn to plaid and animal prints, and today I'm dressed in pair of plaid pants with oversized animal print scarf and leopard print umbrella.
i used to buy trends and what ever was suppose to be "in". Now after years of buying things and never/not often wearing those trendy pieces, i have found it free-ing to stick with what works for me!
Jen Pinkston says
Yes I totally agree, Leslie. Life stage makes a huge difference.
Wendi says
WOuldn’t it be great ifbshe wore a skirt ????????????????
Jen Pinkston says
I know you heard this before! Hahaha 🙂
Jennifer says
I definitely think my personal style has changed as I've gotten older! And I love how you brought up the 2008 version of this outfit because it's so true. Especially the statement necklace.
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Jen Pinkston says
Yes, haha! Who can forget the statement necklace?!