How do you define your personal style? When I was younger, I knew the style I aspired to have, but it took me awhile to figure out exactly how to perfect it. My Mom always tended to like to put me in girly clothes, but I hated dresses as a kid. A friend recently asked me to describe my personal style and I described it as feminine yet edgy. No girly lace or frills, all woman.

For me, knowing what my personal style is and what it looks like has helped me shop lately because I don't make some of the shopping mistakes I used to. For example, when shopping I always feel compelled to buy a bunch of accessories because I like how layered accessories look on others. Don't get me wrong, I like a few choice accessories, but I'm a minimalist at heart. These looks illustrate perfectly the type of dresses I like and the amount of accessories I usually rock.

The only thing I would add are some bangles and a nice bag. I love something on my wrist! The dress on the top could also work with a big necklace, but depending on the occasion, I could skip wearing one. I could also wear them with boots to add another dimension. As you can see, I tend to prefer simpler silhouettes.

Another part of defining my personal style was figuring out my best assets and how to accent them. Earlier this year someone asked me what I considered my best body part and I was slightly stumped. I like to accent my cleavage, waist and legs, but  I couldn't pick just one feature. It took me awhile to realize that my bust-waist-hip ratio ( hourglass shape) is my best feature and most of my clothes tend to emphasize that. I guess I knew what my best features was all along. I find that that simple silhouettes work better on my body type. Overly complicated clothes will compete with my best feature and that is a no-no.

Knowing what works on your body also makes shopping easier.  I'm a confirmed dress addict, but it wasn't until last month when I realized that mid-thigh and slightly past the knee dresses/skirts work best on me. It's funny how these epiphanies come about. I had just bought this super cute dress that stopped slightly above the knee. Every time I tried to wear it it, something turned me off. After trying to buy another dress of the same length, I realized, that length doesn't work for my legs. Now I need to figure out what to do about that dress though... This trial and error is another part of defining my personal style.

So now when I go shopping I always keep my personal style in mind. One thing that I have been doing differently lately is evaluating whether clothes match my personal style versus my personal likes and dislikes. I have a tendency to shun pants, leggings, jeggings and about any other clothing that covers my legs, but this following look has me re-thinking that.


Don't get me wrong, I own leggings, but I don't really like them if that makes sense. I see so many people wearing leggings incorrectly that it makes me not like the them at all, but there is nothing really wrong with them. I would definitely have to wear a longer blazer, but this look definitely fits in with my personal style. In the past I would have overlooked it because I don't like leggings, but now I would try the look on because it matches my style.

I feel that as each year goes by, my personal style changes, and I have to pay attention to that. I think my shopping has gotten better though because every season I always donate a bunch of stuff that I no longer want. But this last year most of the things I bought were worn and I had very little to donate. And to top it off, I can probably wear the clothes for seasons to come. I think that is the true test.

What is your personal style?