Five Steps to a Stylish Look

"I have no personal style."

If you’ve ever uttered those words, let me be the first to tell you that this is NOT true! Every single one of us has our own unique and special style. You may just not know how to express it through your outfit - yet! And I'm going to help you with that right now.

This step-by-step process will help you take your daily look from average to amazing. This is the exact process I go through when creating an outfit, whether I'm styling myself or my clients!

I'll show you how to create a polished look that feels put together, but that is also easy for everyday wear in real life. We're going to take things one step at a time, so take your time and enjoy the process! Learning to express your personal style is so much fun!

Here are the 5 simple steps that anyone can follow.

STEP 1: Swap out your basics!

Start with one item at a time. Trade your basic everyday pieces for items with special details and textures that represent something you love to add a little more pizzazz to your look. This may mean adding something with a little bit of embellishment, a more dramatic neckline, or opting for a different fabric choice.

In this example, I've swapped a plain black knit tank for a silky black camisole with a lace trim. I also swapped black thong sandals for studded gladiator sandals. Both of these pieces bring in the feminine, edgy vibe that I love to bring extra personality and style to my look.

STEP 2: Add a layer (or two!)

Add a layer - such as a blazer or cardigan - to create a more complex look.

Did you know? The more pieces or components your outfit has, the more stylish others will perceive you to be. Layers are a great way to get another component into your look!

Layers work really well in the winter, because they double as body-warmers! In the warmer months, though, you can still rock layers by choosing thinner, lighter materials. The bonus to this is that if you get too hot, you can always remove a layer and still look great!

In this example, I've now added on a lightweight leopard print cardigan because I love me a good animal print. This skirt is also a little short for my preference so it helps me feel more covered as well. Remember that looking fabulous and expressing your personal style is the goal here, but you want to make sure that you are comfortable too. In this case, I covered both. Win win!

STEP 3: Stylize each piece!

This is the most important step! It's adding the flair that takes your look to a whole new level and personalizes each piece to be worn in a way that's uniquely you. A little adjustment here and there can make a huge difference in your outfit and take you from drab to fab!

In this example, I've given a front-tuck to the cami as it makes the whole look appear more pulled together and also helps to define my waistline and even me out proportionally, creating the illusion of longer legs. I've also cuffed the sleeves of my cardigan. Again, this creates a more polished, pulled-together appearance for the whole look.

STEP 4: Accessorize!

As I mentioned in Step 2, the key to being stylish is creating more complex outfits. Accessories are how we do this! They can be simple things like scarves, belts, hats, and sunglasses or more distinct pieces like watches and bracelets. A good accessory will also make any outfit look new again as simply pairing with different accessories is a great way to give the same exact outfit a different look.

In this example, I've added a necklace, bracelet, and earrings (which you can't see in this photo) along with sunglasses and a cute purse. See how it looks much more pulled together?

Accessories are so much fun because they're so versatile. They allow you to add a little personal touch to any outfit in an instant! Different occasions call for different accessories - you wouldn't want to wear your grandmother's pearls to run after your kids at the playground - but they make a big difference in your overall look.

Keep in mind that your accessories don't have to be pricey either, some of the best finds are from garage sales and thrift stores! Keep an arsenal of accessories that are fun and unique and you'll always have a fun and unique look.

Here's the before and after again.

Before & After

Let’s talk about shoes for a second. As you can see, I’m wearing sandals in the picture, which would not work at all in the winter. Shoes really depend on what time of year it is, but in general, you will want at least one pair of comfy flats (for when you're running errands), and one pair of heels or another type of dress shoes (something in a classic style that can be worn to work.) I can't leave out sneakers, though - while they're not usually work appropriate, they go with just about everything else.

STEP 5: Your hair and makeup!

And now, for the finishing touches.  This final step is a way to take your look from 'pretty good' to 'drop-dead gorgeous'! Your hair and makeup are the finishing touch to any style and another way to make the look uniquely yours. The look I’m wearing would be vastly different if I have messy textured bedhead curls versus a sleek bun and red lip.

Sure, you can pull your hair into a quick pony and move on with your day. (I'm not gonna lie - I have definitely done this!) But styling your hair to go with your outfit takes your personal style to another level entirely.

Remember that your style is directly connected to your emotions. If you look great, you feel great, and that makes for a better day, no matter what life throws at you! Get out there and show the world how amazing you are - inside and out!

Let me know your experience with the 5 steps by dropping a comment below!

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ABOUT:

I'm a Minneapolis personal stylist on a mission to eradicate outdated style 'rules' so women can unleash themselves in all their beautiful, authentic glory!

I offer personal styling services that empower women to wear what they love by helping them ditch any outdated style rules keeping them stuck, showing them how to dress in a way that embraces their beautiful body and, the key to it all, having fun! I believe in a liberated style approach so there are no style rules, body shapes, seasonal colors or dos and don’ts given out here. Rather, I help my clients tap into what lights them up and dress with the purpose of expressing their authentic selves rather than impressing others.

This is all done through a combination of styling services (including wardrobe edits, shopping trips and styling sessions) available in thoughtfully curated styling packages designed to help clients unleash their true self through the power of style.

When I'm not helping women take back their power style, you can find me reading (about a gazillion books at once), learning the art of pole dancing, making & decorating cakes, binging a random circa 2000's TV show with my hubby, Aaron, while playing with my adorable rescue pup or, of course, shopping! :-)