How to Create a Signature Style

People always seem to be worried about repeating outfits, when in reality, repeating outfits is exactly what you need in order to develop a signature style.

Diane Keaton’s ties and wide-brimmed hats, Jackie O’s oversized sunglasses, Fran Lebowitz’s blazer and jeans, Audrey Hepburn’s ballet flats. All of these women became icons of personal style, not because they followed trends but because they repeatedly wore the same items.

How to Start?

Before running into a store, start with a moodboard. Find images of your personal style icons and dissect their looks. Consider your daily life and which elements could work in your routine.

Color

Most people have a preferred color palette. For many people, it’s monochromatic and often consists of neutrals such as black, brown, navy, and white. My predominant palette is the one that makes me the happiest, pink and blue. I am naturally drawn to these colors, so they appear all over my wardrobe, which makes mixing and matching my clothes much easier.

Accessories

You’ll notice that most style icons repeated the same accessories often, which is very smart because accessories are easily repeatable and don’t need to be laundered as often as clothing. If you go this route, your accessories can often become the focus of your style. Think a great pair of shoes or a beautiful bag. Perhaps something with a bit more personality, like a hat or a piece of jewelry becomes your signature. For the past three years, I’ve worn my Prada supernova bag most days, and in the colder months, I wear the above old Prada shoes often.

Balance

Something I learned while working as a fashion illustrator is that creating a nice balance (e.g., something small with something big) can make all the difference when it comes to what makes a look visually satisfying or not. Create interesting silhouettes by playing with proportions.

Wear What You Have

Before buying something new, try mixing and matching what you already have in interesting and unexpected ways. Although the vintage Celine top & matching scarf (above right) has no pink, green, or blue in it, in the two preceding collages and the one below, I mixed this top with three different skirts. At first glance, these would seem not to match, but once sandwiched between the top and a neutral shoe, all three combinations play in their own unique way.

*Both this blue skirt and the green one prior are part of old Prada skirt suits, which I mix and match often.

Don’t Get Stuck in Style Ruts

Even after developing a tight wardrobe and your unique “style signifiers”, never be afraid to play with new elements. I had a few vintage ties lying around, and after the passing of Diane Keaton last week, I was inspired to start playing with them.

Make Mistakes

My first attempt at styling the above tie was to pair it with this vintage '70s shirt, which felt a bit too contrasting/bright. I decided to move towards a more traditional light blue button-down instead.

Keep Playing

This felt interesting but perhaps a bit too structured/classic. Although I did like the contrast of it with a slicked back hairpin and antique diamond earrings, I wanted a bit more contrast, so I decided to throw a mini skirt into the mix.

…still playing…slowly getting somewhere interesting.

The Myth of More

The main takeaway is that a true signature style doesn’t come from abundance but from discernment. Edit your closet with care, wear your favorites often (and with flair), and you’ll be amazed at how effortlessly your style begins to soar.

Have fun!

xx

Jenny