As written for On The Coast Families
The real joy in style isn’t about becoming someone else—it’s about uncovering what already feels right for you, and learning how to express that in a way that feels natural, confident, and completely your own.
When you start to understand your personal style, getting dressed stops feeling like a decision and starts feeling like self-expression. It becomes less about rules and more about alignment—what feels good, what feels like “you,” and what helps you show up in the world with ease.
There will always be moments where dress codes or expectations apply. Certain settings call for a level of consideration. But even then, style doesn’t disappear. It adapts. There is still space within structure to express personality, taste, and individuality without losing yourself in the process.
Interestingly, style awareness starts far earlier than most people realise. Even as young as three years old, humans begin showing preference—choosing colours, textures, or items they feel drawn to. While they may not yet understand context or appropriateness, they are already beginning to recognise what they like and don’t like. That early instinct is the foundation of personal style, and it continues evolving throughout life.
Wherever you are on your journey, exploring your style is less about defining an identity and more about learning your visual language. Your “style words” become a helpful way to translate how you feel into how you present yourself, giving direction without restricting creativity.
So where do you begin?
Here are 6 simple ways to start your style discovery process:
- Pay attention to colour. Notice what consistently draws you in—whether that’s soft neutrals, earthy tones, bold brights, monochrome looks, or a blend of everything. Gather inspiration and create a visual reference of the colours you naturally gravitate towards.
- Explore different style categories. Look into aesthetics like minimal, classic, edgy, quirky, elegant, bold, or playful. Don’t rush this stage—simply observe what feels exciting, comfortable, or inspiring. Over time, patterns will emerge, often forming 3–5 core “style words.”
- Begin experimenting with pieces that reflect those words. For example, a minimal direction might lean into clean silhouettes and simple tailoring, while a quirky direction might include unexpected shapes, textures, or colour combinations that feel expressive and fun.
- Focus on your own response rather than outside influence. Trends and opinions will always exist, but your style becomes stronger when it reflects what you genuinely like—not what you feel you should wear.
- Work with what you already have. Try creating outfits from your wardrobe that reflect your chosen style words, and take photos to build a visual diary. This helps you see patterns and refine your direction over time.
- Allow it to evolve. Style is not something you complete—it’s something you continue to explore. As you grow and change, your style will naturally shift with you, and that evolution is part of what keeps it feeling current and authentic.
Enjoy the process of discovering your style language and letting it unfold naturally. And if you ever need guidance, we’re here to support you with a safe, welcoming space at our Style Studio.
Vibrantly yours,
Sam & Jordi xx