“Hi Nji, how do I discover my style?”

“Hello Nji, I love how you dress so much but I never know how to combine clothes or what to wear”

“ Hi Nji, I want to dress stylishly too but I don’t think I have the body of a fashion girl”

If I were to earn a dollar for how many times I have gotten DMs like this, I would definitely be on the Forbes list! In all honesty, I feel flattered when I get these kinds of messages. It means I am doing something right. However, I may not be able to reach everyone so here is an article with all your answers including personal tips. Girls, shall we?

Let’s be realistic—finding your style is not exactly a walk in the park. It requires putting in the work and research and not to forget investing your time and money. Contrary to what most people think, I had to take out time to find what my style is. Yes, I love fashion and I love to wear beautiful clothes. However, for the sake of personal branding, I had to find the style that effectively expresses who I am and the Njideka you love now.

Picture this: You have brunch with your girls, you pick something from your closet, wear it, stare at your reflection in the mirror, and you feel like you. You feel comfortable and confident in the clothes you are wearing. That’s what personal style is about creating a wardrobe and wearing clothes that reflect who you are, unapologetically.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Before we discuss clothes in relation to personal style, let us discuss who you are. Your style is supposed to be a reflection of who you are— your personality, your lifestyle, your values, etc. Style has the power to communicate your identity without you saying a word. The colors you choose, the cuts of your clothes, and even the accessories you wear tell a story about your personality. Here is something you should note— your style does not have to be restrictive. You don’t need to put yourself in a box. In finding your style, questions like

1. Do I like to make a statement when I enter a room because of my choice of clothing?
2. What colors of outfits make me feel like me?
3. Am I little miss fashion over comfort or comfort over fashion?
4. Do I like loose-flowing clothes or structured tailored clothes?

Questions like these are a great start in helping you decide what you want for yourself. Note that finding your style is not about keeping up with fashion trends or impressing anyone. It is about self-discovery and feeling confident in whatever you choose.

HOW DO I FIND MY STYLE?

Girl, first off ditch the rules and shut the noise! While it is great to have someone you look up to fashion-wise, there is so much contrasting and contradicting advice on the internet. “Don’t wear this”, “ Don’t wear that” and while sometimes these tips come from a good place, these things can become overwhelming and may not effectively be a reflection of your style and your brand.

Secondly, do your research. Look at your body type, color preferences, skin tone, etc, and discover what works best for it. Are you pear-shaped, apple-shaped, hourglass, or athletic? Knowing your body type will help you choose clothes that flatter your figure and accentuate your best features. Take into consideration your career path and personal brand too. Do not make the opinions of people a priority when choosing your style. Wear what fits and makes you comfortable. People will eventually adjust! You can also create a mood board. Look at Pinterest or Instagram, save pictures of clothes that excite you, and note the pattern or style of clothes that fascinate you the most.

When discovering your style, your lifestyle plays an active role in helping you make such decisions. Are you a gym girl? Then you may lean towards athleisure a lot. Are you a corporate baddie? Then a wardrobe to fit your career path is important. The key thing is to find a balance between aesthetics and practicality. Your wardrobe has to cater to both your style and your needs.

Lastly, slow down on the fashion trends. Understandably, you may feel the urge to wear a particular kind of clothing because a fashion influencer is wearing it. However, it is important to ask yourself if the clothes are a true reflection of the woman you are. It is easy to get caught up in the trends but ask yourself — does this cloth scream “me” or am I just following the crowd?

TIPS FOR BUILDING YOUR WARDROBE

Now that we have discussed what style is all about and how important it is to find yours, I will be dropping personal tips for building a great closet (as promised at the beginning of this article). While I may not be able to discuss every tip here, you can always check @feminineandflattering Instagram page. There is content on wardrobe staples there. You are welcome!

In building a wardrobe, it is important to start with the basics. Think of this as your wardrobe foundation. Investing in high-quality basics helps you curate a closet with pieces that can easily be dressed up or down. Invest in items like a pair of well-fitted jeans, a black dress, a white tee, a striped shirt, a white collar shirt, good flats, and court heels. It is also important to shop for quality over quantity. While this may be a bit pricey, it will serve you for years as opposed to wearing it for a few months.

Once you have your basics in place, you can add statement pieces that represent you. You can add jewelry— could be dainty or chunky, bags, scarves, hats, sunglasses, whatever that screams “my clothes, my style”.

Remember that fashion is about trial and error. Therefore, you don’t have to get it the first time. Finding your style is a journey of self-discovery. Over time, you may realize that you no longer like certain clothes or do not want to dress a certain way anymore. This is totally fine. You can always experiment and edit your closet. Moreover, your style can evolve as you do. The beauty of personal style is that it doesn’t have to be static. Just like your personality, your style can grow, shift, and change based on where you are in life.

At the end of the day, style is all about embracing who you are. It’s about expressing yourself with confidence, joy, and authenticity. No one else has the same style as you—because no one else is YOU! Finding your style is a journey of self-expression. It’s about discovering what makes you feel good, what aligns with your personality, and what empowers you to be your best self. Style is an ever-evolving process, and there’s no wrong way to express yourself. So today, wear what makes you feel confident, beautiful, and true to yourself.

Remember, your style is yours to define.

Do you have tips on finding your style? Kindly drop them in the comment section.

Thank you for reading. Xoxo.