How can you develop a personal fashion style that reflects your work-life balance?

One thing I find helpful, is to divide a wardrobe into two halves. Create one half for work related purposes, and the other half for a creative, more expressive side. This helps control the way you see your wardrobe, clothing choices and how you shop.

Personally, I would not put this step right at the start. I find that defining what you want your personal style to be and identifying your style personality is the best first step. I also find that many struggle with assessing their wardrobe first, IF they don’t know their style personality as often it ends up with ‘the same old’ scenario, which we want to avoid. I talk in length about it in my upcoming online style program (launching Feb 2024) as there’s a whole process how to assess your wardrobe and get the results you want.

I share the same view as Natalia Macri on the first step to developing your personal style is to identify your Style Personality. Lifestyle is also a key factor, but Style is a journey of self-discovery that empowers one to find oneself through clothes and having a curated wardrobe that reflects that is a process.

Here are some tips to help you create a style that suits both your professional and personal life: 1. Understand Dress Codes: Familiarize yourself with the dress code of your workplace. 2. Invest in Versatile Pieces:Build a wardrobe with versatile items that can be mixed and matched for different occasions. 3. Accessorize:Accessories can significantly impact your overall look. Experiment with scarves, jewelry, and other accessories to add a personal touch to your outfit. 4. Blend Trends with Classics:Incorporate current fashion trends into your wardrobe, but balance them with timeless, classic pieces. 5. Adapt to Your Lifestyle: Consider your daily activities and choose clothing that suits your lifestyle.

In my experience, this is a great first step to start identifying what pieces of clothing you love to wear, what are the colors and patterns that predominate your closet space which could also a good insight into what is taking up space in your closet and is occupying space but you haven’t really worn or looked at that item for the last few months. Identify those items and discard them. Once you organize your closet keeping only the items you love wearing and makes you feel confident, you can start with creating ootd or outfit for the full work week. This is when you realize you may have certain things that are missing that you’d love to add to your collection.

I think for a fashionable work life balance you should have to have a sense of style which is true to your taste and your aesthetic. You should have to have a color palette which includes your outfits from your wardrobe. You should try and experiment things according to that and this will lead you to create an image of yourself through your wardrobe.

As a fashion psychologist, delving into the realm of personal style is a journey of self-discovery. When working with clients, I've witnessed the transformative power of connecting with one's deep sense of self. Understanding the intricate nuances of why certain colors, cuts, and fabrics resonate with an individual unveils the key to unlocking their signature style. I guide my clients through a process of self-reflection, unraveling the psychological threads that weave their unique fashion tapestry. Colors become more than hues; they become emotional expressions. Cuts transcend trends, embodying personal narratives. Fabrics cease to be mere textures, transforming into tactile memories.

I agree but personally to me fashion is an art of expression. I express how I feel by the way I dress. There’s one day I feel chic vs another day when I feel more creative &/or adventurous, so how do you keep yourself fluid? Identify what fashion means to you as an individual and how you dress makes you feel, and if you’re anything like me acknowledge that you might like more than one style aesthetics and that’s ok. Start with the most dominant style and work your way through the second most dominant style aesthetics. But the key here is to always keep your closet organized. Keep these two separate for more mental & emotional clarity.

Finding a personal style takes time to develop. My guide line is to keep mindful of the things you are most often drawn to. Is it the style of the 1950's with fitted jackets, full skirts, a bright red lipstick and peep toe shoes, or Is it masculine dressing, with a love of pinstripes, loafers and waistcoats. Create a mood board and pin anything to it that resonates and aligns to the things you love. These inspirations can be anything from clothing, architecture, nature, travel, colour and design.

There are several elements each person has only for them selves! It can be a piece, a color or a special combo! Finding that boosts your style 100% faster!

How you see yourself, and how others see you is subjective. What matters when it comes to finding inspiration and a style that resonates with you, is confidence. Keep focussed on the things that make you feel and look good, and you will start to hone in and focus in on the things that most inspire you.

One inexpensive resource that has enhanced my unapologetic personal styles is been the library. Secondly, it’s daily observations from group of abstract materials, which could be a troop or passengers waiting at stations, art galleries, nature, vehicle speeds, architectural, orchestra, charity shops, shop arrangements, rubber/ palm wine taper climbing twines, Godly inspirations, a flash etc. These I incorporate tiny bits of, into my outfits.

Having a mood or style vision board is a great tool in visualising your style goals. With the plethora of available platforms and tools available (like Pinterest) it is easy to do and maintain. I certainly using mine a lot, even if you are a personal stylist. :)

Being self aware of your physcial attributes really helps to guide anyone towards an area of experimentation when it comes to fashion and style. We are all someone else's inspiration, so again if you experiment with colour, pattern and scale, eventually you will land on something that resonates. Be aware with scale and pattern. If you are small, medium or large frame wear a pattern that carries this frame. Any bigger or smaller, can throw your frame out of balance.

The easiest way to ensure clothing garments look great on you is to know your body shape. Once you know it you start investing only in flattering styles, cuts and fabrics. Many of my clients that come to me think they have a certain body shape, while in fact they have a completely different body shape, which often leads to fashion / style mistakes. I’ve even designed a special tool to help and empower women to identify their own body shape quickly and easily. I use this tool myself for all of my clients and now teach it in my upcoming online style program. Experimenting with different elements is great but it is essential to know your TRUE body shape if you want to ensure your wardrobe works for you 100%.

Analysing your lifestyle, how and where you spend most of the time (work, home, socialising etc.) definitely helps in fine tuning your style goals.

Analysing your lifestyle, how and where you spend most of the time (work, home, socialising etc.) definitely helps in fine tuning your style goals.

In the quest to create a unique fashion lifestyle, accessories are much more than finishing touches; they are essential components that provide depth, versatility, and personal expression. They offer a way to navigate the ever-changing world of fashion while staying true to one's sense of self and aesthetic preferences. By thoughtfully selecting and incorporating accessories, individuals can enhance their personal style narrative, making it as unique and multifaceted as they are.

On a personal level I have always struggled with wearing a uniform. I'm not anti-uniform in many situations they look very smart. Maybe it started in school, we just had school colours, I'd push the boundaries as much as I could. I've only once taken a job that required a uniform I wouldn't have applied if I had known beforehand. I feel many creative people would struggle the same, it's hard to conform when you wear a big part of your personality. Clothes reflect my mood, they are individual and appropriate to the setting without restrictions. That's me.

Clothing and accessories can hold significant emotional value. Perhaps it's a scarf inherited from a beloved relative or a pair of shoes purchased for a special occasion. These items tell stories and contribute to your unique style narrative. Cherishing these connections can add a profound layer of meaning to your fashion choices.