Forget the Rules: How to Define Your Personal Style (And Own It)

Here’s a little secret that changed everything for me: there are no real fashion rules.

All those “dos and don’ts” we grew up hearing — don’t mix prints, never wear navy with black, dress for your body type — they’re not commandments. They’re suggestions. Guidelines. Starting points. The truth? The most stylish people you know aren’t following the rules… they’re rewriting them.

Forget the Rules: How to Define Your Personal Style (And Own It)

Finding your personal style isn’t about fitting into a box — it’s about breaking out of one. It’s a process of exploration, trial and error, and a whole lot of self-expression.

Let’s talk about how to define your style — not by the trends, not by the rules, but by you.


1. Stop Asking “What’s In?” and Start Asking “What Feels Like Me?”

We’ve all fallen into the trend trap — buying that viral top or those must-have jeans because everyone else is wearing them. But if you don’t feel like yourself in them, it’s never going to work.

Your best outfits are the ones that make you feel grounded, confident, and just a little unstoppable. That feeling — not a label or an aesthetic — is your true north.

Try this:
Before buying something new, ask:

  • “Would I wear this if no one else saw me in it?”

  • “Does this make me feel like me?”

If the answer is yes, that’s your style speaking.


2. Build a Moodboard — But Make It Real

A Pinterest board can be a goldmine for discovering your vibe — but don’t just pin runway looks or influencer outfits. Pin you.

Add photos of:

  • Interiors that inspire you

  • Art you love

  • Places you dream of visiting

  • Outfits that feel right, not just “pretty”

When you look at your board, notice the patterns: Do you see clean lines and neutrals? Maybe your style is minimalist chic. Lots of florals and movement? You might lean bohemian. The mood you gravitate toward visually is often the same one you want to express through clothes.


3. Experiment — But Edit Ruthlessly

Finding your style is like dating — you have to try a few things before finding “the one.”

Play with color, proportion, and layering. Wear things that scare you a little. But here’s the key: after you experiment, reflect.

Ask yourself:

  • What outfits made me feel confident?

  • Which ones made me fidget all day?

  • What did I get the most compliments on (without trying)?

Your wardrobe will naturally evolve once you learn what feels authentic — not forced.


4. Create Your Personal “Uniform”

The word “uniform” might sound boring, but it’s actually freeing. It doesn’t mean wearing the same thing every day — it means knowing your formula.

Maybe yours is:

  • Straight-leg jeans + tucked-in blouse + gold hoops

  • Midi dress + ankle boots + cropped jacket

  • Wide-leg pants + fitted tank + oversized blazer

When you know your go-to combinations, you can mix and match effortlessly — and everything in your closet suddenly works together.

🛍 Pro tip: A great pair of jeans like Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans and a crisp white button-up shirt are timeless foundation pieces for almost any personal style.


5. Learn to Mix, Not Match

The best outfits feel collected, not coordinated. A little contrast adds interest — polished with casual, soft with structured, vintage with modern.

Try pairing:

  • A tailored blazer with worn-in denim

  • A silky dress with chunky sneakers

  • A feminine blouse with utility pants

It’s in the mix that your individuality shines through.

🛍 Bonus pick: The The Drop Women’s Blake Blazer is one of those versatile staples that works with everything — dresses, jeans, or trousers.


6. Forget the “Flattering” Myth

One of the most liberating lessons? You don’t have to dress to hide or fix anything. You don’t owe anyone an illusion.

Clothes should highlight your energy, not just your shape. So if you love wide-leg pants or oversized jackets — wear them. If you feel amazing in a bold print or cropped top — go for it.

The most flattering thing you can wear is confidence.


7. Let Your Lifestyle Lead

Style doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s not about curating a fantasy wardrobe — it’s about dressing for your real life.

If you’re a creative, your wardrobe might include more flowy pieces and textures. If you’re constantly on the go, you might live in elevated basics and sneakers. The more you align your clothes with your actual lifestyle, the more your style feels authentic.

🛍 Try versatile staples like the Adidas Stan Smith Sneakers — they work with everything from jeans to dresses.


8. Edit Regularly

Personal style evolves — and so should your closet. Every few months, pull out what you haven’t worn and ask why.

Does it not fit your life anymore? Does it not fit your vibe? Let it go.
Style clarity comes from letting go of what no longer represents you.


9. Confidence > Perfection

Some days your outfit won’t come together. Some days, you’ll try on five things before finding “the one.” That’s okay.

Personal style isn’t about perfection — it’s about self-trust. The more you honor your instincts, the stronger your style voice becomes.


10. Style Is Energy

The most stylish people in the world don’t dress to impress — they dress to express.

When you stop following rules and start following your energy, something shifts. You stop comparing. You start creating.
And suddenly, your wardrobe becomes a reflection of who you really are — confident, evolving, and completely authentic.


Final Thoughts

Defining your personal style isn’t about labels or trends — it’s about freedom.
It’s knowing what lights you up, what makes you feel at home in your own skin, and wearing that feeling proudly.

So forget the rules. Forget what’s “in.”
Dress for the person you are becoming.
Because your style isn’t something you find — it’s something you claim. 💫

Forget the Rules: How to Define Your Personal Style (And Own It)