A Beginner’s Guide for Women to Embrace an Authentic Sense of Style  

Have you ever looked in amazement at a model in a magazine or maybe one of your friends walking down the street? With a countenance of unmistakable awe, your mind simply echoed how perfect her hair, figure, or outfit looked. 

We’ve all been there, and perhaps, such moments will come throughout our lives. Now, there’s nothing wrong with admiring someone else’s beauty and sense of style. Usually, the problem occurs when we long to mimic our idols, especially for validation. 

Women are born with a fashion birthright. Statista states that the fashion market will cater to around 2.8 billion users by 2029. We all love to see what’s trending, but if we’re being honest, not many of us are experts at imitating the latest and the coolest. 

Even if it works in the short run, there’s always a deep void that social comparison brings. Are you familiar with this feeling? In most cases, it’s a result of not having a signature style. 

If authenticity is a new term in your sartorial vocabulary, this article will help. Keep reading to understand ways in which you can adopt a fashion sense that’s more yourself. 

Stop Fighting Mother Nature 

None of us were sent to this world as pearl white canvases. We were bestowed with a unique appearance, hair texture, smile, figure, and so on. ‘Variety is the spice of life’ is not just a throwaway statement. 

The world is full of unique people for a reason. It’s one thing to jokingly wish for a clone of the prettiest or most fashionable woman in the world. If that ever happened, boredom would creep in. 

This is one drawback of living in the age of social media. Most women look alike, dress alike, and want the same things out of life. It’s time to break this mold by embracing the one you came with. 

Instead of complaining about your physical features, work your fashion around your body. Get to know your body type and dress accordingly. For instance, peplum blouses may look great on someone with an inverted triangle body type but not so much on someone who is pear-shaped. 

There is something out there for everyone. It’s time to drop the wishful thinking and work on what you’ve got. As you highlight your best features and experiment, you’ll slowly stop striving against Mother Nature. With time, your personal style will evolve. 

Minimalist or Glamorous? You Decide! 

The 80s was an era where women were drawn towards opulent fashion. From exaggerated sleeves to bold colors and loose silhouettes, this decade was all about glamor. 

Fast forward to the current age and neutral aesthetics and minimalism have taken over. It’s almost as if the world is incapable of striking a harmonious balance. Most importantly, is such a balance even necessary? 

In other words, the point here is not whether excess is good or less is more. The point is which one leans on the side of your personal style. BBC is right about the unspoken rule in the Western world – don’t wear the same outfit too often. 

For the most part, that translates into constantly upgrading one’s wardrobe. If you’re tired of this, just know that you’re allowed to embrace whichever fashion aesthetic you like. Speaking of minimalism or glamor, both have their charm. 

Beauty of Minimalism 

Most people look at minimalism as wearing a bunch of beige and white outfits in a cycle. There’s nothing wrong with that but that’s not the whole story. This fashion style is all about welcoming elegance, functionality, and simplicity of outfits and accessories. 

One can even include naturalism in it. For instance, many women enjoy wearing natural fabrics like cotton and linen. The same goes for jewelry; they like to keep things inspired by nature. 

One example would be raw gemstones that are sold loose. Minimally processed, they make amazing centerpieces for necklaces, ear studs, and rings. 

Instead of a standalone gemstone, you can even accent it with diamonds. According to Leibish, the clarity and brilliance of a diamond are perfect for accenting it against rich-colored stones. All the while, you will not have sacrificed your love for simplicity and quiet luxury. Other naturalist jewelry options include wood, metals, and clay. 

Pizzazz of Opulence 

If your inner self is a bit of a diva, there is no shame in hugging her tight. You can shop for party-ready silhouettes and eye-popping color combinations to turn heads everywhere you go. 

Be truly expressive and do not shy away from standing out. As for formal events, you can always invest in tailored luxe garments with delicate embellishments. 

Even fabrics play a key role. For instance, satin, velvet, and suede are known to exude glamorous vibes. As for accessories, side with statement pieces, large hoop earrings, and distinctive rings. 

If you wish to create a balance and be both a minimalist and a glamorous diva based on the occasion, there’s nothing better! In any case, don’t hold yourself back anymore. 

Comfort Triumphs Over Tacky 

In an attempt to copy someone else’s ‘brilliant style,’ have you felt like a fish out of water? Perhaps you were constantly trying to fix your top or bottom and couldn’t shed an ounce of self-consciousness. 

That’s a classic example of compromising on comfort for style. The problem is that simply your discomfort can make the whole look appear tacky. Confidence is the most important thing you can wear and it often translates into comfortable garments. 

No, we’re not implying that you should parade around town in a tee and jeans no matter the occasion. If the event is formal, go for a tailored blazer over a fitted pencil dress for added comfort. You can even put aside your blazer whenever you want. 

Similarly, casual or semi-casual comfortable outfits would include a flowy skirt, cotton pants, t-shirts, and structured dresses. You can even go for bold looks if that’s what your style is but don’t wear something simply because you liked it on someone else. 

Pulling off an outfit is all about inner confidence and security. If these do not show, it will look distasteful. 

Develop a Healthy Relationship with Colors 

Another reason why most of us do not like a particular piece we previously admired on another woman is the color. No color in itself is bad (though we all have our favorites). 

However, they will vary based on the person wearing them. This is the same reason why white flowers in daylight can suddenly appear purplish or orangish during dusk hour. The base color or backdrop also matters! 

Understanding color theory is a bit tricky but once you do, you will have cracked the code of personal colors. According to the New Mexico State University, three factors help determine someone’s personal colors – skin tone, eye hue, and hair shade. 

Generally, those with warm undertones look their best in warm-colored clothes, and vice versa. However, you don’t need to get too deep into the technicalities. Just put on garments in warm and cool tones to see how you look. 

If your skin appears bright and vibrant, that’s your color. If you feel like you look pale, sickly, or drained, that’s not your color. This may take some time but once you’ve figured out your colors, it becomes easier to stop wasting money on unflattering garments. 

Bite the Bullet with Pleasure

Even for those who have discovered their authentic sense of style, it can be daunting to flaunt it. At the back of our minds, we’re endlessly pondering whether our self-expression will backfire. 

The truth is it may, and that’s alright. The point of finding your authentic style is to not ensure everyone else likes it. That may take some time to happen, especially for those who are used to looking at you a certain way. 

Give them and yourself time to adjust. If you’re not willing to embrace courageous vulnerability, you risk backsliding into the same miry clay. Resist the urge to please everyone but yourself. True freedom lies beyond caring what people think about you. 

It’s harrowing to think that someone hates your outfit choice. However, what’s even worse is looking in the mirror and being unable to recognize the person you see. Drop off the mask and give the world a chance to love your real self. 

After what we have discussed, it must be clear that authenticity always gets it right. It’s human nature to see right through anything fake and be repelled. Don’t let the phobia of ‘fashion police’ keep you from developing your signature style. 

One day we all will indeed be old enough to read fairytales and play dress up again. Maybe now is that time?