We all have heard for the “three style words” strategy: you choose the three words that most accurately define your style. Just like the majority of you, most likely, I’ve been ignoring the idea to define my own three style words. “What good shall it ever come from knowing them?”, I wondered. I’m not gonna change style-wise. No, you won’t change your style but your style words help you learn what your style is. Just like knowing how toll you are doesn’t change your height but helps you in so many ways.
So, without the slightest idea of the beneficial consequences, out of pure boredom, one day I crafted out my three style words:
Practical
Never have I been the person to go for a mini skirt when the temperatures are below zero, to wear heels when the side walks are covered with ice or go for bulky trainers when it’s so hot that you can fry an egg on the balcony tiles. I’ve always dressed in a way that ensures my maximum comfort, first and foremost.
Geeky/Prep or Unisex
I have some difficulty exactly naming the second style word, but it is definitely a symbol of the fact that I work in IT, I mingle mostly with men and I love what I do as a job and the people I work with. Many of my outfits can be worn by men and consist of gender neutral pieces: cargo pants, hoodies, loose t-shirts, trainers, combat boots, biker jackets, shirts…
90s Style
This one was really hard to come out with. It describes the fact that I love maxi skirts, lace tops, body-hugging dresses, off-the-shoulder tops, wide leather belts etc. I was wondering between Gothic, sexy, fatal woman, but I came to the conclusions that the 90s style is the word that most-accurately defines the third component of my personal style.
So What?
“OK”, I thought. “That was fun but how does it help, from then on?” It turned out it helps. Surprisingly a lot.
That was fun but how does it help?
First, it opened my eyes on the HUGE DIFFERENCE between “love how she looks in that” vs. “love how I would look in that”. It was absolutely amazing to recognize that MOST of what you like, you like it for purely esthetical reasons and it does not have anything to do with your personal preferences how you dress and look like.
Style is an expression of yourself. It sends the outside world a message who you are. When you like how someone looks, you actually do it the way you’d admire the night sky when full with shining stars. You do it without ever aspiring to become a physicist or an astronaut.
Second thing that came as a benefit after I defined my three style words was how easy that made decluttering. I can separate, faster and with much more confidence, the wheat from the chaff and it spares so much time and energy. No more hesitation and back thoughts: “shall I need that? Shall I wear that?” The answer comes easy now and is certain.
The third positive change that came out of defining my style was the way I buy. I don’t look to pile on fancy clothes that I’d wear a few times on never. I know what appeals to me and ignore all beautiful pieces that look gorgeous but just don’t look like me. Knowing what that “me” wants and wears, is of huge help and saves tons of money.
Last and not least, I learned how to style outfits the way I like them. I know what is the vibe of the outfit I feel good into, and gradually learnt to ignore all its variations that radiate the wrong energy.
I learned how to style outfits the way I like them and to ignore all the variations that radiate the wrong energy.
If I want to wear a black blazer, I know I’d like to have it in a classic cut, rather than oversized. And I know I like to pair it with straight-leg jeans rather than wide-leg white trousers or a dress. Defining my sense of style helped me define the type of outfits that appeal to me.
I hope I have convinced you to look into your style and try to define it in three simple words. Don’t rush to do it, do it gradually, whenever you have the desire and time. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your words, until you find the right combination. The end result is worth every bit of it.