How to find your signature style (and stop buying clothes you don't wear)
How many times have you said, "I have a wardrobe full of clothes and nothing to wear"? That feeling isn't about not having enough clothes. It's about not having the right clothes. The ones that actually feel like you. The ones you reach for again and again because they just work.
And that's where personal style comes in. Not trends. Not what everyone else is wearing. Not the algorithm telling you what's "in" this season. Your actual, real, signature style: the kind that makes getting dressed feel easy instead of overwhelming.
So, if you're tired of buying clothes you don't wear, or if you're ready to build a wardrobe that actually reflects who you are, let's talk about how to get there. And yes, vintage is going to help.
Why trends don't equal personal style
Let's get this out of the way first: trends are not the enemy. But they're also not the answer.
Trends are fun. They're exciting. They give us something to talk about and try on for size. But if you're building your wardrobe around what's trending right now, you're going to end up with a closet full of clothes that don't feel like you.
Personal style is different. It's not about what's cool this season. It's about knowing what makes you feel good, what suits your body and your life, and what you'll still want to wear in five years. When you find your signature style, you stop chasing. You start curating. And that's when your wardrobe actually starts working for you.
Start by identifying what you actually love
If you don't know what your signature style is yet, that's okay. Most people don't. But here's how you start figuring it out:
1. Look at what you already wear
Go through your wardrobe and pull out the pieces you wear most. Not the things you think you should wear, or the things you bought because they were on sale. The actual clothes you reach for when you're running late or having a bad day.
What do they have in common? Are they all high-waisted? Oversized? A certain colour palette? That's your starting point.
2. Identify the silhouettes that make you feel good
Some people feel amazing in tailored blazers. Some people live in oversized knits. Some people are all about a slip dress and boots.
There's no right answer here, just your answer. Pay attention to the shapes that make you feel confident, comfortable, and like yourself. Those are the silhouettes you should be looking for when you shop.
3. Notice the fabrics you're drawn to
This one's big. Fabric affects how a piece feels, how it lasts, and how it fits into your life.
If you love soft, breathable textures, you're probably drawn to cotton and linen. If you like structure, you'll gravitate toward wool and denim. If you want something with a bit of luxury, silk and leather might be your thing.
When you shop vintage, you're almost always getting natural fabrics, which means better quality, better longevity, and a better feel against your skin.
4. Find your colour palette
You don't have to wear the same three colours forever, but knowing what you feel good in helps narrow things down. Maybe you're all about neutrals: black, cream, denim, camel. Maybe you love a pop of colour: cherry red, mustard, forest green. Maybe you're drawn to monochromes or earthy tones. Whatever it is, when you know your palette, shopping becomes so much easier. You're not tempted by things that don't fit your vibe.
Use vintage to refine your look
Here's why vintage is perfect for finding your signature style: it forces you to be intentional.
When you're shopping vintage, you can't just grab five versions of the same thing in different colours. Every piece is one-of-a-kind. So you have to actually think about whether it works for you.
Does it fit? Does it suit your body? Does it go with what you already own? Will you actually wear it? That's the kind of intentional shopping that builds a wardrobe you love. And the more you do it, the clearer your personal style becomes.
Think in capsules, not collections
You don't need 50 tops. You need five that you actually wear. Capsule thinking is about building a wardrobe where everything works together. Where you can pull out any top and any bottom and know they'll look good. Where getting dressed takes five minutes instead of half an hour.
Here's a simple starting point:
- 2-3 pairs of jeans (different cuts, same vibe)
- 3-4 tops that work with all of them
- 1-2 layering pieces (blazer, cardigan, leather jacket)
- 1-2 dresses that feel like you
- Shoes and accessories that tie it all together
When you shop this way, you stop buying random pieces that don't fit into your wardrobe. You start building something cohesive. Something that feels like your signature style.
Shop intentionally (and stop impulse buying)
The biggest reason people buy clothes they don't wear? Impulse purchases.
You see something on sale, or something trendy, or something that might work for that one event in three months, and you buy it without thinking. Then it sits in your wardrobe, tags still on, making you feel guilty every time you see it.
You can stop doing this by simply asking yourself some simple questions before you buy anything:
- Do I love it, or do I just like the idea of it?
- Does it fit my current style and wardrobe?
- Will I wear it at least 30 times?
- Is it good quality and made to last?
If the answer to any of these is no, put it back. Shopping intentionally doesn't mean buying less. It means buying better. And when you do that, you end up with a wardrobe full of clothes you actually wear.
You don't have to invent your personal style from scratch. It's already there, you just have to pay attention to it. Look at what you love. Notice the patterns. Build from there.
And if you're ready to start shopping with more intention, more clarity, and more confidence in your personal style? Sign up for my newsletter and get 15% off your first order. Every piece is hand-picked, made to last, and ready to become part of your signature look.
À bientôt,
Ella x
