How to Find Your Personal Style: A Practical Guide

So how do you find your personal style?

Have you noticed how sometimes you see an outfit on someone and think "Oh, that's nice, but I wouldn't wear it"? Or you see a person whose style looks nothing like yours, and you still feel "I love that, I'd totally wear it". There are patterns behind it.

Over the years of working as a stylist, I noticed that these patterns are fundamentally rooted in 3 things: your character, lifestyle and individual taste (which is also influenced by your character by the way). So to be able to figure out your style, you actually need to start with deeper questions:

how would someone describe me? what are my strengths, weaknesses, values? what does my day-to-day look like? what are my hobbies?

and for that item that I thought "I would never wear that" - why not? same for the favourite item in my wardrobe - what makes it special to me?

Those answers reveal the patterns that define your personal style.

How does your personality influence your personal style?

Let's take an example. I am a very decisive, assertive, direct (can be blunt) person. I am also a perfectionist, I strive for excellence in everything I do. I value integrity, honesty, kindness and want to do something meaningful with my life.

You might be thinking: how on earth can that help define style? Let me break that down:

decisive, assertive = architectural and sharp silhouettes, colours that communicate the same (black, cobalt blue, red, etc.), fabrics that hold shape

directness, honesty, integrity = clean lines, no fussy elements

perfectionist = fine finishing, nuanced quality, nothing undone

When you pair this with visual preferences - the type of outfits you wear, the kind of garments you hate - that adds another layer.

Once you find those patterns, you'll know what your style is. At KinraLab, we call this your Style Identity: a clear expression of the pattern connecting who you are with what you wear.

How long does it take to find your personal style?

I believe it shouldn't take years of trial and error (even though that's what some people do). It takes deep self-reflection and ability to identify those patterns, which often needs a bit of external help - someone might spot those patterns faster and easier than you do. That gives you a very strong foundation and helps reduce money wasted on items you never wear.

Over time you will sharpen it, refine it further - especially identifying those unique human quirks we all have. Like, you might not like focusing on a specific part of your body, or you might not like a specific colour - no real reason, just "don't like it". Those are the things that you will learn over time and get even clearer in what works and what doesn't for you.

Does your personal style change over time?

I get asked this question a lot. And perhaps, less popular opinion on this - I believe the fundamental part of our style identity stays the same. Think about those questions I've asked you to think about - have your answers to all of these questions changed dramatically over the years?

Did you stop being you because you took a new job? Did you stop being you because you gained or lost weight?

I am not saying it stays exactly the same - of course, not. We evolve as people, and so does our style. But its core remains true to who you are, regardless of your circumstances.

A change in life might affect part of those answers though - say, you moved countries and your lifestyle changed, or you became a mother - of course, your criteria to clothes also changed.

But keeping that connection to yourself through major life changes can help you feel more grounded in what you wear. And your style should support that.

I moved from London to Dubai - of course, it affected my wardrobe. I cannot wear jeans, boots and coats anymore, I cannot play with layering as much - it's simply too hot for that.

So the "formula" of how I get dressed changed, but what I look for in an item or outfit stayed the same. I still want architectural and sharp silhouettes. I still want fine finishing and nuanced details. I still want those decisive colours. So from wearing {wide-leg jeans + slim top + sleek boots and bold colour coat}, my "formula" became {balloon-leg cotton-silk pants, halterneck textured top, square-toe mules, paired with a bold colour (or print) bag}.

So where should you start?

It might feel overwhelming, it's not that easy sometimes to even answer those questions. Break it down step-by-step:

1. Describe your character, values, lifestyle

2. Look at your favourite items and those you never wore, identify the reasons for it

3. Find the patterns - what gets repeated across those answers

4. Next time you are getting dressed, think if those patterns you are looking for are present in your outfit

When I worked with my clients as a stylist, I would guide them through this process - ask questions, help see the patterns, refine together the style identity.

I created KinraLab to allow more people to access that kind of experience - when someone guides you through this, step-by-step, in a simple and clear way. You start with, on average 10 minutes, AI-guided conversation that helps you understand yourself, finds patterns and helps you put a clear language to it. From there you can apply it in practice: from understanding your existing wardrobe to finding new pieces that genuinely fit you, and KinraLab is there to guide you along the way.