Creating Your Own Signature “Look”: 6 Tips from Celebrity Stylists

Some women have a signature look- you might call it a “uniform.” It’s a style that’s distinctly their own. Think Audrey Hepburn, Amy Winehouse, or Dita Von Teese. Whether you love their personal style or not, you can still admire how they always look put together and polished. That’s what a signature look is all about.

How can a busy, working woman apply this idea to her own wardrobes? And, why would she want to?

Creating your own signature look is the exact opposite of following the latest fashion trends. Instead of flitting from one look to the next and investing in a bunch of new outfits every season, you invest in quality pieces that flatter you, work for your lifestyle, and will last you for years.

Not only does creating a signature look save you money, but it also saves you time. Your entire wardrobe works well together, every piece fits, and you love the way it looks on you. No more wasting time trying to choose your outfit every day because you’ve invested in a wardrobe you truly love.

Having a signature look means you always look polished and put together, no matter how rushed you were to get out the door.

How to Define Your Signature Style

The stylists to the stars just seem to know what works and what doesn’t. Their clients always look effortlessly stylish… like they don’t have to think about it at all. 

You may not have access to a fashion expert in your own home, but you can learn how to identify your own personal style. Here are six tips from celebrity stylists to help you create a seemingly effortless, go-to look that’s all your own. 

1. Start with an empty closet.

Top stylists recommend beginning this process with an empty closet. No doubt there’s tons of stuff in there you haven’t worn in years. Everyone has those pieces that just aren’t working for them anymore. So, take it all out and start from scratch.

2. Go through it all, piece by piece.

Stylists recommend designating a donate pile, a maybe pile, and a keep pile. Anything you don’t truly love goes in the donate pile right away. The rest goes in your maybe pile. Now, try on each piece in your maybe pile and ask yourself some key questions.

Does it fit? Is it comfortable? Does it make you feel confident? Do you truly love it? Have you worn it recently? If your answer is no to any of these questions, put it in your donate pile, no matter how expensive it was or who gave it to you. 

According to celebrity stylist, Erin Walsh, even the most inexpensive pieces of clothing can be made to look custom if they fit right. It’s worth investing in the services of a tailor to make your favorite articles of clothing fit just right.

As you go through this process, think about why certain pieces don’t work for you and why others do. Take notes. Every piece you keep should make you feel good and look good… be ruthless! 

3. Organize what you’re keeping.

Now it’s time to organize your closet. One easy method is to put everything away according to type and color. Start by hanging all of your shirts together, and then categorize them according to color. Then, move on to pants, dresses, and so on.

Or, if that doesn’t work for you, keep your work clothes together, casual clothes together, and party or night out clothes together. 

Whatever system you choose, stylists agree that having categories for your clothes helps you to see what you have and what you need.

4. Get inspired.

According to top stylists, the next step in creating your signature look is to find what inspires you. You could do a search for “style icons” on Pinterest and start a board of your favorite outfits. Or, grab a stack of fashion magazines and start a scrapbook. 

There’s tons of inspiration out there, and this step is a lot of fun! At this point, you’re simply trying to get an idea of what you really like, so don’t think about budget, trends, or items that you already own. Collect ideas that inspire you, even if it’s a style you’ve never considered before.

5. Analyze the outfits you chose.

Whether you found dozens of images or just a few that really spoke to you, your next step is to sit down and analyze the outfits you chose, as well as the items you kept in your existing wardrobe. 

What do they have in common? Are they mostly casual, dressy, girly, or tomboy? Are there certain colors that show up time and time again?

Now, look back at the notes you took in step two. Eliminate styles and colors that you already know don’t work for your shape, lifestyle, or the climate you live in. Did you just get rid of a similar item?

This should give you a pretty clear idea of what you love and what works for you. Eliminate the rest!

6. Write a list of what you need and start shopping.

The pieces you’re left with should have a similar look and style that really speaks to you. Take a look at what you still have in your wardrobe and create a shopping list of the items you need to add to round out your wardrobe.

Professional stylists also recommend defining the brands and styles that work best for you before you start shopping. For example, certain brands are more preppy or classic, like J Crew. Others are more modern, like Topshop. Some brands are decidedly feminine… some more tomboy.

Sticking to just a few brands can help to create a cohesive look when you’re first starting out. Over time, you can add other pieces from different brands as you begin to fine-tune your signature look.

The pieces you add to your wardrobe should work well together and with your existing pieces. Every item should reflect the look you’ve identified as your personal style. 

Be sure to stick to your list and try every piece on before you make a purchase.

Wrap Up

One final tip from the pros: It’s important to reassess your wardrobe every so often. What’s working for you right now can change over time, so it doesn’t hurt to do a little experimenting. You don’t have to change up your signature look if you don’t want to, but you shouldn’t let yourself get stuck in a style rut that you’re not loving anymore either.