How to Stop Chasing Trends and Start Dressing for Yourself

During the pandemic, and in the years that followed, we saw a whirlwind of fashion “aesthetics” rise and fall in popularity across social media in rapid succession. You know what I’m referring to: ‘clean girl’, ‘dark academia’, ‘cottagecore’, ‘office siren’, the fashion trends that popped up online, were spurred on by brands, then faded fast, to make way for the next thing. 

Now, it seems that the trend cycle is slowing down and people are talking about ‘personal style’ instead. If you’ve found yourself with a wardrobe full of trendy pieces that are difficult to wear together, and are constantly feeling the need to buy more and more, then you might benefit from taking some time to think about your personal style, and what truly makes you feel confident.  

Figuring out what you actually like to wear can be hard if you spend a lot of time scrolling through fashion content online. So how do you tune out the endless fashion noise and develop an authentic personal style that feels like you?

Here’s what to think about:

Consider how you actually spend your time.

Viral fashion trends aren’t necessarily a bad thing, as they can be a source of inspiration. I’ve incorporated elements of trends into my wardrobe that make sense for me. For example, the blending of functional outdoor clothing with streetwear, like fleece jackets, beanies, and hiking sunnies, is an internet trend known as ‘gorpcore’ (good old raisins and peanuts). Embracing this trend makes sense for my everyday routine of walking 40 minutes to work, rain or shine. Your clothes are an expression of you, and should mirror your lifestyle and make it easier. 

Consider what you do for work, how you spend your weekends and what your hobbies and interests are. That’s what you need to be shopping for. Not the events that you might go to three times a year. Do not fall for the trap of buying something because you think it will magically change your lifestyle in some way. Before purchasing a new item, picture it hanging in your wardrobe alongside your current clothing, think about how many opportunities you will get to wear it, and ask yourself if you still need it. 

Figure out what silhouettes and colours suit you.

Now, just because your normal weekly routine consists of your 9-5 job, walks in the park, going to the gym, running errands, and getting drinks on a Friday night, it doesn’t mean your wardrobe can’t be beautiful and exciting. The key to creating a wardrobe that you love is to focus on what you already know looks good. When your wardrobe is filled with clothes that look amazing on you, it’s not very difficult to choose a great outfit each morning. To do this, consider the shape and colour of your clothes.

I don’t believe in labelling your body type a pear, or a rectangle or whatever, and then wearing clothing according to some rulebook. It feels restrictive, a bit outdated, and who wants to be compared to a piece of fruit? Instead, to decide what clothing shapes work best for you, think about what outfits you’ve loved in the past, and what similarities they had to each other in terms of shape. I’ve realised, through much trial and error, that I feel most confident in high waisted pants, skirts, and shorts, but only if the pants are wide leg or flared at the bottom, and only if the skirts are loose and drapey.

Figuring out your colour palette is also a game changer. After lots of googling and AI questioning, I am pretty confident that I am a ‘summer’, with soft muted tones suiting me best. This is because I have grey/blue eyes, pale brown hair, and skin with purple and pink undertones. Do I buy every piece of clothing with my ‘summer’ colour palette in mind? No. Restricting myself like that would be annoying. But I do think it’s a useful guide to loosely consider. Apparently black isn’t in my colour palette, but there’s absolutely no way I will ever stop wearing black.

Build your personal uniform.

So, once you’ve figured out your lifestyle, colours, and silhouettes, it’s time to create your personal uniform. Having a personal uniform saves time and decision fatigue. It means fewer “I have nothing to wear” moments, because you already know your go-to formula. But there’s no need to take it to Steve Jobs’ level and wear jeans and a black turtle neck everyday. The key is to have some go-to outfit formulas that you know you feel good in. Once you’ve figured those out, you can play within that framework. 

One outfit I always come back to is a midi skirt paired with a cropped jacket. I love how it looks on me, and I always feel confident when I’m wearing that combo. Therefore, when I’m shopping for jackets, I make sure they’re cropped, and when I’m looking for a skirt, I go for a midi length. This guarantees that I’ll reach for them, and they won’t be left hanging unworn in my wardrobe.

Personal style isn’t something you find on the internet, it’s something you build over time by committing to what feels true to you. The goal isn't to never try a trend again, but to know yourself well enough to say no to what doesn't fit, and yes to what truly does.