“We are all going to consume, but the point is to consume with a purpose and be aware about what you buy and what you do, and use it as a tool to serve you” – Sophia Hyacinthe – Personal Stylist and CEO, Immaculate Wardrobe
Boots: Dorateymur (on sale!)| Jeans: Levi’s | Sweater: ALC via Material World
Conscious-ish is a Style Series where we explore personal style from a conscious consumer lens.
We are going to kick off this series with what I think is the most important and most elemental step in creating the wardrobe of our dreams, and that is defining our personal style. Deciding what colors we look good in, picking out our favorite gorgeous bags, and accessorizing for the Gods are “must-have” decisions. Getting “conscious” about it, if you will. Before we dive in to what, where, and how exactly to shop, it is absolutely key to figure out just what our style type even is. This is not to say your style can’t change or evolve over time, in fact I hope it always does! But when it does evolve, your new personal style awareness will help you make future changes accordingly.
I also created a Personal Style Quiz to help you narrow down what your style personality is. Scroll down to take the quiz – you may find you fit perfectly into one style type, or you may be a mix of a few!
To help us really figure out our personal style, I tapped in to the expertise of NYC/ATL based Personal Stylist & CEO, (side note: also a DJ by night – how cool is she?) Sophia Hyacinthe. She helps real modern professional women create a style strategy, build looks, and build a timeless wardrobe through her Styling company, Immaculate Wardrobe.
In her experience, many women shop impulsively. It could be tied to their budget, for example if they get a big paycheck or there is a blowout sale going on, or something emotional like feeling depressed or filling a void -hence the term retail ‘therapy’. Shopping this way ultimately leads to a closet that may not be cohesive, like too many statement pieces but not enough quality staples to make the outfits work. You end up with the ‘closet full of clothes and nothing to wear’ situation which is super frustrating.
Figuring out your personal style can help you streamline and edit what you need and what you don’t need in your closet, to make getting dressed less stressful. It will also help you to present the best image of yourself to the world. Often our emotions are tied to our self-image, so being confident in what we are wearing can also really have a positive effect on us.
“We are all going to consume, but the point is to consume with a purpose and be aware about what you buy and what you do, and use it as a tool to serve you”
According to Sophia, there are a few things you need to consider first when determining your style type:
(You may want to grab a pen and some paper and take notes)
- What Is Your Lifestyle? Are you a stay at home mom looking for easy comfy clothes for most days, and cute trendy outfits for date nights and parties? Are you a social butterfly who needs playful statement pieces? Do you work corporate and want your clothes to be stylish like these cat workwear for sale or do you prefer to look professional?
- What Do You Love About Your Body? What are your favorite attributes? What types of clothes make you feel your most vital, confident self?
- Who Are Your Style Icon(s)? Celebrities, Friends, Family members – think about anyone who’s style you truly admire, and why.
- What Are Your Style Goals? How would you choose to dress if you had, say, Beyonce’s bank account?
- What Is Your Budget? Realistically, think about how much you can afford to spend – think in terms of price per wear for the items you think you will wear the most.
Once you answer the above questions you should have a much clearer understanding of: What type of clothes you may need to supplement your current wardrobe, which silhouettes work best for your body type, and how much you can actually afford to spend.
If you haven’t yet, take my Style Quiz below to help you determine your Style Personality!
Add up your total number of A, B, C, D, and E’s and see below for your results! If you are split, then you have a combination of style types.
If you are:
Mostly A’s: Classic
You prefer timeless styles over flashy trends and prefer beautifully tailored pieces. You like to invest in high quality clothing and accessories and expect them to last a long time. You tend to stay safe and stick to what you know works for you. You are sophisticated, well-groomed, and generally have very good taste.
Famous Classic Style Icons: Jackie O, Victoria Beckham, Queen Rania, Kate Middleton
Mostly B’s: Glamazon
You love to make a statement and showcase your confidence in your outfit choices. You know how to accentuate your favorite attributes, and you put them to work, honey! Designer bags and shoes are your favorite place to splurge. You are either in spandex shorts and hoodies or a patent leather bodycon with sky-high heels, there is no in-between.
Famous Glamazon Style Icons: Kim Kardashian, J.Lo, Bebe Rexha, Beyonce
Mostly C’s: Bohemian
You are Earthy by nature and your fashion choices reflect your zen philosophy. Loose and flowing maxi dresses are your fave, you are most confident when you are feeling comfortable and feminine. You like to accessorize and show your personality through your style by playing with color and jewelry. You would probably love to wear a chakra bracelet that looks great with any casual outfit, just for the vibes and energy of it.
Famous Bohemian Style Icons: Cher, Nicole Richie, Vanessa Hudgens
Mostly D’s: Modern
You have that cool-girl vibe and you don’t shy away from trying out fashion trends that you find fun. Are bracelets or scarves back in vogue these days? Sure, you’re not afraid to try them. Just look at these guys and other brands that offer a fresh take on old classics. You appreciate originality and always look for a twist on classic pieces. Function is just as important as fashion for you and you like to splurge on high-quality basics and designer shoes that you know will get a lot of wear.
Famous Modern Style Icons: Michelle Obama, Amal Clooney, Tracee Ellis Ross, Olivia Palermo
Mostly E’s: Avant Garde
You love to experiment with fashion and are not scared to make a big statement. It may be something small like accessories, or it may be your entire outfit, but one thing is for sure – there is nothing boring about your style. Your philosophy is that Fashion is wearable art, and you appreciate designers who push boundaries like you.
Famous Avant Garde Style Icons: Zoe Kravitz, Rihanna, Christine Centenera, Lady Gaga
Thank you so much for visiting! Stay tuned for next week, where we will talk about the exact steps Sophia takes her Personal Styling clients through to edit and streamline their closets!
Find Sophia on Instagram or check out her website Immaculate Wardrobe
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