These 10 small changes transformed my personal style
If you want to dress with more confidence and personality, just follow these steps.
How often do you leave the house feeling like you’ve nailed your outfit?
When was the last time you felt you could you rate your style for the day a perfect 10/10, five stars, no notes?
Generally speaking, when you show up for a work event, a first date, a wedding—do you feel completely comfortable?
Does a life of above-average confidence sound like a fairytale?
I thought so, too. But I have inched closer and closer to bringing my ideal wardrobe from my imagination into reality, and each little improvement has had a positive effect on my sense of self. I’ve tried lots of things that felt like a waste of time, but a few concrete actions really move the needle—and today I want to share them with you.
But first, let’s discuss the things that have held me back from reaching my full potential.
Too much scrolling. No amount of scrolling social feeds for inspiration will actually make a difference. My biggest mistake has been spending too much time looking for influencers who could inspire me, and not enough time doing tactile activities like sorting and trying on my own clothing.
It’s impossible to figure out what I’ll actually like by seeing it on other people, especially on the internet. But it’s easy to waste hours saving reels to folders, screenshotting combinations that look great on other people, and generally getting no closer to knowing myself, even while tricking myself into feeling productive.
Stress shopping. Buying more stuff in a state of panic only leads to remorse. You know that feeling of having nothing to wear for a specific occasion? Maybe you have a presentation at work, but all your clothes feel too casual or too formal.
In the past, I’d go out to a discount store like TJ Maxx and buy three different outfits that I felt were good enough, if not inspiring, and then rarely touch the components again. Now, since I’ve finessed my wardrobe into a shape that suits my needs, I can mix and match components to get the perfect blend for almost anything.
Basically, avoid big ‘hauls.’ You’ll just end up having to sort through the mess later, plus navigate the emotional toll of having wasted time and money on things you don’t actually like. Instead, pick up one great item at a time. A rule of thumb is to buy only your “hell yes” items, and leave the just-okay stuff on the rack.
Don’t wait for permission. Finally, don’t wait for a special occasion to start this process. These steps will serve you best when there’s no pressure to be perfect, so give yourself permission to wear your best clothes today. Test out a business casual ‘fit while running errands, or put on your date-night clothes for the grocery store.
Scheduling practice runs on boring days are great because they make an average afternoon feel special. Plus, they help you find the pitfalls of your wardrobe before you’re under pressure. After all, it’s better to find out your shirt gaps or your jacket is itchy before the big interview.
Real personal style, the kind that allows you to step into yourself more fully, is built on a foundation of self-knowledge, patience, and intentionality.
Feeling fired up and ready to get to work? These are the steps that I repeat over and over. Each time, I get a little more excited about my wardrobe.
Let’s begin.
Clean your closet.
I know, I’m sorry! But there’s no way around it. Developing your personal style is a process of editing, not accumulating. Give yourself an entire afternoon to remove everything from your shelves. Then, thoroughly clean your storage space and only put back the things you can’t live without. Don’t overthink it—just pick the things you wear first after laundry day. The rest can be stored, donated, or disposed of, but it is not allowed back in the closet!Make note of what you like.
At work, at the outlets, online—anytime you see an outfit that stirs up that tickle of jealousy in your stomach, take a second to figure out why. Take a screenshot, snap a photo, or just make a quick note of the components. As time goes on, you’ll start to see patterns forming that will help you figure out what excites you.Track your outfits daily.
There are a few reasons to do this. First of all, you’re starting a style journey, and it’ll be rewarding to look back in six months and see how far you’ve come. Also, as you start to pinpoint what you love, your past outfits can inspire your future self. And finally, gathering a little data on your wardrobe will help you plan future purchases, develop a budget, and accelerate future closet clean-outs.
You could use a notebook, a photo album on your phone, or even a spreadsheet, but I recommend the Cladwell app. It lets you track your outfits intuitively and quickly, and when you log detailed information about new purchases, it can even tell you your average cost per wear, what colors you’re most drawn to, and which items you haven’t worn in a while.Shift your mindset. If you have 15 minutes, I highly recommend listening to this Tedx talk given by an inspiring emergency room nurse. Her refreshing philosophy is all about making the most of every day, and she might just inspire you to wear the beautiful clothes you’ve been saving for a special occasion.
Embrace accessories and accents. It’s very trendy to focus on capsule wardrobes, elevated basics, and uniform dressing. But at a certain point, these concepts morph into garden-variety conformism. But if you have a closet full of Pinterest-approved neutral tones and it just doesn’t feel like you, don’t throw it all out just yet. Instead, add brightly-colored accessories, like bags, scarves, jewelry, and outerwear. Try adding an outrageous pair of sunglasses or a jaunty beret. It’s an inexpensive and low-risk way to foray into some bolder style choices.
Start a wish list. You can’t will the perfect wardrobe into being through brute force—it takes patience. Once your closet is cleaned out and you’ve started to interact with what’s left, it’s likely you’ll be able to spot the major gaps. Maybe you want a pair of non-skinny jeans, or a trench coat, or the perfect sweater vest.
Keeping a list will help you add strategic value to your wardrobe when you shop. It also helps you avoid buying more of the things you already have in excess. For example, once I cataloged my wardrobe and started making a wish list, I realized I’m not allowed to buy any more button-down shirts. They’re my weakness!Give yourself a style budget. Allocating money for clothing not only prevents overspending, but also has the psychological effect of helping you take your personal style more seriously. After all, we ideally spend money on the things that matter to us. And this budget isn’t just for new clothes. It’s also for professional cleaning, repair, and tailoring.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a lot to set aside right now. Even $10 or $20 per month will allow you to pick up some incredibly chic secondhand items! Some of my best, most versatile finds have been uncovered on days when I brought just a little cash into Goodwill and challenged myself to find the gems.Build a relationship with your clothes. When you put time and effort into crafting a personal wardrobe, something amazing happens: you won’t get tired of the items you’re wearing. For me, it has felt amazing to step out of the cycle of buying and donating trendy clothes. Now, the garments I own feel like old friends, or even like heirlooms in the making.
That means when something gets a hole or a stain, I either lovingly repair it myself or pay a professional to do so. If an item doesn’t fit quite right, I take the time to shorten it. If you don’t want to go to a tailor, pick up a roll of iron-on hem tape—it’s magic!
I want my clothes to be around for the long haul, so it’s worth it to make them perfectly comfortable.Seek inspiration. Building your wardrobe is a creative exercise, and artistic output is only as good as what you put in. Not only that, but waiting for inspiration to come to you forces you to rely on marketing, trends, and the things people around you just happen to be wearing.
Instead, try browsing magazines at a bookstore or checking out fashion history books from the library. Seek out fashion influencers on social media who have different perspectives from your own (but set a timer so you don’t get sucked into the void). Visit an art gallery, learn about interior design, watch some music videos, and my favorite—travel! Once you start to pay attention, you’ll come up with new ideas constantly.Remember: finding your personal style is a marathon, not a sprint. Try to enjoy this slow process of getting to know yourself, and avoid comparing yourself to others. Your wardrobe will never be complete—and why would you want it to be? Keep evolving, and keep having fun.
If this inspired you, I’d love for you to share it with a friend!