Having a signature style allows you to feel confident and stand out from the crowd.
When you dress in a way that’s uniquely you, others will remember you – even if you’re not around.
Like my friend Diane who loves cool leather jackets. Every time I see one, I think of her.
Another friend, Pat, always wears Estee Lauder’s “Youth Dew.” Every time I smell that scent, I think of her.
Gwen Stefani has blonde hair and red lips. Sofia Vergara wears form-fitting dresses. Ariana Grande wears high ponytails.
These are their signature elements. Things you always associate with them.
So what is your signature element?
Do you have one?
If not, you should.
Because when you have a specific way of dressing – one that draws attention to your best features and reflects your personality – it cuts through all the clutter and makes shopping a breeze.
You fill your closet with things you love and getting dressed becomes a snap.
How to Create a Signature Style
Start with a signature element, something you love – like flowers, belts, shoes, the color purple – and repeat it frequently in your outifts.
For example, let’s say that you love pink roses.
- For a relative’s evening wedding, you might wear a dress with pink rose print
- For dinner with friends, you might wear a rose print top
- For brunch with your mother, you could carry a rose print bag and wear a pink rose lapel
See how this works?
You don’t wear roses every day in every outfit, but you incorporate them often enough in your ensembles that people begin to associate them with you. Soon, you become “the rose lady.”
People may not remember your name, but they’ll always remember that you wear roses (or cool jackets, or “Youth Dew” perfume, or whatever your signature element).
So what’s the advantage of doing this?
There are several:
- You get to wear your favorite things frequently, which makes you happy
- People begin to associate your signature element with you
- Your personality shines through
- You stand out from the crowd
- You look like you’ve put some thought into your wardrobe
- You only buy the things you love
It may seem a little complicated at first, but once you master it, getting dressed becomes a snap.
Designer Carolina Herrera has loved the look of a crisp white shirt and black skirt since she was a teenager. It’s been her work “uniform” for decades.
She doesn’t always wear it, but she does about 90% of the time, because it allows her to look polished and professional, give interviews with ease, yet not overshadow her couture clients. She can dressed in less than 10 minutes, yet she’s been on the “Best Dressed” list for 40 years.
See how this works?
Polished, professional, and catering to clients.
That’s what you should strive for with your signature element.
Start With What You Have
The good news is, you don’t have to go big or elaborate and chuck your old wardrobe.
Just start with what you already have and love, and keep buying more of the same in occasion-appropriate versions. Soon, you’ll have your own work “uniform,” the one that allows you to wear your favorite things yet still be appropriately dressed.
That’s what April discovered after hashing out her signature elements:
“I’ve always loved the story of Robin Hood and have lots of medieval stuff in my house. But it never occurred to me to wear it to work, it just seemed really out of place. I started wearing things like arrow lapel pins, distressed leather belts, even a green jacket on occasion. It’s always professional, nothing too kitschy or Goth.
“I’ve enjoyed all the compliments, of course, but I’ve been FLOORED by the number of conversations these pieces have started! I had no idea I worked around so many history buffs!
“Thank you SO much for all your help! I LOVE my new signature style! It has given me so much more confidence!””
-April Beckman
Denver, Colorado
Yep – when you let your personality shine through with your signature element, you draw people to you like moths to a flame.
When you dress just like everyone else? No so much. You tend to blend into the crowd.
So think about your favorite things and start incorporating them into your wardrobe. Make them your signature element. You’ll not only stand out from the crowd, you’ll be happy all day, every day, wearing things you love.
Need more help hashing out your signature element – the pieces that are going to set you apart and help you be remembered? Signature Style Blueprint can help.
Discover how easy dressing well consistently can be!
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Diana Pemberton helps women dress better so they can earn more. Ready to get the attention, respect, and income you deserve? Signature Style Blueprint can help.
