I cannot stress enough the importance of learning how to develop a signature look. When you nail this, getting dressed is quick, easy, and makes sense. I like to call this process The 3R method: repeat, refine, and recognize.
Every person who’s style you admire knows what their signature look is. They’ve repeated their look, refined it over the years, and as a result you recognize them and how they are portraying themselves.
But how do you develop a signature look?
Start with your style identity, or your personal style, which we learned how to identify in Step One of this series.
When you know your style archetype, and style personality, you have the foundation for how to develop a signature look.
What is a Signature Look
A signature look is an outfit formula that is unique to you. It’s a format of dressing that you repeat and become known and recognized for.
A signature look is for women who want to stop guessing, and start being recognizable.
Think of Anna Wintour. Her signature style is usually a print, a dress, a fitted jacket, her hair (the famous bob that has never changed) and black sunglasses.
Anna’s signature look is always the same, its an outfit formula she repeats and is known for.
She exudes glamour, sophistication, and classic tailoring. This is how she represents herself, and this is what she wants to be known for.
Now let’s get you there.
How to Develop IT
Simply follow the 5 steps below to develop your signature look, be authentic and realistic. Every signature look has a repeatable visual structure, you just need to build yours.
- Choose core style elements
Silhouette: tailored, oversized, structured, fluid
Colour palette: neutrals, pastels, earth tones
Key pieces: statement eyewear, a pop of red, a leather jacket
Textures: cashmere, leather, cotton, linen - Develop outfit formulas
Think back to Anna. What core style elements will you repeat with every outfit to create a simple everyday outfit formula.
– Denim + structured jacket + aviator sunglasses
– Dress + kitten heel + oversized bag
– Neutral trousers, running shoe, cotton shirt - Personalize with signature details
This is where you can really put your own spin on the look and make it truly yours.
– Accessories (watch, hoop earrings, an oversized bag)
– Footwear (Carrie Bradshaw always wore heels)
– Fit (cropped, oversized, wide leg bottoms)
– Hair (slicked back bun, a bob, long flowy curls) - Refine as time goes on
Remember style is always evolving, changing bits here and there is part of the evolution. Notice what you gravitate towards and build on that. - Maintain consistency
Remain consistent with certain elements as repetition creates predictability, and recognition. But remember seasons will change your formulas but the core style elements will remain consistent.
The Power of A Signature Look
Your signature look is basically your personal uniform. Knowing how you want to represent yourself to the world and dressing that way every day builds confidence within yourself, and rapport with those around you.
Wearing what feels like you is the equivalent of carrying around your own security blanket, it’s also kind of cool to be known for a certain look. Others will gain inspiration from you too.
A signature look is for women who want to stop guessing, and start being recognizable.
How to Develop Your Signature Look: An Audit
Build your signature look with this 5 minute signature look audit. These questions provide you with an actionable task as a starting point.
We always start with identity, from there the task of actually putting together outfits comes. This is how to develop a signature look.
5 minute signature look audit
These answers will build your outfit formulas. Repeat this formula, and refine. This is your personal brand.
As previously mentioned, remember style is forever evolving so yours will evolve as well. Nothing is stagnant, and that’s okay! For example, textures will change as the seasons change, colours will change too.
Refine, rework, but keep some of your core elements the same as those this is your foundation.
For me, denim silhouettes change as I prefer a wide leg in the summer for air flow and a more relaxed look, and a straight in the winter to allow for tall boot tucking and a more structured look.
However, denim will always be a core style element regardless of the silhouette.
What’s Next: Understanding Proportions
In the next article, we’ll explore proportions. You’ll learn how proportion affects the way outfits look and feel, and why certain outfit formulas work better than others.
