They say you should never judge a book by its cover. It’s believed that the true depths of a person aren’t defined by what’s on the outside but what’s inside. Although these statements are accurate for the most part, an individual’s outer appearance can and does provide basic insight into their personality, creativity, and overall well-being. 

Think about it. If you show up to a job interview in outdated, dingy clothing with messy hair and damaged nails, it gives interviewers the impression that you don’t practice self-care nor concern yourself with your appearance. You can have the educational, personal, and professional experience to do the job you’re applying for, but your outer appearance could easily cause them to select another candidate. 

Personal Style

That’s where personal style comes into play. What you wear says a lot about who you are. It’s a freedom of expression that enables you to show off your personality. Fashion is essentially a personal billboard that lets others know just how awesome you are. So, if your wardrobe is outdated, ill-fitting, or simply dull, perhaps it’s time to switch things up. Continue reading to learn ways to add character and personality to your closet. 

Purge

The first bit of essential advice would be to analyze your wardrobe and purge like crazy. If you’re honest with yourself, there are things that you should have gotten rid of a long time ago. Anything that’s beyond repair, outdated, or no longer interesting to you should either be discarded, donated to charity, or sold for extra cash. 

Define Your Personality

If you’re going to create a wardrobe that reflects your authentic self, you must first understand what you’re trying to express. Who are you as an individual? More importantly, how does that match your current wardrobe? If you’re fun, outgoing, colorful, and bold, but your closet is filled with bland, basic pieces with little color and style, then you have a lot of work to do. Try to narrow your personality and fashion sense down to a few adjectives like chic, classic, quirky, couture, vintage, etc. 

Find Inspiration 

The next step is finding fashion inspiration from others you believe have similar personalities and interests to yours. You can check out the social media pages of your favorite celebrities, designers, or influencers. Fashion magazines and blogs are also excellent sources of inspiration for learning about what’s trending. The idea is to look for staple items or concepts used to create a wardrobe that screams, “that’s so you.” 

Accessorize

Accessories can take any outfit from dull and drab to fashion-forward in an instant. They’re also an affordable item to add to your wardrobe if you’re starting from scratch on a limited budget. The right earrings, bracelets, pocketbook, hat, scarf, or belt adds creativity and enhances personal style. 

You might find a lovely statement necklace, reading glasses with funky frames, a hat with vibrant colors, a pair of socks with your favorite cartoon character on them, or some costume jewelry that you can mix and match with different outfits. Of course, splurging on a few unique accessories like vintage Cartier jewelry is worth the investment. 

Repurpose

You don’t have to throw away everything in your closet to develop a wardrobe with personality. Believe it or not, some fashions never go out of style. Repurposing items in your closet saves you money, adds character, and shows off your creativity. For instance, taking a plain pair of jeans, distressing them, and adding a few artistic features like paint splashes, jewels, or bleach stains brings it back to life. 

Go Shopping

Finally comes the fun part in creating a wardrobe with personality and style – shopping, especially during the holidays. Determine your budget, make a list of items you’d like to purchase, and head to your favorite mall, shopping center, or eCommerce site. Depending on your budget, you can buy things one piece at a time or splurge on a few outfits and accessories at once. 

While it might seem like fashion and style are superficial, the reality is they’re a big part of expressing your individuality. If your dull wardrobe puts a damper on your mood or opportunities for social and professional growth, it’s not too late to make changes. Use the above advice to put your spin on fashion and style for a boost in confidence, unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.