How to Decode Your Personal Style
"I’m just a girl, standing in front of a closet, asking it to love her.” - Inspired by Notting Hill
If that line feels all too real, you’re not alone. You’re a powerhouse, balancing work, family, and life with the grace of a pro. But when it comes to your style, it often feels like you’re operating in the negative, like there’s nothing left to draw from. That’s where I come in, helping you rebuild with intention so your wardrobe gives back instead of taking away.
The truth is, style at this stage of life isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about creating outfits that feel age-appropriate, flattering, and true to who you are. You deserve all of that and more.
What I teach women is that style is about intention, not chance. The process begins by noticing, naming, and refining until your wardrobe reflects your best self.
Your style is already within you. All you need is a way to bring it forward with intention. These five steps will help you start decoding your style and turning your wardrobe into a source of confidence.
1. Where You Show Up
Your life circles influence your style more than you think. Work, weekends, volunteering, social gatherings… each one pulls on different parts of your closet.
Your past may play a role too. One client of mine grew up in a thrifty household where every penny was stretched. As an adult, she swore she’d never thrift again because it felt like not having enough. Those “style scars” can stick with us, but they don’t have to define us.
The question to ask is simple: What serves me now? Not what served you at 15, or what fit in at work, or what social media says you should wear. When you notice the pieces that feel like you across settings—you start to see your authentic style.
2. What Inspires You
Style doesn’t only come from fashion magazines. It’s everywhere! Movies, concerts, and culture often spark what ends up in our closets.
Think about the Barbie movie (2023) and how it made pink powerful again, or Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which sent sequins and bold colors flying off racks. When you find yourself inspired, ask: What part of this excites me—the color, the silhouette, the mood?
That’s where mood boards come in. Whether it’s Pinterest or a simple folder on your phone, collect images of outfits you love. Don’t edit. Just pin what lights you up. Over time, patterns will emerge. You’ll see your style staring back at you.
Sample Style Mood Board - Classic and Chic
3. How It Feels
Clothes speak. Pick something up and notice: is it saying fun, comfortable, powerful, or maybe “not today”?
Here’s a stylist trick: choose three style words that describe the vibe you want and the image you want to project. Maybe it’s confident, approachable, modern. Or chic, effortless, creative. When shopping, ask: Does this piece align with at least two of my words?
And finally, track the emotional ROI of your outfits. Snap a photo each day and jot down how you felt. Over a few weeks, you’ll spot the looks that energize you versus the ones that weigh you down. That’s gold.
4. Energy Check
In midlife, energy often feels like the first thing to disappear and the hardest to recharge. Perimenopause symptoms can sneak up on you: hot flashes, brain fog, weight changes, and fatigue. One day you’re cruising, the next your body feels like a stranger.
This is your cue to pause. Sometimes oils, supplements, or self-care help. But here’s another tool: style itself can be a form of energy medicine.
When you’re having a hard day, dressing in a way that makes you feel good gives you back a measure of control. A bold color can lift your mood. A polished outfit can remind you that this too shall pass. Being intentional with style is not about vanity. It’s about honesty with yourself: I want to feel good, even when things feel hard.
Before shopping or getting dressed, check in: Where’s my energy today? If you’re drained, give yourself grace. If you have a little spark, ignite it with clothes that honor how you want to feel.
5. What to Do Next
Decoding your style doesn’t need to be complicated. Start with this simple roadmap:
Notice what you wear most and when you feel your best.
Choose your three style words.
Collect inspiration through a mood board.
Track how your outfits make you feel.
Refine: let go of what doesn’t serve you, and build around what does.
Style Q&A
Q: How do I know if I’m too old to follow trends?
A: You’re never “too old.” The trick is adapting trends to feel authentic. Instead of copying head-to-toe, take a color, print, or detail and make it your own.
Q: Can I have more than one style?
A: Absolutely. Most women shift slightly depending on the setting—work vs. weekends vs. social events. The key is finding a throughline (your 3 words) that keeps you consistent.
Q: What if I feel stuck in a rut?
A: Start with a mood board. Collect images without judgment. You’ll quickly see new directions your style wants to take. Sometimes the spark comes from one color, one silhouette, or even one accessory.
Q: Do I need to do a color analysis first?
A: Color analysis is powerful because it narrows your choices and makes everything easier. But you don’t have to wait. Start with your style words and vibe, then layer in color for even more clarity.
Final Thought
Your style isn’t hiding in a trend or an influencer’s feed. It’s already inside you. It’s shaped by your experiences, your inspirations, and your feelings.
When you give yourself permission to notice, name, and refine, you’ll never again feel like you have “nothing to wear.” Instead, you’ll have a wardrobe that reflects who you are—confidently, joyfully, and unapologetically.
Stay Connected With Me
💌 Want more style decoding tips? Join my email list and get fresh insights on color, confidence, and creating a wardrobe you’ll actually love. Sign up here
📅 Ready to stop second-guessing your style? Book a complimentary call with me today. I’ll help you take the first step toward a wardrobe that works for you. Schedule here
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💜 With love and style, Laura