Before beginning, you need to first understand that a signature style or look is not as simple as it sounds. It is a process that can take years to truly develop, and even then has a way of shifting slightly based on the individual’s life, increasing maturity level, and by new current trends. These changes range from very minor to drastic, depending on how swayed by external stimuli you are. Someone who cares little about things in fashion except their own individual taste will see very little change in their personal style, as the choices made will always lead them back to the same general look. A person who is very concerned with what’s hot and what others are wearing will find that their personal style blows like a palm in a hurricane, in which case I recommend a wallet that can support the habit.

The ladies featured in my favourite show and movies, Sex and the City, display some good examples of individual signature styles. Even if you have only watched the show a few times, you can see that each of the four ladies has their own style, distinct to their personality – Charlotte’s classic sophistication; Miranda’s business chic with dashes of revealing elements thrown in; Samantha’s more risqué and edgy style; and of course my girl Carrie, who sports outrageous, trendy, and even odd styles.

Another thing to keep in mind is that personal style doesn’t mean that you love a scooped neck shirt and skinny jeans, and so you fill your closet with varying types of these two garments in different colours and brands. It is not as simple as selecting one thing you like and just duplicating it. Signature styles tend to involve words like ‘rugged’, meaning that you can be dressed in anything from a tuxedo, all the way down to a t-shirt and jeans and have a rugged feel. Or ‘architectural’, which basically means you like things involving more structure, with lots of straight lines and stiffness. Or it can be an undefined style as individual as you are. The point is, it doesn’t have to be named or tagged, but is just a general theme running through most, if not all, of the clothes you buy and love to wear, and very importantly things which are highly flattering to you.

The best place to start, like in so many other things in life, is by studying. I know, I know, you thought your days of studying were done after you graduated, right? But no worries, this studying should be fun. My advice is to beg, borrow, or buy as many current fashion magazines as you can. Then go through them looking for fashion elements, garments, and looks which interest, intrigue, or inspire you. Television is another good avenue for this. Don’t limit yourself to what you wear now. You don’t have to pay for anything, so picture yourself in everything you see, and then make a mental or physical note of those things that you think could work. Analyze based on your taste, your body shape, your skin tone, your height, etc. Try and figure out what it is about each thing that you like. This goes for even those things you don’t necessarily think you can wear. There may be a shirt, for example, which is absolutely too low cut for your taste, but it still catches your eye because its bodice is so well tailored and fit. Now, even though you hate the top you are looking at, you know that you should look for tailored blouses and jackets for yourself.

The next step is to find a store that has a range of styles, sizes, and brands in dresses, tops, pants, and shoes. Commit a good amount of your spare time to visiting this store – the ideal is for this to be the only thing you have to do on that day. Shower, dress, and go directly to this store. (So you are as clean as possible when trying on their products). Don’t forget your notes. Upon entering the store, walk around, look for items that match or are similar to the things you saw, chose, or liked in the magazines. I advise you pick up as many things as possible. Most stores have a limit on how many pieces you can take into the dressing room. If so, hang everything you pick outside of the room, and only take things in as you need them. Slip on each piece as you would wear them. That means no trying on thing over other garments, unless that is the intended look. Also, if a dress or top is meant to be belted, find a belt in the store to put on so you can truly see how it will look. Don’t leave anything up to your imagination, even if it means you have to ask for a pair of heels to slip on so you can see the finished look.

This part of the process gives you a better idea, out of the vast list of everything you like in fashion, of what works for you. Here you will learn if items that you were head over heels about flatter, and hide your flaws. On the flip side, some of those things that scared you or that you weren’t sure about will turn out to be exactly the sort of clothes you should be wearing. Here is where you establish if ruffle placement makes you look wider in places you don’t need, or want, width; if darts or tapering of the garment make too much snugness in areas which need to be concealed, and so on. Keep an eye out for elements in fashion that give the wrong visual illusion to each part of your body. If you think its necessary, bring a camera to snap a quick picture of yourself in each item. Use the mirror to get a front and back view. The end result of this step of the process is that the huge list of possible styles you could wear is cut down to only those things that pass the test of correct sizing, flattery, and suitability to body proportions – which simply means it fits properly, it hides any body flaws, and it looks good on your body type.

The final step, which only comes into play once you are ready to purchase the new pieces that will become part of your signature look, is ensuring the correct size and colour. As stylish as any item of clothing is, wrong sizing, an ill fit, or the incorrect colour for the wearer’s skin tone can totally overshadow it. No one will care if you have on the world’s sexiest dress made by the planet’s hottest designer if it is loose, or overly tight, or makes you look drained of colour. Remember, onlookers tend to always find the negatives before they acknowledge the positives.