If you’re tired of getting lost in a sea of “sweatpants and Uggs”, I’ve divulged a “how to” for your type. And don’t worry, you won’t get called “offbeat.” But then again, being offbeat isn’t always necessarily a bad thing. You’re just going against the grain.

You’re just learning how to create and cultivate your own personal style.


“Personal style only will affect how I dress.”


True personal style is something that affects all aspects of your life. Style goes beyond labels. It stems from how you tie a scarf, how you carry the phone, what you order at Starbucks, your gait, etc. Little things like that you most likely aren’t even aware of! Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. You owe it to yourself to create the image the world will see you as. And if the world likes you so much, they’ll be inspired and you’ll be a muse.

How do I find a muse?


Think of someone that you would admire or look to, and why you look up to them. Muses can be defined as by how they dress and/or how they carry themselves. They push boundaries and operate based on how they feel. Although they would “try anything once”, they would never try something that wasn’t in their best interests.

One of my favorite muses is classic actresses like Audrey Hepburn. I’m one of those types who can watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s over and over again (Who knows? I probably did!). Sure, Audrey puffed away on cigarettes (her vice, perhaps), but she was also noted for her exquisite fashion and how composed she remained given any life situation. Of course, her image is one thing, but googling your muse will help you find out about what their life is really like.

I’ve gained the opportunity of doing a report on Audrey Hepburn for a previous English class. While researching Audrey Hepburn, I’ve also learned about her devoted faith to humanity (her work with UNICEF.). I received an A on that essay.

Audrey Hepburn’s fans, both young and old, admired her for her many accomplishments. Some of them may have even wanted to be her. But, be careful. Style is simply, you. If you can’t be faithful about who you are, people will see right through you.

Where do I begin?

Now. Most people start with fashion magazines. It’s easy to dream about marrying a handsome husband and rushing off to the South of France to spoon on the beach. However, many people don’t have this luxury. When you get to the last page of that fashion magazine, what do you see? Well, you may find yourself in a very average, but cozy bed before you take a peek outside your window and realizes it very definitely does not look like the South of France. It just doesn’t make sense, does it? Aren’t stylish people technically from stylish cities such as Paris or New York?

Well, that’s not always true. The trick is to find the beauty in what you currently have, put together a plan, and work your way from there.

Assess your current strengths and weaknesses, as you take your daily routine into consideration. Look at how you react and perform. Maybe you can change your tone of voice when you’re irritated. Maybe you can set your alarm clock earlier so you don’t always have to walk into class or work a few minutes past the hour. These are only a few solutions, but the right attitude can be very attractive.

Some advice

My advice is to photograph some of your favorite outfits. This is helpful for two reasons: A) If you tend to procrastinate, it helps you decide at the last minute. and B) It gives you time to allow yourself what you’re wearing, and what you would do differently next time. This will help you decide what you need when you go shopping next time, as opposed to catching any last minute sales or impulse buys.

Do you have a muse that you admire? Why do you look up to them and what have you learned from them? (Note: A muse doesn’t necessarily have to be a famous figure to society! It can be someone that you know personally.)