Get to Know Your Personal Style
by Natasha Baker, Blacksonville Correspondent

One thing that I’ve learned in my many years in the retail industry is that personal style is much more important than being a fashion guru.  Unless you are considerably wealthy, keeping up with the ever-changing styles and trends is costly, and unrealistic.

One of the first steps to building a stylish wardrobe is knowing your personal style.  Is your style classic, feminine, chic, sporty, or bohemian?  We all have a personal that reflects who we are as individuals. Use you personal style to guide your shopping experience. 

Take the time to analyze your closet.  What types of clothing do you buy on a regular basis?  Are you comfortable with that style?  Does it reflect who you are? Does it wok with you lifestyle?  Answering these questions will help reveal your personal style.

Consistency is the key to one’s personal style.  Build your wardrobe around signature pieces.  Use accessories such as bags, shoes, scarves, and jewelry to play up your look (think Jackie O's trench coat, sunglasses, and fitted T-shirts with slim pants).  Not only is it cheaper than buying a new wardrobe, but its more genuine.

After determining your style, shop stores whose clothes reflect it.  For example, if your style is classic, then stores such as Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, or Ann Taylor are ideal for your style.   Don’t forget to shop online.  Many retailers offer clothing online that is not available in the store.  

Once you have chosen stores that best suit your style, don’t immediately buy an item the first time you see it.  Clothing retailers, unless it’s a boutique, reduce items in two-week cycles.  If you see an item you like, wait a couple of weeks to buy it.  Ask a sales associate when the item came in then.  You can then estimate when it will be offered at a promotional price. When you go to purchase the item, if your size or color is not available, ask the associate to check nearby stores.  Many retailers, such as the Gap, will ship the item to you for a modest fee, like $5.

Retailers such as TJ Maxx and Marshalls are great places to find designer discounts.  These stores are great for adding pieces to your wardrobe without a big price tag. The key to shopping designer discounters is to know what days they receive their shipment, and do your shopping on those days.

Last, utilize magazines such as Lucky for inspiration.  Lucky is a magazine about shopping and style.  This magazine has great sections such as: What Works for Me, Lucky how-to, and A Month of Outfits.

 Still stumped about your personal style?  Try a style quiz.  Here is a list of a few on the Internet:

iVillage, www.quiz.ivilage.com

Ladies Home Journal, www.lhj.com

Glam, www.glam.com