Own your style: Why developing a personal fashion sense is your superpower
BY RACHNA TIWARI
There was a time early in my career when I believed that style meant keeping up with the latest trends. Whatever was on the runway or in a glossy magazine, I wore it. I thought that being fashionable was about knowing what everyone else was wearing—and then trying to wear it better.
But somewhere between the chaos of fittings, photo shoots, and late-night runway prep, I began to notice something. The people who stood out, truly stood out, weren’t necessarily the ones dressed in designer labels. They were the ones who knew exactly who they were—and wore their clothes like a second skin. That’s when I realised the most powerful tool you can have in fashion is your own sense of style.
Style vs. Fashion: Know the Difference
Fashion is external. It changes every season, often every month. It’s curated by designers, shaped by culture, and sold to us as what’s “in.” Style, on the other hand, is deeply personal. It’s how you interpret the world through clothes. It’s the language your wardrobe speaks—without you having to say a word.
Anyone can buy fashion. But style? That’s something you create, nurture, and refine.
Finding Your Style Begins With Listening to Yourself
Start with a mirror, not a magazine. What makes you feel powerful? Comfortable? Playful? Don’t ignore the pieces you always go back to—the ones you wear when no one’s watching. That’s where the clues are.
Pay attention to:
- Your lifestyle – Are you always on the go? A remote worker? A nightlife enthusiast?
- Your body – Know your shape, your posture, how fabrics fall on you.
- Your instincts – That gut feeling when you try something on and instantly smile? Follow it.
And yes, look at trends. Explore them. But treat them like seasoning, not the main course.
Experimentation Is a Phase You Should Never Outgrow
You don’t have to “find” your style once and stick with it forever. We evolve—and so should our wardrobes. I’ve had my boho phase, my tailored-androgynous phase, my full-on glam phase… and each one taught me something.
Try:
- Borrowing from people you admire—models, musicians, street style icons.
- Visiting vintage stores—where you’ll discover shapes and fabrics you won’t find in malls.
- Taking risks—wear prints, clash colours, mix high street with hand-me-downs.
You’re not trying to impress anyone. You’re collecting data about what feels right.
Style Is Also About Confidence and Consistency
Once you start understanding what works for you, build a wardrobe around it. Not just “statement” pieces, but go-to basics that feel like home: the right denim, a shirt that fits just-so, shoes you can actually walk in. Your personal style becomes part of your identity. It helps people remember you—not because you wore the loudest outfit, but because your presence was memorable. And confidence? It isn’t born from what you wear. It comes from knowing why you’re wearing it.
My Rule: Keep It Fluid
I don’t believe in boxing yourself into labels like “minimalist” or “edgy” or “Parisian chic.” We’re not Pinterest boards. We’re people. Let your style shift with your seasons. You’ll know when it’s time to clean out the closet and start over—or to dig up something you haven’t worn in years and make it new again. Fashion is the playground. Style is how you choose to play. Fashion can help you stand out. But personal style? That helps you belong—to yourself.
Don’t rush the process. Style isn’t built overnight. It’s the result of choices made over time: what you wore to your first big meeting, what you put on when your heart was broken, what made you feel beautiful on an ordinary Tuesday.
So go ahead—curate your closet like you’re curating your story. Because that’s exactly what you’re doing.
And that story? It’s already worth telling.
With a career spanning ten years, the writer has solidified her expertise in HR, entrepreneurship, and innovation ecosystem development. She is a print and ramp model, who was also featured in Vogue and Gladrags magazines.
