The Components of Your Signature Style

The most important trend of our fashion era is Individualism. Fashion is a melting pot of sartorial choices, trends are no longer seasonal, and fads no longer exist. Fashion is more diverse, and more accepting than ever of all sorts of styles. Trends are becoming harder to define, and at some point they will be irrelevant. That’s why developing and milking the signature components of your style is as current, modern, and 2019 as it gets.

A signature style is a set of sartorial preferences that are recognizably “your look” and consistently represented in your outfits. They make your style distinctive. They amp up the PERSONAL in personal style, and make your outfits your own. A signature style can evolve over time, but might have elements that stay the same for most of your life.

A signature style is not to be confused with a style rut. When you’re in a rut you’re bored, tired and unhappy with your style and desperately want to change things up. The components of a signature style continue to spark joy, so you keep them anchored in your look for a long period of time. There is no need to change up your signature style unless you’re tired of it.

A signature style develops quite intuitively. Often it’s a case of building onto the same set of sartorial preferences organically over time until they become a strong part of your style. You can nurture a signature style so that it’s an overt part of your look, or you can keep things subtle. It’s all good as long as your signature style makes you happy.

Developing a signature style is an exercise in learning and self-discovery that has practical benefits. Style is a celebration of individuality that emanates from within, so the more you are in tune with yourself and your needs, the happier you will be with your signature style. The more closely your signature style reflects you as a person, the easier it is to maintain, and sport with confidence and verve. Identifying your signature style helps you edit and review your wardrobe, and plan future purchases so that you shop for the right items.

This type of self-assessment can be confidence-boosting and fun, so give it a go in the comments section. I’ll go first. Here’s how I describe my signature style:

Short blonde pixie, statement eyewear, white footwear, white pearls, and flats are probably the most distinctive parts of my style. White jeans, white tops, solid items in sour brights, colourful clothing combinations, Furla handbags, lace, gold watches, denim jackets, high necklines, longer sleeves, midis, naked nails, and a good dose of trendy classic are the other elements that I consider “signature” to my style. They anchor my look and make me happy. All of that is remixed with a strong desire to emulate a polished appearance with movement, and create dressier crisp outfits with ample structure that are still soft and pretty.

Over to you. Describe the elements that are signature to your style in the comments section. If you’re unsure, feel free to post the question on our forum and we’ll get you started. I’m excited to hear you describe your signature styles. Don’t be shy.

Snakeskin Skirt for Spring

A new outfit from Janise Burrafato of Mama in Heels, whom we introduced to YLF in December 2014.

This polished neutral-toned outfit has tons of visual interest thanks to the animal print skirt. Janise is sporting a gently flared calf-length skirt that is “almost maxi” on our 5’2″ blogger. The light grey snakeskin pattern is both eye-catching and soothing. The soothing effect is created by pairing the skirt with tonal and low-contrast ribbed light grey sweater and white footwear. Both colours that are repeated in the skirt, which pulls the look together. Folding under the sweater makes it looked cropped, which lengthens the leg line. The V-shaped vamp of Janise’s pearlized block-heeled pumps does the same. She keeps the accessories simple to let the skirt do all the talking. A vintage black bag with gold hardware, large hoop earrings, turquoise cocktail ring and glossy pink lipstick amp up the polish.

Janise Burrafato - 1

Janise Burrafato - 2

Warm Weather, Long Tunic

I like warm-weather tunics worn over pants and jeans when they’re extra long with hems that finish just above the kneecap, or longer than that. Some long tunics have asymmetrical hemlines with shorter lengths on one side and ankle lengths on the other. Or they’re shorter in front and longer in the back. 

This collection shows the look I’m describing.

These extra long tunics can be woven or knitted, sleeved or sleeveless, and any colour or pattern. Fabrics are usually soft and drapey, but can also be stiff like button-down shirts. Silhouettes are straight, A-line, fit-and-flared, or cocoon, to allow for comfortable movement. The trick is to keep them fairly streamlined so that you don’t feel like you’re wearing a tent with too much fabric flapping about. Hemlines that are asymmetrical or rounded with side slits tend to look more flattering, because diagonal lines and curved hems add structure to the volume of the silhouette, and look more interesting too.

Bottoms like cropped skinnies, cropped straights, cropped flares, leggings, jeggings, cigarette pants, wider straights, and full-length bootcuts look smashing under extra long tunics. If the tunics are overly sheer, wear a camisole that is the same colour or low contrast to the bottoms to create a column of colour under the tunic. If you want to create the longest lean line, wear a tunic that is low contrast to the bottoms. Wear anything from the highest heel to the flattest flat, depending on your preference. Showcase your feet in sandals, sandal booties or slides, or keep them covered in ballet flats, mules or pumps.

I find the combination of extra long tunic and slimmer bottoms dramatic, elegant, easy, a little ‘70s, beautiful in motion, and very comfortable. It’s forgiving on the midsection and extra bits. I do like the look best sans topper, which makes it a warm-weather outfit for me. But the right topper — either short or long — can look fab too.

ADAM LIPPES Cady Skinny Pants

I love the version above with the long white shirt, cigarette pants, and thong sandals. I’d sub ballet flats for the thong sandals and do a similar shirt in light blue. I’m not sure I’d like a style as long and as cut away in front because it can be awkward when you sit. But I like the vibe. What do you think of these warm weather, extra long tunic looks?

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

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Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

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Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

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Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

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Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

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Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

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Thirteen Years of YLF

I was 35 when I started YLF, and I turn 50 next year. I can’t believe we’ve come so far, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. Helping people to find their personal style, solving style challenges, keeping up with an evolving industry, lifting people up when they’re down about their style, and striving for more diversity and acceptance in fashion, all feels like a calling. I feel I can do this forever because my experience and opinions evolve with each passing year. That keeps things interesting, and the topics fresh.

After 27 years of experience in the international rag trade, I have a lot to say! We haven’t missed a working weekday of posting in thirteen years. But YLF is not about me and my style — it’s about YOU and YOUR style. I do use myself as an example, and I have posted outfits in the past, but I’m not an outfit blogger. It took me two years before I even showed myself on YLF.

You are what makes YLF exceptional. You graciously share your wit and wisdom in blog comments and forum posts. Your thoughtful, compassionate, intelligent and insightful contributions enrich my life, make me grow as a person, and provide me with daily inspiration. From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU for the support. And thank you for helping me to spread the word that style is not an age, dress size or budget. It’s an energy and confidence that is expressed through what you wear and how you wear it.

I’d love to hear how you found YLF, and how long you’ve been lurking or participating. It blows me away when I think that some have been participating on YLF since its inception thirteen years ago. WOW.

Outfit Formula: Swish Black Leggings

These combinations are for those who enjoy wearing black leggings in a dressier way. So no sneakers, hoodies, sweatshirts, or oversized pullovers. Body-con black Ponte pants work as well as leggings. Leggings that are thick, substantial and opaque work best. Leggings and Ponte pants are often a favourite bottom for curvier body types because they stretch and comfortably fit over curves on the thighs, bottom and hips, while being sufficiently structured at the waist.

1. Hard Edge and Flowing Drape

I like the juxtaposition of the hard-edged moto leggings and soft drapey tunic. The high-low hemline creates interesting and flattering diagonal lines. The ankle baring shooties are a trendy touch. They break up the black on the leg line yet elongate because the leggings and shoes are the same colour. The high-contrast top is lively and vibrant, but feel free to wear any colour up top in a solid or pattern.

Eloquii Miracle Flawless Moto Legging

2. Arty and Asymmetrical

Combine an asymmetrical black dress with black leggings and add strappy sandals, Mary Janes, or ankle strap pumps. Here, the cold shoulders break up the expanse of black, as do the two-toned strappy pumps and metal necklace. These subtle details make the outfit more warm weather friendly, and interesting since the textures of the dress and leggings are similar and therefore quite flat. Snakeskin and leopard shoes would be fab too.

Planet Peekaboo Dress

3. Trendy and High Contrast

Combine black leggings with a black top and trendy oversized and longer blazer that you can close in a neutral or non-neutral. If wearing a fitted blazer that’s open in front is more your thing, wear a top that is a similar length to the blazer. The daring and very bold neon boots are an acquired taste, so feel free to swap them out with a colour that’s more to your taste. Personally, I think they make the look. I like the slits in the front of the leggings too.

Zara Faux Leather Leggings

4. Modern Classic

Combine black leggings or Ponte pants with a white shirt or blouse and finish off the look with black loafers and a cocoon coat or cardigan that’s a lot longer than the top. I love the tonal effect of the top and topper, but feel free to make them different colours and high contrasting. No need to stick to white, and by all means throw in a pattern.

Pilcro High Rise Denim Legging