We might come across a different TikTok trend or "aesthetic" to try out every week, but the best-dressed people in the world all stick to what they know works best.
Having a truly distinctive personal style means determining what works for you and never straying too far from it. Sure, it makes getting dressed every morning easier and results in a lot less shopping stress, but embracing your own uniqueness in fashion can actually have a positive impact on your overall mental health.
According to fashion psychologist Shakayla Forbes-Bell, standing out through clothing is about gaining validation, which can boost self-esteem and change the way others interact with us.
"As humans, our desire to stand out is ingrained because achieving special recognition and validation boosts our self-esteem and increases the likelihood of being rewarded. It is therefore understandable that people are drawn to creating distinctive visions. Being memorable and easily recognizable not only does it provide social benefits, but it can also boost your self-esteem," she explained.
Forbes-Bell also said that having one's own distinctive look or sense of style that is instantly recognizable to others reflects an inherent desire to be special — and those who strive for it actually tend to have greater emotional stability than those who do not.
"A distinctive personal style reflects the desire to be unique. Studies have found that people who have a strong desire to be unique are more emotionally stable and satisfied with their lives than people with a low need to be unique," she added.
In a practical sense, having a strong sense of who you are and how you want to present yourself to the world creates a sense of confidence that is hard to fake.
"I think it's incredibly powerful," says celebrity stylist Amy Croisdill, who works with Nicola Coughlan and Marisa Abella.
"You can make it your blueprint, your identity. It's really about creating a visual representation of who you are on the inside; most of the people we see, we'll never have the opportunity to interact with them, so visually you can feel like yourself and feel comfortable in your own skin when you walk down a street or walk into a room. It gives you confidence—it's like armour."
"It can actually change your behaviour. Having a great personal style isn't about looking good, it's about feeling like the truest version of yourself. Once you've determined what that is, sticking to it means that there's nothing in your wardrobe that doesn't make you feel your best," added Libby Page, director of marketing at Net-a-Porter. | BGNES
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