3 Simple Steps to Look Stylish Every Day (No Fashion Expertise Needed!)

You see other women that always look amazing and wonder, “what’s the secret?” 

The truth is that looking stylish isn’t a secret, but rather a simple set of tricks that any woman can implement.

Today I’m going to share it all with you, the easy steps you need to look great and be truly stylish every day.

Just like my clients below, who are making progress and feeling empowered no matter where they are in the journey:

I want you to know these aren’t complex high level secrets…style is accessible for any woman with just a small amount of effort.

Enjoy the read as we talk about what style is (and isn’t) and the 3 simple steps you need to look stylish.

What is Style?

“Style is very personal. It has nothing to do with fashion. Fashion is over quickly. Style is forever.” — Ralph Lauren

Style is deeply personal—it’s a visual representation of who we are on the inside. It’s fun, creative, and expressive, giving us the freedom to be both who we are and who we want to be. Your style is what sets you apart, allowing you to show up authentically, in a way that feels right for you.

Many women think they’re either born stylish or not, but that’s simply not true. Style is a skill—just like anything else—that can be learned. It’s about knowing the rules, learning when to break them, and being bold enough to burn them altogether when it feels right. The key is exploring what makes you feel confident and empowered, so your clothes become an extension of who you are.

Myths about Looking Stylish

One of the biggest myths about being stylish is the idea that following trends makes you fashionable. But fashion and personal style are two very different things. Fashion is driven by an industry that’s constantly pushing new trends, keeping us in a cycle of buying more and more. It’s creative, but it’s not always functional or sustainable.

Personal style, on the other hand, is timeless. It’s something you curate intentionally, choosing pieces that fit your life and reflect who you are at this moment. While fashion comes and goes, your style evolves with you, allowing you to build a wardrobe that serves you, rather than keeping you stuck in a cycle of constant updates. Style is about creating a look that is truly yours—one that you love and that reflects your essence, no matter what’s trending.

Trendy = Stylish

What a joke! Half the trends right now are downright ugly—unflattering, lazy, and often not designed with real women in mind. Trends change so quickly that they only represent your ability to copy what others are doing, but rarely do they suit your personal style, body, or life. Worse yet, they never express who you truly are. True style isn’t about blending in with the crowd; it’s about showing up as the best version of yourself, regardless of what’s trending.

You Need a Big Budget to Be Stylish

You don’t need a huge budget to look amazing, but what you do need is the ability to say no to frequent impulse buys. The secret to making every dollar count is being intentional—saving up for quality items that truly reflect your personal style. With a little discipline, you can create a wardrobe you love by focusing on curating timeless, versatile pieces rather than filling your closet with cheap, trendy items that won’t last.

What’s Flattering is Universal

The idea of “flattering” is entirely subjective. Not everyone loves the same colors, patterns, or cuts, and that’s a good thing! Most “body type” rules are based on the outdated belief that the hourglass figure is the ideal, and everyone should dress to create that illusion. But real style isn’t about conforming to one ideal shape—it’s about embracing what you feel best in and allowing your clothes to reflect your unique personality and body.

You Have to Constantly Buy New Clothes to Be Stylish

On the contrary, waiting and curating shows real style. The ability to resist the urge to constantly buy new clothes is a mark of self-control and confidence in your personal style. True style isn’t about having a revolving door of new items, but about carefully selecting pieces that align with who you are. When you wait for something you really want, you build a wardrobe filled with intentional, meaningful pieces rather than things you bought just because they were new or trendy.

Now that we’ve talked about all the things style is NOT, let’s talk about how to be stylish in 3 steps.

Step 1: Explore and Define Your Personal Style through Seasonal Color Analysis, Creating Goals, and Describing Your Essence

Find Your Most Flattering Colors

Finding your best colors is the first step to building a wardrobe that works for you. It’s fun, but it also produces a lifetime of wins. When you know the shades that flatter you most, every item in your closet will make you look and feel amazing. Plus, having a defined color palette creates simplicity and ease—you’ll find it so much easier to put outfits together, shop with confidence, and manage your wardrobe overall.

Click here to read all about seasonal color analysis.

Set Your Style Goals

Style is a powerful form of communication. Every time you get dressed, you’re sending a message about who you are. But if you’re not clear on what you want to say, your clothes might be saying something you don’t mean. “Our clothes are always communicating, so let’s make sure it’s intentional.” By choosing three core style concepts (for example: classic, feminine, and relaxed), you can ensure that every outfit aligns with your vision. Each day, you’ll leave the house dressed with purpose and intention.

Define Your Essence

Your essence is the core of who you are—it’s the vibe, energy, and presence you naturally bring into the world. When you pair clothing that matches your intrinsic essence, it’s like aligning your inner self with your outward appearance. Dressing in a way that is fully authentic to who you are not only boosts confidence but makes getting dressed feel effortless.

Read about all 7 style essences here.

By exploring your colors, setting intentional style goals, and defining your essence, you’ll create a personal style that feels true to you, making it easier to dress with confidence and purpose every day.

Step 2: Create a Simple Style using Easy, Repeatable Outfit Ideas that Suit Your Life

Simplicity is key to mastering personal style, and one of the best ways to achieve this is by creating a simple, repeatable style using outfit formulas that fit seamlessly into your life. The beauty of having a repeatable style is that it reduces decision fatigue, freeing you up to make better decisions about the more important things in life. Imagine cutting your morning routine down to just five minutes, knowing exactly what to wear, and still looking polished every day. A simplified style also gives you the freedom to go all in on your signature look, creating a memorable presence with minimal effort.

The Power of a Style Uniform

One of the most effective ways to create this easy, repeatable style is through a style uniform. A style uniform is simply a go-to outfit formula that works for you every time. It allows you to have a handful of pieces you love and feel great in, which you can mix and match effortlessly. This eliminates the guesswork in getting dressed and ensures consistency, no matter the occasion.

If you’re curious about how to create your own personal uniform, check out this post for a detailed guide, and this post for tips on customizing it to your preferences.

Building Your Outfit Formula

To create your style uniform, start by building an outfit formula or skeleton. This framework consists of basic pieces you can easily mix and match. For example, you might choose 4 tops, 4 bottoms, and 4 “completer” pieces (like jackets, cardigans, or accessories) that you can rotate throughout the week. These pieces should reflect your personal style and suit your daily life, making them easy to grab when you’re short on time.

By sticking to your formula, you’ll not only simplify your wardrobe but also create a cohesive, consistent look that feels distinctly you. 

Click here for the 7 outfits you need for any occassion.

Tailor Your Uniform to Fit Your Life

The most important part of creating a style uniform is making sure it suits your lifestyle. Whether you’re dressing for work, weekends, or special occasions, your uniform should reflect what you do on a daily basis. Think about your environment, your comfort needs, and how you want to feel in your clothes. When your wardrobe aligns with your life, getting dressed becomes an effortless, enjoyable experience.

By creating a style uniform and sticking to outfit formulas that work for your life, you’ll not only simplify your wardrobe but also feel more confident in your daily choices. Once your repeatable style is in place, the next step is to curate your wardrobe with intention—ensuring every piece you own serves a purpose and helps evolve your style over time.

Step 3: Use Clothing Curation Strategies to Shop with Intention, Declutter Unworn Items, and Evolve Your Style over Time

Your wardrobe is constantly evolving as you add new pieces and let go of what no longer serves you. But keeping your style true to who you are requires a mindful, intentional approach. By using clothing curation strategies, you can ensure that every item in your closet aligns with your personal style and supports your lifestyle.

Shop with Intention

One of the biggest keys to maintaining a curated wardrobe is shopping with intention. Instead of impulse buying or grabbing what’s trending, always shop with a list. Focus on the top 5 pieces you want or need that will fill gaps in your current wardrobe. This approach helps you build a closet filled with versatile, purposeful items. 

Click here to learn about the 5 piece wardrobe.

Declutter Unworn Items

Regular decluttering is essential to keeping your wardrobe manageable and functional. One of my favorite methods is to declutter by color. By focusing on the colors that no longer fit your personal palette, you can simplify the process and create more cohesion in your closet. 

Alternatively, you can take a more comprehensive approach by conducting a full wardrobe review. I recommend doing this annually to make sure every piece still serves a purpose. You can follow along with my Closet Clean-Out Challenge to help you get started.

Evolve Your Style Over Time

Your style will naturally evolve as you grow and change, but you can stay authentic by revisiting your closet regularly. I recommend reviewing your wardrobe every quarter, updating your color palette twice a year, and revisiting your style goals and essence annually. These check-ins ensure that your style remains aligned with who you are, even as you experiment with new pieces and trends.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

One of the biggest mistakes women make is impulse shopping without a plan. It’s tempting to buy something because it looks great on someone else or is part of a flash sale, but if it doesn’t align with your style or color palette, it’s not worth it. Avoid buying items just because they look good on influencers, and focus on curating pieces that suit your life and reflect your unique style.

Final Thoughts on How to Look Stylish

Style doesn’t have to be complicated, and you don’t need to follow every trend to look amazing. True style comes from authenticity—discovering your own sense of what makes you feel confident and empowered. When you focus on wearing the pieces you love that reflect who you truly are, you’ll always be in style.

Ready to take your style journey further? Download the Stylish Day Checklist to simplify your mornings and start embracing your unique style today

Related Signature Style Articles:

• Overcoming the Need to Fit in
• 4 Tips for Creating a Cohesive Closet
• How to Create a Personal Style Mood Board