Being Stylish = Being Unique

People often confuse personal style with following the latest fashion. On the contrary. Following fashions deprives you of the personal touch that will make your style unique and well yours.

What is the trick, then? How can we stand out from the crowd and underline the personality in each clothing item?

Uniqueness comes from the small adjustments that an individual must make to a common item in order to turn it into something completely new. A plain T-shirt could remain a plain T-shirt or could turn you into the diva that makes people turn heads on the street.

Yet you have to make the distinction between something that is stylishly bizarre and unique and the kitsch. The line is rather thin and one must balance carefully in order to promote confidence and personality.

Accessories
The key word to turning something plain into something unusual is accessories. Accessories promote your identity. Combining a simple dress with the right belt and necklace could do miracles. Same goes for your favorite jeans, hat, business suit.

You can buy accessories in all kinds of places. You will find them in small jewelry shops, souvenir shops, present booths. Accessories are even better when they are homemade. Use ribbons, beads, dried flowers, shells and all other objects that can be modified to underline your own style.

Accessories can give you the business look or that hippie individuality that you might be striving to achieve. Remember that to achieve a business look, you need to select elegant, single color and minimalistic accessories. To be a bit daring, you can always combine these with an oversized bag or a colorful scarf.

Be Consistent
Style means sticking to it and being consistent. Even if you have to change clothing for a specific occasion, it should bear your signature. When going to the fitness spot, to work and to a party you should maintain the same line.

Maintaining a style means in no way being dull or using the same little tricks over and over again. Try to focus on your favorite colors and jewelry. These have become a statement of personality and will make people recognize you regardless of circumstances.

Search for the unusual
A great way of making a personal statement is doing the exact opposite of what is considered to be fashionable right now. If fashion magazines currently promote low-waist jeans go for a high-waist skirt. This move shows that you will never be a fashion slave and that you will never compromise your style.

Revealing your personality through your home
The exact same rules apply when it comes to decorating your own home.

You can certainly follow some decoration guidelines to achieve the best looks and use of space, but you still have enough room to unleash your creative powers.

Look for furniture in unusual places. If possible make some of it yourself. The same goes for decorations. Why not paint a vase yourself? Or look for ethnic ceramics or pottery? Anything that is not mainstream and that corresponds to your understanding of style will do.

Adding personality to your style turns you from just another person to the person usually taken as an example and spoken of in coffee breaks.

Remember that to do it properly, you have to think every detail carefully through. The process will keep you from crossing the line when style turns into something too abstract to digest.