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There have been many times when I purchased an item of clothing I thought was beautiful or cool, only to never wear it because it isn’t “me.”
One way to avoid that is to know your personal style and stick to it. Both of those tasks can be challenging, though.
First, figuring out your personal style takes some time and introspect. As outlined in this Master Class article, the best place to start is your own closet. Take time to examine your clothes and figure out which ones bring a smile to your face immediately and which ones are just sort of there. For me, dresses with colorful prints make me happy. Pants are a necessary evil.
The next step is to explore the outside world for outfits that you love. Look first to friends and family members whose style you admire. Then look to specific celebrities who frequently catch your attention. In particular, I watch HRH Princess Catherine and HRH Queen Letizia of Spain.
Finally, find a way to document and organize what you find. The Master Class article suggests a “mood board,” which you can easily create on Pinterest. You can also physically organize the particular clothes you love into one section in your closet to keep track of the items that bring you joy.
With all of that for a basis, the clothes that make you happy might not be the ones that make you feel most powerful. For example, while I love my floral dresses, I find that a structured dress in red or blue comes to mind first when I think of dressing powerfully. A white dress/skirt suit also makes me feel both feminine and confident.
Identifying which clothes make you happy will serve as a solid basis for figuring out which ones make you feel most powerful. Perhaps your well-fitted pants conjure confidence for you.
Whatever your style, take some time to learn what that means to you. That way, when you’re preparing your outfit, you’ll know for certain what outfits will create a sense of power for you.