How to Define Your Personal Style Using 3 Keywords

Have you heard about the 3-keyword approach to defining your personal style? It’s an approach I use with my clients, and it works wonders. It’s a simple way to pinpoint your style by selecting keywords that truly resonate. These words then become the foundation for curating your wardrobe, ensuring every outfit aligns with the image you want to project.

What Are Style Keywords?

Style keywords are adjectives that describe how you want to be perceived (and feel) through your clothing choices. These keywords help you focus on your personal style and the key elements you want to express. Whether you’re aiming for a sophisticated, playful, or empowered look, your chosen words will guide your styling decisions.

Unlike traditional approaches focusing on body shape, weight, or even the Kibbe body typing system, the 3-keyword method is refreshingly simple. There’s no need to analyse yin or yang elements or worry about proportional perfection. Instead, this approach is about defining your style identity and how you want to feel every day when you get dressed.

Word Search for Style Inspiration

To help you brainstorm your style keywords, I’ve created a fun 25×25 word search filled with descriptive words. From “Empowered” to “Whimsical,” these words will inspire you to reflect on what you want your style to express.

Try it out and see which words stand out to you!

FIND YOUR KEYWORDS

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Note: this wordsearch is best viewed on a desktop

There are 27 descriptive keywords hidden in this word search for you to find. If you find all 27, let me know in the comments—I will think of something to give you as a prize!

Examples of Style Keywords

To spark your creativity, here’s a list of popular style keywords:

• Empowered, Bold, Dynamic
• Refined, Elegant, Timeless
• Playful, Whimsical, Romantic
• Sophisticated, Confident, Professional
• Effortless, Minimal, Relaxed
• Edgy, Rebellious, Cool
• Retro, Fun, Unique

These words provide a starting point, but the beauty of the 3-keyword approach is its flexibility. Your words can be completely unique to you!

Why Choose 3 Keywords?

Three words are just enough to cover the essence of your personal style without overwhelming you. Each word plays a role in shaping the story you tell through your outfits. For example:

• Professional, Approachable, Creative: Ideal for someone who wants to stand out in the workplace while remaining relatable and innovative.
• Effortless, Feminine, Elegant: Perfect for someone who loves timeless looks with a touch of grace.
• Bold, Dynamic, Edgy: Great for those who embrace trends and want their style to make a statement.

By sticking to three keywords, you ensure clarity and consistency in your wardrobe choices. You’ll start to see how specific colours, fabrics, and silhouettes align with your chosen words.

Why This 3-word Approach Works

The 3-keyword method simplifies the process of defining your style. It removes the pressure to conform to specific body types or trends and instead focuses on your unique identity. By embracing this approach, you’ll:

• Gain confidence in your style choices.
• Save time when shopping and getting dressed.
• Build a cohesive wardrobe that feels true to you.

Using Your Keywords to Build a Wardrobe

Once you’ve chosen your three keywords, they’ll serve as a guide for building a wardrobe that aligns with your personal style. Here’s how:

1. Wardrobe Audit
   Go through your current wardrobe and assess which pieces align with your keywords. If your keywords are “Effortless, Feminine, Elegant,” do your clothes reflect that? Upcycle, reinvent, donate, or sell items that don’t fit your vision. Consider a clothes swap before embarking on buying new clothes.
2. Shopping with Intention
   Use your keywords as a filter when shopping. For example, if one of your keywords is “Playful,” look for clothes in bright colours, fun patterns, or unexpected details.
3. Outfit Planning
   Before putting an outfit together, think about how it reflects your keywords. Does it make you feel confident, aligned, and true to your style identity?
4. Revisit Your Keywords Periodically
   Personal style evolves, and your keywords may change over time. Check-in with yourself every year to see if your words still resonate.

Final Thoughts

Defining your personal style using 3 keywords is an empowering and transformative process. It’s not about following rigid fashion rules or trends but about expressing your authentic self. Take the time to explore, reflect, and experiment. Once you’ve found your three words, you’ll feel more confident and aligned with your personal style than ever before. If you enjoyed this, try the style archetype quiz (above).

How many words did you find? What will your three words be for your new style chapter?

Share them in the comments below—I’d love to hear your style goals!