Personal Style vs Fashion Trends: Finding What Truly Suits You
In a world where fashion imagery floods our screens, from TikTok reels to glossy campaign shoots, it’s all too easy to conflate fashion trends with personal style. Yet as a practising personal stylist, I’ve seen again and again how this confusion can leave people feeling overwhelmed, under‑confident, and unsure about what to wear — even though they spend significant amounts on clothing each year. In the UK alone, consumers spend around £43.8 billion annually on clothes, footwear and accessories, yet about half of people still struggle to define their personal style.
Understanding the difference between trends and style — and how to balance them — can feel like a deep, subjective journey. This article breaks down the core concepts and gives you practical, thoughtful tools to discover what truly suits you.
1. What Are Fashion Trends and Why Do They Matter?
Fashion trends are collective movements in what people wear, driven by designers, retailers, celebrities and increasingly by social platforms. They are often ephemeral: one season’s “must‑have” item can be forgotten the next.
For example, fashion editors and trend prognosticators constantly highlight new interpretations of classic pieces — such as the blazer — as the next it‑item for upcoming seasons.
Why trends matter:
They reflect cultural shifts and aesthetic moods.
They give fresh ideas for how clothes can be worn and combined.
They can be fun and playful, offering a way to experiment.
However, trends are temporary by design — they’re not tailored to your unique body, lifestyle or personality. And, increasingly in the UK, many shoppers are choosing to step back from trend chasing. In a recent UK survey, 58 % of 18‑ to 35‑year‑olds said they had no intention of following fashion trends, and 77 % said longevity of clothing is more important than trendiness.
2. Personal Style: What It Really Is
Personal style is your way of expressing who you are through clothing. It’s a long‑term reflection of your values, preferences, lifestyle and comfort — not an index of what’s currently on every fashion bulletin.
A helpful way to think about the distinction:
Fashion = the cultural field of clothing and design.
Trends = short‑lived popular looks within fashion.
Style = the enduring, personal expression of you.
Style isn’t built overnight. It matures and evolves with your experiences — and can be deeper than any “trend aesthetic” on social media.
3. The Psychological Dimension of Style
Clothing isn’t just fabric; it communicates confidence, mood and identity. British consumers have reported feeling pressure to wear “the right things” — yet often lack confidence or a starting point to develop their personal style.
Personal style connects outward expression with inner self‑perception. When you dress in a way that resonates with you, you often feel more authentic and grounded — and that translates into confidence.
4. The Problem with Chasing Every Trend
Following every trend can lead to:
Wardrobe clutter: many impulse purchases that don’t work together.
Style drift: outfits that feel more like everyone else’s than your own.
Financial waste: buying clothes that quickly go out of fashion.
Because trends are fleeting by nature, clothes bought only for the latest craze often become redundant — meaning they’re worn less and replaced more frequently. That’s both financially and environmentally costly.
5. How to Discover Your Personal Style — Tools & Techniques
Here are practical ways to start distinguishing what fits you from what’s trending:
A. Wardrobe Audit
Take stock of what you already own. Note which items you wear most often and which you never reach for. Ask yourself:
Why do I love these pieces?
What qualities do they share — colour, cut, texture?
This exercise reveals your natural preferences and helps filter out trends that don’t resonate.
B. Three‑Word Style Definition
Try summarising your style in three words — for example: elegant, relaxed, minimal. This creates an intentional compass for future outfit decisions and shopping.
C. Moodboarding and Visual Exploration
Collect images that truly speak to you — not just trending feeds. Pinterest, magazines, and even old lookbooks can help you spot authentic patterns and aesthetics that appeal personally.
D. Test Trends Thoughtfully
Some trends can enhance your wardrobe if they align with your style definition — eg. a trending silhouette in a colour you love. But the key is adaptation, not imitation.
6. Why Fit and Comfort Should Always Take Priority
Recent surveys of UK women show that fit and comfort strongly influence confidence in clothing choices — more so than trendiness for many. In one study, 66 % said fit is the most crucial factor, and 55 % put comfort above following trends.
These findings remind us that style isn’t just aesthetic — it must feel good in the body you live in.
7. Building a Wardrobe with Purpose
A thoughtful wardrobe blends timeless staples with occasional trend accents:
Staples: high‑quality basics that flatter your shape and colour palette.
Trend accents: small updates that feel authentic to you.
Functional pieces: clothes that work for your daily life.
Instead of buying because it’s trendy, choose items that:
Harmonise with your chosen style words.
Feel comfortable and confidence‑boosting.
Can be worn season after season.
8. Final Thought: Style as a Lifelong Journey
True personal style is not static. It evolves as you change — through life stages, roles, experiences and self‑awareness. Unlike trends, it’s less about what’s “in” and more about what feels right.
By prioritising self‑knowledge, thoughtful reflection and intentional curation, you can build a wardrobe that genuinely expresses your identity — and enjoy getting dressed for you, not for the calendar of fashion weeks.
Unlocking your personal style doesn’t have to be a solo journey. Together, we’ll dive deep into your unique proportions and style DNA during my Body Shape and Personal Style consultation whether you’d prefer to meet in Leeds or connect online.