Allison Bornstein, wardrobe stylist and brand consultant, uses a principle called the “three word style method.” Basically, you identify which three adjectives are signifiers of your unique look and apply them to your whole wardrobe. These three words sum up your personal style. They can be anything from “classic” and “elegant” to “edgy” and “bohemian.” The way Allison positioned the words and their use helped change the way I think about purchasing new clothing, what I want to invest in, and I think are a great tool to find your personal style.
How to find your three style words
Start by thinking about the adjectives that describe your favorite outfits. Are they classic, feminine, edgy, or something else? Think about your favorite outfits. What do you like about them? What makes them feel like you? Look at your Pinterest board. What are you drawn to? What are the common themes? See what looks you’re attracted to and include them in your assessment. Then, isolate which three words apply to all your best, favorite, most you looks. Ask a friend or family member for their opinion. They might be able to see something in your style that you’re not aware of. Once you have a few adjectives, start to narrow them down until you have 3 that really resonate with you.
Another way to think about the three style words is one realistic, one aspirational and one that’s a feeling. Keep in mind a piece or outfit doesn’t have to be all 3 words at once.
Once you have your 3 words, you can start to use them to guide your shopping and styling decisions. For example, if your 3 are classic, feminine, and effortless, you might look for pieces like a white button-down shirt, fitted denim jeans, and a pair of ballet flats.
Discovering my three style words
My first word is comfortable, I probably wouldn’t have listed this a couple years ago. However, as I’ve been curating my closet, selling and purchasing new things, I’ve been challenging myself with each try on to ask if I’m physically comfortable. There’s been a few purchases I’ve made where it might *look* good, but I’m self-conscious about something (ie too low cut), or it’s restrictive, itchy, etc. I end up keeping it because I like the style, but then I never reach for it because I’m not in the mood to sacrifice comfort for style. I’m now really honing in on this aspect and looking for designers and investment pieces that are comfortable, and that I want to reach for them frequently.
My next style word choice is elevated, by comfortable I don’t mean sweatpants. I mean buying a pair of jeans that aren’t stiff and cutting into my waist when I sit. I really enjoy wearing pieces that look and feel elevated, that make me feel put together, confident & sophisticated.
I spent a lot of time trying to reflect the word that would encompass the last bit of my style. Much of my wardrobe could fall into the ‘classic’ descriptor – Sezane, Mango, J.Crew, Abercrombie, etc – however I love mixing in different styles and colors/prints. Bell-bottoms, vibrant prints, jumpsuits, a unique jacket, bright colors, unique silhouettes. A lot of this experimentation I do through my clothing subscription services – right now I’m a big Nuuly fan, I’ve also done Rent the Runway & Le Tote in the past. This is my primary reason for using a clothing rental services – to choose things I would never buy, but want to wear a couple times to have fun and mix things up. They aren’t staples or closet basics. I rarely buy an item even if I love it, because I want to keep wearing and testing different styles. That’s the fun part of fashion! That’s where I landed on experimental as my last word. I find I get the most compliments on my outfits when I’m wearing one of my pieces I consider experimental.
Reminder that all 3 words don’t have to apply to every piece or outfit you buy and wear. My looks won’t always fit the experimental bill, they may be my more typical comfortable & elevated. I know for me the three word style method has really helped curate my closet and allow me to make better, more thoughtful, purchase decisions.
