This post is all about personal style words
In the ever-changing landscape of fashion, there’s one approach that has stood the test of time. Personal Style Words, recently popularised by celebrity stylist Alison Bornstein as the Three Word Method, but a longtime secret among professional stylists, might just be the solution to your wardrobe woes. Here’s why this deceptively simple technique creates the foundation for a closet that truly feels like you.
The Power of Personal Style Words
The chaos of trend cycles has perhaps never been more pronounced than now. Between TikTok’s micro-trends, fashion’s accelerated seasons, and the constant pressure to reinvent ourselves, developing a cohesive personal style can feel like an impossible pursuit.
Enter personal style words: a deceptively simple exercise that cuts through the noise to establish a style foundation that’s both authentic and adaptable. While celebrity stylist Alison Bornstein has recently brought this technique into the mainstream conversation through her viral TikTok series, professional stylists have long employed this methodical approach when working with clients.
The concept is refreshingly straightforward—identify three words that capture the essence of your desired aesthetic. These words become your style North Star, guiding everything from major investment pieces to everyday shopping decisions.
“When you have clarity about your personal style, you shop with intention rather than impulse,” explains fashion psychologist Dr. Carolyn Mair in her research on consumer behaviour. “This doesn’t just benefit your aesthetic, it creates a more sustainable approach to fashion.”
Why Personal Style Words Work
The genius of this method lies in its constraints. Personal style words create enough structure to be useful while allowing sufficient flexibility to evolve. Unlike rigid style categories that might feel limiting (minimalist, bohemian, preppy), your style words can combine seemingly contradictory elements into something uniquely you.
Perhaps more importantly, having these words articulated transforms abstract preferences into concrete decision-making tools. When faced with the overwhelming options of modern retail, your three words act as a filter, immediately eliminating items that don’t align with your intentional aesthetic.
The results are transformative: a more cohesive wardrobe, reduced decision fatigue, fewer regrettable purchases, and a distinctive personal style that transcends fleeting trends.
Finding Your Personal Style Words: A Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Gather Visual Inspiration
Before attempting to define your style in words, collect images that resonate with you. This could include:
- Fashion editorials that capture your attention
- Outfits from style icons whose looks you consistently admire
- Your own outfits that made you feel most confident
- Interior design, architecture, or artwork that speaks to your aesthetic sensibilities
Create a digital mood board using Pinterest or save these images in a dedicated folder. Don’t overthink this process—simply collect what intuitively appeals to you.
Step 2: Identify Patterns
Now comes the analytical phase. Study your collection and look for recurring elements:
- Colour palettes (Are you drawn to neutrals, jewel tones, or pastels?)
- Silhouettes (Do you prefer structured pieces, flowing fabrics, or a mix?)
- Textures and materials (Do leather, silk, denim, or knits dominate?)
- Styling approaches (Is there minimalism, layering, or statement accessories?)
- Overall mood (Does your collection feel romantic, edgy, relaxed, or polished?)
Take notes on these patterns, they’ll form the foundation for your three words.
Step 3: Draft Your Word List
Based on the patterns you’ve identified, create a list of potential style descriptors. Include adjectives that capture:
- The aesthetic qualities (sleek, vintage, bohemian)
- The emotional response (powerful, comfortable, playful)
- The cultural references (French, ’70s, architectural)
Don’t limit yourself at this stage; write down every word that might apply.
Consider using Chat GPT to help get your creative juices flowing.
Step 4: Refine to Three
Now comes the challenging part: distilling your expansive list to just three definitive words. Consider which combinations most accurately represent:
- Who you are now
- Who you aspire to be
- What feels authentic rather than aspirational
- Words that can work together without contradicting each other
Remember that your three words should feel complementary but not redundant. For example, “minimal, clean, simple” essentially repeats the same concept three times, whereas “minimal, textural, architectural” creates a more nuanced style profile.
Step 5: Test Your Words
The final step is validating your chosen words. Do they accurately reflect your aesthetic intentions? Can they guide real-world decisions? Try using them to evaluate items already in your wardrobe or when considering new purchases.
If your words are “refined, unexpected, comfortable,” ask yourself whether potential additions meet at least two of these criteria. This test helps ensure your words are both aspirational and practical.
Putting Your Words into Action
Once you’ve established your three words, they become powerful tools for wardrobe building and shopping decisions.
Wardrobe Evaluation
Use your words to conduct an honest assessment of your current closet:
- Which pieces align perfectly with your personal style words?
- Which items contradict your defined style?
- Which could be styled differently to better reflect your words?
This process often reveals that you already own many pieces that align with your words, they simply need to be styled intentionally or paired differently.
Strategic Shopping
Your personal style words transform impulsive shopping into strategic curation:
- Before purchasing, ask if the item reflects at least two of your three words
- Consider how new pieces will integrate with your existing wardrobe
- Question whether trending items actually align with your personal style words
This approach naturally steers you away from the cycle of trend-chasing and toward investments that will serve your style long-term.
Style Evolution
While your personal style words provide valuable structure, they shouldn’t become a rigid prison. As your lifestyle, preferences, and fashion itself evolves, you might find that one word needs updating while the core two remain consistent.
Revisit your words annually to ensure they still resonate. This allows your style to evolve organically while maintaining its essential character.
Real-World Applications: Style Word Combinations
To illustrate how diverse this approach can be, consider these example combinations and how they might translate to wardrobe choices:
Classic, Unexpected, Effortless. This combination might manifest as well-tailored basics with surprising details, balanced with relaxed elements, perhaps a perfectly cut blazer styled with vintage jeans and architectural accessories.
Romantic, Minimalist, Bold. Here, clean silhouettes meet feminine details and statement pieces—possibly a simple slip dress paired with dramatic earrings and a structured handbag.
Relaxed, Textural, Polished. This trio suggests comfortable pieces with interesting materials elevated by thoughtful styling, think cashmere sweaters with well-cut trousers and quality leather accessories.
Beyond Clothing: Style Words as Lifestyle Guides
The impact of your personal style words often extends beyond your wardrobe. Many find that these descriptors begin influencing other aesthetic choices, from home décor to digital presence.
This natural extension makes sense; our style words typically reflect core values and preferences. Someone whose style words include “sustainable, artisanal, relaxed” might find these principles equally important in their home furnishings or beauty routines.
The Sustainable Side Effect
One of the most significant benefits of personal style words is their environmental impact. By defining your personal style with precision, you naturally:
- Purchase less frequently but more intentionally
- Select higher-quality pieces that align with your long-term aesthetic
- Reduce impulse purchases that often end up unworn
- Create more outfit combinations from fewer pieces
In an era of fast fashion excess, this mindful approach to personal style represents a meaningful step toward more sustainable consumption.
The Final Word
Personal style words offers something increasingly rare in today’s fashion landscape: clarity amid chaos. By distilling your personal style into three carefully chosen words, you create a powerful framework that simplifies decisions, reduces waste, and expresses your authentic self.
While celebrity stylist Alison Bornstein has brought this technique into the spotlight, professional stylists have long understood its transformative potential. It’s not about following trends or adhering to prescribed style categories, it’s about identifying and honouring your unique aesthetic perspective.
So gather your inspiration, observe the patterns, select your words, and watch as your wardrobe transforms from a collection of clothes into a coherent expression of who you are. Those three little words might just revolutionise your relationship with fashion.
