You often hear people say that you can’t learn style, but I couldn’t disagree more, and here’s why.
Everyone is naturally good at something, like being creative, good with numbers, taking great photos, or being an excellent cook. Similarly, some people are naturally stylish. They instinctively know how to combine clothes, create balance, and put together cohesive, effortless, and chic looks. Most people, though, aren’t born with this talent. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t develop a great sense of style; it just means we might need to work a bit harder at it.
Just like any other skill, practice makes perfect. If you want to learn to play the piano well, you have to practice every day. Becoming a better writer also means writing daily. Malcolm Gladwell points out in his book “Outliers” that many of the most successful people, like Bill Gates, spent years practicing their skills. He suggests that it typically takes about 10,000 hours of practice to become really good at something.
Applying this principle to style, it’s evident that we get better at dressing and styling ourselves with regular practice. However, there are times when we might not focus on our style—either because we’re too busy or because we feel bad about our bodies and give up on looking stylish. When this happens, we tend to stick to the same old outfits without really practicing the art of style.
Many of us have also never received proper training in how to dress. Without a good role model or guidance on balance, structure, and flow in an outfit, it’s hard to get really good at it. This is similar to trying to play the piano well without a good teacher.
Through my style challenges and courses, I’ve seen firsthand that style can be learned. Participants often experience “light bulb” moments where they suddenly understand why certain outfits don’t look good on them. By experimenting with the clothes in their closet, they begin to create outfits that look amazing. They start to grasp their style personality and understand what works for their bodies.
Some women in my course have shared their experiences, noting how learning about proportions and experimenting with their wardrobe has made a huge difference. They’ve gained confidence in their style and learned valuable tricks to enhance their looks.
Learning a few styling tricks and gaining knowledge about your body, wardrobe balance, and grooming can make a significant difference. When women practice a lot and work towards those 10,000 hours of experience, their style noticeably improves.
That’s why I enjoy offering my style course. Although it’s a lot of work, I know it can make a real difference in someone’s life. Feeling better about how you look can truly change your life.
I’m confident that style can be learned! If you’re willing to make a change and start improving your style, you can do it too. My course, “21 Steps to a More Stylish You,” is a great starting point.
