Episode 185: Beyond Vague Style Words

We explore how to define your style in a way that drives real results, moving beyond vague style words and cluttered Pinterest boards to create a framework for powerful, consistent style decisions.

• Style is not just about personality expression—it's strategic communication
• Traditional style words like "chic" or "classic" are too vague for practical decision-making
• Choose 2-3 strategic style words that act as decision filters, not just descriptors
• Your wardrobe should communicate your intended message, not just your mood

Links mentioned in today's episode

YouTube Video: What Being Stuck In Your Personal Style Looks Like https://youtu.be/-vhMgkTMhYA?si=YHWLrqAWLMvhcrEV
 

Link to schedule your discovery call https://stan.store/StyledbyTiffanyO

Transcript

Introduction to Strategic Style Definition

Speaker 1 0:01

This is the Everyday Icon Style Podcast the space for style-conscious , career-driven women who are ready to look like the next-level version of themselves . Each episode helps you build a wardrobe that reflects not only your executive presence but your real life . With a little bit of guidance , intentional edits and no full-blown transformation required , let's elevate your style and your authenticity one outfit at a time . I'm Tiffany , your style coach . Let's elevate your style and your authenticity one outfit at a time . I'm Tiffany , your style coach . Let's get started . Welcome to the Everyday Icon Style Podcast .

Speaker 1 0:34

I'm your host , as always , tiffany , and in today's episode we are going to continue on from last week's episode , which was episode 184 . And I discussed why you can't define your style , and in that episode I talked about the real reasons your style feels undefined , blah or just boring and guess what ? It has nothing to do with taste . It's more so about the strategy . So be sure to go back and check out and listen to episode 184 . But today I'm actually going to show you exactly how to define your style in a way that drives results , and we're moving beyond the vague , boring words and our cluttered Pinterest boards and we're going to put it into a framework that helps you make powerful , consistent style decisions every single day .

Speaker 1 1:23

So first up is you've probably heard the following phrase style is a reflection of your personality . But can we be really truthful and honest for a second ?

Why Personality-Based Style Falls Flat

Speaker 1 1:35

That sounds great in theory , but in practice it tends to fall flat and fall apart . And the reason being is because your personality is complex . You're not just one thing You're creative , you're analytical , you're ambitious , you're grounded , you're bold and you're strategic , and the list can go on and on and on . So when we try to dress to express ourselves , it gets confusing , because one day I want to be corporate , the next day I want to look ambitious , the next day I want to look casual , cool , and so on and so on and so on . And because of that , nothing feels consistent ever . Even when you go shopping and you look in your closet , it's not consistent . And that is going to be the driving force of creating a wardrobe that is always consistent to how it is you want to look . And so the biggest result that comes from this actually is people can't get a clear read on who you are . In worst case , you can't even get a clear read on who you are . In worst case , you can't even get a clear read on who you are , and I can honestly say that right now , in this style transition evolution that I'm going through , I literally feel that myself is I really don't see or get a clear read on me either , and what I'm learning is styling isn't about expressing everything . It's actually more about emphasizing the right things for the right context , and your wardrobe needs to communicate your intended message , not just your mood . Always remember , people judge you . In less than three seconds .

Speaker 1 3:21

Now there were style words

Choosing Strategic Style Words

Speaker 1 3:25

come into play . Well , this is actually where style words come into play , but not the kind that you've been seeing or used to seeing on style quizzes or even on pinterest , and you know the words chic , classic , modern , edgy . They're sort of like the same five or six , seven words that we always hear about and nobody goes beyond and everybody just stays in line with these particular words . And these are nice words . There's nothing wrong with them , but it's just that they're not useful when you're standing in a store or getting dressed and they don't tell you what to choose . So here's how we want to do this differently .

Speaker 1 4:08

So , before you begin to even choose your words , I want you to start with a question what am I trying to achieve , whether it's professionally or personally . So here are a few examples Are you positioning yourself for leadership , are you getting back out on the dating scene , or do you need to stand out as a thought leader ? Because your style isn't just about how you feel , it's about how you want to be perceived . It's about how you want to be perceived , because if we dress on how we feel , we are literally going to show up how we feel , but we want to be perceived based on how you feel . So once you define that , then you choose your style words that act as strategic filters , not just descriptors , and I am going to use me as an example . So my style words are classic , distinctive and powerful . So this is going to provide me with direction , whether I'm shopping or standing in my closet , so I can look at a piece of clothing , jewelry , shoes , whatever it may be , and I can ask myself does this make me look classic ? Does it make me look distinctive or does this make me look classic ? Does it make me look distinctive or does this make me look powerful ? This will help make every decision I make become easier and , slowly but surely , behind it , my confidence will also follow . Now I actually have a video on YouTube that I go into a little bit deeper on this my three words . So be sure to click the link in the notes below and go and watch that video .

Speaker 1 6:07

But now let's address another issue that confuses people . You think you need one style to fit

Adapting Style for Different Contexts

Speaker 1 6:15

every single occasion . You don't . You need a flexible framework or wardrobe that adapts , not reinvents , your style based on the situation . So let's go back to my three words classic , distinctive and powerful . So say I have a meeting to attend tomorrow . That might mean a sleek blouse , a simple earrings and structured pants . By doing this , all of my words have been used Sleek blouse can be classic and powerful . The earrings can be simple . Which are simple can be classic and also powerful and , depending on what they look like , distinctive . And the structured pants could be perceived as distinctive and powerful . Now let's say I have a keynote speech . So for me this might mean a statement blazer , bold lipstick and sharp heels Both outfits for the meeting and the speech . It's still me , same strategy , but I just adjust it for the context that I want it to be for .

Speaker 1 7:32

Now , this is the part most of us miss . Your style should shift emphasis based on where you're showing up without losing your core identity . Now , that's how you create consistency and flexibility in and at the same time . So , once you've chosen your strategic style words , how do you use them ? They become your decision filters . So , when shopping or getting dressed , I want you to ask the following questions Does this style look classic or whatever word that you are going to choose for yourself ? Does it help me stand out in the right way , and does it project credibility or distract from it ? Because sometimes what we may put on may distract from what it is that we're trying to convey .

Speaker 1 8:23

Now , once this happens and we begin to put all this into motion and play , shopping will become easier .

Taking Action with Your Style Words

Speaker 1 8:30

Packing will become easier , standing in your closet will become easier . As you're getting dressed each and every day , you will literally , in time , stop chasing trends and start building a cohesive wardrobe that actually works for you . This way , you're not reinventing yourself for every single meeting or event that you have to go to , because you will already have it at your fingertips , and this has nothing to do with buying a whole new closet . Now . You will have to add some pieces , yes , but what it is ? It's about using what you have , especially when starting out with purpose and knowing what to add next intentionally , and that's where you'll begin to shop , as you need to shop , and add more pieces to your wardrobe .

Speaker 1 9:22

Okay , so here's what I want you to take away from all of this . Style isn't decoration , it's communication , and when you define it strategically , you gain confidence , you show up consistently and you become memorable in the right rooms . And this isn't about looking nice . This is about walking into rooms knowing that you're already aligned with the message that you want to send and convey . So here's your challenge .

Speaker 1 9:57

I want you to pick two to three style words that support your professional and personal goals . Then start using them as filters in your closet what aligns , what doesn't . This will also help you with cleaning out your closet as well . You know that's my favorite thing . And if you're ready to go deeper , to build a full strategy that supports your next level of you that you're evolving into , I would love the opportunity to work with you In Inside my Style Refresh one-on-one

Style as Strategic Communication

Speaker 1 10:30

program . We're going to define your personal style strategy and turn it into a practical confidence building system you use every single day . The link to schedule your discovery call is in the show notes of this episode , and what I want you to remember at the end of the day , style isn't about who you've been . It's about who you're becoming . So I hope you have an amazing rest of your day , stay healthy , stay safe , and I will talk to you in next week's episode .