Developing your own special style requires knowing who you are on the inside, knowing your own tastes and preferences, and - most importantly, perhaps - taking inventory of your positive, negative, and neutral physical traits. Once you're aware of your positive traits, ask which ones are more than "just positive" and are, instead, worthy of accentuating whenever possible. Neutral traits generally lend themselves to all clothing items and accessories. Of your negative traits, identify those that you just have to live with and those that, if possible, you can change, play down, or even cover up when possible. Determine if your outer appearance is kind of "all purpose" (could look as suited to an athletic outfit as to a glamorous gown) or whether your appearance would fall under the "type" category - the "voluptuous glamour girl" or "athletic" or "feminine and petite" or "full-figured but young", etc.

Your tastes and preferences will screen out any number of available clothing items and accessories, leaving options with regard to what to buy or wear a matter of only things you like. Make a list of colors that look particularly good on you and color groups to which you're always drawn, and select clothing in only "your" colors. Tastes and preferences are usually a reflection of your personality, although knowing who you are on the inside can help guide you to selecting items that express who you are - beyond just your taste in sweaters.

Once you've narrowed down the selection of clothing that is right for your tastes (even if you've only done that in your mind, rather than in a store) identifying 1) clothing that will make you look your most attractive and 2) clothing that will either play up the type you are or play down the type you wish you weren't. Here again, the person you are on the inside will be your guide. If you're a very muscular, athletic-looking individual and would like to look more feminine the clothing you choose will be different than if you want to play up your athletic appearance.

It is important to keep in mind that types that are extreme (the big, voluptuous, glamour girl or the extremely muscular and manly athletic woman) can tone down their type but usually don't look right if they select clothing that is really better suited to another type. An example is the petite, girlish, young woman who will never be able to pull off the big, voluptuous, glamour-girl look. The petite young woman is often better off accepting the fact that she'll never be "big and sexy" but realizing that her build and look are well suited for a more dainty and elegant type of femininity. The very muscular and fit athletic woman may not look quite right in a flouncy gown, but showing off her sleek fitness in a simple black dress with a simple necklace and a feminine hair-do may be just right. For the woman who is not limited by her type and who looks appropriate in whatever she wears this part of the clothing selection process isn't necessary. If your type means you need to eliminate certain looks in order to look your most attractive that isn't the end of the world. Most types still have a wide range of options. Its just that most "extremely other type" items that should be ruled out.

After you've identified your type and whether you want to play up or modify that type, and after you've narrowed down the world of options to only items that are your type, focus on your particularly positive attributes and particularly negative ones. If you have a tiny waist you and really pretty ankles you'll want to play those up as often as possible. If your thighs are thicker than they should be consider staying away from mini-skirts and instead going for either the long, lean, look of a longer, sleeker, skirt. Identifying your own beautiful features and not-so-beautiful features not only helps guide you to making the right selections for you, but it will remind you that in spite of those flaws you do have beautiful traits as well.

Finally, make up for the fact that you've had to forego a few items you wish you could wear by using accessories to truly reflect your personal style. The same jeans and simple top will look completely different when worn with a hat and scarf rather than with just a simple, silver, chain.