The best tip I’ve come across when it comes to defining your personal style is to follow the “three-word method”—an approach made popular by TikTok creator, Allison Bornstein. Strategists and creatives have used this approach when presenting client work for decades. It works for businesses, people, and experiences, but the idea of turning this lens on myself has taken on a whole new meaning for me recently.

After you use the three-word method to define your personal style, those words then act as a filter that makes it easier to decide which design elements you’ll bring into your home and which clothing items you’ll add to your wardrobe. It’s all about finding the unique core elements that drive you. Once you get to know your personal sense of style, I find it’s easier to move through life as yourself—with more confidence and less of a pull to compare yourself to others.

Today I’m sharing the three words that define my personal style right now, plus a few prompts to help you define your own.

Defining My Personal Style With the Three-Word Method

1. Classic

When I look at the things I saved on Tumblr so many years ago, I find that I still like many of them. There’s something about classic, timeless elements and simplicity that has always been really appealing to me, and this comes through in both my home design and clothing choices. Classic isn’t always “in” as far as what’s most trendy at any given time, but it certainly never goes out of style. 

2. Playful

This is where the sense of modernity comes in. There’s always an element about what I put together that doesn’t quite “match.” I like to include a bit of a twist in the process of designing both rooms in my home and outfits.

3. Preppy

My classic style sensibility has always leaned into preppy territory. My interpretation of preppy elements has changed over the years, but they have been at the forefront of my mind for a long time. They’re what my lizard brain wants and what I’m instinctually drawn to. 

Prompts to Help You Define Your Personal Style

If you’re struggling to define your own three personal style words, I’d encourage you to do some reflection. As a starting point, I’ve put together a list of prompts below to help you get curious and become more acquainted with your own style preferences. Allison Bornstein is also a great resource on this topic, particularly when it comes to fashion!

• If money were no object, what would my home look like? What would my wardrobe look like? 
• What kinds of clothing do I wear most often each week?
• What kinds of decor pieces do I find myself most drawn to?
• What outfit would I wear if I were to take myself out to dinner?
• What do I like to spend time doing when no one is watching? 

Here’s to exploring and celebrating our personal sense of style in our own way every single day.

Kate Arends

Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is forever testing the boundaries of her creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.