A quick guide to fashion styles

In search of your unique style, you want to take inspiration from the existing trends that already exist out there and adapt them to suit your needs. However, how many styles already exist out there? What characterise them? How do they differ from each other? Which personality do they represent? Let’s have a look at some of the most common fashion styles and their specific traits.

What is following is not an exhaustive list of styles. Fashion, by definition, is developing and, most important, its definition is very personal. It is impossible to nail down a comprehensive list or to provide a clear cut definition for each style that everybody agrees upon.

The following list provides a good understanding of the most common styles and a starting point to create someone's own style. We will update this list from time to time to keep up with current trends.

Bohemian 

A lack of structure defines Bohemian style, opting instead for carefree layers of pattern, texture, and colour. Unlike the modern and minimalist styles, bohemian only has few common practices and no hard and fast rules. Golden necklaces, bracelets, and headscarves are the preferred accessories. The bohemian style has many elements and traits that recall the gypsy and occitan populations that used to live across France, Italy and Spain.

 

Eclectic 

As the name implies, it is quite difficult to pinpoint a clear definition for this style as its derived from a broad and diverse range of sources. The eclectic persona knows how to mix and match all the different styles to create their very own one. To be impactful, you must know what you like, what suits you best, and being natural in mix it all together.

Eurochic style 

It’s a conservative style that blends classic and trendy, attracted by minimalist, classic, and street/urban styling. This style’s second name should be neutral, as neutral colours like brown, white, and blue are predominant in every outfit. When needed, an eurochic persona will wear light make-up and will have very well groomed hair. Shoes, the hero items of this style, are often flat or low-heeled as most European people commute on foot on cobbled stones.

Fashionable, Trendy

This style is an embrace of seasonal trends. It’s all about taking risks and wanting to stand out from the crowd. A trendy persona is loves staying up to date with the latest trends and keeping the wardrobe up-to-date season by season. You are fashionable when you embrace the new trends each year and incorporate them into your style.

Glamorous 

Glamorous style is about balancing a glittery and dramatic side personality without exceeding into tackiness. They want to be more attractive, exciting, or interesting than everybody and everything else. It’s about being sophisticated, with accessories empowering the look to the max. A glamorous persona possesses an extensive collection of handbags, statement jewellery, sunglasses, hats and scarves, and they never miss an opportunity to use them. As well as beautiful colours, they love outfits with textures like cashmere, faux-leather, faux-fur, lace and sequins.

Minimalist

“Minimalism is not about abandoning pattern or print. I see minimalism as a philosophy involving an overall sense of balance, knowing when to take away, subtract. It’s an indulgence in superbly executed cut, quiet plays of colour tones and clean strong shapes.” (Calvin Klein)

Natural 

A person with a natural style personality prefers easy-to-wear pieces in relaxed fabrics that allow comfort and free movement. They favour fewer pieces in fabrics like faux-leather, suede, linen, silk, wool and cashmere. You’re likely to favour greens, denim blues and autumnal colours typical of the countryside. A low maintenance beauty and hair routine is important to them, and they do not bother following trends.

Preppy

This collegiate-inspired style is casual in the main. You are into a “geek chic” look. You love to wear skirts and dresses and classic blouses with young looking bows or collars.

Rock 

Black is the colour that dominates your outfits when you have a rock style personality. Being comfy and edgy aren’t exclusive. Your style is casual, but with an edgy twist. While you won’t opt for feminine embellishments like embroidery or frills, you do like to embellish your outfits and accessories with buckle and stud details.

Romantic

If you love to look feminine and pretty, and you wouldn’t go out without looking groomed, you may well have a romantic style personality. Being practical or comfortable is not always your top priority. Your eye is drawn to pretty pieces and patterns, including tactile fabrics. Your clothes may feature frills, ruffles, bows and lace and have pastel shades and other soft colours.

Street/urban 

Urban or street style is a mix of casual and hip, and it picks up on what is happening in the world. It is about sub-culture rather than major trends and also has its roots in sports and music movements such as skateboarding, hip hop and rap. An urban look consistently inspired many big-name designer brands.