6 Quick Wins for a Signature Personal Style That Reflects Your Personal Brand
Define the signature style of your personal brand with these six simple, high-impact changes to make your visual brand more recognisable and authentically you.
A signature style doesn't have to mean a complete wardrobe overhaul. Often, the smallest changes or consistency in a few details can have the biggest impact. These six quick wins will help you create a more recognisable, intentional, and memorable personal style - one that reflects your unique personal brand with confidence.
1. Pick a Signature Colour
Sometimes the easiest way to embody your personal brand colours of choice is to wear them. Like any good branding, consistent colours make your personal brand recognisable. For a quick win for your signature style, adopt a signature colour and project an intentional and cohesive brand. Think Coco Chanel or Karl Largerfeld embracing Chanel’s monochromatic colour palette.
Colours can quietly influence how you are perceived. For example, research in colour psychology has consistently shown that navy blue is seen as a dependable and high-trust colour.
For more on how to choose the right colours for you, see my blog, Colour Decoded: How Colour Psychology Shapes Perceptions of Power and Trust.
2. Pick a Signature Accent
Chanel had her pearls, Karl Largerfeld his high-collar shirts, Anna Wintour her sunglasses, and Blair Waldorf her headbands (if you know, you know). A signature accent, accessory or element adds personality and a layer of visual interest to your personal brand’s style that is unique to you.
3. Adopt a Default Uniform
Barack Obama famously knew exactly the type of suit he would wear for the top job every day, and it helped him reduce ‘decision fatigue’. The beauty of a default uniform for your signature style is that it helps keep your attention on higher priorities for your day while still maintaining the presence you’re known for. Your ‘uniform’ can be simple, yet high impact for what it frees you up to focus on. Think Steve Jobs in his signature black turtleneck and T-shirts, while he headed up one of the world’s most cutting-edge companies.
4. Think Textures
Picture walking into your favourite retail store or restaurant. Designers have made highly intentional choices about the textures of the fabrics you experience. Apply the same thinking to your personal brand. For example, are you known for your linen, wools or silks? Or, if you have a slightly bolder signature style, your leathers, feathers or furs? Or, perhaps it’s a combination of a few of your favourite types of fabrics. You can get even more granular with your choices. For example, I love leathers and have many leather jackets. However, when it comes to shoes, patent leather is almost always my only go-to.
Psychology shows that enclothed cognition means that we adopt the symbolic meaning of clothing. So pick the texture that best represents how you want to lookand feel both visually and mentally.
5. A Signature Scent
Whether it’s your signature cologne, perfume, creams or essential oils, a signature scent is one of the quickest wins for your personal brand. It’s the invisible way to become recognisable for a signature style. Pick a scent that speaks to you and how you want to express who you are. For instance, does your signature scent smell fresh and friendly, or complex and mysterious?
6. A Signature Hair Style
From the colour of your hair, your cut or your favourite go-to styling, a signature hair style is another quick win for your personal brand. Think Friends star Jennifer Aniston’s ‘Rachel Cut’ sweeping salons by storm in the 90s when the star adopted the signature style. While a trip to the hairdresser’s is a quick win, spend time doing your research first to make sure your signature look is the right choice for you. As I’ve shared in my earlier blog, Level up your visual brand: Creating a signature visual style identity for your personal brand, I love using Pinterest to explore new ideas before committing.
Visually You
Your signature style isn't about following fashion trends; it’s about creating consistency in how you express yourself internally. By making a few intentional choices that become uniquely yours, you'll build a personal brand that feels authentic, memorable, and effortless. Start with just one of these quick wins, and let your signature style evolve over time.
