Understanding the different styles

Do you understand your unique style? Discover all the different styles and get clearer on your style personality.

What different styles are there?

In my previous articles in the finding your style series, I defined style and gave some tips on how you find your own style.

Today let’s look at all the different styles and your style personality.

Want to discover yours? Take the style personality quiz!

Different styles – Classic style

Classic style is, as the name suggests, one of the more classic and enduring styles.

Check out our capsule wardrobe for the classic style personality.

It’s timeless and popular with women over 40 and most of us will have at least a few classic pieces in our wardrobe.

These are the pieces that will usually last the longest in your cupboard, so you may want to invest in a few high-quality garments that will always make you look good.

Read our ultimate guide to creating a capsule wardrobe that works best for you.

Favorite Daughter The Charles Tie Waist Double Breasted Trench Coat – J.Crew Étienne Oversized Shirt – J.Crew Mid-rise Slim Jean – J.Crew Quinn Square-toe Ballet Flats – J.Crew Edie Accordion Bag – Ana Luisa Giulia Hoop Earrings

Some great examples of classic garments include:

• The trench coat
• A white button-down shirt
• A pencil skirt
• A tailored jacket or blazer
• A cashmere sweater
• The turtleneck sweater
• Tailored trousers
• A shift dress
• The twinset
• Jeans
• Ballet flats
• The classic pump
• A beret
• Animal print shoes and accessories
• Leather gloves
• Diamond or pearl studs
• Cartier Tank Francaise Watch
• The Hermes Kelly or Birkin Bag
• The LL Bean Canvas tote

Some classic style personalities love to combine classic and preppy styles, such as a classic blazer, a pair of knee-high boots, and a beret. This combination of styles looks pretty fab.

These classic clothes and accessories are often the best bet when investing in high-quality and long-lasting pieces that you will wear repeatedly.

Examples of people with this style are Jackie O, Marlene Dietrich, Lauren Bacall, and Jodie Foster.

Jona (above) wears a blazer that manages to be both on-trend and timeless.

Minimal Style

Minimalism is not about abandoming pattern or print. I see minimalism to be a philosphy that involves an overall sense of balance, knowing when to to take away, subtract. It’s an indulgence in superbly executed cut, quiet plays of color tones and clean strong shapes.“.

Calvin Klein

J.Crew Alexandra Linen Blazer – Nordstrom Rib Trim Tank Top – Anne Klein Pull-On Wide Leg Trousers – Marc Fisher LTD Jarli Bootie – Longchamp Le Roseau Leather Hobo Bag – J.Crew Crisscross Stud Earrings – Swarovski Sublima Crystal Pendant Necklace

Minimalism: it’s about having less and enjoying the things you have more. So it’s even more important to buy the right things; clothes that are of high quality and fit you exceptionally well.

Check out our style guide and capsule wardrobe for the minimal style personality.

Some examples of minimal garments include:

• A simple tailored jacket
• A winter coat
• A designer little black dress
• A minimal tuxedo
• One single handbag
• A minimal watch
• A pair of sleek, neutral, flat shoes

Minimalist style is all about exuding a less is more attitude.

Examples of people with this style include Sofia Coppola, Angelina Jolie, and Audrey Hepburn.

Clothes are highly well-tailored and high quality, and the most straightforward pieces make the most significant impact. Calvin Klein, Sofia Coppola, Angelina Jolie, and Audrey Hepburn are designers and/or celebrities who fall into this style category.

Different styles: Natural style

A person with a natural style personality prefers easy-to-wear pieces in relaxed fabrics that allow you to move freely.

You favor fewer pieces in fabrics like leather, suede, linen, silk, wool, and cashmere.

You’re likely to favor greens, denim blues, and autumnal hues – colors you can find in the countryside.

A low-maintenance beauty and hair routine is important to you, and you aren’t too bothered about following fashion trends.

This outfit is casual yet well put together, with little finishing touches, such as the detailing on the jacket, which make it special.

Celebrities with natural-style personalities you may admire include Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz, Sandra Bullock, Ellen DeGeneres, and Halle Berry.

Read our style guide for the natural style personality.

MANGO Contrast Faux Leather Trim Faux Fur Toggle Coat – MANGO Mariano Crewneck Sweater – Caslon Classic Ankle Tapered Stretch Twill Chinos – VEJA Esplar Logo Sneakers – rag & bone Belize Suede Shopper Tote – Ana Luisa Giulia Hoop Earrings

The relaxed, yet stylish, vibe created above by Isa (above) is a great example of an outfit for the natural style personality.

Trendy/Fashionable

The trendy style is an embrace of seasonal trends. 

These fresh-of-the-runway looks are about taking risks and gladly standing out. While the looks can be fun, they are often outdated pretty soon and are often not as timeless as classic or minimalist styles.

You tend to be fashionable and trendy if you embrace the new trends each year and incorporate them into your style.

You are willing to take risks and are happy to stand out. This style can be a lot of fun and very arty but it will look outdated pretty soon.

& Other Stories Trapeze T-Shirt – SER.O.YA Marbel Mid Rise Barrel Jean – Kate Spade New York Riley Mesh Slingback Heels – & Other Stories Large Suede Tote – Ana Luisa Sloane Stud Earrings – & Other Stories Metal-Frame Oval Sunglasses

Clothes for this style are hard to define as the trends change every season.

Fashionistas must follow the trends through magazines and the latest fashion shows to know what to look for in the shops.

Things that go in and out of fashion include:

• Shoulder pads
• Platform heels
• Colors
• Sequins
• Outrageous hats
• Skirt volume
• Jean styles

Examples of people with this style include Isabella Blow, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, and Diana Ross.

Learn more on our style guide for the trendy style personality.

Gala (above) combines several trends in one outfit, including a pair of flare jeans and a Gucci clutch.

Glamorous

Glamorous style is more about being able to balance that glitzy side of your style personality without ever venturing into looking tacky.

It’s about still looking sophisticated but with extra pizzazz.

You don’t feel fully dressed without accessorizing.

You’re likely to have an extensive collection of handbags, statement jewelry, sunglasses, hats and scarves, and you don’t keep them for special occasions.

As well as beautiful colors, you also love texture in your outfits including sequins, lace, leather, cashmere and faux fur.

Some examples of glamorous garments include:

• Anything with sequins
• Costume jewelry
• Faux Fur coats
• Lace tops or skirts
• Jeans with embellishments
• Leopard print
• Shoes with rhinestones
• Satin or velvet blazers

Celebrities with a glamorous style personality: Joan Collins, Sharon Osbourne, Monica Bellucci, Dita von Teese and Catherine Zeta-Jones

Read our full style guide and capsule wardrobe for the glamorous style personality.

Good American Velvet Sculpted Blazer – J.Crew Étienne Oversized Shirt – BOSS Eluxia Sequin Midi Skirt – Steve Madden Dagne High Boots – Rebecca Minkoff Curb Link Clutch – Kurt Geiger London Crystal Pavé Oval Hoop Earrings

Petra (above) combines glamorous pieces into her outfit, including a sequin skirt, a gold silk shirt, and a Prada bag.

Different styles: Romantic

If you love to look feminine and pretty and wouldn’t go out without looking groomed, you may have a romantic 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 colors.

Some examples of romantic garments include:

• Floral prints
• Pastel shades
• Headbands
• Tea dresses
• Lace blouses

Read our full style guide and capsule wardrobe for the romantic style personality.

Rails Joelle Floral Ruched Mesh Funnel Neck Top – rag & bone Harlow Rhinestone Straight Leg Jeans – Stuart Weitzman Arabella Ballet Flats – Cuyana Mini Bow Leather Top Handle Bag – Set & Stones Maeve Freshwater Pearl Drop Earrings

You will see that Alice’s style (above) features a mixture of romantic and glam style personalities. She uses romantic colors such as soft pinks and taupes, along with floral patterns and brooches, which take their inspiration from nature.

Bohemian Style

Women with bohemian style like movement, color and sparkle. It is a nonconforming style that tends to be associated with the hippie era.

“You can’t be a bohemian in tight clothes. It just doesn’t work. you have to be able to move and dance and climb.”

Diane von Furstenberg

Some examples of bohemian garments include:

• A peasant blouse
• The hippie skirt
• A (fake) fur vest
• A tunic
• A caftan
• Tassled handbags
• Long necklaces
• A poncho

Examples of people with this style include Ali MacGraw, Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen, and Diane von Furstenberg.

Via Spiga Reefer Longline Faux Fur Coat – FARM Rio Placed Floral Print Long Sleeve Cotton Top – PAIGE Anessa High Waist Raw Hem Wide Leg Jeans – Rebecca Minkoff Darren Medium Feed Bag – Dolce Vita Nashe Boots – Monica Vinader Siren Muse Wave Hoop Earrings

Check out our capsule wardrobe for the bohemian style personality.

Maria (above) layers her faux fur vest over a boho dress for a classic bohemian look.

Street / Urban

This constantly evolving style develops on the streets of the big cities. It is continually changing and quite undefinable, but it tends to be a mix of casual and hip and what’s happening in the world at any particular time.

This style is more prominent amongst youngsters than women over 40, although there are always exceptions to this rule. Some previous street style trends include new wave, punk, goth, grunge, mod, hip hop, and sometimes rock.

Examples of street or urban garments include:

• High top sneakers
• Denim jackets
• Plaid skirts or pants
• Print t-shirts
• Distressed jeans
• Tracksuit bottoms

Examples of people with this style include young Madonna, Debbie Harry, and Gwen Stefani.

Learn more and read our style guide for the street/urban style personality.

MANGO Mandarin Collar Snap Front Jacket – MANGO Tulipa Cowl Neck Plaid Dress – Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top Platform Leather Sneakes – JW PEI Tina Quilted Denim Convertible Crossbody Bag – Argento Vivo Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Hoop Earrings

Mel (above) evokes a punk era while bringing her look bang up-to-date.

Different styles: Rock

Black is definitely the color that dominates your outfits when you have a rock-style personality.

Being comfy and edgy aren’t mutually exclusive. Your style is predominantly casual but with an edgy twist.

While you won’t opt for overtly feminine embellishments like embroidery or frills, you do like to embellish your outfits and accessories with buckle and stud details.

Garments with a rock style include:

• Moto jackets
• Biker boots
• Band tees
• Anything with studs
• Leather pants

Celebrities with a rock style personality: Chrissy Hynde, Pink, Stevie Nicks, the late Dolores O’Riordan, Courtney Love and Debbie Harry.

Do you think you have a rock style personality? Read our article to know if you do.

AllSaints Dalby Suede Moto Jacket – MOTHER Sleep-Over Cotton Graphic T-Shirt – AllSaints Cassie Snakeskin Print Handkerchief Hem Skirt – Blondo Trishell Waterproof Moto Boots – Aimee Kestenberg The Hug Convertible Leather Sling Bag – Argento Vivo Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Hoop Earrings

Erin (above) embraces the sophistication and edginess of the rock personality and it can show on all of her outfits.

Preppy

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

You love cozy knits, checks, and stripes and prefer to wear flat shoes and natural fibers, including leather and wool.

You appreciate clean-cut styles in your clothing and aren’t trend-obsessed. It’s much more important to you to have a good closet of essentials than to shop for a statement piece each season.

Examples of preppy garments are:

• Collared sweaters
• Polo tops
• Pleated skirts
• Loafers
• Satchels
• Long scarves
• Berets

The preppy style celebrities: Emma Watson and Olivia Palermo.

Read more on our style guide and capsule wardrobe for the preppy style personality.

Nordstrom Johnny Collar Polo Sweater – rag & bone Irina Kick Flare Pants – Dolce Vita Halona Mules – Jeffrey Campbell Lorelai Double Strap Leather Satchel – Tory Burch Flower Stud Earrings

Patricia’s look above is the perfect example of a preppy style.

Eurochic

It isn’t easy to pin down precisely what the Eurochic style is, but it is seen in women who seem to look effortlessly hip and stylish.

If you have a eurostyle, you like to combine more expensive timeless pieces with less expensive high street options. The way you put them together looks very sophisticated.

While you may have bought the pieces in your closet anywhere in the world, your style looks as if it has been honed in Europe.

You would look equally at home in any of the cities in Europe, whether visiting Milan, Paris, Rome, or London or strolling the streets of Capri.

Some examples of Eurochic garments are:

• Blazers
• Capri pants
• Flowy dresses
• Pointed flats

Celebrities with this style include Catherine Deneuve, Carla Bruni, Marion Cotillard, Brigitte Bardot, Jane Birkin, and Juliette Binoche.

Read and learn more on our style guide for eurochic style personality.

Cinq à Sept Zoe Embossed Faux Leather Moto Jacket – COS Relaxed Cotton Shirtdress – Sam Edelman Loraine Loafers – The Sak Los Feliz Large Tote Bag – Nadri Blue Cluster Cubic Zirconia Stud Earrings

Sally (above) is based in Melbourne, Australia, but her styling means she would look at home anywhere. Her outfit is the perfect example of taking classic pieces and adding a twist to them.

Architectural

You aren’t too keen on floaty, flowing fabrics if you have an architectural style personality. Instead, you like your clothing to have structure.

You are likely to opt for a fabric that gives some shape to your look rather than a smock style, for example.

You will likely opt for contemporary pieces with geometric shapes and unique structures – from your tops down to your accessories.

Examples of architectural garments are:

• Any asymmetrical
• Shoes with unusual heels
• Contemporary Jewelry
• Tuxedo jackets

Examples of people with this style include Tilda Swinton and Cate Blanchett.

Check out our style guide and capsule wardrobe for the architectural style personality.

Desigual Ame Floral Embroidery Pinstripe Jacket – rag & bone Lou One-Shoulder Top – MANGO Granado Asymmetric Rib Sweater Skirt – Bernardo Bedford Heeled Sandals– JW PEI Carly Canvas Saddle Shoulder Bag – Jennifer Zeuner Anine Wavy Drop Earrings

Mila (above) has chosen a structural skirt, with the shape created by pleats and paneling. She combines her look with very architectural earrings.

Eclectic Style

This style is hard to describe, which is not surprising, as this style is really a mixture of all kinds of styles.

The eclectic woman knows how to mix and match all the different styles and truly make it her own. To make this style work, it is essential to have a good eye for what you like, to know what suits you and to have the innate style instinct or (learned) knowledge to mix it all.

This is a very creative and fun way of dressing. Just add anything you want from the different style personalities!

Examples include Kate Moss, Laura Bailey, and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Good American Velvet Sculpted Blazer – Alice + Olivia Willa Silk Graphic Shirt – Wit & Wisdom ‘Ab’Solution Itty Bitty Bootcut Jeans – Rebecca Minkoff Darren Medium Feed Bag – Jennifer Zeuner Anine Wavy Drop Earrings

Creating your style profile from these different styles

Now, if you are like most women, you will have elements of a few of these styles in your personal style. I tend to like classical garments and go for a minimal look.

But I also love fashion, new trends and new colors each season.

I’m not attracted to the bohemian style; it doesn’t feel like me. Garments in that style tend to be worn only a few times, so it would be best for me to avoid buying those kinds of clothes altogether.

Understanding what style personalities you are most drawn to can help you refine your look and avoid making costly ‘mistakes’.

shop the pieces above here:

How about you? Do you know what different styles are part of your style personality?

P.S. Want to discover your style personality? Do the style personality quiz!

Like this article on understanding the different styles? Save it on Pinterest!

Want to get more articles from 40+style in your inbox, subscribe here.

You can also connect with 40+style on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.

Support 40+style by using the links in our articles to shop. As an associate for Amazon and many other brands, we receive a small commission (at no cost to you) on qualifying purchases which enables us to keep creating amazing free content for you. Thanks!