How to Actually Find Your Personal Style in 2025—No Pinterest Boards Required

Let’s face it: the usual tips for finding your style are… meh. Pinterest boards? Fun to scroll at 2 a.m., but they don’t exactly help when you’re standing in front of your closet wondering how to make five-year-old jeans and a sweater feel chic. And in 2025? Forget it. Between TikTok trends changing faster than the weather and Amazon delivering clothes before you’ve even decided if you like them, figuring out your style can feel like an Olympic sport.

Here’s the thing: your style is yours. It’s not about trends, rules, or copying influencers with perfect lighting. It’s about discovering what makes you feel confident, authentic, and maybe a little unstoppable. And sometimes, that means looking somewhere other than your Instagram feed (gasp).

Ready to figure out how to find your personal style in 2025? No fluff, just stuff that works (and might even make you laugh).

1. Watch Old Vintage Movies

Before TikTok was convincing you to buy $40 claw clips, iconic style moments were happening on the big screen. Classic films are a goldmine for timeless fashion inspiration. Think Audrey Hepburn’s chic black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (still the GOAT), Diane Keaton rocking menswear in Annie Hall, or Diana Ross giving Mahogany levels of glam.

Why movies? Because great style doesn’t expire. Watching these icons in action reminds you that timeless pieces always win—no matter how many trends come and go. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to pop some popcorn and pretend it’s "research."

2. Create a Fashion Scrapbook

Photo by Skylar Kang

Forget Pinterest—let’s get analog. Grab a stack of fashion magazines (or raid your mom’s attic), some scissors, and a binder. Start cutting out pieces that make you feel something. Yes, it’s basically a mood board, but it feels rebellious in a world ruled by screens.

What happens next? Patterns start to emerge. Maybe you love bold accessories, cozy knits, or structured blazers. Whatever it is, this scrapbook becomes your cheat sheet to figuring out what actually fits you, not what TikTok told you was cute last week.

3. Take a Hobby Class (Yes, Really)

Want to find your style? Start living your life. Sign up for a cooking class, pottery workshop, or even a salsa dancing lesson. Why? Because inspiration doesn’t just come from clothes—it comes from how you experience the world.

Pottery class might make you appreciate textures. Painting might inspire your color palette. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to wear that “cute but not too much” outfit you’ve been saving. Bonus points if you meet someone with killer style who becomes your new fashion muse.

4. Read a Fashion Book

Look, you don’t need to write a dissertation on the history of couture, but a good fashion book can do wonders for your style knowledge. Start with something fun, like The Little Black Dress and How It Got That Way or Fashionopolis.

Why bother? Because knowing the history of fashion helps you appreciate the why behind certain styles. It also gives you excellent small talk material: “Oh, this blazer? A little Annie Hall meets modern tailoring.”

5. Visit Stores—Not Just Thrift Shops

Thrifting is great (if it’s your thing), but sometimes, you just need to go to an actual store. Touch the fabrics, try things on, and see how they feel IRL. This isn’t about spending money—it’s about figuring out what works for your body and your vibe.

Think of it like window shopping for your soul. What makes you feel confident? What fits perfectly without you trying to “make it work”? These are the pieces that will help shape your style.

6. Take a Break From Social Media (No, Really)

Let’s be real: social media is great for inspiration, but it’s also a trap. Half the time, you’re not even sure if you like an outfit or if you’ve just seen it a million times.

Here’s a wild idea: go outside. Visit an art exhibit. People-watch at your local coffee shop. Sometimes, the best style inspiration comes from seeing how real people dress in your everyday world—not a perfectly curated Instagram feed.

The Bottom Line: Live, Learn, and Dress Like You Mean It

Finding your style in 2025 isn’t about copying someone else’s aesthetic. It’s about figuring out what makes you feel like your best self. Whether it’s watching old movies, taking a pottery class, or ditching social media for an afternoon, the key is to immerse yourself in the world and let inspiration come to you.

Because here’s the truth: style isn’t just about clothes. It’s about how you see yourself and how you show up in the world. And when you embrace that, you’re not just dressing—you’re expressing.