Style is a term used in the arts to describe a particular manner of expression, execution, construction or design. In art history, the term is often associated with a particular period or group of people, such as 19th-century painters, or with a specific type of work, such as modern paintings. In everyday life, style can refer to a way of dressing, a way of talking, or a way of acting.
Developing your personal style is an important part of your self-esteem. It can help you communicate more effectively, look and feel your best, and attract the right types of people.
A person’s style is a combination of their personality, their clothing choices, and their makeup. If you’re going to develop a personal style, it’s crucial that you identify the aspects of your personality that you want to emphasize and focus on improving.
For example, if you’re a fashionista, then you likely enjoy wearing flowing skirts and dresses in pretty colors and feminine details such as bows, ruffles, and pleats. You’re also likely to prefer accessories in delicate, feminine patterns such as floral prints and fine necklaces.
Your style will naturally change with your age and stage of life. You may have a tendency to dress more conservatively as you get older and lose weight, or you may become more adventurous in your style as you gain more confidence in your looks. Either way, you’ll probably want to focus on improving your style as a whole so that it is more representative of who you are and the way you see the world.
When writing fiction, it’s vital that you understand how your style can affect the reader’s experience of your work. This is especially true if you’re writing in first person or third person limited, where your main character’s perspective will influence the way that you write.
Throughout your writing career, you’ll hone your style as you experiment with different forms of writing, such as poetry, flash fiction, and literary fiction. Each form demands a slightly different approach to grammar, sentence lengths, and the use of words and punctuation. As you get more practice, you’ll be able to recognize these differences and make them easier to manage.
A person’s style is also influenced by their surroundings and other people they spend time with. For example, if you’re in a relationship, you’ll want to avoid using phrases or phrasing that sound too much like you’re being affectionate.
You’ll also want to avoid using too many adjectives or formal phrasing, as this can take away from the natural flow of your prose and make it hard for readers to follow. Purple prose, for instance, is when an author uses too many flowery words and overly formal phrasing that doesn’t serve the plot or subject matter at all.
Defining your style and taking steps to improve it can make you more confident and successful in any situation. It can also give you the confidence to try new things and learn more about yourself, which will lead to happier and more fulfilling relationships with friends, co-workers, and the people that you share your life with.