How to Build a Wardrobe That Reflects Your True Self
There’s a reason some outfits make you feel like you’re really showing up as yourself. You know the feeling: confident, comfortable, and completely at ease. And there’s a reason others make you want to change the second you walk out the door.
It’s not about trends. It’s not about price tags. And it’s definitely not about doing fashion the “right” way.
It’s about authenticity and alignment.
At Unfoldid, we believe that personal style is more than just what you wear. It’s one of the most powerful forms of self-expression you have. The way you show up in your clothes, whether it’s playful, polished, bold, or grounded, can say a lot about how you see yourself.
In her new book, The Style Formula: The Art and Science of What to Wear, our founder, Aricia Symes, shares a fresh approach to getting dressed: one rooted in authenticity, clarity, confidence, and discovering your personal Style ID.
Here’s how to start building a wardrobe that feels more you from the inside out.
The Connection Between Style and Self-Connection
Personal style is one of the most immediate ways we show the world who we are. It allows you to show the world who you are without saying a word. The cut of your jeans, the pop of color on your nails, the detail in your earrings — these choices aren’t random. They’re a reflection of your identity.
As Aricia Symes explains in The Style Formula, “personal style is an expression of your authentic self, and it’s unique to you.” When you start dressing in alignment with your own likes and lifestyle, rather than simply following what’s trending, your wardrobe starts to feel like a true extension of you.
That’s when the magic happens. You stop dressing for approval and start dressing with intention. You start noticing how certain colors make your skin glow or how a specific cut makes you stand taller. You feel more you, and that confidence ripples into everything else you do.
Know What You Like (and What You Don’t)
One of the first steps in building a wardrobe that reflects your true self is reconnecting with your preferences, not the algorithm's. What silhouettes do you feel best in? What colors do you wear on repeat? What textures or patterns make you smile?
These are clues, not coincidences. Aricia calls this “style intuition” or the inner spark that draws you to certain pieces, even if you can’t explain why. That feeling when you put on your favorite sweater or jeans? That’s your true style speaking.
If you find yourself constantly adjusting an item, questioning how you look in it, or feeling “off” when you wear it, it’s probably not in alignment with your Style ID.
In The Style Formula, Aricia introduces the concept of your Style ID. This is a personal blueprint that includes your body architecture, color palette, lifestyle, and even your likes and dislikes.
When you know your Style ID, you can:
Spot what works for you more quickly
Skip feeling overwhelmed when shopping
Let go of pieces that almost work but never feel quite right
Feel confident in every outfit you wear (because it aligns with you)
Your Style ID isn’t about following rules. It’s about creating a wardrobe that fits your life and lets your personality shine.
Your Closet Should Not Feel Like a Costume
When we dress out of alignment with our true selves, it can feel like we’re putting on a costume. We may look the part, but we don’t feel it.
The Style Formula shares the story of Tara, a woman who bought traditional suits to look “professional” at her first job. They fit her proportions and checked the boxes for the dress code, but they didn’t reflect who she was. Tara felt drained and disconnected at work. Once she started incorporating colors and sportier pieces that felt more like her, she began showing up with more confidence and ease.
Your wardrobe should support your identity, not suppress it. When you express yourself authentically, your clothes stop wearing you and start working for you.
Self-expression isn’t one-size-fits-all, and your clothes shouldn’t be either.
Your favorite pieces likely already hold clues to what you love. Maybe it’s a soft neutral sweater you feel grounded in. A colorful dress that makes you feel bold. A tailored blazer that instantly gives you a sense of structure. These aren't just garments. They’re tools for communication.
Ask yourself:
What do I want my clothes to say about me?
Where do I feel most like myself, and what am I wearing in those moments?
Are my clothes reflecting the life I live, or the one I used to have?
When your wardrobe reflects your real day-to-day, whether that includes daycare pickups, creative meetings, client calls, or slow weekends, you’re more likely to feel supported (and less likely to say “I have nothing to wear”).
Practical Ways to Reflect Your True Self
Building a wardrobe that reflects your true self doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process of self-discovery and conscious choice. Here's how to begin:
Get clear on your Style ID. The Style Formula guides you through identifying your own style using factors such as color analysis, body architecture, and lifestyle needs.
Shop your own closet. What pieces do you reach for on repeat? These are often your ID Essentials or the foundations of your style.
Add signature and statement pieces with intention. These are items that reflect your personality and make outfits feel more “you,” without being overly trendy or difficult to style.
Avoid “almost right” clothes. These are the pieces you keep trying to make work, but never feel great in. If it doesn't feel authentic or comfortable, it’s probably not worth the space in your closet.
Use repetition and friction to your advantage. Repeating key colors or patterns across an outfit creates a polished, harmonious look. Friction (for example, mixing styles like pairing a silk blouse with cargo pants) adds unexpected personality and visual interest.
Look for “green flag” pieces. Aricia encourages noticing items that feel expressive and energizing. These are the pieces that not only fit well but also feel aligned with your identity. They make getting dressed easier and often become wardrobe MVPs.
Final Thoughts: Style as Self-Care
Clothing is more than fabric. It’s an act of self-trust. Style can even be a form of recovery, whether from burnout, body image struggles, or feeling unseen in certain roles. When your wardrobe reflects your values and current life stage, it becomes a quiet but powerful way to reclaim your sense of self.
As Aricia writes, “Putting together outfits you love can then become an enjoyable, empowering experience, and even serve as a type of self-care.”
You don’t have to change who you are to be stylish. You just need to stop ignoring what you already know about yourself.
Want to feel more like yourself in what you wear?
The Style Formula: The Art and Science of What to Wear by Aricia Symes is now available. This thoughtful guide helps you define your Style ID, shop smarter, and feel more confident in your clothes, so your wardrobe finally reflects the real you.
Get your copy today and begin building a wardrobe that feels like home.