Personal style never appears all at once.
More often, it develops slowly, through observation, repetition, and an understanding of what feels right.
Many of us begin by borrowing ideas: from a well-dressed friend, social media, or a character in a film. There is nothing wrong with imitation. In fact, it is often where taste begins. We notice something that resonates with us, and we try it on for ourselves.
I remember the first time I watched The Great Gatsby. I was so inspired by the wardrobe that I watched it three times in a row, in one night. Afterwards, I immediately began pulling out every waistcoat, bow tie, and paperboy hat I had in my wardrobe, trying to recreate the outfits I had just seen.
Over time, however, and with intention, those borrowed ideas begin to change, you start interpreting them in your own way.
You begin to care about a jacket fitting a little better. Certain colours appear more often in your wardrobe. A particular pair of shoes becomes the one you reach for again and again. Gradually, patterns begin to form, and you start to discover yourself through your choice of clothing, often without even realizing it.
Without much effort, you begin to understand what suits you, not only in terms of clothing, but in temperament.
Style, after all, is not only about fabric and silhouette. It’s about self expression and creativity, speaking a unique dialect of a universal language. It’s about how you carry yourself, comfort, presence, and the confidence that comes from wearing something that feels entirely your own.
Fashion trends may change from season to season, but personal style moves more slowly, evolving with time. It is built through intention: paying attention to what you admire, what you return to, and what continues to feel right long after a trend has passed.
In the end, personal style is not something that can be rushed.
It is simply the result of living, paying attention, and noticing what stays.
– Akin.
A WELL DRESSED MAN 