How To Develop a Signature Style

Anna Wintour has her dark sunglasses, Donatella Versace has corn-blonde hair and Phillip Bloch is never seen without his Kangol cap. Learn from these style arbiters and find your signature statement.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: Varies

Here's How:

1. Take a serious assessment of your overall current style, deciding if you are traditional, modern, fashion-forward, casual, hippie natural, etc.

2. Determine what you are trying to accomplish with your signature style: to be more memorable, develop an always chic look or have more fun with fashion.

3. Study famous tastemakers and what makes them visually memorable. Many use "props," such as Karl Lagerfeld and his fan or Britney Spears and her belly button.

4. Don't hesitate to imitate a look and make it your own, making sure it fits into your current style and personality.

5. Decide what you would be most comfortable changing: your hair, wardrobe colors or accessories.

6. If you're choosing a striking new hairstyle or color, try the new look in stages to see how it works.

7. If you are choosing a bold new wardrobe color, start by incorporating it as a shirt, tie or scarf color to see how well it works for you.

8. Relying on accessories -- sunglasses, big pins, bright hosiery or vintage handbags -- is a safe, easy and inexpensive way to start a personalized look.

9. Experiment and alter your signature style pieces as you grow more confident.

Tips:

Use your signature style to camouflage flaws or draw attention to your best features.
Try not to cross the fine line between signature style and affectation.
A signature look can be something as sentimental as a charm bracelet or as breezy as brightly colored pantyhose: just make sure it feels like you and fits your personality and lifestyle.