How to Look Unique

Co-authored by Candace Hanna

Last Updated: March 8, 2022

Having a unique look is a good way to stand out from the crowd. However, uniqueness is not just about wearing offbeat clothing or being completely different from everyone else. Looking unique is about sporting a style that is authentic to you and only you. Find your own personal style by choosing items that you like to wear and putting them all together in a way that is specific to you.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Wearing Clothing Just for You

1
Visualize your unique look. Think about what sort of style you want to wear and what look you are trying to portray to the world.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Candace Hanna
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 12 April 2019.}
- Maybe you want stand out with a wild, crazy, and colorful look because everyone around you dresses conservatively. Maybe you want to dress neatly while everyone else shows off flashy styles. Decide what is going to work for you.
- Look at other people’s styles for inspiration if necessary, but don’t directly copy what you see. The goal is to be unique, and what works for someone else might not work for you.
2
Assess your resources. Look into your own closet to see what clothing you have, like, and want to keep before you buy anything new.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 12 June 2020.}
- You definitely don’t want to get rid of every piece of clothing you already own. Replacing a wardrobe can be expensive, and the clothing you have chosen in the past may represent a style that is already unique to you.
- Go through your closet and divide your clothes into piles. In one pile, keep pieces you still want to wear or can modify. In another pile, put the items you don't want anymore, and can either sell or donate.
- Have a swap party with your friends, where you can all bring your unwanted clothes to exchange with one another. You might find that your friends have some items that are perfect for you.
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3
Shop carefully. Only buy clothing that you truly want and think you’ll wear; don’t ever buy an item just because someone else has it.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Candace Hanna
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 12 April 2019.}
- Try shopping outside the box at thrift or consignment stores to find one-of-a-kind pieces. Thrift stores carry a lot of vintage items that may not be the biggest styles anymore but might be appealing to you.
- Only spend good money items that will last you a while. Splurging when you find a great piece of unique clothing can be exciting, but only spend the cash if the item is going to last you a while. You’re creating a new, unique style, so make sure you’re spending your money on things - like a good dress, top, or coat - that will benefit you for a long time.
- Don't be afraid of colors and patterns! Bold colors and patterns will naturally draw the eye to you, but if you are trying to go in the opposite direction, don’t be afraid of wearing neutral colors and traditional patterns like stripes or plaid. Remember that you’re wearing whatever makes you feel unique.
4
Let go of stereotypes. Forget about what you are “supposed” to wear and focus on what you want to wear.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Candace Hanna
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 12 April 2019.}
- Ignore traditional gender stereotypes. If you’re a girl who prefers men’s clothing, go for it. If you’re a boy who wants to rock a skirt, do it! Your unique look is all about being true to who you are and what you like.
- Forget about whether you have a lot of money or a little money, and dress however you want. You don’t have to dress any particular way, no matter if you’re rich or poor. It is possible to find your unique look on any budget.
- Throw traditional fashion rules out the window. Who says you can’t wear white after Labor Day? You can wear whatever clothes you want whenever you want to wear them!
- Focus on your preferences. If an item of clothing speaks to you, then wear it. Don’t worry about what other people might say, or what looks you might get - sometimes that’s what wearing a unique look is all about. Wearing clothing that you like will make you feel comfortable and confident no matter what, and a sense of true confidence always helps you stand out from the crowd.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Getting Creative with Hair and Makeup

1
Get a new hairstyle. Find a style that accents your facial features and is fresh, creative, and easy to maintain.
- The style doesn’t have to be totally off the wall to be different, it just needs to be a major change for you.
- If you have long hair, think about cutting it short. If you have shorter hair, think about growing it out, styling it differently, or getting extensions.
2
Play with color. Whether you put streaks in, make a bold color choice, or return to your roots, find a color you like and go with it.
- If you want a safe but major change, you can dye your dark hair blonde, or vice versa.
- You can also dye your hair using a colorful ombre effect.
- If your hair has been every color of the rainbow and you want a more natural look, let your hair grow out to its original color. This can take some time, but your natural hair color is always going to be unique to you.
3
Get creative with makeup. Makeup can enhance your beauty and also be a form of art and personal expression.
- Try applying stars and swirls or other quirky designs around your face.
- Apply unique eye makeup. Blend eyeshadow colors or do a sunset makeup look for a colorful look.
- Try out a rainbow or glitter lip for more festive occasions. There are also temporary lip tattoos you can buy online for a one-of-a-kind look that can be easily removed.
- It is okay if you choose not to wear makeup at all. Your unique style is all about what makes you feel good. And depending on your situation, the choice not to wear makeup can be a statement in itself.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Utilizing Accessories

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Don’t be afraid to wear creative accessories. Sometimes unusual items will be perfect for your personal look.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Candace Hanna
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 12 April 2019.}
- For the crafty person, making your own jewelry is the perfect way to show off your unique taste.
- Wearing Grandma’s old cardigan or brooch may not seem unique, but few people wear older accessories like these anymore. And bonus, older items are generally of great, lasting quality.
2
Choose a signature accessory. Pick a type of item to wear with every outfit that will make people think of you.
- Maybe you always wear a ring on your pinky, or a scarf around your handbag. Just choose an accessory that you like and run with it.
- Try giving yourself a manicure to have totally unique nails. Blue nails with purple polka dots? Clear polish on top of natural nails? Why not?
- Glasses are a great way to customize your style. Try some cute frames like a vintage cat-eye shape, or frameless lenses. You can also experiment with different types of sunglasses.
3
Smile. A smile is your most natural, unique accessory.
- Nobody else has your unique smile, and it is a totally free, attention-grabbing accessory!
- Remember to have fun when choosing your unique style. A smile lifts your mood, and anything will look good on you if you are happy and confident.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I be cute?

Alice Wu
Image Consultant
Alice Wu is an Image Consultant and Personal Stylist based in San Francisco, California. She is the Owner of Styled by Alice, an image consulting service offering private styling services for men and women. Focused on personalizing the styling experience, Alice provides closet edits, personal shopping, wardrobe planning, and other services such as event styling.

Alice Wu

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

Look on social media and in magazines for inspiration. Save images that pique your interest, then use them to help you decide on new things to buy.
Question

Is it better to dress based on what's in style or pick my own stuff?

Candace Hanna
Professional Stylist
Candace Hanna is a stylist and style expert based in Southern California. With 16 years of experience in the corporate fashion and personal styling realms, she runs Style by Candace, a personal styling agency that focuses on helping individuals find their personal expression through clothing. Her work has been featured in magazines such as Shoutout LA and VoyageLA.

Candace Hanna

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

You should never dress on what's "in" if it doesn't align with who you are and what you want to look like. Your personal style trumps whatever is considered to be high fashion at a given time.
Question

How can I figure out what looks best on me?

Candace Hanna
Professional Stylist
Candace Hanna is a stylist and style expert based in Southern California. With 16 years of experience in the corporate fashion and personal styling realms, she runs Style by Candace, a personal styling agency that focuses on helping individuals find their personal expression through clothing. Her work has been featured in magazines such as Shoutout LA and VoyageLA.

Candace Hanna

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Don't hesitate to just try things out. There are no hardline rules here, and it's okay if your preferences shift over time or you aren't entirely sure what style is right for you. Experiment!