In the era of viral trends, TikTok hauls, and dupe culture fashion is feeling increasingly monotonous.
After years of subscribing to the capsule wardrobe cult, where we suddenly found ourselves all dressing the same, fashion is headed for a major vibe shift. In 2025, inspired by recent runways, maximalism and personal style is making a triumphant return to the fashion forefront.
But how does one determine their personal style and show individuality in a sartorial climate obsessed with recreation, dupes and copy cat buys?
We asked the marie claire office how they, after years of working in the fashion industry, avoid getting swept up in trends and develop their personal style.
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How To Find Your Personal Style
Georgie McCourt, Editor
“To say my life is busy is an understatement which is why when it comes to dressing, I find myself craving simplicity. Back in my 20s, I loved wearing bright, patterned skirts. I don’thave time for colouranymoreand mostly live in black. I opt for clean lines, soft neutrals, and timeless pieces that make dressing feel uncomplicated.
I’vefully embraced the Clean Girl Aesthetic– it’sless of a trend and more of a way to focus on simplicity and ease. It’sabout curating a wardrobe that works: high-waisted trousers, denim jeans, tailored blazers that I throw over everything, and crisp shirting that’sas polished as it is comfortable. Minimalist dressing gets a bad rap for being boring, but to me, the quieter the outfit, the easier it is to get dressed and out the door.”
Naomi Smith, Fashion Director
“As a stylist I do like to take on something new in my wardrobe each season.
I gravitate towards simple, classic style; I like to wear men’s jackets, sometimes a short skirt, jeans, shirts, classic knits etc. I do like to change my shoe or some small detail each season just to modernise my look a bit.
Right now, I am obsessed with thick ribbed tights as shown in The Prada Summer SS 25 show. Some were pink and green – I would use those for styling – but for me personally, I would opt for grey ones. Paired with a chunky lace up brogue and a short skirt, this would give me that small twist to modernise my wardrobe.”
Jordan Boorman, Fashion Editor
“I feel like my style is always evolving and changing according to my mood or the season.
However, I’ve always loved the impact that a good accessory has to your outfit – they’re my favorite way to add a subtle, feminine touch to any look.
It may be through a piece of jewellery, shoes or a bag, even if I am wearing a masculine style, I love to keep that touch of femininity always.”
Sally Hunwick, Beauty Director
“I keep my style simple with pieces that can mix and match together. It’s mostly so that my mornings are streamlined and I’m not stressed about what to wear. A high waisted pair of jeans, a white t-shirt or singlet, an oversized blazer and ballet flats are my workday uniform.
I like to wear more whites and neutrals in the summer then stick to black, white, blue denim and grey in the cooler seasons. I do play around with my makeup though, a pop of colour on my lips or cheeks makes me feel ready to face the day.”
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Maddison Hockey, Digital Editor
“One of the best things I did to develop my personal style was learning about my body type and how to dress to suit that shape. Once I understood what kind of silhouettes and proportions were most flattering, I started accumulating key pieces I could always count on to look good.
It also helped me to avoid buying into trends that simply didn’t suit me or adapting them in a way that was more tailored to my shape and look. The same goes for understanding my colour palette — there’s a reason the internet is obsessed with figuring out if they’re a warm spring or cool winter.
To compliment this, I usually invest in a few new key pieces each season and rely on updated accessories to make my wardrobe feel on-trend without buying into fleeting fads.”
Alexandra English, Features Editor
“To be honest, I’m still searching for my personal style. As a five-foot-nothing fashion lover who’s spent her entire career in the industry, it’s hard to find fashion that loves me back. It’s hard to find any style when you don’t fit into anything that’s in style.
I love colour, I love patterns, I’m having a real moment for sequins. But at my height, wearing any of that would literally make me look like a child. My personal style has ended up less of a curated expression of my inner self and more an attempt to make the most of whatever fits or whatever my tailor can work her magic on. It resulted in a sort-of uniform of oversized shirts, blazers and trousers usually in black, white and grey (inspired by those also-tiny Olsen twins) with sneakers or boots, which can be a size too big without anyone knowing. I’m at Uniqlo all the time.
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The one item that I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of is my new Manning Cartell sequin minidress. It’s my one novelty item and I’m obsessed with it because it fit first go. My tailor may be a magician, but hemming sequins is a whole other thing.”
Harriet Sim, Deputy Features Editor
“I’ve been shopping second-hand since high school, but about four years ago, I transitioned into almost exclusively shopping at charity shops and consignment stores. Walking into an op shop can feel overwhelming; there’s no organisation to the layout or curation that leans into a specific trend. Instead, you’re left to your own devices to feel the texture, colours and shapes that resonate with you.
Shopping preloved has forced me to confront what attracts me to a specific item and move away from trend-based purchases. It took me a while to get there, but now, whenI pick up a piece of clothing, I ask myself: Does the condition, brand, and fabric reflect the price? Does it actually fit me, or does it need tailoring, and could I resell it in the future? Right now, I’m obsessed with the cashmere Valentino knit with an embellished floral collar that I picked up for $120 from Venla in Mosman, Sydney.”
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Benji Luis, Acting Fashion Assistant
“I invariably tend to draw my styling attributes largely from movies like Notting Hill, stylists such as Marc Forne and the artistry of Saint Laurent and Haider Ackerman. Predominantly I love to grab inspiration from pinterest and scour the 90’s and now era of fashion especially throughout France, Italy and New York to truly culminate a good capsule wardrobe, mostly consisting of pieces like a great Jac + Jack cashmere sweater or a stand out red sock. Fashion is a constantly evolving journey of self discovery and is so personal yet also so simultaneously congruent with the wider world.
Right now I am loving my recently purchased new season Jacquemus Derby Shoes. With a square stack heel on one side and rounded on the other, while an impulsive and admittedly expensive decision, they are the ideal shoe for any dressed up occasion, or even just styling back with a pair back with a pair of baggy blue levis jeans with a white tee giving a nod to elevated yet relaxed dressing seen in recent seasons.”
Rebecca Mitchell, Contributor
“I’m a visual learner, so I found Pinterest invaluable when it came to figuring out my personal style. I started saving looks I loved—-photos from films, celebrities, street style etc.—-and the algorithm started to pick up what I wanted.
Once I’d pinned quite a few things and could see them all grouped together, I started noticing patterns of what I liked. Leather jackets, slip dresses, high-low styles, a lot of Jane Birkin—certain themes just made themselves clear. While I would say trends still have an influence, the boards help keep my style grounded in a core idea.”
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Maddison HockeyDigital Editor
After studying a Bachelor of Journalism at The University of Wollongong and Fashion Business at FBI Fashion College, Maddison began her now decade-long career in the media industry. She’s worked across print, digital and affiliates at some of Australia’s biggest entertainment, lifestyle and fashion titles (ELLE, Marie Claire, The Australian Women’s Weekly, Who, Girlfriend and more) covering the latest trends, cultural moments and celeb news.Previously, she was the Senior Shopping Editor at Marie Claire and ELLE, where she combined her digital expertise and ability to scroll through endless online shopping sites without tire to help fashion-devotees like her find the perfect item.Currently the Digital Editor of Marie Claire, her love for and expertise in e-commerce still sees her trying on countless pairs of jeans in the name of research, that is, when she’s not covering the latest celeb news, dissecting runway trends or advocating on women’s issues.
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