Dressing up is one of life’s little miracles. When you look good, you feel good—it’s a guaranteed confidence boost. If you’re set on finding your personal style, be ready for a few bumps along the way. There will be highs and moments when it feels like your body’s playing tricks on you. Before you get started, make sure you’ve got more than just a selfie camera and a window. A proper mirror and a tape measure are crucial, knowing your size makes a world of difference. To guide you, we’ve gathered advice from some exceptionally stylish people—some you might know and some who might be new to you.

Make a Statement and Spark Conversations

For fashion enthusiast and streetwear lover Eno, personal style goes beyond just looking good; it’s about leaving an impression. “My personal style is heavily influenced by streetwear fashion. I also love comfort,” she explains. “But most importantly, I wear my outfits to spark conversations in whatever room I walk into. A ‘what is she wearing’ moment gives me the utmost satisfaction.” For Eno, each outfit is an opportunity to create a dialogue and make a memorable statement.

Stay True to Your Style, Not the Trends

For multifaceted creative and fashion stylist Akinlolu Oluwaseun, personal style is all about authenticity. “I discovered my style by embracing who I am, without apology,” he says. “I’ve always valued a sharp, dapper look—never sagging my trousers, wearing ripped jeans, or chasing trends just to fit in.”  His university, where corporate attire was mandatory, further refined his aesthetic, reinforcing his commitment to a polished look. “My style is a complete expression of who I am as Akinlolu-Certified,” he asserts, standing by his distinct approach to fashion.

Draw Inspiration from Your Surroundings

For business owner and marketing professional Wendy, personal style began with observing the stylish women in her life. “I grew up with young, fashionable aunties, and since I didn’t have a sister, I looked up to them as role models,” she says. “As a child, I always had that ‘sh*t on’!” After secondary school, Wendy faced the challenge of rediscovering her style. “I realized I was style-less after six years in a uniform, so I had to start fresh,” she explains. Experimenting with streetwear allowed her to start expressing her individuality. Owning TLW Vintage, her own vintage store, soon became central to her journey.  “The store not only helped me define my style, but it also gave me affordable access to vintage fashion—something I’m forever grateful for.” Today, Wendy draws inspiration from early 2000s fashion and the icons of that era, bringing a unique flair to her evolving style.

Find Comfort in Your Expression

For Kareem, owner and creative director of the streetwear brand Fiends from the Westside, style is all about self-expression and comfort. “Fashion, for many people, is a method of self-expression, and for me, it’s the same,” he says.  “Finding my personal style was easy, mainly because I have my brand—having a bunch of clothes around makes it easier to experiment and stay stylish.” Kareem believes true style comes from being comfortable with how you express yourself, allowing his brand to reflect his individual take on fashion.

Let Your Style Do the Talking

For filmmaker Ese “The Menace” Obrimah, personal style serves as a way to ease social interactions. “I’m quite shy, so I’ve built my personal style around pieces that are conversation starters, so my socially awkward self has a little less work to do in social settings,” she shares. Ese aims to exude elegance and sensuality through her clothing, gravitating toward pieces that reflect these qualities. “I also love styling traditional pieces made from aso-oke or adire with more youthful accessories like lace-up boots to create a fun and different look.” Her style makes a statement by mixing tradition with modern elements, helping her stand out.

Create Your Own Statement with Simplicity

For fashion stylist, designer, and creative director Olaiya Kayode, comfort and exclusivity are his top priorities when dressing. “Comfortability and exclusivity are my top rules,” he says. Growing up in Nigeria, where everyone seemed to follow similar trends, Olaiya learned to combine his personal style with contemporary fashion.  “I try my best to dress a little according to trend but also input my personality into whatever I wear.” He believes in keeping it simple and casual while still standing out, sharing, “I don’t like to do too much, but I also want to be the center of attention.”

Curate Your Style through Exploration

For media and communication student Divine Ifeanyi Emeruwa, personal style is a journey of self-discovery. “I found my personal style by exploring different looks and noticing what I feel most comfortable in,” he shares. He focused on the colors, fabrics, and silhouettes that naturally caught his attention and made him feel his best.  “I experimented with a variety of styles, keeping the elements that resonated with me and letting go of those that didn’t feel authentic.” Divine draws inspiration from people, art, and nature, yet he incorporates these influences in a way that remains true to himself. Through this process of refinement, he’s developed a personal style that truly reflects who he is.

Treat Your Office like a Runway and Confidently Express Yourself 

Chinelo’s approach to personal style shows how you can make corporate wear truly your own. “My personal fashion style is all about corporate chic, classy vibes, and a touch of eccentricity that really makes me stand out,” she shares. By rocking tailored suits and elegant blouses with bold accessories, she mixes classic pieces with unexpected prints and colors that highlight her personality. “Every outfit I wear gives off confidence and sophistication,” she says.  Chinelo’s style proves that workwear can be stylish and expressive, and by embracing your individuality in the workplace, you can inspire others to do the same.

Make Pinterest Your Bestie

Debby discovered her personal style through observation and being open to new experiences. “I’ve always known what I wanted from a young age, and that clarity shapes everything about me, including my style,” she says. “Finding my personal style wasn’t a struggle.” Pinterest played a major role in her style evolution. “I created a board with styles, clothes, and shoes that align with my current vibe,” Debby shares. “I stick to that board when shopping to ensure I only buy items I’ll actually wear long-term.” For Debby, style development came through trial and error—and patience. “Building my personal style took time. Time is crucial, and there’s no need to rush the process.”

Spend Time Thrifting

For Blossom Okpachui, a business management student, personal style was shaped by her early experiences with second-hand shopping. “My mom always dressed my sisters and I up for church every week without fail,” she recalls. “Each Sunday had a different color and theme, and she would get the most unique pieces from markets in Nigeria. However, this routine made me bored of the same patterns, styles, and colors, so I started styling myself differently for every occasion.” This personal approach not only boosted Blossom’s confidence but also introduced her to the world of second-hand shopping, where she found rare, vintage, and timeless pieces. “When I tell people I shop second-hand, they’re always shocked because they don’t realize how unique it is,” she shares. “Second-hand shopping allows you to find one-of-a-kind pieces and build a capsule wardrobe that stands out.”

Find Your Balance Between Confidence and Simplicity

For actor, filmmaker, and content creator Tega Salubi, personal style is about staying true to himself. “Finding my personal style has been about embracing what feels true to me rather than chasing trends,” he says. “I like to focus on what makes me feel confident—whether it’s a sharp blazer, a clean sneaker, or a classic pair of jeans.” Tega emphasizes the importance of balancing comfort and looking polished, combining streetwear with tailored pieces for a look that is both versatile and effortlessly cool. “At the end of the day, my style is all about showing up as my best self—confident, comfortable, and a little unexpected,” he says.