Allison Bornstein's 3-Word Method for Personal Style

Jul 1, 2024

Allison Bornstein's 3-Word Method for Finding Personal Style

Introduction

  • Allison Bornstein's 3-Word Method helps define and cultivate personal style
  • Useful for those feeling bored or uninspired by their wardrobe
  • Developed by celebrity stylist and author Allison Bornstein
  • Helps articulate what you want from your wardrobe
  • Can work for anyone, regardless of their interest in fashion
  • Personal experience: the method worked for both the speaker and their husband

Overview of the Method

  1. Practical/Realistic Word
    • Describes what you actually wear day-to-day
    • Not about how you want to dress, but what you frequently pull out of your closet
  2. Aspirational Word
    • Describes how you want to dress
    • Relates to styles you are drawn to and inspired by
    • Check Pinterest or other sources of inspiration
  3. Emotional Word
    • Describes how you want to feel in your outfits

Finding Your Three Words

Practical Word

  • Should encompass your daily clothing choices
  • Speaker's Journey:
    • Considered: casual, oversized, boxy, simple
    • Final Choice: comfortable
    • Reason: Work from home, priority on comfort
  • Husband's Practical Word: functional
    • Reason: Active job, needs practical clothing

Aspirational Word

  • Related to style inspirations and aesthetics
  • Speaker's Aspirational Word: minimal and relaxed
    • Reason: Love for minimal accessorizing and relaxed styles
  • Husband's Aspirational Word: fitted
    • Reason: Avoids oversized clothes, prefers fitted styles

Emotional Word

  • Describes the emotional aspect of how you want to feel
  • Speaker's Emotional Word: rebellious
    • Journey through words: edgy, cool, bold, effortless, rock and roll, sensual, unexpected
    • Final Choice: rebellious
  • Husband's Emotional Word: modest
    • Reason: Prefers clothing that is not flashy or attention-seeking

Applying the Three-Word Method

  • Example: Styling outfits using the method
  • Process to refine choices considering the three words
  • Speaker's Example Outfits:
    1. Graphic T-shirt Outfit
      • Original: Jeans, brown belt, leather jacket, sneakers
      • Redesigned: Comfort (black pants), Minimal (black on black), Rebellious (graphic tee and leather clutch with metal embellishments)
    2. Blue Track Pants
      • Comfort and Rebellious: Track pants
      • Minimal: Simple tank top, three-color rule
      • Options: Leather jacket and clutch, black blazer, black jean jacket
    3. Thrifted Top
      • Rebellious: Open back
      • Comfort and Minimal: White trousers, comfy slippers, minimal colors
      • Accessories: Black belt, black bag, gold earrings

Tips

  • Start incorporating the most outside-of-comfort-zone adjective in smaller pieces
  • Mix and match different levels of each vibe to find a comfortable balance
  • Practical word acts as a grounding element
  • Aspirational and Emotional words help add interest

Conclusion

  • A simpler but fun method to explore personal style
  • Emphasizes self-expression and internal reflection
  • Encourages trying the method to reconnect with personal style
  • Call to action: Comment your three words

Stay unique and stay gorgeous!