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
- 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
- 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
- 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:
- 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)
- 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
- 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!