29 Types of Fashion Styles and How to Find the One for You

As we are all well aware by now, fashion trends are constantly changing and multiplying. And that is great, because different fashion styles allow people to express themselves through clothing and show off their creativity. But it can sometimes be challenging to recognize different types of fashion styles and discover which one suits you best.

Finding a style that fits your taste can help you feel more confident and more you. And even though every person has a unique way of wearing a certain fashion style, it helps if you have a blueprint. So, here you will find a comprehensive guide on various types of fashion styles and some tips on how to find the perfect one for you.

29 Different Types of Fashion Styles to Try Out

1. Sporty Style

Sporty style, or athleisure as some call it, has seen a rise in popularity over the past years — and for a good reason. It is simple, convenient, and it looks great. You can easily recognize a sporty style by the elements of athletic wear such as leggings, oversized sweatshirts, basic tees, and tank tops.

This fashion trend is easily one of the most comfortable you can choose, and it has become a synonym for casual. Activewear is usually made of breathable and stretchy fabrics. So, you can be sure such clothes will keep all the loose parts in check but will feel cozy at the same time.

If you want to achieve this look, just buy some pieces of clothes from popular sports companies like Nike, Adidas, Puma, etc. Next, throw in some running shoes, and don’t forget about a ponytail. Your aim is to look like you just got out of the gym but less sweaty and more stylish.

Check out Gigi Hadid’s athleisure style in the picture below.

Image source: Pinterest

2. Bohemian Style

Next on our list of different types of fashion styles is the bohemian style. Bohemian, boho, or boho chic style is perfect for all the free spirits out there. This fashion style draws inspiration from the 1960’s Hippy culture and aesthetics. So, you can recognize it by free-flowing materials, bold patterns, and bright outfits.

If you think boho chic style might be the one for you, you should stock your closet with handcrafted clothes and earthy tones. However, pay attention that your clothes are made of natural fabrics such as cotton, silk, denim, and hemp. Furthermore, focus on bell-bottom pants, maxi dresses, long skirts, large brimmed hats, fringe, suede, and slouchy handbags. You’ll also want to add a few artistic and casual pieces of jewelry.

In the picture below, you will see Vanesa Hudgens, who often chooses boho style.

Image source: Pinterest

3. Gunge Style

In the 1980s and 1990s, grunge music and subculture that originated from Seattle inspired more than just angst-driven lyrics and stripped-down sound. This movement brought us an amazing new fashion style, called, you guessed it, a grunge style. It features plaid flannel shirts, leather jackets, oversized knits, and a generally subversive and disheveled look. And, oh, great news — grunge is making a comeback.

So, if you want to join the interesting and rebellious world of grunge, you’ll need to visit a thrift store and get some ripped jeans or tights, combat boots, a flannel shirt, and wear a messy hairstyle. Moreover, you might also want to invest in an oversized black leather jacket or a metallic jacket, crop tops, band tees, fishnet stockings, and beanies. To complete the edgy appearance, put on bright red lipstick.

Cara Delavingne is one of the celebrities who welcomed a neo grunge style.

Image source: Pinterest

4. Preppy Style

If you’ve always dreamed about the uniforms students wear at private East Coast prep schools and Ivy League colleges, you’ll surely like the preppy fashion style. To find inspiration for this new look, you might want to check out some upper-class sports like polo, tennis, sailing, and horseback riding.

So, gather your friends and go shopping. On your list of clothing items you need to buy, you should put polo shirts, argyle sweaters and socks, button-down Oxford shirts, blazers, cardigans, boat shoes, khaki pants, and A-line skirts. When it comes to accessories, glasses, pearls, and cloth-wrapped headbands are a must.

But don’t worry, these days you don’t have to spend a fortune to look like you just came home from a golf course or a country club. Fairly inexpensive polo layered under a cable-knit sweater and a pair of bright-colored pants will do the trick.

Here’s Reese Witherspoon looking great in a preppy style outfit.

Image source: Pinterest

5. Punk Style

Next on our list of 29 different types of fashion styles is the punk style. Punk fashion came to life thanks to the rebellious punk and rock culture of the 1970s and 1980s.

Over time, this trend found its way into many subcultures. Still, some elements remain the same throughout, such as ripped fishnet stockings, deconstructed blazers, leather jackets, chunky black boots, and skinny jeans. Today, you’ll find a number of variations of the original punk style like neofascist punk, cyberpunk, straight edge punk, and emo punk.

Anyway, if you want to show off some attitude, there’s no better way to do it than through punk style. So, you’ll need a lot of leather, black skinny jeans, spandex, band tees, provocative inscriptions, skater skirts, and studded vests.

To contrast the usually dark clothing, add some bright hair colors and a bold hairstyle like a mohawk or spiked hair. And for the authentic punk look, think about tattoos, piercings, spikes, chains, and studs.

Remember Avril Lavigne? Yeah, she punked it!

Image source: Pinterest

6. Artsy Style

If you are a creative, artistic soul who likes to experiment with colors and different types of fashion styles, this artsy trend might be a perfect fit. This fashion trend is all about bold colors, exaggerated prints, and no rules.

Because of the nature of the artsy style, there are no clothing items that we can immediately associate with it. Still, you will easily notice anyone rocking this fashion style by their outfit’s uniqueness and bold, creative energy. So, if you opt for the artsy style, you will have all the liberty to create your own version of it.

However, if you don’t have any experience with such fashion trends, here are some guidelines to get you started. First, pair leggings or skinny jeans with an asymmetrical tunic. Next, put on flat, tall boots, and add a few pieces of dramatic handmade jewelry. Generally, look for clothing and accessories with unusual silhouettes and strange shapes.

Check out Zendaya’s artsy jacket.

Image source: Pinterest

7. Trendy Style

Perhaps a complete opposite of artsy is the trendy style. A trendy style is an all-encompassing term that refers to any and every trend that is currently hot. And since fashion is always changing, the trendy style changes along with it — from season to season.

If you want to adopt a trendy look, you need to stay on top of the latest and biggest fashion trends. Moreover, you have to be willing to change your wardrobe with every passing season. So, if you are running on a tight budget, this style might not be the best option for you. But if your budget allows it, trendy style is perhaps the easiest to follow — everything you need to know will be on the front pages of fashion magazines.

And if ever in doubt, just look up to celebrities like Hailey Bieber for inspiration.

Image source: Pinterest

8. Streetwear Style

Streetwear is another casual trend on our list of different types of fashion styles. This all-encompassing look first became popular in the 90s, and you will recognize it by the comfortable but trendy clothes. Streetwear is considered a modern urban fashion as it takes ideas from hip-hop, surf, and skate styles but mixes them with the concept of product scarcity.

To sport this style, you’ll need logo tees, hoodies, crop tops, and expensive sneakers. But although it looks casual, streetwear style can be surprisingly costly. If you want to keep up with the latest trends and hypebeasts — trendsetters in the streetwear world — you’ll need to spring for some limited edition items. These often include designer baseball caps, sneakers, hoodies, and the like.

Bella Hadid is a celebrity that is famous for her street style.

Image source: Pinterest

9. Vintage Style

The term vintage refers to a clothing style that imitates trends that were popular in the past. And if you thought, Wait, almost all the trends we talked about started a few decades ago and are now resurfacing again. Doesn’t that make them vintage? — you are right.

Fashion is cyclical, and it is common for the same fashion styles to reappear time and time again. However, while it is technically true that you can call such fashion vintage, we usually use this term for something more specific.

So, to know if your style really is vintage, think about fashion styles that were popular between the 1920s and 1970s. More precisely, a vintage-style features clothing pieces such as flapper dresses, pinup clothing, circle skirts, petticoats, and wide-leg trousers. But since every decade has its own trends and styles, here are some must-haves from each decade.

If you want to achieve a 1920s look, start with long beads, t-strap shoes, flapper dresses, and heeled Mary Janes. For authentic 1930s fashion style, you’ll need puffed and fluttering sleeves, Oxfords, bolero jackets, fedoras, slingbacks, and peep-toe shoes.

Next, for 1940s style, add wool plaid skirts and straight tweed, brooches, reptile shoes and handbags, and platform shoes to your wardrobe. But if you want to have the 50s-inspired style, shirtwaist dresses, fur trim, full skirts with petticoats, strings of pearls, wayfarer sunglasses, and twin sweater sets are the way to go.

1960s fashion is Jackie Kenedy style, box-jacket suits, elegant pillbox hats, flowing tops, bell-bottom jeans, and boho style. And last but not least, for a vintage, 70s-inspired look, you’ll need platforms, a Birkin bag, boho style, flare jeans, thigh-high boots, block heels, and khakis.

In the picture, you’ll see Selena Gomez’s vintage-inspired outfit.

Image source: Pinterest

10. Feminine Style

If you want to let the lady in you shine, go with the feminine style. Feminine style means lace, pastel colors, flounces, florals, and bows. So, you will easily recognize it by the flattering feminine silhouettes like A-line dresses and cinched waistcoats. And for casual days this type of fashion recommends fitted jeans and nice blouses.

This kind of style looks beautiful and lady-like and is the best option for those who like to dress up and wear a lot of skirts and dresses.

The British actress Lily James has a gorgeous feminine style.

Image source: Pinterest

11. Tomboy Style

Next on our list of different types of fashion styles is a simple but modern tomboy style. We can freely say that tomboy is the exact opposite of the feminine style.

So, people who sport this look avoid girly clothes and opt for more masculine or gender-neutral pieces. For example, a perfect tomboy attire can include a graphic tee or a fine button-up check shirt, jeans, and flat canvas shoes.

To become a part of this fashion trend, you should include loose-fitting trousers and jeans, collared shirts, oversized blazers, suits, slouchy cardigans, and baggy shirts into your wardrobe.

Look how gorgeous Ciara looks in a tomboy-style outfit.

Image source: Pinterest

12. Girl Next Door Style

A girl next door fashion style is sweet, simple, and laid back. It also avoids attention-grabbing and excessively bold pieces. Girls next door have closets filled with simple teets, tennis shoes, classic denim shorts, slip dresses, and simple sundresses.

All in all, this style is comfy, inexpensive, and suitable for just about anyone — at least on weekends.

Emily Ratajkowski is the queen of the girl next door style among celebrities.

Image source: Pinterest

13. Business Casual Style

Dress codes change all the time. Once, strict business attire was a must in every office across the US. But nowadays, we have offices with beanbag chairs instead of desks that allow you to go to your work wearing everything short of your PJs. Still, many find that casual business style is a great way to look business-like but not too rigid.

Business casual clothing style is appropriate for business events and meetings, but it also makes you feel relaxed and comfortable at the same time. For instance, you can wear slacks or a skirt with a tunic or a blouse, and a matching jacket.

This combination is fit for everyday office but will make you look elegant as well. So, if you choose business casual, you will have a chance to express your personal style, look fashionable, and still wear a functional outfit.

Victoria Beckham chose this combo for her business casual style.

Image source: Pinterest

14. Androgynous Style

Androgynous is a gender-neutral fashion style in which you can combine clothing items from either gender into your unique style. This type of fashion is also called gender fluid or genderless. So, if you are a female, sporting androgynous style would mean adopting men’s clothing and skipping the makeup.

Kirsten Stewart is rocking androgynous style in the picture below.

Image source: Pinterest

15. Chic Style

Number fifteen on this list of different types of fashion styles is the famous chic style. Chic fashion is a fabulous combo of elegance and class embodied in monochromatic clothes and sleek, clean lines. Furthermore, this fashion style doesn’t support vibrant colors. In fact, the only bold elements that are acceptable are something like a classic red lipstick or an alligator skin purse.

Another thing to mention about this trend is how important accessories are. Chic style focused on modern, sleek, and latest accessories.

So, if you want to look chicer, you need to keep your clothes tasteful and elegant and your accessories fashionable and up-to-date. Also, you should be careful when it comes to exposing your skin. The only parts of your body that are considered proper to expose are your ankles and shoulders in the chic world. Therefore, forget about mini skirts and cleavage — a true lady knows how to look attractive without exposing too much.

In the picture below, you can see how Emilia Clarke manages to look chic off-duty.

Image source: Pinterest

16. Cowgirl Style

The cowgirl style includes button-down shirts, blue jeans, cowboy boots, and leather fringe details. This distinctive look shows your feminine side and hot bod but also sends out a message that you know how to handle yourself. So, it would be best to wear it with an attitude.

Jessica Simpson is well-known for her modern cowgirl style.

Image source: Pinterest

17. Gothic Style

The complete opposite of sunny and warm brown cowgirl style is the gothic black fashion trend. Gothic style is dark, mysterious, and even on the verge of morbidness. It originates from Gothic culture, which includes music, movies, fiction, and a huge number of followers.

You will easily notice anyone who enjoys gothic fashion by tight-fitting black outfits and tons of gothic-themed accessories and jewelry.

So, if all this seems interesting, and you feel bold enough to try it out, a gothic fashion style starter pack includes black hair, black outfits, black boots, and black lipstick and nail polish. Furthermore, you are welcome to add multiple piercings and unusual details such as spikes, clothing pins, and heavy makeup.

Kate Beckinsale nailed the gothic look in this photo.

Image source: Pinterest

18. Rocker Style

As long as we are talking about types of fashion styles influenced by music trends, we might as well mention the rocker fashion style. The rocker style is famous for ripped denim, black boots, leather jackets, and studs. But it also includes spikey heels, vintage tees with patches, and motorcycle or bomber jackets. Moreover, dark colors prevail in clothing, accessories, and makeup.

To become a true rocker girl, you’ll need skinny jeans or leather pants and a leather jacket. Also, don’t forget about a T-shirt that represents your favorite rock band and a devil-may-care attitude. Furthermore, all your clothes should be form-fitting, and you might want to get your hands on some rock-style jewelry like spikey necklaces and chunky bracelets.

In the picture below, you can see Ashley Tisdale rocking the rocker style.

Image source: Pinterest

19. Ethnic Style

The colorful ethnic style refers to fashion inspired by the traditional costumes of various nations. For example, ethnic style can include afghan coats, Mexican peasant blouses, Japanese Kimonos, tunics and kaftans from the East, gypsy bandanas, and so much more.

So, if you are into ethnic fashion, you can find creative ways to include your country’s ethnic clothing into your style. Or, you can research other cultures and incorporate a bit of exoticism into your every day.

Just look at Lady Gaga going to a yoga practice in this luxurious blue satin kimono!

Image source: Pinterest

20. Formal Office Style

While we discussed the types of fashion styles above, we mentioned a casual business style. So, it seems appropriate to talk about a formal office fashion style as well.

Formal office wear is for those who want to leave a strong and professional impression all the time. For men, such office attire means a formal, dark suit and a matching tie. On the other hand, women in formal office settings should opt for appropriate dresses, skirts, shirts, and trousers.

This kind of outfit is perfect for meetings and functions. Therefore, if you want to achieve that I am the right person for the promotion look, go with the formal office style.

If ever in doubt, just watch and learn how to wear formal office style from Amal Clooney.

Image source: Pinterest

21. Girly Style

The ultimate feminine fashion is embodied in this cute girly style. You will recognize it by the pink clothes and accessories, plenty of makeup, and dresses and skirts as far as the eye can see. Moreover, those who sport girly style get to wear adorable details such as bows and rock ruffles, frills, and lace.

A social media influencer, Gabi DeMartino is a queen of the girly style.

Image source: Pinterest

22. Lolita Style

The lolita fashion is all about big girls — namely teens and girls in their 20s — dressing up like little girls. This upbeat and adorable style allows you to channel your inner little girl through a closet full of frilly petticoats, cute headwear, dresses in puffy sleeves, printed socks, dainty collars, light jackets, gloves, and cuffs.

Since lolita style is somewhat specific, we didn’t find celebrities showing it off (but we do believe some celebrities enjoy it). So, here’s a photo of a perfect lolita outfit.

Image source: Pinterest

23. Gothic Lolita Style

As you probably already assumed, the gothic lolita trend brings a dark spin on the original lolita fashion style. So, the clothing items are similar in both cases, but the colors in the gothic lolita trend tend to be darker, predominantly black. This clothing style is very popular on the streets of Japan and the US.

Check out the photo below.

Image source: Pinterest

24. Hip-Hop Style

Another one on this list of various types of fashion styles is hip-hop style. Hip-hop is one of the most popular music genres in the US, and millions of fans try to copy their favorite rappers. So, if you are one of them, you’ll need to fill your wardrobe with baseball jerseys, hip-hop-style jeans, bomber jackets, chains, and caps.

Look at Rihanna and her cool hip-hop-style outfit.

Image source: Pinterest

25. Lagenlook Style

The lagenlook style originated from Europe, or more precisely, from Germany. The thing that makes this style stand out is that you wear many layers of unconventionally shaped clothing items on top of one another.

The lagenlook fashion style looks unique and artistic, as you can see in this photo.

Image source: Pinterest

26. K Pop Style

Because of the recent boom in popularity of the K Pop music genre, it probably won’t come as a surprise to learn that there’s now a whole fashion trend called K Pop style.

So, if you are a fan of such music and style, be quick to show your love and appreciation with denim, berets, off-shoulder, and checkered skirts.

Image source: Pinterest

27. Haute Couture

Maybe the most expensive on this list of different types of fashion styles is Haute Couture. This term refers to the exclusive, custom-fitted clothes that high-end designers make. Most often, celebrities and wealthy people use the Haute Couture fashion style for functions and big events. Of course, such clothing items cost a fortune.

Check out Rooney Mara’s Givenchy Haute Couture.

Image source: Pinterest

28. Prairie Chic Style

The prairie chic style is very feminine and romantic. It features long dresses with high necklines, ruffled trims, and puffy sleeves. Furthermore, prairie chic clothing items are usually made of lightweight fabric. They also feature soft and earthy shades and subtle floral print.

To complement this style, you should choose lace-up boots.

Elle Fanning is proudly showing off her prairie chic style at Cannes.

Image source: Pinterest

29. Ankara Style

The last one on this list of different types of fashion styles is the Ankara style. You can adopt the gorgeous Ankara fashion style by wearing clothes made of vibrant, patterned African wax print fabric. Look for Lupita Nyong’o’s outfits if you need a bit of inspiration.

Image source: Pinterest

Choosing the Right Style for You: 5 Tips

As we have seen in the previous section, there are so many types of fashion styles and trends you can dabble in. And to make things even more complicated, you’ve probably already liked several of them, and chances are they don’t go well together. So, how are you supposed to recognize the right fit for you?

Finding your personal fashion style isn’t something you can do in a matter of days. Therefore, you will probably need to experiment and try out various trends before you find the right combination of styles that will feel like you. Still, there are some tips you can use to figure out which types of fashion styles work for you.

1. Analyze Your Wardrobe

Go through every piece of clothing you have in your closet. What are your favorite ones? Also, think about clothes that make you happy and try to understand why you like them so much. They must have some common characteristics, so what are they?

2. Find Your Style Inspiration

Start by thinking about your family and friends. Is there someone in your life whose style you admire? Ask them for tips and where they get their fashion inspiration from. Moreover, you can check out social media for influencers and bloggers with the types of fashion styles that you like. Go through their photos and videos to learn their advice on how to adopt a certain fashion style.

Fashion magazines can also give you some good ideas. In the end, you can follow a celebrity you like and find out who their stylist is and if they have some channel where they share their fashion secrets.

3. Create Your Style Mood Board

Save all the images of fashion styles you like and make your fashion mood board. After doing so, you’ll want to spend some time studying your choices.

At first, it might seem like your fashion taste is all over the place, but soon you’ll notice a thing or two that all the models and outfits have in common. Do many of your choices include leather jackets, maxi dresses, or floral designs? Are the clothes cozy or tight-fitting? This way, you will find an overall mood or vibe that you always go for.

The next thing to do is to pick three images that reflect the whole group’s aesthetic and save them on your phone. So, next time you go shopping, check those pictures out for reference.

4. Choose the Basics

It would be best if you had a collection of classic pieces in your wardrobe, such as a little black dress, a denim jacket, simple tees, etc. These simple clothing items should be in neutral colors so that you can mix and match them and so they would go with everything.

Moreover, they will serve as a basis for other, more exciting pieces you will wear. You probably already have a few of such simple and classic items in your closet, but you should buy the ones you don’t.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

Once you have your basics, it’s time to shop for more unique pieces of clothing that will reflect your style and personality. Adding such items to your wardrobe can take some time, and you might change your mind a few times before you settle on something. And that’s okay.

It’s important to keep in mind that discovering what types of fashion styles suit you best is all about playing. So, begin with bold accessories and colors, and then work on mixing them with different prints and textures.