What three words
And we’re back! I hope you’d a good festive break, whatever that looks like for you and your family. The ferry ports here in the UK were damaged by winter storms, turning our trip back to Ireland into a 17 hour journey of colossal proportions. But the salve of family (and white wine on arrival) made it all worthwhile.
Ahead of the year starting proper (the routine returns tomorrow, gulp), I thought I’d spend a rather indulgent session revisiting my three style words. Now, I know that The 3 Word Method isn’t new for a lot of you readers, but please stick with me as the joy here is in reviewing 2024 in terms of your outfit choices, your saved pins and your most-worn items and in considering what’s ahead. Much like a style destination plan for the year! I’m not the only one seeking to set some style intentions for 2025 with
setting out ‘Shorthand Style Goals’ for the year - joy, ease and intention. Simple but achingly beautiful and achievable aspirations with which to underpin her style journey this year.
In defining my three style words, it feels as though I’m setting an intention for 2025 of how to be more ‘me’ in how I dress, in what to shop and in how I shop. Seeing and being our true selves can bring a confidence, an assurance and a more sustainable approach to style, naturally and organically. Until I pluck up the courage (and the budgetary means) to book a one-to-one styling session with Allison Bornstein, I have lent heavily on her online advice. I find her words and how she speaks about personal style so accessible and inspiring. If you’re starting out, I found this video the most helpful in describing The 3 Word Method.
Without preaching to the converted, the three word method is a way of defining (but not limiting, see here) your personal style. The other mind-blowing benefits of arming yourself with these words, in my opinion, are:
As Allison purports, your three style words can act as a checklist as to how or why an outfit is working or not working. Is there an element of your taste that is missing? Is there too much of one element that requires balance with others? Is there nothing of what you actually want to wear?
Your three style words can act as a guide as to what to buy and what not to buy. This is a huge one for me. We can all stumble when feeling the power of influence. An item that looks so desirable on someone else, may not fit our own personal taste, lifestyle or requirements. Feeling more sure of yourself, your style and what you like and don’t like (excellent piece on this concept by Emily here), will make it easier to avoid these temptations.
Your three style words can act as a lens through which you can maximise your wardrobe and identify missing puzzle pieces. They can remind of who you are, stylistically speaking, and that no matter how gorgeous that leather jacket is on your favourite IG profile/ friend/ cousin, it’s not quite you. As Allison puts it, they can help you to ‘cultivate your own unique taste’.
Baseline word
The first step in defining, or redefining, our three style words is to take a look at our closets and identify the pieces we wear most often. How would we describe the style of these items? My original baseline word was casual which I think still sits pretty well. There is nothing too structured, refined or tailored here. Digitizing my wardrobe using the Indyx app or similar has really helped here. I created this board using my most worn items in 2024 according to Indyx, which are my Adidas Speziale, Daisy London gold hoops (similar here from
’s collab, and my new Mejuri ones featured below are fast overtaking these) and this H&M Premium wool jacket (similar here).
Aspirational word
The next step is considering what your dream style, what outfit styles you pin on Pinterest or save on Instagram, and what you aspire to move towards. What word comes to mind? This is where the surprise and the potential change was for me. I had the word minimal pegged here, however the more I review outfits which have inspired me this year, the more style words I would add to the mix. It’s likely that you’ll put different words to these images, which makes things more complicated but also more colorful and interpretive!
So how do I land upon one word?? Well, two words jump out at me from this board - soft and minimal. While these could be seen as opposing words, with true minimalism often having a stark quality, but for me, they work together. I may even go so far as to pen a new mash-up term, like the brilliant
’ ‘midimalism’, and go with ‘soft-minimal’. There we have it, not genius level, but on point nonetheless!Emotional word
The final step is to consider how you feel when you wore some of your favorite outfits and ultimately how do you want your style to make you feel. This was a real challenge for me as we are, by nature, cyclical animals. How I feel one day may not be how I feel the following week, in the exact same outfit. Also outfits hold memories. For example, the image below, in which I’m wearing my white Suzie Kondi top, was taken the day my husband underwent emergency hip surgery. Aside from feeling polished and feminine, I felt strong - I was mid juggle of parenting, working and being a supportive wife.
Although challenging, this was also a great opportunity to get creative. I love all of these sides, however I still think that feminine rings true. How I define and use the term feminine will be different to your definition, but for me, feeling feminine incorporates other terms such as soft, sensual, elegant, powerful, cute and daring. It’s whatever version of me, as a woman, I choose to be that day. It’s intrinsic to who I am at that moment.
So there we are, a small but powerful tweak from my starting line of casual, minimal and street/ feminine, to casual, soft-minimal and feminine. I would really urge you to undertake this practice as I’ve learnt a lot about my current style, what inspires me and why.
Inspiration and wish list pieces
In keeping with the damp (*read torrential) weather we are having here in the UK, my first inspiration and wish list piece is a superb pair of wet weather boots - the Tully Boot from Aussie brand Merry People (available in the UK and the US). I am a bit of a style snob when it comes to outdoor wear. I’m not keen on wellies, for the sake of wellies, and have spent all Autumn looking for a stylish alternative. Reading the back story to Merry People it sounds as though founder, Dani, felt similarly. All the cool kids seem to be wearing these i.e.
and Amy Ward.
My second inspiration and wish list piece is this super feminine and alluring top from Ulla Johnson. I had spied this last summer, so when it popped up in the OUTNET sale, and I had a first timers code, I pounced. I can’t wait for it to arrive and plan to style it similarly to the website and to also give
’s chic layering trick a go.
My final inspiration and wish list piece, and to set an intention for the year, is a preloved piece. My readership is split between the US and Europe so I will endeavor to list preloved pieces equally each side of the water as best I can. This week’s choice item is a Celine cashmere jumper via Vestiaire Collective in the US. I love the idea of quiet excellent quality designer knitwear, it feels very grown up.
As we start into 2025, I wanted to reiterate my thanks to you as readers for your engagement and encouragement on this journey towards a more sustainable style! I hope to see you next weekend for more musings.
Whether you subscribe, follow or pledge, and whatever way you choose to read My Style Rush, I really appreciate you being here x
I actually thought about this when I was struggling with my NYE outfit! I had to refine my descriptors and when I did, my look fell into place. 💕
Awesome article, thank you, Jenny.
I love a revisiting of words and AB has said that she has revisited (if not the word) the meaning of her words.
Also, I continue to love and think about Midimalism as a word and it truly covers so much ground. It means a lot that it still resonates with you too.