Few things make getting dressed simpler than having a signature style. It means you know what works for you and how to put it together. It helps you navigate the rails in every store because you can easily discount everything that doesn’t fit that look.

But ‘signature’ does not mean wearing the same look every day. “There’s a difference between a signature style and a uniform,” says Luke McDonald, from men’s styling service Thread. “A signature is the essence that you put across, whereas just having one look makes you look kooky. It’s consistency, not repetition.”

The aim, therefore, is to be stylish – not stale. Here’s how to nail it.

Style Tips For Finding A Signature Style

Go With Your Gut

Your look isn’t going to become a signature style overnight; it takes several outings, which is far less likely if it’s one you don’t actually like. “A lot of it’s about experimentation,” says McDonald, “but your gut is often right. If you feel uncomfortable in something when you walk into a room, then it’s not for you.”

Often, this discomfort comes when the outside doesn’t match the inside. “[Your clothes] reflect who you are and express something about you even before you’ve said a word,” says McDonald. That means choosing a look that echoes the way you see the world and want it to see you. If you’re wearing something that jars with your personality, it’ll show.

Take Inspiration From The Greats

There are few style moves that haven’t been attempted before, which means finding your own can be as simple as playing follow the leader. “Look at men who look like you and base it on that,” says McDonald.

If you’re particularly tall and lean, Jeff Goldblum’s personality-driven spin on fitted tailoring can be a blueprint. If you’re definitively not, look to the streetwear-heavy wardrobe of Jonah Hill for inspiration. “It can be trial and error, but emulating other men is a good way to cut out a lot of the error.”