It was a happy coincidence of a few things - ans playing around with Pinterest saving looks that I loved definitely helped.
Firstly, thinking about the story I want to tell with my clothes and who I am as a person. Although this varies day by day (is it "in control, not willing to take any crap" or "luxuriously cosy" or whatever). So I aim for dramatic/decadent/glamorous. (Ha!)
The above is heavily influenced by the black and white Hollywood films from the 40s that I devoured when little.
Secondly, I analysed my body shape. I am a slim hourglass. I have a small waist, very long legs but then a short waist, proportionately big thighs and upper arms (think carrot), thick ankles, a long slim neck, good shoulders and bust.
Doing my research online and in real life, I found that nipped-in at the waist clothes suited me. Happily this chimes nicely with my 40s black and white film love. I rock a pencil skirt, slinky and sleek clothes. I should never attempt ankle straps or ankle boots unless very carefully cut. I can do trousers but they have to be mid rise to reduce the bulk of thigh even though high waisted skirts are fab on me. I have a variety of thin belts but thick belts make my waist disappear under the bulk because of the short-waistedness.
I also had my colours done (Autumn) but although I came out as a soft autumn, I will always be drawn to strong colours, dramatic shapes etc. It is just my personality - I like a statement bit of jewellery and drama etc.
So my looks tend to be:
Workwear: midi pencil skirt, nipped in vintage 50s skirt suits, draped sleek 40s dresses, thin metal belts, silk blouses, tailored shirts, cropped trousers and a masculine blazer and brogues. Structured tailored coats and capes. Heels. Pearl drop earrings. Gold and rust and cream and navy and olive and sage and orange and tan.
Casualwear: tweed or denim midi pencil skirts, cropped tailored jeans, polo necks, cashmere or silk scoop or v neck t shirts, tan sandals or brogues, brown suede OTK boots with short cord minis and a polo, loosely tailored mannish shirt and a sharply tailored blazer over the top of jeans. Silk cocoon coats. Bigger jewellery: pearls and gold and turquoise and tortoiseshell.
Occasionwear: lame, sequins, a lot of slink. Ad expensive as I can afford, usually vintage. Full length wherever possible. Draped 40s dresses with beading, gold metallic accessories.
You will see that, like PP, I mention fabrics a lot. It's key to making me feel decadent on a daily basis, even if just wearing a top and jeans. That and wearing perfume