A: Smart move.  You’re never too young to start building a wardrobe that has style and staying power.  Sounds like you’re off to a good start with your wardrobe foundations, but that it’s time to add some personality.

Adding personality to an outfit can be done in two main ways: (1) what you wear, and (2) how you choose to wear it.

With regards to what you wear, you can easily add personality with color and pattern.  Maybe it’s adding a bright green tunic, maybe it’s adding a skirt in a dramatic oversized print.  Or adding classics-with-a-twist: the clothes that you reach for over and over again in your closet, but with an extra special touch.  Items like a perfectly cut polka dotted pencil skirt, a great peacoat with 3/4 sleeves, or a bright yellow pair of heels.

But even a pop of color from a set of bracelets, a cascading set of necklaces, or a statement handbag adds interest to the basics without overwhelming you.

How you choose to wear your clothes is where it gets more interesting.  You mention that you want to build a wardrobe that’s not typical looking.  You can do this, even building on the basics that you already have.  Your good white shirt, for example, can be transformed from a wardrobe basic to something special simply by how you wear it.  Try artfully rolling up the sleeves for a relaxed-yet-polished look.  Or leaving an extra button unbuttoned and layering it over a lacy undershirt for a playful after-work look.  Or go glamorous and add a statement brooch (think Carrie Bradshaw from SATC) – or a gorgeous set of layered necklaces. 

Pictured is an example of an outfit that is composed of basics with a twist.  The sleek black pencil skirt is a pure basic, but the boatneck top features sailor stripes, the peacoat in bright green has 3/4 sleeves, the cardigan sweater sports two small front pockets, the herringbone scarf is a bright yellow, the heels are not only yellow but also feature a ladylike rosette, and the black handbag is purposely strappy.  If you push up the sleeves on the cardigan, you’ll allow the sailor stripes to peek out from under the shorter jacket sleeves.  And the bright scarf picks up the yellow in the shoes, adding a touch of lightness to a very city chic outfit.

By building outfits like this, you’ll save your closet from being filled with short lived fashion trends – and you’ll be building a wardrobe that you can count on for years to come.