Beyond Fashion Trends: How To Create a Timeless Wardrobe That Reflects Your True Self
- milanwomennetwork
- Sep 21
- 6 min read
Fellow MWN member & personal stylist, Csenge, uncovers why reflecting on your style and aspirations of how you want to feel in your own skin is such a powerful tool (and 4 questions to ask yourself). This season isn’t about the next ‘must-have’ item, but about finding the quality pieces that express the woman you want to become.
Your style is a reflection of your future self
When was the last time you thought about your wardrobe not as “what I need for this
season,” but as “what reflects the woman I’m becoming”?
So often, fashion is tied to fleeting trends, shopping sprees, or the practical changes that come with the weather.
But personal style, when we treat it with intention, is something much deeper. It’s about identity, presence, and the small yet powerful choices we make every day to show the world who we are, and who we’re becoming.
In this piece, I want to share not only why reflecting on your style is such a powerful tool, but also how you can use it as a mirror for your future self.
And because I know how grounding practical advice can be, I’ll also show you what it means to invest wisely in the core pieces that form the foundation of an aligned, elegant wardrobe.
This season won’t be about the next “must-have” item or a list of things you should buy. It will be about redefining how you see style itself - as a form of self-expression, as a
reflection of growth, and as a practical investment in the badass woman you’re becoming.
Why style goes beyond seasons
When I first moved to Milan from Hungary, I was in my early twenties and carrying nothing more than two suitcases.
Milan is a city that breathes style: from the perfectly tailored coats on the streets, to the quiet elegance of women sipping espresso in silk blouses.
I was inspired, but I was also overwhelmed. Let’s be honest here everyone had an LV bag on their shoulders and I could barely afford my rent.
For a long time, I believed fashion was about keeping up. The right shoes, the right jacket, the right season’s look. But as I settled into my life here, I realised that the women who truly captivated me weren’t the ones chasing trends or brands.
They were the ones whose style felt like an extension of their essence. It was far beyond the labels or trending colours… it was about them. Effortlessly put together.
That’s when it clicked - style should be not about the season you’re dressing for.
It should be about the woman you’re becoming in the next season of your life.
Your second skin.
Think about it, trends change every few months. But the qualities you want to embody - elegance, confidence, creativity, ease, or whatever your values may be - these are
timeless.
Your wardrobe, when built intentionally, can become the most personal vision board you own.
Where do you start with developing your personal style?
It starts with reflection.
Instead of asking, “What do I need for fall?” or “What’s trending this spring?” ask yourself:
Who is the woman I’m growing into right now?
What values or qualities do I want to express through my appearance?
How can I use clothing not just to cover myself, but to communicate those qualities to the world?
For example, maybe you’re stepping into a new role in your business and want to be seen as more authoritative. Or maybe you’ve decided this next chapter of your life is about ease and slowing down, and you want your clothes to reflect softness and comfort without losing elegance.
Once you start thinking this way, shopping and getting dressed shift from being a chore to being an intentional practice.
It’s no longer stressful finding something to wear. It will become a process of aligning yourself with the version of you that you’re ready to embody.
The power of core pieces in fashion
Now let’s get practical, because reflection is only half the story.
The other half is about building a wardrobe that supports this vision - and that’s where core pieces come in.
Core pieces are the timeless, versatile items that give your wardrobe structure. They’re the quiet heroes you can wear again and again, in countless ways, without them ever losing their power.
Think of:
A beautifully tailored blazer that instantly sharpens your presence
A little black dress that always makes you feel elegant
A pair of high-quality trousers that flatter your shape and never go out of style
A white silk blouse that works as easily for a meeting as it does for dinner
Leather shoes or boots that only get better with age
When you invest in these essentials, you give yourself freedom. Suddenly, you’re not standing in front of your closet overwhelmed by choices.
You know you have reliable, high-quality pieces that can anchor any outfit. From there, you can add layers of personality: a bold accessory, a playful print, or a seasonal piece that excites you (hopefully not a labubu).
Core pieces are also where wise investment pays off. Instead of buying five fast-fashion tops that fade after two washes, you invest in one item that lasts for years and makes you feel incredible every time you wear it.
It‘s financial mindfulness and sustainability, too.
My personal style story
For me, style has never been just about clothes. It’s been a lifeline in times of change.
When I moved countries, when I became a mother, when I navigated personal
reinvention…in each of these moments, style was the tool that helped me show up as my best self, even when everything inside me felt uncertain.
My style didn’t “change” in the way people expect…It was never just about switching to comfort clothes or giving up heels.
What truly shifted was my openness to experiment without perfectionism.
I had eras where I look back now and laugh, like when I cut my long hair short into a boxy shape.
At the time it felt right, and I don’t regret it because it was part of the process.
Did it look good? No.
Did I at least try it? Hell yes.
After becoming a mother, I started analysing myself more intentionally.
I took notes about what I liked, what I wanted to represent, and I stripped away all the extra noise. That’s when I realised how much style affects your emotions day to day.
When you feel like you’re wearing your second skin, everything flows differently. But to be able to do that, I had to really reflect.
I had to face the fact that half of my wardrobe didn't fit the core of my personal style, or that I didn't quite know how to match those pieces to have the desired end result that felt authentic.
When I first arrived in Milan, I didn’t have the polished wardrobe I wanted.
But I had a vision.
I saw myself as a woman who was confident, elegant, and a little bit edgy.
Every time I put on a carefully chosen piece (even if it was something simple) it felt like
stepping closer to that vision.
It’s not about what others are wearing, not about big labels, but about clarity - knowing how to move from A to B by listening to the inner woman who knows the direction.
And I want more women to feel this, because it’s liberating. It starts with reflection, not with shop windows.
Today, I can say my style is not minimalistic or simple, but it’s a real extension of me.
I love how my look reflects my daily mood.
And that’s why I love guiding other women through this process.
Because style isn’t frivolous or superficial. When used with intention, it’s one of the most powerful tools for self-expression and self-growth we have.
If you’re curious about exploring your own style in this way, here are some questions you can start journaling on or simply reflecting with as you get dressed tomorrow morning:
What qualities do I most admire in other women, and how could I reflect them in my style?
How do I want to feel when I walk into a room - and does my wardrobe help me feel that way?
What is one core piece I already own that makes me feel powerful or elegant every time I wear it?
What do I want my style to say about the woman I’m becoming?
So I’ll leave you with this: the next time you open your closet, don’t just ask, “What should I wear today?”.
Ask instead: “Who am I becoming and how do I want to feel today - how
can my clothes support that?”
Because when you honour your style, you honour yourself.
Con Amore,
Csenge
If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to join me in my upcoming MWN styling workshop.
Together, we’ll dive deeper into how to define your style identity, invest wisely in core
pieces, and align your wardrobe with the woman you’re becoming.
Sign up for the workshop inside the MWN community, and let’s discover together how your wardrobe can be the most powerful tool for stepping into your next chapter.
Proofread & Edited By: Ché Maria Milani
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