It is flattering when friends and strangers compliment you on your unique sense of style.

In fact, I only really became interested in style when I realized that it is more about feeling good and less about identifying yourself with a particular subculture.

How exactly does one develop personal style? It is not always easy, but it can be done in just a few simple steps:

1) Use style as a form of self-expression
Style is not an objective concept that “experts” can point to and list off its tenets.

Personal style is like a mosaic of yourself; you draw pieces from different areas and mold them into your vision of yourself. Anyone can buy nice clothes, but style is about how a person wears those clothes.

2) Experiment
In order to create your own style, you need to draw inspiration from a variety of sources.

For example, many were in awe when Gwen Stefani took fashion nods from punk, classic Hollywood and East Indian culture and became a fashion icon. Like Stefani, do not feel pressured to fit into one fashion mold; rather, borrow elements from different cultures, celebrities, friends and time periods.

There is no single recipe to style success. In fact, like cooking, it is often more fun and rewarding to experiment.

3) Be unique
Typically, the only things you should buy together are business suits, bathing suits and pajamas.

While it is great to have a favourite store that matches your tastes, be sure to expand your horizons to avoid becoming bland and boring. The key is browsing various stores to find unique, interchangeable pieces.

4) Comfortable equals confidence
You should take risks with your style, but don’t buy something just because it is trendy.

It is more important that you feel comfortable and confident in your clothes, so find the colours, styles, textures and fits that do this.

5) Accessorize
Sometimes, it can be as simple as making a certain accessory a regular part of your wardrobe.

Perhaps you love watches and own one in every colour, or maybe, like me, you collect bangles, scarves and purses. Accessorizing can add personal touches that might not otherwise be there.

However, the most important part of personal style is how you wear your clothes. My personal style really developed when I put aside what others thought and wore what I wanted with confidence.

Above all else, be true to yourself — even if that means wearing Ugg boots. Choose pieces that accentuate your best features so that you will always look your best. For instance, I prefer beater tanks over halter tops because they are more flattering. If you are ever in doubt, ask an honest friend.