Help! I Have No Personal Style

Don't be intimidated by Karl Lagerfeld quotes or Vogue editorials. I have written three fashion books--trust me, everyone has personal style. And quite frankly, it transcends what you wear. But for the sake of building a wardrobe or adding some accent pieces to enliven what you own, here are my tips:

• Look to your favorite decades for inspiration: I'm a fiend for the '60s and '70s. I adore flared pants, clogs, beatnik black turtlenecks, silk headscarves and big pendants.

• Study your style icons: There's no shame in cribbing fashion and social cues from celebrities or friends with great style. My idols run the gamut from the singer Sade to Georgia O' Keeffe to Jane Fonda, pictured above.

• Start with accessories: Sometimes, it's easier to build an entire outfit around a great pair of platform sandals or a chunky statement belt. With that approach, you already have a focal point to accentuate.

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