When we first discover our season or archetype, it can be so tempting to box ourselves in. We find a dress shape, lipstick color, or pant length that works, and we stick with it.

In the beginning, this is helpful. I advise my clients to focus on a couple easily identifiable colors or clothing shapes before trying to revamp their entire wardrobe all at once. But the more comfortable we get, the more we’ll ideally branch out and take risks.

We all have endless permutations of style creativity at our disposal. Discovering where we can successfully push the boundaries of our season or archetype (which doesn’t necessarily mean straying outside of them) can add dynamic flavor to our personal style. My rhinestone snake earrings are a great example of this. Likewise, it’s good to know where pushing the boundaries does more harm than good.

I enjoy thinking of personal style as a collection of episodic novels, a la Nancy Drew. They share the same mood and protagonist, but each story stands and shines alone.

Now that I’ve been redraped as a Bright Spring, I resonate even more with that concept. I’m no longer drawn to many of the styles and outfit formulas that I favored as a Dark Autumn. I donated all of my once-beloved half-circle skirts, and I’m not losing any sleep over it. They were emblematic of a wonderful but bygone era, my Modern Wood Nymph phase. I said a Marie Kondo-style thank you and goodbye, and moved into my tropical garden party era.

Allowing space for play, experimentation, and change as we move through our lives is a key component to finding joy in personal style. Don’t be afraid to create new combinations of clothing you already own, to try on pieces you think might be too “out there,” or to find ways of incorporating design motifs you love, even if it’s just in an earring. Every day needs an outfit. And if today’s outfit doesn’t work out, there’s always tomorrow.