Personal style is about getting in touch with not only your style, but with what works for you, your body, the climate where you live, and countless other factors.  Once you've established what works on you every single time, you can start building a closet full of winning outfits, a wardrobe so fierce and tailored to you, that you could literally get dressed in the dark and come out looking fabulous.  For beginning fashionistas, however, trying to figure out your personal style while also staying on top of seasonal trends and style lingo can be daunting.  For you, here's a quick guide of three go-to outfits anyone can pull off.

Look 1:  Coffee Casual

Daytime date, brunch with the girls, or sitting at S-Bux on your laptop, this outfit is no muss, no fuss.

What you need:

- Skinny jeans in a good fit. If you're a bit rounder, the waist should cut across about an inch below your belly button and you should aim for a cut that is skinny but not skintight.

- A basic tee or tank in a neutral color (black, white, gray, beige, etc).  Old Navy is a great place for picking up staples.  Try on tops until you find one that hangs close to your body without being clingy.  If you have to suck your stomach in, it's too tight.  Raise your arms and you shouldn't expose any skin on your midriff.  Even if you are self-conscious (about being too big or too small), resist the urge to buy a top that is baggy.  It will only make skinny girls look skinnier and heavy girls look heavier.  A perfect top is one you put on, it looks great, and you don't have to think about it any more than that.  If you are constantly figdgeting with your clothes, they don't fit right and you shouldn't be wearing them.

For your feet:

- Flats are great because they have (almost) all the style of heels while being generally easier to walk in.  (Although, medically speaking, heels actually put less strain on your legs, so while you may get blisters in heels, you'll burn more calories in flats.)  A pointy toe will make your legs and therefore your entire body look leaner, but rounded-toe ballet flats are still comfy and classic.

- Plan to be running around doing lots of errands?  Opt for a pair of Vans or Keds slip-ons.  These shoes look great while taking a long time to wear out.  Colors are fun, but sticking to neutrals will allow you to wear them with more outfits.  My Vans have skulls on them, but they are still black and white so they go with anything.

A shot of Trendy:

Use the following items to spice up this outfit effortlessly and have fun with fads!  If you are wearing an outfit of neutral colors, you can safely wear two accessories of the same or in different colors, it's up to you.

- Scarves!  Scarves are one of my (and one of many celebs') greatest obsessions.  They are a great way to throw a pop of color into your clothes without splurging on new items, as a scarf can easily be picked up for under $20.  I hit the bins at my local thrift store and have never paid more than $3 a pop.  Opt for silky or cotton scarves for warmer weather and thick knit scarves for colder days.

- A purple belt.  Purple is the color for fall 2008, and a belt is an easy way to work it into your wardrobe.  High-waisted belts are fun, but for this look, just wear it normally through the belt loops in your jeans.  There are no rules, so play around with a glitter belt from Claire's or something funky from a vintage shop.

When you keep your clothing to basic colors, it allows you to really play with style and experiment while always looking chic and put-together.  There is no absolute rule when it comes to coloring accessories, but I like to bring a neutral outfit to life with two colors, be it a purple belt and a red scarf or hot pink shoes with a turquoise bag.

Look 2:  Date or Office

There are times in life where a woman has to look like a woman, and two big ones are a hot date and an air-conditioned office.  The goal is to look feminine and polished.

What you need: 

- Pencil skirt or slacks in a neutral color.  I prefer a pencil skirt.  It should fit the same as your denim, with the waist of the skirt just below your belly button for most people, and hit just above your knee.  If you can't wear a skirt to work or aren't comfortable in one (I say try anything once, but if you aren't comfortable, it will show, so don't force it), look for a slim-fitting (but not tight) pair of boot-cut black slacks.

- White cami.  A slinky tank that covers your entire torso.  Should be long enough to tuck easily into skirt or pants, and cover any cleavage you want hidden.  Forever 21 has them cheap (typically two for $9), but American Eagle's will last longer.

- A white button-up shirt.  The bottom of the shirt should hang about an inch over your skirt or slacks.  Button all the way up or leave the top buttons open, depending on the occasion.  Perhaps leave one button open for a first date, two undone for a second date, etc.

For your feet:

- A closed-toe pointy toed shoe is great for anyplace with a closed-toe policy.  Flats if you're on your feet all the time, a heel if you want to dominate over the men.

- Before a big date, get a full pedicure so that you're completely comfortable in a peep-toed pump.  Theres' probably nothing more girly or more sexy.

For either shoe, choose a heel you can comfortably walk in.  There's nothing worse than a woman who doesn't know how to carry herself in her heels.

A shot of Trendy:

- Wear textured hoisery.  Patterned tights are huge this season, but skip the argyle and the kindergarten patterns and opt for a subtle lace or ribbed design.  These are acceptable for work so long as the design isn't bordering on fishnet.

- Have fun with your makeup.  Bold purple lips might scare away boys or clients, but a light purple gloss over your usual lipstick is a small way to play with trends.  You can also dabble in current eyemakeup trends.  Just keep it subdued for work.

Look 3:  Bar-Hopping

Whether you're into dive bars or dancing on bars, getting ready is a ritual that takes many women many hours.  To shave some time from your routine, consider this go-to going-out outfit.

What you need:

- Black slinky pants.  Yes, mini skirts are awesome, but not everyone can pull them off, and they don't always work out the best with a pitcher of margaritas.  A pair of sleek but comfy black pants are nearly embarrassment-proof and will make you look skinny.  Bootcut are OK; I prefer skinnies.

- One or two tank tops in the color of your choice.  When it comes to partying, neutrals become less important.  What does matter is looking classy, so keep bra straps covered and play with layering tanks instead of just letting it all hang out.  A beige tank under a brightly colored one works wonders and conjures up great shape and illusion.  When drinks are involved, creating an outfit that requires no fidgeting/adjusting is more important than ever, so don't wear anything that doesn't fit properly.

On your feet:

- A great pair of boots.  Ankle boots are super sexy, but practice walking in them so you don't roll your ankle dancing.  Higher boots look amazing in black over skinnies.

- Peep-toed pumps.  OK, I already said those for a date, but seriously, they are the fiercest.

A shot of Trendy:

- Leather jackets are timeless.  They are also very 'in' right now.  If you aren't sure how it looks on you, this is a good time to hit up the mall for a cheap faux-leather jacket.  You're probably just going to take it off at the club anyway.

- Long necklaces.  Long beaded & chain necklaces add instant fun and flirtiness to any outfit.  Try mixing silver and gold, and throw in a strand of purple beads.

- Bold nail polish.  For summer it was yellow (above), for fall it's purple, and who knows what it will be for winter.  Have fun with kooky colors on your fingers and toes.

Because all of these outfits are based on neutrals, you can easily mix and match pieces to put together the best look for any occasion.  And if you get cold...

Adverse Weather Stand-Ins:

Not everyone lives in California.  As an Oregon resident, I am fully aware that rain can ruin your shoes right along with your parade, and chilly weather can make you want to pile on every piece of clothing you own, regardless of how it looks, before you brave stepping into cold winds.  For less than sunny weather, keep the following:

- Cardigan in a neutral color, for pairing over any outfit on cool days.  Dark blue is also great and almost a neutral.  A good cardigan will hang to your hip or just above it and will work buttoned or unbuttoned.

- Wellies.  No good for a date, but you can wear wellies to work on rainy days with a pair of heels in your purse to spare your toes frostbite or a chipped pedi.

- A pea coat.  Always in style (and a good one will last for years), pea coats come with or without hoods and are available in an assortment of colors.  Consider grabbing one in any color that makes you look fierce, but when in doubt, stick to neutral colors.  You'll look fantastic in a black pea coat, for instance, and it will go perfect over absolutely anything.  Try Burlington Coat Factory for good deals.

Photos from Denim Blog, Nylon,  People