Forget the Formula, Follow the Yes
- Cole Woods
- Sep 16
- 5 min read

For years, I used to tell people to figure out their rising sign if they wanted to discover their style.
Your rising sign is how you show up to the world; it’s the energy you radiate before you say a single word. So naturally, dressing in a way that reflects that energy feels like alignment. It feels like clarity. It feels right.
But lately, I’ve found myself offering a slightly different take.
I was speaking with one of my mentees recently, and instead of giving her another formula, I said, “Just follow what feels like a hell yes.”
You know that feeling. The dress that stops you in your tracks. The piece that seems to whisper your name across the store. The one that doesn’t just look good, it feels like you. That’s not just taste. That’s intuition. That’s your essence choosing how it wants to show up.
And the more I pay attention, the more I realize: that feeling? That pull?
That is my rising sign. Speaking through my instincts. Confirming my choices. Aligning me from the inside out.
What Is a Rising Sign and Why Does It Matter in Style?
In astrology, your rising sign (also called your ascendant) represents your outer layer. It's the version of you that people meet first, the energy you exude through your style, your walk, your presence.
Think of it as your wardrobe’s true north. While your sun sign reflects your inner identity and your moon sign reveals your emotions, your rising sign is the filter through which people experience you. It’s your personal packaging.
So dressing in alignment with your rising sign isn’t about pretending or performing. It’s about becoming more you, on purpose.
Wait! What’s My Rising Sign? (For Context)

For those who are new here, I’m a Leo Rising, which makes so much sense when I look at how I dress. If you’ve been following me for a while, you already know I’m all about bold silhouettes, statement pieces, conversation-starting accessories, and looks that turn heads without me having to try too hard.
I don’t just dress for attention. I dress to express.
That’s the Leo Rising way. And I didn’t always know that’s what I was doing. I just kept choosing what felt like a “hell yes.” That’s what made me realize… this is the formula.
How I Know Something is a “Hell Yes”
I’ve had moments when I’ve walked past a piece and couldn’t stop thinking about it. Not because it was trending. Not because I needed it. But because it spoke to me.
There was the tailored red skirt suit that made me feel like I ran the boardroom and the runway.
The kaftan dress felt like being wrapped in legacy and luxury.
The earthy olive military-inspired IVY Park blazer whispered soft strength and sensuality.
None of them were planned purchases. They were instinctual.
Each one was a yes before logic even had a chance to weigh in.
And every time, I didn’t just feel stylish. I felt seen.
Finding Your Style: Questions to Guide Your Intuition
If you’re unsure what your “yes” looks like, try asking yourself:
What textures or fabrics make me feel most at home in my body?
Which colors light me up, even if they’re not in style?
When have I felt most confident in an outfit—and what made it work?
What do people compliment me on that feels like me?
What have I pinned, saved, or screenshot over and over?
You’re not dressing to impress.
You’re dressing to express.
Your Rising Sign Style Cheat Sheet (with Wardrobe Examples)
Use this as a guide, not a rulebook, to help you translate your rising sign into wearable expression.

Aries Rising
Bold, athletic, unapologetic
Style: Functional edge with impact. You don’t do subtle.
Wear: Moto jackets, jumpsuits, combat boots, asymmetric cuts, fiery red anything.
Taurus Rising
Earthy, sensual, refined
Style: Luxe minimalism with a touch of softness.
Wear: Silk blouses, neutral-toned knit dresses, wrap skirts, leather accessories, fresh florals.
Gemini Rising
Eclectic, expressive, curious
Style: Fashion chameleon energy. You love to mix eras and aesthetics.
Wear: Graphic tees, matching sets, funky jewelry, patchwork denim, layered accessories.
Cancer Rising
Feminine, nostalgic, classic
Style: Soft silhouettes with emotional resonance.
Wear: Vintage cardigans, slip dresses, pearl accents, eyelet details, structured handbags.
Leo Rising
Glamorous, magnetic, radiant
Style: All eyes on you and not by accident.
Wear: Statement earrings, exaggerated shoulders, metallics, dramatic gowns, bold color blocking.

Virgo Rising
Clean, polished, intentional
Style: Elevated basics with flawless execution.
Wear: Tailored blazers, sleek trousers, button-downs, monochrome sets, simple gold jewelry.
Libra Rising
Romantic, graceful, harmonious
Style: Balanced and effortlessly stylish. You’re everyone’s muse.
Wear: Draped blouses, wide-leg pants, delicate prints, ballet flats, and matching coordinates.
Scorpio Rising
Seductive, powerful, enigmatic
Style: Quiet luxury meets edge. You command attention without seeking it.
Wear: All-black everything, leather, body-hugging dresses, sheer fabrics, pointed boots.
Sagittarius Rising
Adventurous, unbothered, vibrant
Style: Free-spirited with an international twist.
Wear: Printed kaftans, wide-brim hats, fringe bags, ethnic jewelry, colorful sneakers.
Capricorn Rising
Structured, timeless, authoritative
Style: Power dressing with a minimalist twist.
Wear: Trench coats, pencil skirts, cashmere, tailored blazers, neutral pumps.
Aquarius Rising
Futuristic, original, unpredictable
Style: Ahead of the curve and unconcerned with the crowd.
Wear: Metallics, abstract prints, unconventional cuts, techwear, platform boots.

Pisces Rising
Ethereal, intuitive, whimsical
Style: Dreamlike fashion that flows and glows.
Wear: Sheer layers, pastels, lace, draped fabrics, soft textures, vintage slips.
Your Style Isn’t in a Formula. It’s in a Feeling.
At the end of the day, your personal style isn’t something to be calculated. It’s something to be felt. To be lived. To be trusted.
Your rising sign might be the map, but your “yes” is the compass.
So the next time something pulls at you, don’t second-guess it.
Forget the formula.
Follow the yes.
And if you ever need a guide along the way, you know where to find me.
✨ Want to take your style to the next level?
Your Rising Sign reveals how the world sees you, but your Venus Sign uncovers what makes you feel beautiful, magnetic, and deeply in alignment. When you learn how to pair your Rising Sign with your Venus Sign, your style becomes more than just fashion; it becomes a frequency.
💌 The Glow Guide Quiz is launching soon to help you unlock this exact pairing along with custom Power Dressing tips, fragrance matches, and more.
Subscribe below to get notified as soon as it drops.

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