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Conflicting styles: strange shopping urges

Astrid

Veteran

I am once again wearing very few of my clothes and think I am dressing a bit too sporty right now out of necessity. But I'm not quite sure what to do about it, I have absolutely no clear idea what my summer style looks like. I feel like right now my tastes are allover the place and I'm not quite sure how to pick my pieces. This fits into the style motto of "eclectic simplicity" I guess, but it really doesn't help me make sensible and at the same time not too boring decisions.

I'm really drawn to the maxi skirt below for example, seems like a great piece for our holiday too. Love the pattern and that it's cotton voile and from an ethical brand too (still difficult to shop with that in mind). But it's totally different to other things I've been liking, in fact it reminds me of the skirts I used to wear when I was sixteen or so. And owning Birkenstock sandals I should probably stay clear of this one anyway, right?

So how do you cope with conflicting shopping urges? Does this mean I need some change? Should I just go with the flow and accept that my warm weather style is different and allover the place? Help?

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Shopping

35 replies

Latest reply was from Rugilerar

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That's a pretty skirt, Astrid.

It does not seem in conflict with things you used to like -- there was a boho streak to your aspirational style in the past, was there not? Also, I think many people feel a reawakening of their boho leanings in the summers.

If you feel a yen for a new direction, I don't think you should fight it. But a skirt can be especially tricky since it could become orphaned without the right tops. So I would go cautiously and thoughtfully towards the new.

Many people on YLF feel that they have more than one style persona and are comfortable with this eclecticism.

Sal

Veteran

I have more than one style persona (I see four but there is blurring between them all)....I am fine with it but just have to remember not to overbuy for one area. Like yourself I don't add many new pieces, and like to keep a relatively lean closet. I am also very happy with repetition both of pieces and of whole looks.

Maybe your style is changing a little, or maybe this summer what is available does not fit with your tastes, or maybe you have a couple of looks that you can wear.

I like a maxi skirt or dress in summer- they are not a piece that get an extremely high number of wears but they tend to hang around and get pulled out year after year. If you have a semi fitted tank/tee or a boxy shorter tee in white or navy or grey marle I think that would work with this skirt. I wear maxi summer dresses mostly with flat sandals or wedges, or you could even wear with sneakers to make it more sporty.

I think a boho flavour works on hot summer evenings and to me evokes a real holiday feeling. And many of the eco brands do sway to the boho.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Suz! You're right, I had quite a bit of boho in my style inspiration pictures a few years ago. I always liked that look in moderation, even though it got lost a bit recently. I guess I should just relax about it and embrace the eclecticism, as you said. Maybe I've become a bit too cautious. Because all in all I don't think I crave any big changes, really. Not when it comes to the overall preferences I've had for a while.

I just need to balance all those sporty pieces I've been wearing. Oh and if I would buy the skirt I would probably wear it as pictured with a simple tank top, I have a new one in dark grey linen.

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Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Sally! Agree about the maxi skirt evoking holiday feelings... I think the tank top I posted above would work well with it, it's similar to what you suggested. You're also right that many eco brands have a boho vibe, that or casual sporty. There aren't many modern classic or even trendy pieces available on a budget.

I think I never really had a summer style I was happy with so far, so I can't really say things are changing...

Sal

Veteran

I think that top would work really well, add your birkenstocks and you are set!!

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks, that's good to hear. I know this is a style that usually wouldn't get much love here. I have two other things on order which should arrive tomorrow, I think I'll wait to see how those work and then decide on the skirt.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

If you are feeling restless I would suggest just trying on some different looks - you don't have to buy anything, just see how you feel. Maybe you will find a totally different summer style For me summer = dresses. I wear dresses far more in summer than I do in winter.

Runcarla

Veteran

I was experiencing some wardrobe angst, and a stressful situation sent we into retail therapy. Anyway, a bit of emotional shopping actually resulted in some inspirational purchases that are making me VERY happy.

I say get the maxii skirt and 1 or 2 other pieces that make it work, and see how it works with what you currently have. Have a summer fling!

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Astrid, have you tried creating a pinterest board of summer styles that speak to you? Have a couple if you like... things you'd actually wear, and things you'd like on others.
It can be very illuminating. You may find something emerging that you couldn't pin point without seeing it several times

rachylou

Veteran

Well, I know I had to have a good, long, hard think about my summer style goals - beyond the practicalities. Had a lot of mistarts. Found I didn't really like switching out styles.

Summer dressing is the toughest my book.

JAileen

Veteran

I think having style descriptors is supposed to help you not frustrate you. If you want to change direction, you should change direction.

Bijou

Veteran

Trying a few summer boho pieces may be the wildcards that you need to keep your look fresh this summer. I can see you in this skirt and think it would be lovely for summer weather. Living in Australia, I incorporate a touch of boho from time to time simply because it works so well in the heat and it is more dressy that wearing shorts and t-shirts.

catgirl

Veteran

I'm in a similar place in terms of weird attractions. I say give it a whirl with something cheap and see how it pans out. That skirt doesn't look all that out there for you.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Today's outfit was a white, gray and black print (sort of tie dye looking) maxi skirt and short sleeve black tee with a little detail at the neck. Heavenly for the hot but non-oppressive level of heat we had today. I really wondered about it when I purchased it but it has been a wonderful refreshing addition to my wardrobe so I suggest you go for it. Especially since you already have something to go with it.

Summer

Veteran

I'd go with the flow, Astrid. Summer seems to make everything more carefree, including clothes, so why not treat this as a wildcard? It's a very pretty skirt, and would be lovely for hot weather and holidays(vacations).

celia

Veteran

I like the way Runcarla put it , " have a summer fling".
I guess it is more difficult when we feel attracted to things we would have worn in our younger years. But maybe it just means we have come full circle.

viva

Veteran

I like the idea of that simple tank balancing the boho of that skirt.

Not only do I think it's quite common to have several style personas; I also think it's quite common to have a more boho persona in warmer months. I recently bought what I now call my milkmaid dress (thanks to Rachylou!) -- a shapeless grey linen dress that falls below my knee, with capped sleeves. It's so far from my typical style I can hardly explain! But I was so drawn to it, and it's been perfect for some early summer days. There is a part of me deep inside that this dress speaks to.

I wouldn't fight this urge, especially if you can indulge it inexpensively and have some fun.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks so much for the input, everyone! I've ordered the skirt, I'm really curious how I'm going to feel wearing it. But I thought I at least wanted to give it a try.

@Caro
I might do that, just go "shopping" without money. Maybe it will help? Although lately I haven't found many things in stores I really liked.

@Runcarla
I really should do more emotional shopping. It's all been very sensible and boring lately.

@Elizabeth
I went back to my (rather neglected) Pinterest account this morning and pinned some summer looks on this board:
https://de.pinterest.com/ridrin/summer-looks/

I kind of see casual, boho, tomboy, preppy and modern classic. Nothing too complicated, not many layers, not many accessories. Which is basically always my preference. And I know that I don't like to wear too short shorts/skirts/dresses in summer and that I prefer comfortable flat shoes.

@Rachylou
That was why I was so unsure, I don't think I want my summer style to be completely different, it should still look somewhat like "me".

@JAileen
Totally agree with you. I don't really have any style descriptors, haven't had them for a while. And I was doing fine without them, until lately when I started to work at my summer wardrobe. I can simply trust my gut feeling with fall/winter/spring style, but that doesn't seem to work so well for summer.

@Bijou
I like shorts too, but I think nothing beats a good skirt. And right now I don't have a single summer skirt!

@Una
Good to hear it's not too much of a departure.

@Barbara Diane
Sounds like a nice outfit for summer! I agree that it's important to have your tops sorted before you buy a skirt.

@Summer
Carefree is the right term. I think to me this skirt says it's summer, I'm on vacation and I'm enjoying my free time...

@Celia
Agree. But I guess I'm safe because the rest of my style thankfully doesn't resemble my sixteen year old self at all. I was a rather awkward teenager.

@Viva
I know exactly what you know by milkmaid dress! Great term, I hadn't heard that one before. I guess I'm so cautious now because it took me so long to find my style preferences. I fear of getting lost again, which is probably quite silly...

KikiG

Veteran

The heart wants what the heart wants, and I'm so glad you are interviewing the skirt. If the skirt otherwise works for you, but if it is annoying long (I got exactly one maxi dress and found out how annoying it is to me to step on one's skirt while going up stairs, or having to go all Jane Austin about it all day) it is cute to tie an off center knot in it, if the fabric is thin. I see lots of people pulling off a very cute hot weather boho look with a simple tee or tank, long print skirt, and Birks. You'll rock it if you want to.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Kiki! Measurements suggest the length should work, but we'll see. But otherwise the knot is a good idea, I think I even had a skirt with built in knot once.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Astrid, indulge your changing style preferences. You know what I say: Listen to your feelings.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Listen to your rythem and flow. Don't get to locked in with descriptions.

Diana

Veteran

Hey, we all need wild cards. It looks like a great skirt and I could see it working well with your style.

Like many others, my style goes a bit more boho in the summer.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Angie - I know I tend to overanalyze things, but I'll try to just go with the flow.

Thanks Ledonna.

Diana, I'll try embrace eclecticism for a bit. You do it so well!

Nishaa

You know I think sometimes the model wearing the piece along with other pieces and accessories and the ambience make the look. One falls for it becomes of the feelings it evokes.. Taken away from all these the piece may lose its glamour in our eyes, so to say..
So you may try to judge the piece on its own quality before buying it..
Just my 2 cents..

Astrid

Veteran

Yes, you're right of course. But I think I'm fairly good at judging advertising. I wasn't really unsure about the dressiness, it was more whether the style would be fitting together with other things I like. I definitely wouldn't think of this skirt as glamorous! It's just a casual cotton maxi skirt to wear around on lazy days.

skylurker

Veteran

Your style descriptors sound too vague to be really directional and help you pick / discard items when shopping.
I could never grasp the concept and define my own, btw.
I find the capsule concept less abstract / more practical : buy what you're attracted to, then spend time creating outfits to see if it works.

The maxi skirt with tank and Birks is a look I associate with the 90s, so it could look fashion forward...or dated...hard to tell.

celia

Veteran

That is the beauty of returning to 'old ' styles, the second time around you actually know what you are doing with them and wear them your way with your own sense of style.

Astrid

Veteran

Skylurker, I guess "eclectic simplicity" falls under the category style statement, but that idea never quite worked for me. Too nebulous. For I while I had simple, grounded and feminine as style descriptors (the terms I mentioned above in connection with the Pinterest board weren't supposed to be style descriptors). Anyway, I'm not necessarily looking for descriptors, I just hope to get a better instinct for my warm weather style. As for the look being 90s - I mostly spent those in hand me down boys clothes, so I'll take your word for it. I honestly hadn't thought of this look with the concept of "fashion" in mind...

Celia, that's true.

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