Confusing "Simple and Strong" with "Boring"

Angie

I see this happening quite a bit in the blogosphere, and it also came up in a comment in this morning's blog post on the Blousey Twin Set.

Sure, there are boring looks! But many of them are just really clean and crisp, especially if the fabrication is high quality - which to my eye actually looks a lot stronger than an item with lots of detail or "not boring".

Your astute thoughts are always welcome

12 years ago

Dressing

44 replies

Latest reply was from Ginkgo

Saretta

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Active Member

Boring to me is anything that looks like someone just threw it on without much thought. Like and old tshirt and cutoffs. Clean and crisp does not sound at all boring!

12 years ago

DressLover

Veteran

To me, "boring" is more in the styling than in the pieces themselves. Certain individual pieces can inherently be more interesting than others, but it is the styling that creates the look. Sometimes I feel more "interesting" in a black dress with intricate details, killer shoes, and bright accessories than a boldly printed dress with a black or nude heel and minimal accessories.

12 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

I see what you are saying, especially about the part related to luxurious or high quality fabrication--that makes all the difference in the world, IMO. Maybe for some women, a solid color button down paired with a solid cardigan over some plain pants just reminds them of how they used to dress? Maybe that sort of thing was almost like a uniform that now strikes them as boring? I'm not saying *at all* that these combinations are inherently boring, just that there are certain stylish/chic ways of wearing these sorts of combos, but also a sort of "default" way. For example, for work I used to wear a button down shirt with a cardigan, with some black corduroy trousers, and some sensible shoes. To me, this is the height of boring now, and just reminds me of how I used to bow to my environmental norm (and how my life was crazy, with work and kids, so I would just grab whatever what reasonably presentable and get on with it!).

12 years ago

morethanbeige

Veteran

Great post. I am trying to develop my eye to determine which is which for me. I totally agree that quality fabrications on their own can create a beautiful, clean look. I think I tend toward less is more. Quality fabrications, fab fit, fab drape, fab silouette. Sometimes adding detail takes away from this in my eye.

12 years ago

taylor

Veteran

Simple and strong often are bold and graphic to me and that hAs impact!
I prefer to dress In this style . I actually think it has a more favorable impact than loud and busy...to my eye anyway:)

12 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I'm wearing my "let's get down to business" finely tailored jacket today, with simple black pants, black boots and no jewelry except my watch. I have a day of important meetings, I want the focus to be on me, not my layers, jewelry, makeup or anything else. For me, it is far from a boring look because the jacket brings it's own drama. I'll try to snap a picture later.

Here's a link to the jacket. The collar actually stands up! Holy drama!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....fvLQKpT0Aw

I see they have it styled simply too!

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is a great discussion point, and I value your perceptions.

Saretta, thanks for the chuckle

Dresslover and MorethanBeige, you hit the nail on the head.

Jonesy, that makes great sense. Bad outfit memories can feed into this trail of thought. I have clients who feel just like that.

Taylor, your dressing is a very good example of this look. And we all think that you have killer style.

Rita, love seeing that jacket come out to play. Outfit sounds great!

12 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Kasmira of What I Wore Today recently has been doing a comparison of her 2006 looks to what she would have done today with her bolder style. I think a lot of women who dress like she used to dress don't want to go there any more, even if a few tweaks could convert the "boring" look to "simple and strong".

http://whatiwore2day.blogspot.com/

12 years ago

sarah

Veteran

Ah, Angie. This is a GREAT point. I think it's all in the details of the individual pieces and the coordination among them. I'm thinking of the outfit I posted last week, which I thought was boring - button-down, jacket, pants, belt, shoes. However, to my surprise, I got lots of positive feedback on it. It certainly wasn't one of my "killer" outfits, but it was "just fine". I think this had to do with the fact that the pieces were on trend, the colors were coordinated and in some cases unusual (cognac booties, purple gingham), and the clothes well-fitting. Similarly, my outfit from this week which generated some of the most positive feedback was just a buttondown, jeans, shoes, necklace, and belt - dead simple, but again, the devil's in the details. The boots were my Frye Carsons, the belt was a fun faux snakeskin (that I got at Macy's for 10 bucks, thanks Angie), and the black buttondown contrasted the faded bootcuts.

OT: I am having such a hard time imagining Jonesy in cords, sensible shoes, and a cardi.

Rita - I have been eyeing that jacket forever!

12 years ago

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

This is a very timely post because I am struggling with this issue too. I used to dress very simply, but now I find myself becoming more and more ALGO and I often feel bored with an outfit if there's no color or pattern or some sort of twist on the plain/classic formula. I think also I'm moving away from my old boring looks like matchy-matchy cardigan twinsets so that's why I wasn't into the blousey twin sets you posted, sorry! So here's what I'm wearing today, I think this illustrates the point perfectly. I call it my "banker look"...ivory tie neck blouse and pinstripe pencil skirt. Very very conservative and I almost didn't wear it because it was afraid it was a little staid, esp compared to my new bright colors and patterns. But the blouse has tiny little bees and crowns on it if you look closely, and I wore red pumps and my red tote to bring in a bit of color. So I feel like it's "simple and strong" but not boring--it has just enough interesting detail and color to keep the "new" me happy!

12 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Great point, Angie! I have been wearing fewer items per outfit lately, I think, and feeling very happy about it. And I couldn't agree more that a truly luxurious fabric makes even the simplest piece look very special indeed!

I think there's a lot to be said for judicious editing!

ETA: Natalie, you are totally in my head! I was thisclose to mentioning the bee blouse specifically as a very simple piece made super-special by the amazing fabric!

12 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I guess I'm the only one in the camp that a button down over trousers is essentially boring, to me! Perhaps because I can't afford those fine fabrics that drape wonderfully, I am all about an interesting detail here or there. I used to own a lot of patterns and colors - because my eye was drawn to them on the rack, not necessarily because they looked better on me. Now I have WAY more solids and neutrals. But I still shun the stipped down basics. I have two white woven tops but neither is a plain button down. One is a wrap and the other has a bust detail. On the other hand, I don't care for too many colors or layers in any one outfit, and am happy with one accessory per outfit, so I suppose I have my own idea of the right note between boring and too busy!

12 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Meeting #1 update: My uber stylish boss mentioned that she likes my style today!

Score 1 for team Minimalist today!

12 years ago

HelenInCanada

Veteran

I see your point here very well, Angie. I love a simple good cut and low-key looks - unless the occasion or my mood is screaming for a bit more drama. But this kind of clean and fresh dressing definitely suits those quietly elegant style moments.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I think simple and strong makes more of an impact...but it is also sometimes harder to get right. The details are really important since there's less to distract the eye.

12 years ago

Sveta

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Veteran

Very interesting post, Angie. I think there are 2 kinds of "boring" perception. Here are the outfits which look boring to others and the ones which are fine for others but boring for the wearer. I often fall into the latter camp just because I got bored without change quite easily. There is also Jonesy's point - I can relate completely. This is one of the reasons I have hard time to FEEL fab in a midi flared skirt even if I may LOOK fab in it for others: too many bad memories from my un-stylish past.
As for the simple vs. boring I am really drawn to simpler and graphic outfits later. Usually if I go for bold colors I prefer simpler cuts (but always well tailored and preferably in good fabrications). If I go for more intricate and interesting pieces or layers I usually go for neutrals or tonal colors for them. AGLO is definitly not for me!
As for pairing blouses with cardigans I actually liked the look a lot. However I always had problems layering sleeved blouses as there was too much bulk in the sleeves - and 3/4 sleeve blouses are the worst to layer! Maybe sleeveless blouses is the answer for me?

12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

Boring is as boring does. Like you said, it's all about quality - and fit, and intent! I love the look of a perfectly fitted white t with perfectly fitted jeans and black boots, for example. That's not boring. That's just classy.

12 years ago

Ginny

Veteran

Fit and intent I think are key, it is not boring, it can be classic.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Love this thread. Thank you for raising the point, Angie. And IK, I couldn't agree more. Quality and fit are crucial. What some might see as "boring" can also be seen as "simply elegant." Or effortlessly chic.

On the other hand, I do agree with Jonesy and Sarah and Sveta; bad memories of unplanned outfits past do tend to haunt the wearer. Sveta makes an excellent point; it has to be interesting to the wearer. Perhaps those of us who are coming late to fashion go a little bit haywire for ALGO at first as we figure out our style path, meanwhile trying to avoid our old pitfalls.

12 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

I think simple and strong is lovely. However, I also think it's one of the more difficult looks to carry off because your clothes really need to be well cut and fit perfectly. High quality fabrication also makes a difference.

12 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

Honestly, from my point of view it's not confusing. Even though my normal look is not really simple and strong, my dress-up look is. I think the thing is I am very detail oriented, so fabrication, seaming, buttons, cut, fit all speak to me as interesting detail.

12 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

I do think that we confuse simple with boring and ornate with interesting. But something can be very ornate and just plain ugly or overwhelming/chaotic. "Interesting" in my book, is not necessarily exclusively good.

Conversely, simple doesn't automatically mean doldrum. Sometimes, it takes alot of thought and energy to really make something stripped down very elegant.

12 years ago

goldenpig

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Veteran

Suz: "On the other hand, I do agree with Jonesy and Sarah and Sveta; bad memories of unplanned outfits past do tend to haunt the wearer. Sveta makes an excellent point; it has to be interesting to the wearer. Perhaps those of us who are coming late to fashion go a little bit haywire for ALGO at first as we figure out our style path, meanwhile trying to avoid our old pitfalls."

OMG Suz, you just decribed me to a T! Hahaha! Busted!

12 years ago

Ornella

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Veteran

A year ago if you had asked me this question, I'd hang my head down and half-tearfully say "yes, and that is exactly what I look like". I could not possibly appreciate the simplicity of what were my signature looks, as I found them too predictable and obvious (blouse and pencil skirt, where could possibly style be in that) and thus too boring, even to myself. It was terrifying to start posting what I feared was so un-interesting, but I had decided to jump in the cold waters and learn to swim.

Today, it's a different story, I dress very similar to how I did before, but with c.o.m.p.l.e.t.e.l.y different intention and thought process. That makes all the difference, I've removed a lot of (I'll reuse Suz's term) visual noise from the silhouettes I'm wearing and keep accessories to the minimum. It's no longer because I don't know what to do with clothes or accessories, but because I've become aware I enjoy simplicity, clean and strong lines, and minimalist, unfussy looks - and with that awareness comes greater pleasure in wearing such looks, which then eliminated boring from the equation altogether.

12 years ago

rae

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Veteran

I think it's about balance, like most other things. If you're wearing statement bottoms, chances are a simple top will let them shine. If you're wearing beautiful, luxurious fabrics in a killer cut, then a simple outfit will let those design elements shine. A good example would probably be exotic skinned handbags - it's generally considered a tragic waste to embellish an exotic skin with tons of detail (pleats, bows, etc.), because those things distract from the luxury material.

12 years ago

san

Veteran

I love simple and strong looks, not boring at all. When I see someone looking fantastic in a relatively simple outfit I think to myself, how does she do it? She has such talent to put together simple pieces and come together looking so polished. A perfect example that sticks in my mind is Angie wearing her beautifuly made Brooks Bros shirt with her new black leather jacket that has no fancy zippers or snaps to be seen. Simple and strong, and killer IMO.

12 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I thought more about this issue driving to work. Isn't it all a spectrum? You can go from boring to strong and simple, or from hectic to ALGO, or from messy to RATE. I agree it's all in the deliberation and execution. Most women do not intend to be boring, or messy, or hectic (and I've been guilty of all three!) - it' just a question of tweaking the details.

12 years ago

celia

Veteran

I guess I dressed in a boring way for some time when the look I was going for was simple and strong and just realised recently.
It seems very unhelpful when I say it and very basic but what made the difference for me was the right colors and the right attitude.
Boring means you are not having fun, when you do things just because you are supposed to.And when you thoughts like'this is just a common place twinset, nothing exciting here' take over you nothing in the world will make you shine or give a strong impression.
But this,of course, is just my opinion.

12 years ago

Irene

Veteran

I really like a classic, simple and solid outfit, be it boring or not. Yes, I feel superb in dark denim skinnies, a white button-down, black riding boots and a beautiful printed scarf. It's so simple yet it makes me feel grown-up, and smart and ready for the daily battles.

12 years ago

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