I think it's a fabulous question, Una. Because sometimes, when we think we want to copy a particular fashion look, what we're really after is the "sense of self" that is coming through whatever the outfit is. This can lead to huge disappointment if we copy cat too rigidly. "But...but...but...I GOT the Docs and the long white shirt and the medium fade skinnies and the spec...how come I don't look like HER?"

Ultimately I think we're all after those outfits that people see and view as definitively us, whatever that means—the way many of us saw this outfit of Angie's.

Okay, here's another interesting question: how come THIS outfit feels so "Angie" and her pink floral midi dress ALSO feels so "Angie" and her trousers with white shirt and argyle do, too?

Hmm, I sense some new posts coming on!

Suz, all those things work because they are K2K, and that is the common theme as far as I can tell. So Angie's style is "K2K". (joking in case you can't tell - it's a great question!)

You are on to something with the whole sense of self. We want our outfits to convey who we are. I think at one point we all posted our version of a white shirt, jeans and boots (or tried to)... In that case, it was each person's own vision of that combination. But what if each person were to wear exactly what Angie is wearing? Would our individual personalities flavor the outfit somehow? And how or why?

Agree with you about Angie's style being K2K, Una!

And yeah...it would be so interesting to see us all in some or other uniform.

Hmmm. Catholic schoolgirls always DO stuff to their uniforms to make them individual somehow. But you can often sense the girl's personality even if she doesn't, from the way a sock falls down (or doesn't); the way a jacket's buttoned.

Sometimes the time difference is a real pain, I love how this thread is evolving but alas it is almost 10 p.m. and my head has turned to a pumpkin *sigh*. Perhaps I will awake enlightened in the morning only to find the thread sleeping on page 3 LOL.

Before having read the other responses I'm going to say classic with a bit of tough edginess. Whatever it is, I love it!

Suz, I think the answer to that is that individual garments to not define "style". Style is what each of us (tries to) bring to an outfit in _how_ we wear particular articles of clothing and pair them with accessories.

I bet each one of us could wear the same pieces and they would feel TOTALLY different _and_ if we are as skilled as Angie with our own styles, we could make them each uniquely ours.

angie, did you say what you would call this outfit?

I have my own definition: "mocker" chic - mod rocker chic.

This is such an interesting thread! I have a hard time pinning a label on Angie's outfit....so I'm not going to try :).

Re. the differences between Angie and k.d. even if both are wearing a loose white shirt and jeans: I think some of it is about body size and facial features (k.d. is larger and thus more androgynous-looking, and her face is also somewhere between lovely and handsome, IMO). For example, with my height and facial features, if I wore an oversize white shirt, skinnies, and Docs (with my hair pulled back or under a hat), I am quite certain I would be mistaken for a man, or at least get double takes from people trying to place my gender. So some of our perceptions have to do with basics like size as well as other signifiers like gait or stance. But...it's also impossible to look at a picture of Angie without bringing everything you know about Angie and her style to it; ditto looking at a picture of k.d. So their established identities and overall styles are going to naturally color or shape your thoughts about a particular outfit.

Just some rambling thoughts....

Jonesy, exactly right. I am really interested in thinking this through, as I think it's leading to the next leg of my style journey. Say you're in the nude (not YOU personally, the generic "you") - could a stranger tell what your style might be by your stance, hair, walk, flair, mannerisms?

I have the opposite issue from you - people always perceive me (at their peril!) as petite and feminine, both because of size and stereotypes of Indian women. Then I challenge them to an arm-wrestling contest. I love your height!

Somehow I've always felt dowdy and blah in a white button down, which obviously has to do with me and not the item of clothing - since Angie looks so outstanding in hers. Can you feel one way (not fab) and objectively look another (fab)? Does looking fab always lead to feeling fab? That is the experiment I intend to conduct...

I'm not reading any of the other responses so my opinion won't be swayed but to me this is a classic look with a touch of urban.

It says Urban Chic to me and I love it! I like your hair too!

Such interesting thoughts, Una! Yes, I think it's very possible to look one way, based on others' perspectives, but feel completely different. It happens around here, for example, when a bunch of replies say "yay" but the poster has reservations for whatever reason ("doesn't feel like me" "not comfortable in this" etc.). I love that you challenge people to arm wrestling :)! Awesomeness.

About being completely stripped naked and still conveying a certain style: I think certain hairstyles and of course body art do say something about one's style. Then there is posture/stance (but not sure that's about style so much as about identity/gender/personhood/self-esteem). Otherwise it's sort of left open. That's why photographers capture interesting things when they "strip down" their subjects (not always literally, but sometimes) and somehow capture something that is hidden by their clothes, style, etc. A certain vulnerability, for instance, or a distinct toughness.

I knew you'd have a good answer, with your art knowledge! And I generally don't *really* challenge people to arm wrestle. But I should.

Oh, I wish you would! With your rock climbing skillz, couldn't you take 'em usually :)?

Sorry, Angie--we've derailed this thread a bit!!

I vote for urban casual. I don't think that there is anything particularly tomboyish about it. Perhaps if a flannel check shirt was involved?

I also wonder if perception of this outfit involves knowledge of the wearers personality and also body type. Would the descriptors be different if Angie wasn't so feminine or if she was a buxom hourglass with long locks?

Ahhh I should have read more carefully!