Wow, so many great thoughts, and I love what Angie just wrote quoting Gaylene. Maybe the statement is what make the outfit, but that depends on the person. Still, there are issues like fit, quality, and design that make an impact with individual pieces even if they sound on paper like canvas pieces. Must reread thread!

I skimmed this and I think we are having Fun With Words With Friends.

Wow you guys have been busy solving the problems of the fashion world! I've really enjoyed reading all of the comments. Great thread Una!

I tend to think of canvas pieces as the readily available pieces in all price ranges. They can look boring and mass produced even if you are able to find a quality version. Statement pieces can be produced in differing price ranges as well, though it's easier to spot a cheapie with these (I'm thinking clothing, not accessories). The detail on an expensive/designer item is often the thing that makes it special, whether it is a canvas or statement piece (although the detail can get copied too come to think of it). I guess I equate canvas to "common" and statement to "special".

Take all of this with a glass of win---err a grain of salt. I did.

Okay...Una...coming back to you here....just for the sake of exploration, and to see if I can wrap my head around this thinking (because I'm not entirely sure I understand): do you consider your BF jeans "statement?"

I am trying to get back to the original distinction....clothing as statement vs. clothing as canvas.

Because I think a person can be a minimalist dresser whether or not she wears "statement" type pieces. See Angie's outfit of today, not the blog outfit but the one she told us she was wearing. No particular statement pieces (though a signature piece, in the black turtleneck). Just minimal.

As for the blog post outfit, that would be minimal but including statement pieces, correct? (The jeans, the clutch, the boots.)

Is that "canvas?" Not really, although the accessories are doing some work.

Maybe we need Mochi to more clearly define what she meant by "canvas." Because I don't think really ANYBODY dresses in plain clothes that depend entirely on accessories for their impact. Even the Vivienne Files wardrobes usually include a few pieces that stand out for their colour, their detailing, their cut.

I am more confused than ever.

Suz, I don't know! To me they are an essential... I am ALMOST regretting that I ever started thinking about this. *grips head in agony*

And yet my immediate next thought is to think about it some more.

I like semantics talks! Near English Major in the hizzouse! lol

"Statement" pieces are fixed. They say what they say and have a distinct point of view. Like a military styled coat, lolita dress, Team Edward tee shirt.

"Canvas" pieces are malleable. They are more classic and can be combined with other items to influence the overal statement of an *outfit.* Solid colored cardigans, which can be worn to clash or not. Basic-styled button-fronts that could be styled with androgyny or not. Pencil skirts that can be bombshelled or de-bombshelled.

All outfits make a statement, but not all pieces do. Some pieces only make strong statements in the way they combine with other pieces.

LOL @ IK!

I think Rae's remarks resonate most closely with my conception of 'statement (as standalone item)' vs 'canvas'.

That said, while I usually don't have the time or energy to decorate the canvas (though it is enjoyable when I do, as Diana also said), I don't have the fierce confidence and skinny-minimal aesthetic to prop up a blank canvas on a beechwood easel, tease a few frayed threads out and call it 'art'.

So...

When it comes to food, I like plain yellow cake (no nuts, no fruit, no icing) best.

When it comes to rooms, I like the off-white walls and the white-on-white sheets and the unvarnished basketry and ecru matting, accessorized (ha!) with the odd bit of colourful cushion and single interesting dark teak chair and a plant in the corner.

When it comes to clothes, I like the top that does the talking and the boots that do the walking. Without any need for watches, necklaces, earrings, scarves, jackets, glasses, sunglasses, bags, wallets, hats, coats, belts---or even a hair 'style' any more complicated than a pulled-back ponytail---to complete the picture.

Which is to say... I probably belong on Team Colour-Me-Confused! :-/

What also struck me was what Suz was saying about 'quiet statement' pieces. I actually find it very difficult to 'finish' the outfit with accessorization or even styling tricks like layering, half-tucking, belting, or cuff-upturning. What is easier for me is to start with the one 'bold' or intricate piece---and then dial the rest back a bit. I find using 'canvas' to calm the 'colours' down easier than flinging colour at canvas. At least, this seems to be what I do when shopping---I buy 'statements', realize they're all talking too loud together, then start collecting quieter completers (the plain blue jeans, the plain brown leggings, the plain navy or grey T-shirt to tone down the 'loudness' of the statement, the plain black bag or ballet flats...). Though I'm also trying to learn to find 'softer-spoken' statements that play nicely together of late, I'm never going to be as confident with colour as MaryK or with pattern mixing as Natalie...

(And no, I'm not minimalist enough to wear what Angie's wearing today and look well turned out---I *do* end up looking like drab canvas, which is possibly to be attributed to my *not*-shining-through wallflower personality. I can't BE the statement like Audrey can; I need to construct a statement to put out into the world that is not ME, but is not in opposition to me either... okay, I think I'm giving myself a headache here too!)

Love this thread, so thank you Mochi and Una. Angie raised a really key point on this and Suz's exhibit and Rae's thoughts gave me a better sense of canvas vs. statement and the often melding of both for those of us who like that.