My most successful recent purchases - see a trend?

I'm on the "next leg of my style journey" analysis. So I figured I'd post my most successful recent purchases. By "most successful" I mean the things I a) use the most or b) look forward to using the most. I assume this means they are keepers/winners in terms of my style evolution. (Right?) Besides black and white, what unifying style elements do you see? Thanks!

Note - I don't necessarily wear these things with each other!

1) Helmut Lang white sandalboots

2) Jil Sander drawstring skirt

3) Helmut Lang black backpack

4) Vince linen pants (shown in white; I also have blue and gray)

5) and 6) Inhabit net cardigan (I cut this into a vest to wear over too-sheer ts)

7) Eileen Fisher black legging jeans

8) Zero Maria Cornejo net cowlneck

9) Cacharel vintage shirt

10) Tremp sandals

11) Matt Bernson sandal

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11 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I'd say that these items all have clean lines and a simplicity to the styling. they seem to be natural fabrics done beautifully.

rae

(website)

The phrase "textural architectural" popped into my head. Something about the draping, color shceme, gladiators made me think of ancient Roman sculptures... softness and elegance in the draping, yet substantive and structured - not soft in a floaty and ruffly way.

RoseandJoan

Many of the pieces have fluidity, a 90's vibe,a textural value plus a natural quality. The Cacharel shirt looks like the curve ball.

Anonymous

These items read *deceptively simple* to me. They are designer pieces that have something special about them. At first glance, someone might think, "Oh, there's a woman in black pants and a white top", but on closer inspection your favorite items have details that make your look difficult to duplicate. Maybe these pieces aren't 'one of a kind', but they're certainly not 'run of the mill' either! Don't know it that helps at all. ;/

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I have yet to see such a '90s spread on our forum!

A few things give me pause despite your love for them, Dana - and I know this not a keep or return post. #2, #4 and #5. I'm worried about the way they fit. They *could* look dated.

Janet

Ease and simplicity, for the most part.

How are those Vince linen pants? Are they long? I really want some easy, lightweight, almost loungey pants for summer casual days when I want to cover my legs but still be cool. I had a pair of Prana's that I liked but I gave them away once they started falling down my hips.

ironkurtin

#2 fits very modern.

#4 and #5 are both from this season, oddly enough!

And Janet, yes, the linen is soft and nice, but heavy enough to not flash panties.

Was #2 bought on ebay as an original '90s item?

Also, something can be bought today and not fit well :). Let's see the stuff on - perhaps you have photos already? Fit is so very important - and it might be the key to your refreshed look.

Not trying to split hairs, Dana. It may not seem like it, but I am really trying to help you pinpoint the areas of concern.

Of course, Angie! Mwah!

As for #2, I think it is original Jil Sander from the 90s, but I don't know. I just liked the rigging arrangement on the front and back - you can add or remove ruching as you like. The skirt is too heavy for summer, I will bring it out in the fall and see if it delights. Works?

The pants are lounge items for the weekend, but I will get a photo when I wear them!

Okay! This is good team work. Let's thrash out the stuff bit by bit.

#4 as lounge pants puts it in another category all together

Yeah... I said I USED them a lot, but they're weekend slop-trekking-kiddos-to-pool-cleaning-house gear!

Jilly

Active Member

These all seem interchangeable as far as color. I especially love the helmut lang sandal/boots and the cacharel shirt.. I'm sure Angie's right, though, about fit.

Interesting about #4 - Do you want to use your loungewear/kiddo-trekking items as part of your "unifying style elements"? I wouldn't personally want to extrapolate key style information from my own loungewear, but maybe you look way better lounging than I do!

Rae - Those things are also a huge part of my life, so style needs to extend to them too.

Suz

Interesting. As an aside, do you remember the discussion a while ago (I believe it was Una who started it) because she was curious about how much our loungewear has to reflect our outside-the-home style. I can't recall the thread title. But people seemed to go different ways on that. Una ended up buying a very nifty lounge jacket!!

You know, I am very strongly drawn to many of the piece you own, at least in theory. (Sadly, they don't always look great on me, but that's another story).

What I see in this range of items is a sort of understated drama. On my own thread today someone noted that my aspirational style was artistic but NOT bohemian. I think that's correct, and I think most of these items skew in that direction. Actually, they all do. Apart from the Cacharel shirt, they have a very urban feel, but not UWP. Even the Cacharel shirt feels urban because you'd wear it with a touch of irony; it's a vintage item that you know is vintage.

I liked Rae's comment about architechturla structure; in all cases the cut and drape of the fabric are vital to the garment's effect. They do not draw attention to themselves in an obvious way, but there's a sophistication to them.

Still...I think you already know this about yourself and your preferences. So i don't think I've helped you much here!

Transcona Shannon

I see neutral coloured items with strong visual interest but not structure, if that makes any sense. And then there's your cowboy shirt which is completely different - colour, pattern and structure. Hmmmm....one of these things is not like the others...

teeandcee

Someone said they saw urban as a unifying theme and that's exactly what I see although I couldn't put my finger on the right word at first. Sophisticated urban. I love it.

Jaime

This is fun! I see an eye for subtle quality - you like designer stuff that does not shout designer. You like unstructured tops. You love interesting designer shoes (ok I already knew this and share this penchant so I am cheating). You like neutrals. You like texture. Now how does that all add up? Well I will need more coffee to even venture a guess.

Kyle

I see a mod influence here in colors, shapes and overall sensibility.

Isis

I see impeccable construction, natural fibers, a neutral palette, and a relaxed fit......

And amazing shoes.

For WIW I loved what Rae said up top. Textural architectural... am thinking on this quite hard.

So much good feedback from everyone!

Ana

I don't really have any feedback right now, but I love reading through this thread! Everyone's comments are very interesting.

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