Refining my style rubric: May outfit retrospective and new list

Coming back to try to refine my style rubric. (FYI the term originated in Shannon's thread as suggested by Rae: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....va-va-voom)
I first posted about my rubric a month ago here:
http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....yle-rubric

Initially I came up with:
"Primary rubric
1. Ladylike--this is such a given in all my outfits that I wonder if it's even necessary?
2. Structure--fitted, waist definition
3. Pattern (I noticed that pretty much all of my outfits include a print of some kind, and often several!)
4. Luxe--polished, textured
5. Flair--at least one statement piece per outfit, classic piece with a twist, or secret or whimsical detail (this is my favorite part of the rubric!)

Secondary rubric (not all outfits will have all of these but usually will have at least one or two)
1. Color
2. Retro-inspired
3. Matchy matchy
4. ALGO
5. UWP--tough elements mixed with ladylike"

But that gets a little too complicated to remember for day to day dressing! So here's my new attempt at my style rubric (I eliminated primary and secondary and am simplifying to just one short list):

Color or contrast
Matchy Matchy
Patterned
Fitted
Flair

I think these are the terms that work the most like a checklist for me to help me get dressed. Ladylike is out because, well, everything I wear is ladylike! So that doesn't help me narrow it down. I do like to wear luxe looking clothes, but not for the sake of being fancy or rich, and it's a bit hard to define, so it doesn't feel quite like the right term.

I love bright color so I thought that was a key addition to the rubric. But I do also like high contrast black and white outfits, so I made it an either/or (or sometimes both, like black/white/red). Plus I can also use contrast to mean juxtaposition (like tough and ladylike). I added Matchy Matchy, because I'm finding that I really like to have some sort of repetition in my outfit. I want everything to tie in together--for example, choosing a bag with teal accents in a handbag to match the teal in a bracelet. Or snakeskin bag and snakeskin pants plus dotty shirt and dotty bag. And sometimes I go all out with ultra matchy outfits, like three different chevron stripes (skirt, bag, shoes) or the Japanese floral pattern in dress, bag and coat lining. Pattern is a definite, because I rarely feel myself in an all solid outfit. And I would include textures and pattern mixing into that aspect of the rubric. I changed Structured to Fitted, because I really love fitted clothes and waist definition. Plus Fitted and Flair sounds like a pun on Fit and Flare so it's fun to say out loud! And Flair remains unchanged, because it's where I put all the fun things that make dressing exciting!

BTW, is it a little OCD that I arranged the terms in descending length order? It just looks better that way! LOL!

Here's the lineup of outfits from the last couple weeks. How did I do with my new style rubric--do my outfits reflect that list? Fun to see all my outfits together in kind of a mini-retrospective! I think today especially, I tried to make sure that my outfit followed the rubric. I certainly felt like my outfit today very much reflects my style. Did I succeed?

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11 years ago

Kiwichik

Veteran

You certainly did achieve your style rubic & with agreat deal of lass & style.

Mirp

Active Member

I loved the min retrospective and how you have honed in on your style. My fave is 2 but you look great in so many of your outfits.

Anonymous

I LOVED your outfits. Numbers 4, 12, and 14 took my breath away. You looked amazing!!!!! At this point, I have nothing but admiration for the way you put things together. You have definitely inspired me to up my style quotient. Thank you.

Now, I do have one negative comment. The relatively heavy sweater in number 1 reminds me of a "grandma's sweater." You looked great in it, but for some reason I still always think grandma. It is hard for me to see anything beyond the sweater. I shudder whenever I see one of them.

Golden Pig -- How many different bags do you own? Do you switch out your bag every day? Thank you.

ManidipaM

13/14 are amazing, over-the-top, sassy fabulousness! No superlatives will be enough.

And yeah, I think you've nailed that rubric all through!

This was a great read Natalie! It seems from the pictures that you are putting your stylegoals into practice every day! I think you're rubric makes complete sense and in a way, it is very similar to mine.

I left out things that I don't even have to worry/think about. I share your love of structure with some softness, prints are SO important to me, and while I love color--I also love neutrals very much if I'm in the mood for them. I dress mostly ladylike, but it's fun to add a RATE element every once in a while. Like you I crave at least some color repetition if I'm not going full-on matchy matchy. And I also like to add that one item that's a little "different". In my formula I called it "used/gutsy/hand made--something not everyone has or would wear. No wonder I like your style so much!

Meredith1953

A truly lovely selection of outfits! You really have your rubric down.

Jewell

I think you've refined your rubric to a T! I see the elements you listed in just about every one of those photographs. Love the outfits, by the way! I covet the jacket in #7 and I simply adore #17 as blue is one of my favorite colors.

MNsara

You're on a roll with great outfits and a great working rubric! I'm fascinated by your process and how it's evolving, and especially how it's clearly working beautifully for you

I think every outfit is fab and a few of my faves might be (casual) 4 and 7, (workable) 2, 9, 10, 13-17

and, yes, it's a little OCD to arrange them by length, but we love you for it

christieanne

I think the new rubric is going to be much easier to remember and "work". You are right - if something is a given such as "ladylike" then it doesn't need to be there.

I like seeing your MOTG outfits intermixed with work and event looks. You have said before that your MOTG is more limited and you repeat but I think you are doing well applying the rubric to those days.

Transcona Shannon

I like the more concise rubric Natalie and definitely see these elements in your outfits.

(website)

I like this streamlining and simplifying! As for OCD, is it wrong that mine in my head is SHRiFT? hee hee

Streamlined
Hardware
Repetition
Fitted
Textured

rae

I love the new rubric! I feel like I could walk into your closet and dress you based on that alone. The concise list should help a lot.

cheryl

I love the new streamlined rubric. It fits you to a tee! All of these pics are fantastic and I just have to say how much I love you in orange (pic 3 & 4).

goldenpig

Thanks Kiwichick, Mirp, Mary, Manidipa, Claire, Meridith, Jewell, MNSara, Christieanne, Shannon, Mo, Rae & Cheryl!

Mary--I agree the H&M grey sweater cardigan could be kind of "dowdy" looking, but it's all part of the librarian look I'm going for in this outfit, LOL! Hopefully I'm still young enough to get away with the ironic dowdy look, instead of looking truly dowdy! As for your handbag question, I counted them up and I have 17 in daily use, and I do switch them to match my outfit as you can see in this thread I started just for you!
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....do-you-own

Manidipa, LOL, yes the triple pattern match is a bit over the top, but so fun! Thanks for the compliment!

Claire--wow, our rubrics ARE very similar! I've always admired your style and now I know why! I feel like you embody the casual summer MOTG style that I aspire to. Love how you mix neutrals and denim and colors.

MNSara--LOL, looks like I'm not the only OCD rubric around here (high five Mo!)

Christianne--thanks! I would like to develop my MOTG wardrobe a little more, to get to that balance between dressier than super casual/gear that I used to sport pre-YLF, and not as dressy as just wearing my work clothes (because that sometimes looks too fancy compared to everyone else). I think my SoCal travel capsule was the first time I felt like I was starting to get it:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-pic-heavy
Maybe I just need to study Claire's WIW's some more since it sounds like we are style sisters!

Rae--I would love for you to dress me!

Cheryl--I love orange too! I was so glad that orange is in right now!

nancylee

This is really great, GP. I really appreciate how you walked us through your thought process as you sorted out your rubric. I'm trying to formulate one of my own, so it was helpful to see how you came to yours.

Now that you have a workable rubric you can enjoy putting it into practice!

ironkurtin

Holy cow, GP. That is quite an anaylsis.

I think of you as "feminine ladylike" in my head.

You like simple, form-skimming (not bodycon) cuts, with a defined waist and colorful details. You don't like fussy but enjoy florals and brights.

I see this becoming an increasingly sophisticated formula for you over time, because the "ladylike" part is the key in my mind. To me, it runs through all of your favorite things. I know you fear your mother's overly youthful style, but ladylike is such a part of you that I can't see it happening. You have a lot of dignity!

Thanks Nancylee! I would love to see your rubric, you've got a great style too!

IK, impressive analysis of my style! You are spot on! Have you come up with a rubric for your style? I love your style--a wonderful blend of high fashion, edgy, flowy, and comfortable.

Aw, GP, you're so sweet! No, my style remains nameless. *Shrugs* "I spend too much," probably!

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