Style analysis via Angie's blog and Aida's list

I'm not someone to whom style comes easily. I admire the fab outfits posted on this forum but have difficulty translating that appreciation into dressing better. I was so out of touch when I started at YLF that it's taken a year to learn enough to be capable of digging into the guts of my own personal style. As a first step, I'm working through a combination of Angie's process for getting out of a style rut and Aida's list.

Want to express (or should I say, "aspire to be"?):
Competent and practical
Urban
Interesting
Poised and elegant

Hairstyle:
Fine. Usually tied back for comfort but most recent haircut is flattering when it is loose.

Current style descriptors: (evolving)
Classic/safe
Colorful
Often unpolished/ruffled

Ideal style: Euro chic + color + occasional edge
Polished/sleek/elegant
Quirky/funky/interesting
Unfussy/functional/practical
Put together - visually harmonious
Not so "out there" that I'll wonder what I was thinking in 10 years.

Style dislike:
Cowboy/western
Trends that aren't personally flattering on me (ex: red jeans)
Fur, even if it's faux
Surrendering the waist/boxy clothes
Costume jewelry
Shoulder pads
Calf length or longer skirts
Platform wedges or >3 inch heels

Styles I like:
Waist definition/figure flattery
Abstract prints/polka dots/solids
Funky shoes/detailing/tailoring
Color

Colors I wear often:
Anything bright, dark/saturated, vibrant
Black, dark brown, red, plum, olive green, turquoise, blue, yellow, orange

Colors that are only worn as accents/background
Cream, Grey

Colors I almost never wear:
Pastels or midtone colors (ex: peach, light blue, mint)

Clothing requirements (in a perfect world):
High quality fabric and construction
Perfect fit
Able to move easily (sit, pick up things, walk/run)

Outfits/wardrobe pieces (ordered from most to least fab):

1) Desigual tunic: I want to wear this outfit everytime I hang out with friends. Flattering, comfortable, colorful, interesting and casual. I feel fabulous.

2) Fluevog boots: I wear these all the time because they go with everything, are funky, comfortable and I can run in them. I used to like this outfit but the dress has too much volume for my taste now. Weird pose so you can see the boots.

3) Dress + green boots + beads: Love the fit of dress and the RATE boots. Wore this to a friend's birthday at a club. Looked better in the mirror - in photo boots look too wide in the calf for dresses.

3) Ruched blouse with cardigan: Typical work outfits. Comfortable, flattering and dressier than a t-shirt but not much pizazz, even when I bookend the red cardigan with red Malibran shoes.

4) Scarf looks terrible with pink cardigan (oops). Outfit is improved with grey cardigan as background. Even more boring than the prior work outfits.

5) Dress + hiking sandals + earrings + sunglasses: I was proud of this ultra-casual outfit because I was able to go on a city hike through multiple parks/climbing rocks and meet my friends for dinner after.

6) These outfits are "better than a t-shirt" but not by much. I'm dressed but it's boring.

Potential changes to evolve my style:

Break out of the blue bootcut rut and start wearing skinny jeans more often.
Add a non-voluminous tunic or short "mod" dress to wear with skinnies/leggings.
Use my scarf and jewelry collection to add interest to outfits.
Textured tights with boots or booties
Add black straight leg or skinny jeans.
Add colored corduroy skinnies in one of plum, green or *maybe* red if my eye adjusts to it.

This is a lot of information so I appreciate it if you made it through this post. If you have comments and advice, then I am doubly grateful. My plan is to work on these changes for a little while and post a follow up in 3-6 months, depending on how much progress I've made.

This post has 7 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sylvie, first of all, I understand exactly what you mean about style coming slowly! It takes a long time to filter all this information and to integrate it. But it strikes me that you are doing a wonderful job and you are well on your way to figuring out the core elements of your own personal style.

I can easily understand why you like the Desigual top; it is all the things you mentioned. It looks like an easy to wear piece that makes its own style statement.

As for the boots, well, they are just so fab I can't stand it!

Outfit 3 increases the sophistication, simply by being a plain dark background with waist definition.

I like your outfits in 4, but can see why you want to move in a different direction. They are fine, but don't express where you want to go. Although I must say, you wear tucked jeans beautifully with yet another great pair of boots in that pic! So wearing more skinnies is definitely a great first step.

I think you are giving yourself fantastic, sensible advice with the rest of your goals, as well.

Note: what about additional structure? Would you consider adding a jacket to the mix to see how that feels once you've taken your first steps?

I will be following your journey with interest; I'm in about the same place myself and have found the pics (of others and myself) to be invaluable.

Sylvie

Thank you Suz!

I have considered adding jackets as well, if I can find one that fits my too specific list of requirements - dressy enough to be polished, casual enough for every day and shaped right for my short torso. I've been keeping an eye out for a corduroy or tweed jacket, since I think those will probably fit the bill the best.

mamaKate

Hi Sylvie! With a mind like yours, you must be either an engineer, an accountant, or a professor! Anyway thanks for the post - your detailed description sounds very much like my own evolving sense of style. Sounds like you are starting to incorporate dresses - Have you tried adding more skirts? That is an element that I found to "level up" my own style. starting with one khaki and one denim skirt, and moving on from there. I also found myself starting to collect belts and find ways to use them to flatter. Enjoy!

Lynne

Sylvie, you have a great list here! What would you think about adding a denim jacket (not necc in blue) to your wardrobe mix? Black? or Red? Or perhaps a leather jacket?

Isis

Sylvie, what about a pair of great fitting DARK wash jeans? Your current jeans, in 5 and 7, are medium wash. Those same outfits, with darker jeans, would feel more polished, I think.

I also like Suz's suggestion of adding jackets to add structure. Jackets made out of knit material are as comfy as sweaters, and will also give you the ability to move your arms freely, a high priority of yours! Look for one with structured shoulders and that goes in at the waist.

I'm looking forward to following your style evolution!

@mamaKate: You're right, I should add in some more skirts. I'm not yet comfortable wearing them to work, but they would be nice for the weekends and give me more ways to wear my tops.

@lynne: I had been looking at denim jackets but just haven't found the right one. I'd love to add a black or red one if I could find one. I can't wear leather jackets unfortunately. Leather shoes/purses/belts have been allowed into the wardrobe but the line gets drawn at jackets.

@Isis: Thanks for the reminder that I really need to toss the jeans in 5&7. The two pairs of jeans in 4 are dark wash and I tend to wear those most of the time.

My closet is pretty lean but the next step may just be a closet purge. If "unfab" clothes aren't available to me, I can't wear them out of laziness.

Yesterday's thread on simplicity and Isis' comment made me realize I don't need to actually change the types of clothing I wear, but be more discerning about their quality and fit. In the end, we're all wearing a dress/tunic, a top and skirt or a top and pants, but the devil is in the details.

nancylee

I enjoyed this post, Sylvie. I always like to read style journey/evolution posts since they offer so much insight and wisdom.

That Desigual tunic in #1 is awesome, and I can see why you wear it so often. Great boots in #2, too! It seems like you've developed basic capsules for most areas of your life (work, going out, etc.). And your goals going forward sound solid. You will be able to do a lot with scarves and accessories. They're great for adding drama and finish to a basic look.

Echoing the calls to add a blazer (maybe basic black?) to the mix, along with some dark denim. As far as jackets go, would you consider a military/olive green jacket? I bought one this fall and find it very versatile. It's easier to wear than a denim jacket since it goes with everything (even denim!).

Category