Page 2 in the conversation "." by carter

Slim fit pants are a must for this look and well fitted sweaters, button downs and blazers. Minimal accessories...perhaps a belt and a thin chain.
A definite look....maybe casual elegance.
Relaxed refined

The first words that came to mind were: classy, classic, simple and elegant. I can see you in every single outfit, Carter.

These pictures so reflect your style, Carter, that it's hard to know if you chose them as inspiration or as illustration. They are cohesive and they are you.

I suck at the style descriptor game so I won't go there, but I'm with others who said your outfits already reflect your aspirational style.

I can't tell you how helpful this is! Thank you all so much! I'm writing down all the descriptors. Hopefully tonight I'll have a bit of time to start to narrow them down while adding a bit of color and pattern to round things out a bit for me.

I can already tell you that just with this clarification, I can see clearly that a couple tops and a dress I bought recently don't take me where I want to go and will be returned. Also, for those of you who saw the Anthro pink chinos I posted the other day...I see the color and the casual chino-vibe fitting in here but not the floppy hems and loose rolls. Agree?

Carter, I have several of these outfits pinned as well. It's how I dress in fall and winter or how I hope to dress. I am not good at style descriptors, I just call it simple and more classic.

i don't have much to offer but reading with great interest. I'm not good with the style moniker names but some adjectives I'd use are streamlined (follow the lines of the body pretty closely, and also minimal details), and very neutral in terms of color. The individual items look to be of high quality. You've inspired me to spend some time with pinterest again to help identify my own style.

I agree with your comment about the new chinos. I bought those same chinos a few months ago in a pale olive and agree that wearing them with rolled hems may not quite fit the vibe you are looking for although they work well for me that way.

Carter, I love these looks so very much! For anyone, but especially for you, because this is so authentically you!

Without reading the other responses first, here is what I see in these looks:

Generally: I puzzled over why these looks weren't retro, because the slim pants have been worn by every style icon from Marilyn Monroe to Jackie O to Audrey. I think it's the rise: they would have worn high-waisted pants back in the day.

I also see where the hairstyle is every bit as much a part of the look, as the style of top, or pant, or shoe.

Specficially, from top to bottom:

Hair: out of 20 looks, 14 of these had the hair worn down, mostly in soft waves. 4/14 look deliberately blown out or flat ironed. Of the remaining six (two you can't see at all), the updos look soft and a little mussed.

Makeup: Lip colors were mostly nudes, soft corals and soft reds. Mostly nudes though.

Jewelry: I only see one pair of 'statement' earrings out of 20 looks. The rest look like studs, or I can't see them at all. I only count 5/20 with necklaces, 3 of which are long, dainty, with a single minimalist, bold pendant, and 2 are dainty and circular and hit at the collarbone. Altogether minimalist. Bracelets and watches are stacked and monotone (monochrome?), and again, mostly sleek and minimalist. Or a large, sleek wristcuff.

Tops are all relaxed, but a bit fitted, and none seem to be cropped or tunic length. They all hit somewhere on the hip, whether tucked in, or worn out.

Pants, regardless of length or bottom, appear to be slim-fitting, flat-front, and mid-rise. In almost all of the looks where the top is tucked in, there is a classic leather belt of mid-width, not narrow or wide.

Handbags are just that: held by the hands as a clutch or handled bag. Not crossbody or over the shoulder.

Shoes aren't extreme or statement. They have rounded toes or soft points, and are mostly the sort you slip your foot into: only 4/20 (that I saw) had any straps or buckles.

Descriptors: Relaxed Elegant Classic? Relaxed Modern Classic?

LBD, I am rushing this morning, but you have given me so much to think about! Perhaps I'll talk you into helping me with a closet edit sometime:-)

i read thru all the comments, and i generally agree with them all…..but i wanted to add my 1st thought….quiet…as in all of these looks speak softly about who and what they are….
so maybe quiet sophistication, understated elegance

Anytime! It was fun to be able to dissect - I wish I could do that for myself! but my Pinterest boards are all over the place.

Kkcards picked up on 'understated', I was going to say minimalist, but I think her word is better.

Good point about the new Anthro pants.

Another thing you said that hit me: (paraphrasing) was this what I wanted to project if I ran into an old client/boyfriend (my favourite category) or co-worker? I too can get all boho-ish if left to my own devices, and have caught a window reflection glimpse of myself in this look and thought "uh, no".

This whole thread has been very instructional - and I admit I usually don't read these "style moniker" threads. I'm just going to wear whatever you do . Makes it so much easier

Just came back to relook at your inspirations....whatever and however you describe it...I realized this is what I'm aiming for as well.

Popping back on to say that I like the anthro pants --- Jackie at Kennebunkport! What are you going to wear when you're clamming on the beach? Or on the yacht? You do live in a coastal community, after all! Mostly slim and polished, absolutely, but I think a casual. looser leg pant would be fine. If they don't make you feel fab, though --- then definitely return.

Coming back to say, you never cease to inspire me. You even have me exercising six days a week now.

Ugh. Just lost my comments.

Lisa, I hear you about the "ugh, what was I thinking?" Happens too often.

BethAnn, I promise that if I had a yacht, I would keep the Anthro pants;-)

KK, I loved "understated". Hopefully we'll figure this out together.

Sterling, hooray for you! You have me beat the past couple weeks:-(

Hoping to spend some time with a notepad and all your comments tonight. In the meantime, I tried to follow the plan with today's outfit. I held my own house open today (both agent and seller), so sadly I didn't have a chance to sport the handbag beyond the photo. I really liked the result though. What do you think?

This is proving to be a great learning experience for me. Thank you all again so much!

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I skipped everyone else's remarks before I comment. My first thought on defining words is "long and lean," and the follow up question is, are you tall enough to carry that off without the heels?

Ummlila, I am 5'5.5" on a good hair day;-). I'm pretty sure Ines' legs are 5'5.5".

Your two added photos above look like the inspiration pix to me! You'd fit right in with that gang. Looking long and lean and sleek even without the elevation of high, higher, highest heels.

I don't have any style descriptors myself. If I were to describe your style I would say casual polished sleek lovely.

Today's outfit is killer on you and absolutely matches the inspiration pics!

The latest outfit is awesome and the bag really finishes it nicely. You look exactly like someone in your inspiration pics.

I have not read the others, but I see classically playful and polished casual.

You could add the two photos above to your inspiration pics, and they would blend right in. Clearly, you're already there!

I think you have your look almost nailed based on those inspiration pics (easy, simple, classic - more Jackie O on weekends than on workdays) - I would say in your last image here in this thread - you should consider removing some of your jewelry as that was the main difference I noticed between you and the inspiration pics - most of them only have like 1 jewelry item on at a time - one bracelet or one necklace, but not two bracelets and earrings.

The shoes also play an important role and you have great ones on in the image above - and a great handbag too.

Carter, this is really fascinating and educational, because you're so close to those inspiration pics already, that we're talking really subtle tweaks to align your current style with your aspirations. That pic above is pretty spot-on! I find that absolutely amazing.

So, a few minor things I noticed, comparing your aspiration pics to your most recent WIW collection.

  • You wear a lot of sandals, which makes sense for your climate, but the inspiration pics almost always pair sandals with longer bottoms (maxi skirt, full-length or ankle pants) and higher-vamped shoes with cropped bottoms.
  • Your inspiration pics don't show a lot of prints. Since you like prints, maybe you can hunt up some new photos that include them?
  • You often wear your tops longer than the inspiration images, which changes the proportions ever-so-slightly. Nothing wrong with that, just something to be aware of.
FWIW, I've always thought you had one of the most cohesive, pulled-together looks on YLF, and the direction you're going is taking it to an even higher level. I'd go with "relaxed sophistication" as a descriptor.

I think these looks are very you. Perhaps a slightly sleeker, simpler version, but still you. Simple and elegant were the words that popped into my head, but you've already had a lot of great (better) suggestions!

And I think the pink chinos can fit... they may not be part of this UNIFORM, but they still work with the STYLE.

I love these looks! I am not good at the naming thing but I like the refined casual suggested earlier. Lots of neutrals which I also love and really classic lines. I agree that you already dress a lot like these looks so you're definitely doing something right!

Casual, minimal, elegant. Approachable and sophisticated.