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Style goals for 2017

shedev

Veteran

Just when I had shopping down to choosing my 5 plus a couple well thought out basics, life through a monkey wrench into my plan. It is a good one though. I will be going back to school to earn my Masters of social work/ counseling in the summer or fall. I will have a huge time commitment. 2- 6 hour class days and 2- 8 hour practicum days. Because of this, I will be going part time at my job. Because of this, I plan to buy for the job I want and taper off buying for the one I have. I'll need to ramp up the dressy, but I don't want to lose my style completely. I'd like the dressier items to have mixability with items I already own.
Sometimes it's easier to figure out what I'm not than what I am. I am not androgenous, tomboy, preppy, or polished. I'm also not girly, frilly, or bright. I do consider the light drape that I love to be feminine without crossing into girly. Descriptors that I'd use to describe my style include moody, feminine, alternative, and rate. Here's how I think I could translate them to my work wardrobe goals.
moody- choices of color and pattern
feminine- cut of clothing
alternative- nothing too classic
rate- could still be expressed as texture
I have some pieces that I saved for dressy. The new pieces would complement them, so I'm not starting from scratch. Does anything else come to mind?

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOOHOOOO. Ramping up the dressy. Sweet music to my ears. Congrats, and cheers to a new chapter in your life.

Hard Edge is the first word that comes to mind when I think of your style, Shedev. Moody, Casual, Dark, Draped and RATE are others.

LaPed

Veteran

Congrats! I can see your style transitioning seamlessly into a dressier iteration. The word dramatic might help you find what you're looking for.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations!! And welcome to the world of the adult student. It's an interesting transition, and while it has its ups and downs, on the whole I enjoy it and I do feel school is somewhat wasted on the young. I hope it will be fun, stimulating, and positive for you as well.

I would definitely agree with "moody" and "alternative" as well as RATE, although you might be moderating the RATE and the casual for the practicum. Do you know the population you would like to work with ultimately? Because for school, I imagine casual will still be right. It's only for the work world that things might differ? At least if my own school is any indication.

carter

Veteran

Wow! Congrats! I'm excited to see how your transformation/modification takes shape. I'm having quite a mental block on how dressy and RATE coexist. Do you have any pictures or a pinterest board that you could share?

Style Fan

Veteran

Congratulations! I teach in the program you are entering. What a wonderful and amazing career you are entering. Very rewarding.

I think it is a great idea to buy for the job you want. Students seem to dress very casually but not all do. It is a mixed bag.

Bonnie

Veteran

Great plans and it will be fun to see how incorporate dressy with your style.

Anonymous

This is interesting . The word "moody" really hit me. That's one I can relate too as well. I think the connections and links you have drawn make a lot of sense, and what an intelligent way to address what to bu going forward . You are my new wardrobing hero - did I mention that ?

Brooklyn

Veteran

Congratulations! I like dark, edgy and moody for you too. I don't see you as "hard" edge though. Perhaps because you wear a lot of drapey items. I think you could (if you wanted to) do polished or dressy within those style parameters. FWIW, I actually don't think you are "not polished", but maybe we have different concepts of that. I am not good with descriptors!

Sal

Veteran

Congratulations!! I like your goals - well done.

While your style is not classic, it is mostly not trendy either.... it has an avant garde edge. I think it is adding the refinement that makes it more dressy ie finer fabrics, darker denim rather than worn denim... Look forward to seeing where you go with it.

Anonymous

The descriptor "professional" comes to mind. Clothes that speak of your education and skills, and inspire confidence. Polished (but not too!), but relatable and unpretentious. Just thinking out loud here. I'm excited for you and your plans!

Lisa

Veteran

First, congrats on going back to school. I did my masters while I worked full time and it was a rough couple of years, but it's worth it in the end! As for incorporating dressy for everyday, I adore mixing a dressy piece with something denim: jeans with a blazer, or a denim shirt with a classic trouser, it's so easy to do and looks nice every time. I'm sure you can find options that have details to fit your personal style, while using this basic formula, good luck!

Isabel

Veteran

How fantastic ! You go girl !

I like your breakdown of how to move forward. Could you explain your "moody" descriptor, please ? I find that really interesting.

Sara L.

Veteran

How exciting! I'm curious to see how your style evolves for your new life circumstances. It makes sense to buy for your future job plans.

deb

Veteran

How exciting!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like a great new direction - and a fun time to make some style changes. If I were going to make one suggestion it would be to add some colors that are known to be mood lifting as counseling in it's own right is often to make people feel secure, calm and optimistic. I would probably also invest in some dark, non-distressed denim since it can be casual or just slightly dressy.

Not sure if that's the kind of input you were after but I'll be interested in seeing what changes you choose to make going forward.

shedev

Veteran

I had a long answer that addressed each post individually but it got lost. So if it's alright, I'll just try to answer the questions as best as I can. Thank you all for your congratulations and your input. It has been very helpful in conceptualizing my future professional wardrobe.
I think the common thread between my work and casual wardrobes will be a touch of avante garde. I could add that touch of drama to my professional wardrobe and blend into my casual style.
I'm going to use capsules to build my work wardrobe. My first capsule will be based on the navy and grey pieces that I already own. I'm going to build a collection in finds. Although counselors do seem to dress in business casual, I'm going a little dressier and not including denim. I could always dress down pieces later.

anne

Veteran

I'll be watching this development with interest!

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

I think of your style as subtle and sophisticated in your choices of low-contrast colors with loads of texture and line, but not dark or gloomy. You actually appear quite cheerful in your neutrals.

Anonymous

This is such exciting news!!! I am so happy for you.

shedev

Veteran

Thank you Rambling Ann. I feel the same way.

AM

Veteran

Congrats on this new chapter! Sounds wonderful.

Love how you are describing your style. As for adding dressier pieces, these would be my suggestions:

Identify 1- 2 dressier shoes that you love. Chunky pump, sleek boot/bootie, mod flat/wedge, etc. These would be style statements based on your descriptors.
Identify a few pants and skirts silhouettes that you love. Pants: a cropped flair, a wide leg, a cigar pant. Skirt: pencil, a-line, to the knee, etc. These could be style statement pieces but would lean toward neutrals.
Identify a dress that can be a neutral, basic element for layering. If you love dresses -- more than 1.

For me, this bottom up approach has seem to be working. Because the footwear makes a strong style statement and the bottoms start to immediately define silhouette. Then start to address the tops. Simple items for layering or throwing on a scarf, 1 - 2 great dusters/toppers, 1 - 2 great jacket (cropped with drapey, waterfall front, Deborah has some), a few scarves and a few statement jewelry. For the tops and accessories -- (like the footwear) unleash your style statement. This has been on my mind as I have had to do a similar style revision -- except mine was to downsize into a smaller dress/professional capsule. Just my 2 cents.

Momo

Veteran

Congratulations! It is interesting when counseling professions to strike the balance between the harder edged looks and being approachable looking. I

Joy

Veteran

Congratulations! I can see you in some great leather jackets.

Joyce B

Veteran

Congrats! You have a good plan, I will also follow your wardrobe transition with interest.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Congrats! How exciting! I love being a student and sometimes think about going back to school.

You've gotten great advice. I like what AM says about starting with footwear. I can see your edgy toppers combining with more classic dark jeans or trousers for a more professional environment when the time comes.