Translating "stuff" into personal style

Elly

For those of you that have done the style statement exercise (or anyone else), how have you translated a set of words or a few inspirations into fashion?

I tend to know what inspires me, but struggle to find inspiration that translates neatly to a look already present in fashion. Translating a non-fashion inspiration into a "look" and then into something that is appropriate for my lifestyle and body type.

How have you ladies done this?

12 years ago

General

7 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Kate

Veteran

I'm not sure how much help this will be, but here goes.

I've always had a much better idea of what kind of stuff I like than what my fashion style was. 9 year old me didn't care too much about clothes (I just knew that I didn't like frilly details), but I wanted to be an architect and had a pretty good sense of my taste in architecture and interior design. I thought Frank Lloyd Wright's organic architecture was amazing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_architecture). This hasn't changed. I like a somewhat minimal, modern look with clean lines, but nothing too harsh. I prefer wood and earth tones to black and white. I've decorated my house (not photographed) with pops of color, but kept the walls white and wouldn't dare cover the hardwood floor with a rug. (I keep a folder of inspirational photos I find online, which is where these came from.)

One of my favorite photographers is Michael Kenna. The only art I have on my walls is his. While black and white architecture seems too harsh to my eye, I absolutely adore his black and white photos. The lack of color simplifies things so that we focus on the textures and beauty of nature. He has some work that focuses on cities and factories, and I don't like them nearly as much as the photos I included here.

My style statement is structured organic, and I think that both elements come through beautifully in these examples. They're pared down, focused, created with great intent, and heavily inspired by nature.

Does this help at all? Maybe you have photos that you could post and we could try to help you find some connecting themes/words?

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12 years ago

Elly

Veteran

oh Kate-- thanks for that great post. I love the Michael Kenna photos-- I briefly remember seeing some of his work once, but I can definitely see your inspiration words coming through the photos.

I'm not having so much of a hard time translating my inspirations into words (while I haven't narrowed it down to 2, my inspirations are rustic, bold, organic, an elemental) as I am translating my inspiration photos/ideas into outfits and a style.

My question would be, how did you (or can I) translate your personal style inspirations or words into clothing for your body and lifestyle? I struggle to differentiate between work and fashion for the rest of my life because at work we wear what is considered "Colorado casual" which falls somewhere between smart casual and mom-on-the-go on the spectrum. It is a lot of nicer jeans, the occasional slacks, button-downs or sweaters and practical shoes. While it is important to look nice and professional, I also never know when I will be kneeling on a warehouse floor, moving dirty things, climbing ladders, or having to climb in and out of the back of a truck or car. Washable and durable (to some extent) are important. I have issues incorporating the rustic, bold, and organic elements I enjoy without taking work to a too casual level, and also have a problem differentiating work fashion and weekend fashion without going sub-casual on the weekends.

So I was hoping to hear how some of you ladies got from inspiration to reality!

12 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Elly, I seem to have the opposite problem of yours! I know exactly what type of clothing I like but am having a harder time finding my Style Statement words. I know for instance that the linen ruffle jacket with zippers is a perfect piece for me - a little feminine, some tactile interest, closely cut to the figure, and then the edge with the zippered pockets - but I can't seem to find the 2 magical words to describe this. I lean toward organic or composed with sensual but neither is quite right. I have more homework to do, I guess!

http://www.6pm.com/twisted-hea.....cket-white

12 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

My style statement is "contemporary beauty." It fits me to a T, on one hand, and is a big pain to work with on the other. So like, contemporary furnishing is not me. I don't showcase space in my home; I definitely showcase things. I do floral chintz not geometry. But *I* am contemporary because I'm interested in the avant garde, the next wave, the big ideas that change the way we understand life. Historical big ideas as well as present day ones.

In fashion, I've really used my style statement mostly to promote consistency and truth in advertising. I like all sorts of clothes and can duplicate all sorts of looks but i, me, am about certain things. So I've kinda purged lace and bows from the ol' wardrobe (well, have to have a few bows ;>).

Or like on the work side of things - plain, plain, plain is really the name of the game. Cute is either formally banned by regulation or informally shunned by engineering snobbery. But when I do plain, I come off church-mousey, which I'm not. Nobody likes to feel they've been fooled. So I stop myself from going all the way to staid.

12 years ago

3style

Veteran

Elly,
I guess my approach to your problem is a more pragmatic one. I try to figure out which retailer has the most looks that I like for the season, and then try to buy them there, and if I am not finding the fit or price that works for me, I go to alternate retailers and try to get "copycat" pieces similar to the ones at the retailer to complete the outfits. That mixed with my older stuff can still keep from looking cookie-cutter.

Based on the photos you sent, I poked around at my most obvious candidates, and I thought Ann Taylor Loft might fit the bill for you this season. It seems like you could take some of those pieces and dress them up or down pretty easily to fit your needs. That is based on having no idea what size you are. I find their sizes terribly inconsistent, unlike Ann Taylor. My most recent purchases this spring I bought 2 tops, one in small and one in extra large!

<http://www.loft.com/loft/cat/r.....04>

12 years ago

Kate

Veteran

Ok, I think I have a better idea of what you're looking for now.

I would do some searching and see what you find. For example, here's rustic bold organic on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/search/han.....ld+organic See what appeals to you, and what doesn't. And try searching for just one or two of your words if you want to browse a larger selection.

google image searches can be wonderful too, such as http://www.google.com/search?u.....old%20knit The first thing that comes to mind in terms of fashion with your style words are chunky knit sweaters, possibly with some cables or other details to add interest, so I did that quick search to find some inspiration.

While your words lean towards casual, I don't think that they have to be super casual. I would stick with good looking jeans (I'm thinking dark wash, probably straight leg) for durability and warmth, and focus on having wonderful boots, tops, and sweaters. Maybe even a blazer or two, and the occasional warm dress with thick tights or leggings. And lots of beautiful scarves! I've added pictures of some examples from my own closet that I think might fit with your words. I think that they all have something special about them that keeps them from being uber casual, yet they're all still comfortable and practical. I think tucking jeans into boots (just not uggs!) and wearing colorful scarves are two small things that can instantly elevate a look and keep it from being too casual. Something like this http://www.etsy.com/listing/19.....tard-scarf is an outfit changer!

The other thing I can think of is when you see something that you like, or don't like, think about your words and see how they fit (or don't fit) with the clothes. I think it takes some practice, but luckily it can be a lot of fun to practice!

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12 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I love the loft short sleeve sweater there, in #1!

12 years ago

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