What is your signature style?

Deborah

Veteran

Hi Sylvia, happy to respond. Am heading out to a meeting shortly but will pop back.

14 years ago

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I just was trying to figure this out with the help of Mrseccentric and the other YLF'ers in this thread:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....on-persona
There are lots of pics on there and check out all the detailed analysis that everyone contributed!

Steph's great advice was to pick one favorite outfit and analyze what about that outfit did you especially like, in order to find out what your style is. We analyzed my favorite outfit which is in my profile pic.

We came up with Demure Bombshell for me. As well as a combination of Classic Elegant/Retro Ladylike/Boho Luxe. I like those terms and am going to start thinking about them more when I consider new purchases and how to put outfits together. I like retro ladylike silhouettes, lots of patterns with some pattern mixing, muted autumn colors or black/white/red, rich textures, waist definition, and shoes with ankle straps so that is what I try to go with most of the time.

Of course, I also experimented with playing against my type with a tough RATE moto chic look and everyone liked it so much that I'm going to have to play around with my "dark side" too!
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....le-attempt

14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like a fun series! I hope my answers can help...

Do you have a clear idea about your own style?
Yes, at long last! I dubbed myself a Utilitarian Fashionista.

Do you have a signature style? If yes, what is it?
Anything inspired by a men's uniform (from car mechanics shirts to business suits), tempered by bright colors, a feminine fit, and a long leg line. When not under the constraints of my work dress code, my uniform consists of a simple top, jeans, boots, and one of my many rugged jackets.

How do you add your signature to almost every outfit?
Winter: boots and jackets. Summer: rugged belts.

And how did you find your signature style?
Lots of introspection and documentation! YLF encouraged me to take photos of my outfits. From those, I could much better analyze my style after the fact. If I felt great, I could go back and pore over the successful proportions/colors/shapes. If I felt like a frump and a fraud, I could make a mental note to avoid the offensive proportions/colors/shapes. It also really helped to write down what I wanted my clothes to "say" about me.

What are the style essentials for your style?
Saturated/sour color (red, burgundy, citron, orange), rugged/aggressive/defensive detailing (distressed belts, combat boots), fitted silhouette, high heels.

I don't have good pics on this computer, but I try to remember to add some when I get home.

14 years ago

Elly

Veteran

Wow Rae! I love your description of your style. Based on that, I would say my style is quite similar, but having seen many of your outfits our styles are pretty different. I have some of the same inspirations and wear and love some of the same key elements, but my version has to/comes out looking completely different. I wonder if this is because I have more masculine features than you do both facially and because I am a much bigger person with broader shoulders, ect. Still, I love my menswear/masculine/rugged pieces and when I am not doing that or mixing in pieces I am moving towards an audrey/coco spectrum.

14 years ago

Kate

Veteran

I started determining my personal style when I first found academichic.com, and continued to develop it once I found YLF. To figure out an actual name for it I used a combination of Aida’s method with a list (I’m a big fan of lists, so those were extremely helpful) and the style statement workbook. I wound up with the name Structured Organic.

A longer description of my style statement is here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....l-me-yours (mine is the third response)

I wrote a post on how my style statement helps me shop here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....r-shopping

I’ve also got a post with inspirational pictures here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....onal-style (mine is the first response)

I hope you don’t mind all the links. I figure they’re easier than just copy/pasting everything into this post because it would be super long!

In terms of how I add my style to almost every outfit, I don’t buy things unless they fit at least one of my words (and preferably a combination of both). The result is that I put most of the effort in at the shopping level so that when I’m creating an outfit I don’t have to think much about whether the combination fits my style. All of the items are my style, so the final product is too!

14 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Do you have a clear idea about your own style? Yeah, I think I kinda do.

Do you have a signature style? Yeah, I think I kinda do.

If yes, what is it? Business Bombshell, baby!

How do you add your signature to almost every outfit? I think I have at least one "bombshelly" element in almost every outfit, whether it's a tight bottom piece (skinny pants, pencil skirt) or a flashy accent piece (pink pumps with rainbow striped spike heels, reptile or animal print scarf, piles of pearls).

And how did you find your signature style? I read the "Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style," and the "bombshell" style really resonated with me, but I aso related to the "American classic" and a couple of others because I have a professional job and need to look at least a little bit serious and credible. I said I wanted to be a "businesslike bombshell" and Angie shortened it to "Business Bombshell," and the rest, as they say, is history.

What are the style essentials for your style? Pencil skirts in every color, blazers in every color, high-heeled pumps in every color, patterned blouses and scarves. I bat for Team A Lot Going On so I like layering and pattern mixing and lots of color.

14 years ago

Anonymous

Interesting read! I have a pretty defined sense of style, but I don't think that I could describe it.

I tend to know by looking at an item if I can make it work within my style. Since my closet has a lot of items that feel like "me", it's pretty easy to put together an outfit that I would say has my style signature.

14 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Sylvia, I do have a pretty clear idea of my style, although I'm not sure that I can think of a catchphrase to describe it. I'm drawn to androgynous, casual, clean-lined, slightly arty things. I wear a lot of skinny jeans paired with cute shoes and button-down shirts, or else shortish skirts paired with boots and slim-fitting, dark tops. I wear hats. I don't overdo the makeup, but I always wear some. I love my shoe/boot collection. I tend to have edgy hairstyles, and they change a lot. I am uncomfortable in ruffles or anything cute. Is that answer helpful?

I'm not sure how to answer your other questions. I don't know how I "found" my style -- I just wear the things I like, and every now and then I try something new. I think a person's style is partly defined by their shape. I mean, there are plenty of clothes that look just fabulous on others, and that I would wear if I could, but a bombshell I am not! I just don't have the curves for it. So I wear clothes that tickle my fancy but also -- importantly -- flatter my shape, and those two criteria kind of limit your choices.

14 years ago

Sylvia

(website)

Active Member

Thank you so much for all your replies. I'm loving all your answers. It's great to learn how you discovered your style and how you are able to add your 'signature' to almost every outfit!

Looking forward to hearing about more of you!

Deborah: would still love to read your replies

Goldenpig: great I will head on over to your thread as well. Great idea to pick a favorite outfit and analyse that. I find that now that I'm taking photos of myself, I'm starting to do that naturally. You can see what works and what doesn't just so much more clearly.

Rae: some great answers. Hopefully I can spot some pictures of you somewhere to find out what Utilitarian Fashionista means exactly, although your descriptions give me an idea! Great to read how you found out about your style. I'm actually in the process of doing that.. Love to see the pictures if you have time to add them!

Elly: I will have to start finding pictures of you all. If possible can you post some links to your style pictures?

Kate: thank you also for your detailed description on how you found your style. I'm going to check out all the links. That seems like a really good idea (to only buy things that match your words in the statement). Structured organic, what an interesting name. Look forward to seeing the outfits that belong to that style.

Mary K: wow you really have a very clear idea about your own style and seem completely in control of your outfits. Lucky guide to mastering any style: Is that a book? Look forward to seeing some of your pictures rocking that style.

Sammi: I actually like all the descriptions that some of the women have come up with. I think it would give quite a bit of clarity. So will definitely try some of the suggestions above.

Elisabeth: some of the elements of your style are a bit like mine. I'm a bit the same. I just bought things that I like, but I now find that my wardrobe is a bit of a mess and I want more clarity. Do you have any images here somewhere that I can look at?

14 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Hi Sylvia!

I do have a clear idea of my style. I like modern but classic looks and sometimes with an edge. For me this is generally streamlined sihouettes, not too much layering and lots of black.

I think my signature would be my haircut (a defined blonde bob) and that I wear black almost every day. These two things are constants in my style and are often referenced by others. I have often been described as the girl with the blond bob who wears black as my friend did recently at my favorite cafe ...the owner responded with "yes your looking for Deborah" lol.

I think my signature style developed very naturally. I have worn my hair in many variations of a bob for about 20 years and I love the drama of black. Neither of these things are contrived, they are just what I like and make me feel like me.

My style essentials would be leggings, skinny jeans/pants, drapey blouses, fitted jackets, heels and flats, for winter boots, boots and more boots, scarves .. Anything really that suits me and creates the style and silhouette I enjoy.

Hope this makes sense xxx

14 years ago

Sylvia

(website)

Active Member

Hi Deborah. Thanks for your reply. Interesting that you are able to stick to both your hairstyle and your color. I admire that in people.
I guess that's why I'm not sure if I could ever really add a true signature to my style. I like constant change, am eager to jump on any trend and my hair is constantly changing from long to short and back again.

That's also my problem with buying clothes. Since I tire so quickly of things AND like trends, I end up with lots of things in my wardrobe that I only wear a couple of times and waste too much money. That's one of the reasons I am on this style discovery journey, both for myself and to educate readers of my blog.

The solution of course is to go for more classic, all time pieces, but then I get bored again.... It's a fun discovery process though!

14 years ago

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

My style has recently become more signature i think. In the past years i was pretty much just trendy fashionista. I liked everything and i wanted to try everything. Probably because i'm young. Now i've gotten a better idea for what appeals to me the most and recently i've been working on donating what doesn't fit and adding more pieces that do. I also have a rule now to only add a trendy piece if it fits in with the color palette that works for me.

Do you have a clear idea about your own style? Yes. Just recently i've been able to define it more.

Do you have a signature style? I think so!

If yes, what is it? Quirky. Urban meets cutesy?

How do you add your signature to almost every outfit? I have been working on trying to.

And how did you find your signature style? A lot of experimentation. YLF. Soul searching.

What are the style essentials for your style? Quirky accessories. Darker color palette. Abstract prints. Texture. Basics that are not basic.

Some pictures that i feel reflect this....

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14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Some pics for you, Sylvia. Included a collage I did from my website way back when. A better look at the different iterations over time.

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14 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Also, Sylvia, you can click on "view forum posts" under any of our names and that will take you to a list of our posts. Down at the bottom of that list is the threads we started, including our WIW posts.

14 years ago

Anonymous

Sylvia, hope it didn't sound like describing your style isn't useful! I just haven't found a meaningful way to do it. Maybe the series you are writing could help me

14 years ago

Aida

Veteran

I have the same feeling as Sammi Though I can kind of articulate what I'd _like_ my overall style to be (punk + vintage + Euro-chic, so um, Urban Euro-chic I guess?), I don't think I'm quite there yet. I also like to experiment so I currently wear a broad range of styles, but am slowly whittling it down to the stuff I like best. Even if the overall style isn't cohesive just yet, there are a few things I am interested in that do come across in my outfits (which are mostly casual): color, proportion, silhouette. I also make sure my accessories are always working for me

14 years ago

Sylvia

(website)

Active Member

Thank you all so much for your replies. It's so much fun to read about your styles and see your images and read how you came to your style statement. It's been a great way to get to know many of you even though I'm still overwhelmed by the large community and how well you all seem to know eachother. I spent hours on this forum! I'm going to buy the books you recommended for further reading and to get to my own style statement as well!

14 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

Do you have a clear idea about your own style?
Yes. I finally do.

Do you have a signature style?
Yes.

If yes, what is it?
Modern classic, with some preppy boho mixed in.

How do you add your signature to almost every outfit?
I favor some tailored pieces (modern classic), always mixed with softer, rugged elements (slouchy boots, a non tailored item, sometimes just my hair in waves is enough).

And how did you find your signature style?
I like all four looks, so I incorporate them all into "my style."

What are the style essentials for your style?
Denim, boots, blazers, scarves, button down shirts.

14 years ago

Kate

Veteran

Sylvia, here are some pictures of me.

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14 years ago

Sylvia

(website)

Active Member

Thanks kate. Loving your style. Especially your wonderful dress in picture no 4 and the lovely smile you have in every picture!

14 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

Added some photos from last year.

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14 years ago

AJ

Veteran

I've come up with three adjectives that I repeat to myself when I'm stuck with what to wear or how to accessorize:

Casual, Feminine, Fun

I don't want to box myself into a particular style, so I find these three adjectives help me not matter what I wear.

You can check out my Flickr outfit album:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/w.....168731522/

Good luck with your style series!

14 years ago

Sylvia

(website)

Active Member

Thanks Lisa, looking good!

Hi AJ. That is a good idea. That works like a style statement as well. How nice that you put all your outfits together. Very easy to browse that way. Loving your style and all your different looks!

14 years ago

Sylvia

(website)

Active Member

I ended up using some of the contributions in this thread and images (with their permission) in one of my style articles. You may want to have a look at: http://40plusstyle.com/do-you-.....by-trends/

Thank you all so much girls!

14 years ago

AJ

Veteran

SQUEEE! Thanks so much, Sylvia. I'm honored to be in such fab YLF company with Rae, Goldenpig, and MaryK.

Nicely done blog post!

14 years ago

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Wow, I'm featured in a fashion blog? With my style idols MaryK, Rae & AJ? I'm dying here, I am so excited! Thanks so much Sylvia...what a great blog you have!

14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Yay! High five, Sylvia, on a wonderful post! I am honored to have been included and, as AJ stated, I am thrilled with the company.

14 years ago

cjh

(website)

Veteran

In answer to the questions:
So I would love to ask the YLF community:
Do you have a clear idea about your own style?
Yes, if you mean what I know about what I feel comfortable and attractive wearing.

Do you have a signature style?
Possibly, but I don't really know what to call it. It's picking pieces that are not RATE, gear, frumpy or house-wear; fairly structured, nicely made but not designer or luxury quality; body conscious as in trim or skim-fitting but modest; interesting, but somewhat muted, colors that flatter my skin and hair; looking like I am at my best but also at ease in my life and my style - esp. being dressed properly for an occasion and usually just a smidge more dressed up than needed, but not too much.

If yes, what is it? Polished Urban Easy. That is not very descriptive, pretty basic, and really vague, I guess. And it also depends on what my urban (semi-rural midwest ?HA?) culture is defining as polished, I guess.

How do you add your signature to almost every outfit?
I usually put on accessories or a unique piece. Scarf, necklace, bracelet, earrings, shoes that coordinate, or some combination thereof without overdoing it (IMO). I like to make some part just a touch unexpected, but that is kind of a new development. Maybe a touch that is a little dressier than the tone of the event, or a piece that no one else will wear in that setting, or just to dress up a basic, or an unusual color combo. For instance, wearing a black cardigan which has a lacy overlay on the front, or a top with a ruffle or embroidered touch instead of just plain, or adding a colored piece that is just fun, or pattern mixing.

And how did you find your signature style?
Not surprisingly, by sometimes, or often in the past, wearing what makes me uncomfortable! And by trying on lots of things in the stores, and by observing others that I admire or don't particularly like.

What are the style essentials for your style?
Good fit. Quality construction (not flimsy). Flattering colors. Fits my personality and lifestyle. Feminine but not "girly"; ladylike but not "sweet". Professional but not severe. Office casual but nowhere near careless or sloppy. Fun but not crazy. Coordinating but not matchy-matchy. Age-appropriate but not frumpy. Easy and appropriate, in that in whatever occasion or activity, I am not afraid to WEAR my clothes, participate, etc.

I am not sure after writing all this, that my style is more defined at all!! Here are some of my favorite outfits from this summer.

But thanks for the thought-provoking exercise!

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14 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Wow! Who woulda thunk I would be featured in a fashion blog! And what fun to be with my YLF homegirls! I can't wait to send the link to my Marine son, PFC Badass! Nice job, Sylvia!

14 years ago

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