Our Changing Style Preferences

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Our Changing Style Preferences

— by Angie

on September 5, 2011

I think most of us go through our lives with a core set of style preferences — colours, patterns, vibes and design details — that we always enjoy. But we also find ourselves being drawn to completely new and different things on each leg of our style journey.

For example, ever since I was very little I’ve loved bright red, white, apple green, pearls, denim, handbags, watches, silver and flat riding boots. As I grew older, my style preferences expanded to include most bright colours, polka dots, black and white combinations, military and equestrian designs, abstract florals, sheath dresses, button down shirts, rugged boots, specs and Chanel.

I still love the things that I’ve been drawn to for most of my life. But over the last year I’ve noticed that I’m drawn to designs and patterns that I haven’t appreciated since I was a teen. In some cases, I’m drawn to things that never appealed to me before.

I haven’t worn gold since I was a baby, and now I bat for Team Gold. I haven’t liked lace since the ’80s, and I just bought a black lace shirt. I’ve loved zebra and pony prints forever, but now I favour leopard and cheetah patterns. I’ve been a dress gal for ages, but this year I have enjoyed wearing trousers more than dresses.

Your turn, ladies. Do you have a set of stylistic preferences that you are drawn to consistently? And have you recently noticed any changes in your own style preferences?

Individual Style

43 comments · Add a comment

Geri

I’ve been a jeans or trousers girl my whole life, but this year, I’ve been experimenting with wearing dresses. My turning point was when I realised I loved the look of dresses with opaque tights (pantyhose) or leggings. These are comfortable, practical for my job and keep me warm ( I live in a cold, windy place!). So I’ve been experimenting a lot with dresses lately, by trying to wear one at least twice a week, and I can’t see myself ever going back to wearing trousers or jeans all the time

September 5, 2011 at 3:19 am

Lynne

Veteran

I’m the girl who never grew out of loving pink :). I cannot remember a time when I didn’t love wearing it.

Thanks to YLF, I have introduced a leather jacket and flat boots to my wardrobe, and I am loving the tougher vibe of both of them.

September 5, 2011 at 3:45 am

Astrid

Veteran

I was a jeans girl all my life. Since two years I wear mostly skirts, mixed with a few dresses. I was also playing it very safe with color and I mostly wore black and other dark, muted or neutral colors. Now I’m loving bright color and if there’s an nice alternative color to a black item I’ll probably buy the color. I guess my newly discovered love for color won’t change too soon, because I can’t imagine going back to muted and neutral. I still love simple pieces without any fuss, that hasn’t changed. Since YLF I’m slowly introducing pattern into my wardrobe, mostly stripes and polka dots until now, but I’m braver with my scarves. And I do pattern mixing!

September 5, 2011 at 4:19 am

innasmile

Active Member

I love jeans, have done so forever. I wear them almost every day, although vary the look eg skinnies, bootcut, faded, dark indigo. But like Geri, I recently acquired a skirt – a maxi so legs are still covered, but I am really enjoying wearing it and having a different look. I now find that I want a midi length skirt to wear with opaque tights and ankle boots, possibly with socks on show as well. So making one change can start a whole new style preference. How deep that goes is another matter, it will be interesting to see whether jeans start to become less central in the long term, or whether the skirts are just a temporary blip.

September 5, 2011 at 4:30 am

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I have always loved the bold jewel tones – blue, fuchsia, purple, blue-red as well as black and white. I’ve been adding in a bit of brown lately. I started buying boots a few years ago and now have a large collection. They seem practical and I like the look with almost everything. I went through a dress phase about two years ago and had many (too many) dresses. I think I have lost my enthusiasm for dresses now so perhaps pants will be my go to again. Now that I ponder it, I think my love of dresses and skirts is that I can wear them with different heel heights so they are more versatile. Perhaps I need to convince myself to love them more again. I may have to order the halogen skirt to do so.

September 5, 2011 at 4:40 am

Mainelady

Veteran

My long standing style choices have been clothing with sleek and simple lines, mostly solid colors, leaning towards causal (not to be read as baggy or sloppy) and sporty. I’ve always used accessories to make my outfits interesting. I have always enjoyed substantial pieces of jewelry in gold. Statement pieces are not new for me. They are me. I wear black and earth tones very well.

Recently I am all about patterns, prints, more texture, more mixing of patterns. My husband has commented that I look like I’m ready to go on a tour bus. I always favored cardigans, but now I am loving jackets. My other new love is vintage jewelry. I have several pieces that were from my grandmother and they had lived happily in a drawer until recently. Now they are out, about and enjoying the light of day. I have found some amazing places that carry quality vintage and I have to say that my heart skips a beat
when I spy a pair of clip back earrings I just have to try on. I still wear a lot of black and the earth tones that work so well with my skin and hair, but I find I am now grabbing a bright color or bold print to wake up my outfit. My outfits are elevated from “good looking” to “fabulous”. At 50, I am feeling braver and freer to mix things up, depart from the norm and make my own fashion statement.

September 5, 2011 at 4:56 am

lyn67

Veteran

As beeing blonde, havind grey eyes and fair skin (so not too much contrast at all) I always thought black (and white) is too harsh on me, so I worn dark chock browns and soft creams instead for ages (even as a young adult).

But then, I’ve got a beautiful chuncky and white DKNY watch earlier this year and suddenly all my creams (and browns) turned into whites, navy and greys, sometimes with a pop of other nice colours(blues/greens and who knew, the dreaded tomato red).

By the time I got a good tan and coloured my hair ash blond, so now even blacks (with a splash of white, or silver) )look good on me.

And, different textures always help, indeed. So nice to experiment and create new outfits. But, my favourite colour combo black/taupe/brown/white stay so strong, I can’t help anymore…:-).

September 5, 2011 at 6:07 am

Laura

Personally,I take it as a very good sign that you change your preferences over time – not to exclude things you’ve always loved, but to expand. It shows an open mind that’s willing to consider new ideas, something we could use a lot more of in this world

You can add me to Team Gold, Angie. I just changed my hair color and while it may not have changed my style preferences (which are getting more and more classic, by the way), it will definitely change my color preferences!

September 5, 2011 at 6:07 am

Kelly

(website)

Active Member

Hmmm…

I am not sure if I have had changing style preferences, but rather am more determined to be ME when I choose what to buy and wear.

Examples: most people I know dress fairly casually, and I followed suit with that, especially after I became a mom for the first time. I never was truly happy with jeans and a plain turtleneck though. I have learned that I can be casual in a skirt or dress too, and that tee shirts or turtlenecks do not need to be plain. So now, instead of choosing a plain black tank top or cami for layering, I will choose one that has detail on it, like lace.

I also dress well for work, probably more so then most people on the campus where I work. I also often get compliments on it and in a recent discussion, a coworker was surprised to find out I actually have quite a small wardrobe. I explained that I am just very deliberate now about what I buy. Ok, then, maybe that is a style preference change–I no longer have to have tons of clothes that I bought because they were such a great clearance deal. Those rarely got worn. I still shop sales and clearance, but if it isn’t “me” and I don’t have anything else that I know I can wear it with, and it doesn’t fit well, then *I don’t buy it*.

September 5, 2011 at 6:13 am

zoe

I’ve always loved a sort of Ivy League/Equestrian style — fall colors, fall texture, and the sort of fall hopefulness that came with the beginning of the school year.

The ways that I have interpreted that have changed over the years and once or twice I’ve lost my style in an effort to fit in with trends or a new environment. (Don’t ask how ridiculous I looked when I tried to fit in with the hipster crowd at film school.)

My figure has changed, my awareness of what is appropriate for my shape has me adapting to it — but I can’t help it. I really really want a hacking jacket this fall. Some things never change.

September 5, 2011 at 6:15 am

zoe

I feel like I should add that my secondary style is prompted by a Lauren Bacall-ish skirts and strong shoulders look. That has softened over time, but pencil skirts are my friend.

September 5, 2011 at 6:17 am

Patti @ NotDeadYet Style

(website)

My core style has always been classic/casual/splash of modern. But there’s been a lot of evolution within those parameters over the decades : > I am all about trying new trends as they come about, and modifying them for my lifestyle/age. Right now – I love the 70’s revival of pretty dresses!

September 5, 2011 at 6:45 am

ruthe

Active Member

Now in my sixties I feel so free. I wear anything that strikes my fancy. Yes, many style preferences have changed, but perhaps people just smile and say, “It’s just her age.”

September 5, 2011 at 6:53 am

rute

Veteran

I change a lot, I would dare to say, I change each year eh eh.. sometimes, I’m more casual, boho, sometimes more classic, sometimes I love colors, sometimes I spend all the winter in black.

As I grow old I notice I prefer quality over quantity, no matter what style! I do pay a lot of attention to details and the quality of the fabric and of the sewing details.

September 5, 2011 at 7:08 am

Lisa

Veteran

Oh yes, I certainly have a core set of preferences: jeans, cowboy boots, boots under jeans, bootcut jeans, shades of blues and purples, and shorter length necklaces. These features are always in my wardrobe.

In recent years I’ve added items I used to pass by in a store: scarves, blazers, shoes that are not boots (such as pumps), straight leg jeans, boots over jeans, and a few longer necklaces have snuck into my closet too.

I used to favor bright colors and lots of prints, and I always wore heels. Right now I crave classic colors and simple lines. And I wear more lower heels (under 2 inches) and flats. I’ve also become more aware of fabrics and how soft (or not) they are against my skin.

September 5, 2011 at 7:14 am

Debbie

Veteran

Mine has definitely changed over time. I still love black but try and add texture and details. I said skinny jeans were not for a 50 something but I embrace them. I think being on the forum with a diverse group of women has helped me broaden my preferences .

September 5, 2011 at 7:15 am

anemone

Active Member

Interesting question. The most important change is that I dress to please myself, even if the way I prefer to dress is dressier or different from the people around me.

In terms of color, I have always loved jewel tones, though in recent years I’ve refined that preference in recognition of the best colors for my skin tone. The raspberries and cool reds/burgundies and cool purples don’t flatter me, but teals, deep greens, brick reds/rusts, and warmer purples look great. I’m obsessed with color and wearing only flattering colors now, to the point that will almost never consider buying an item if it’s not one of my best colors if it will be worn near the face.

I wear much more interesting color combinations than I used to, in no small part due to the influence of fashion bloggers. I used to just do one colorful item with everything else neutral. Color combining is where I take the most fashion risks these days.

I’ve always leaned toward more feminine styles and accessories, that hasn’t changed, but how I interpret feminine is different, and I’m more likely to just pick one very feminine item at a time so it isn’t too much and doesn’t look too dressy or fussy. I like interesting tops and jackets with a little feminine embellishment, like interesting pleating or a twist or knot or ruffle or peplum.

There are some things I never liked before but do now. I used to HATE jeans when I had an extreme pear shape that was very hard to fit, but now that there are so many different types of well cut and comfortable jeans and my figure is more proportional as it has changed with age and exercise I am much easier to fit and I love the “smart casual” look so nice dark jeans are a staple for me now. I used to dislike pattern, but I think I was really just afraid of it. Now I like to wear patterns in small doses, as an under layer beneath solid jackets or sweaters or cardigans, or in a scarf or belt. I used to dislike jackets, too (probably because I came of age in the 80s with the boxy jackets w/ enormous shoulder pads!) but a nice fitted jacket is one of my favorite things now. I never used to wear sleeveless tops because I hated my arms, but after years of weight training I’m now proud to show them off.

September 5, 2011 at 7:40 am

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, I’ve always loved silver – both jewelry and hardware – and still do, but I’ve relaxed just a tad to include gunmetal and bronze. Still can’t get aboard the gold bandwagon.

I have steered away from floral prints in the last years, but I wonder if I even liked them before or simply bought them because they were prominant on dresses at the time.

I have equal love for both black and brown in my closet, and tried to go mostly black this year to go with my jewel tones, but found I’m still as big a fan of deep chocolate brown.

I suppose buying less prints in general and more solids and neutrals is the most recent style change for me. That probably comes along with realizing I can’t look at each piece as a separate piece of art, but rather as part of the whole picture.

I guess my preferences aren’t changing so much as I’m realizing at this late stage what my *true* personal preferences are, rather than just choosing things that ‘look good on me’.

September 5, 2011 at 7:58 am

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I have a long standing love affair with stripes, pearls, grey, daytime sparkle, true red and pastel colours but recently I have been drawn to muted brights, I think this may be a brief flirtation but it is too early to tell.

September 5, 2011 at 8:24 am

Barbara

Veteran

My style has ALWAYS been sporty/natural/classic or some variation thereof.

When I was a 17-year old working as a sales associate in the coolest clothing store in town, my style took a detour into hippie-boho, after all, it was 1971! I still like some of those style elements- flare jeans, crochet trim and fringed leather.

I have always been true to my fashion self throughout my evolution. Anything too girly or twee and I don’t even try it on because I know it won’t be me. Living in Europe for 12 years honed my style to the Euro-prep-sporty-artist look that I express to this day.

Since turning 50, I find that I enjoy stepping outside of my fashion comfort zone, even if what try on looks ridiculous. My style radar tells me immediately if the look is really ME. But I’ll try most anything!

I love handcrafted jewelry – which is one reason I decided to design and craft my own bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Sterling silver and natural mineral stones beads are my materials.

FYI is my inspiration. Which, of course, includes you, Angie!

September 5, 2011 at 8:26 am

Susan

At 60, I find that my style preferences are changing as a result of changes in my body.
Short chunky necklaces not longer look good. I feel conspicuous in low necklines and sleeveless knits. I prefer skinny pants and soft knee-length skirts to shorts and slim-cut skirts. I love dark nail polish but am not sure I want to draw attention to my hands. Many necklines that once looked good don’t anymore; the slope of my shoulders has changed. Well, I’ll just take it in stride and be happy I have an excuse to buy new clothes.

September 5, 2011 at 9:19 am

StacyJo

(website)

Active Member

My style has definitely changed over the years, though my preferences have stayed pretty much the same – simple, elegant, easy. No longer do I try to be the trend victim, but incorporate those seasonal items that work with me. I’ve always loved bags and jewelry (Team Gold and Team Pearls). I think my style has evolved so that my accessories stand out.

September 5, 2011 at 9:26 am

taylor

Veteran

Thanks to You Angie, I have finally found the right color of grey/silver to wear….I have always been drawn to it but it never looked good on me ~until~ I found the right color grey/silver…now I love and own quite a bit:)
Another big thank you~!!

September 5, 2011 at 9:29 am

Joy

Veteran

I’ve changed or modified my style preferences many times over the years, starting with girly which I didn’t know how to adapt to my boyish body. Then there’s been boho with lots of Carole Little pieces being favorites, then the dressier versions of Eddie Bauer and the like which were mostly plain. After that there was a love affair with super basic, unfitted Eileen Fisher, especially in ink. After finding YLF and losing weight, I’m attracted to a more modern classic look but still want it to be interesting. I’m getting much more picky about prints, color and fit.
My hair changing from dark reddish brown to grey has had a definite change in my color choice. I’ve always liked gold better than silver and disliked pastels. I’ve always been attracted to ethnic prints like batik and ikat and Guatamalan weaving and disliked ditsy florals. It’s still a journey.

September 5, 2011 at 9:43 am

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Maybe I’m too young to have constants … :p I have done complete 180’s in my style every 5 years or so.

In 5 yrs I may be goth. lol.

September 5, 2011 at 9:51 am

Rainy Day

Member

Layered hair. When i was younger i steered clear of any form of layered hair-dunno maybe a bad reaction to farrah faucet. Now as i age, sharp straight cuts of any length seem harsh and too flat a field to stick next to softening facial features.

So the new layered look that i have developed has encouraged of late longer necklaces and a boot purchase.

September 5, 2011 at 10:40 am

Scarlet

Veteran

You know, when I was younger I did not have much control over what I wore. The constant things I can think of is a love of dresses, red leather (in the form of shoes, for example) and patterns inspired from the natural world (florals, for example). I have grown to love abstract patterns, jeans, boots, and black and white. Some things I never thought were possible are starting to appeal to me–like drop crotch jeans. The wonders never cease.

September 5, 2011 at 10:48 am

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I have been through many style changes! My first style was 70s California flower child, as a teen. In the 80s I adopted a lean punk style that was a little goth. In the 90s I was in full career mode and wore Armani power suit knock-offs. Then, when I turned 40, I got a J Jill catalog in the mail. How did they know? I thought, I am 40, this is how I should dress. So I wore their oversized clothes made from comfy fabrics for a few years. Then I went into brief Boho phase influenced by Da Nang embroidered cargo pants. After that, it was all basics, jeans and tees, sort of a non-fashion phase. Now I would say I am having more fun than ever, experimenting with many trends, with my 70s and 80s style memories influencing me in particular.

Here is the latest example of my evolving style, wearing something I thought I would never wear. Ballet Flats! This is 100% due to looking at how fab you look, Angie, in ballet flats with tapered pants. Pictures to come soon.

September 5, 2011 at 10:52 am

rosee

Veteran

Interesting responses above.

I have always had strong likes and dislikes — so not much has changed there. I prefer gamine styles, slightly but not too boho (more clean lines), simple and clean designs, vintage and retro, classic but with an edge.
I favor small-scale and geometric patterns to larger scale ones, some florals (like liberty prints or similar) with subdued colors rather than really noticeable ones.

My biggest style change has been from going from darker muted shades to more crisp neutrals. My new “motto” for colors is: red, white, blue, grey, and variations within these shades. I still do a lot of black, cool-toned browns and purples (like aubergine and plum), and will probably continue to do so.

I’m on a weight-loss SYC right now and not allowing myself to purge my closet until it’s over ( I need something to wear), but I definitely have ideas about what is to go. Perhaps if I keep it longer, I can hate it more — ha haa. I believe I will be really strict about new purchases as I want them to truly reflect my style and be comfortable in them and not just wear what seems to work (style, fit or color-wise). A lot of my previous purchases were not bad, but I don’t really think it’s the style I want to have.

September 5, 2011 at 11:22 am

Sihaya

Veteran

So true. I’ve always been drawn to bold style – dramatic with an element of surprise that ties into my personality. However, recently, I find myself wearing more skirts than trousers. Something I have rarely done other than school uniforms in my past.

September 5, 2011 at 12:26 pm

Saretta

(website)

Active Member

I used to think I could only wear gold accessories because of my blond hair, but I have embraced silver in recent years. I have always loved body con, straight lines, but did not look good in them after about age 20 because of my pear shape. Now I can get away with it, at almost age 50 I have rediscovered the body of my youth thanks to exercise and diet!

I have always loved bright colors and still do, but spent a few lost years in beige-land. Thank goodness I escaped!

September 5, 2011 at 1:39 pm

Antje

Veteran

Interesting to think about. I’ve always been drawn to black as my go-to “base” or neutral, and that hasn’t changed. I’ve also always loved boots, bright accessories and shoes, the colors red and turquoise, earrings, jackets with jeans, and a modern style. All of that still applies and will probably always apply.

Over the years I’ve very much expanded my style preferences (thanks to you, Angie!) and now have many more brights in my closet, not just in the shoe shelf; I now wear belts and necklaces, both new types of accessories for me; and try many more cuts, colors, and outfits combos than I ever had on my own. And tons of other new things that I’m not even aware of anymore because they became a natural part of my style…

September 5, 2011 at 4:18 pm

Debora

Veteran

What a fascinating read! My style preferences continue to evolve over the years. YLF has had a profound influence on me. Thanks to Angie and the wonderful ladies on the forum, I have refined my style and have added elements that I never would have considered before. Like Antje, I’ve added belts and necklaces, something I’ve never worn before. I’ve also started to add more jackets and dresses to my wardrobe. Shoes have always been an issue with my fussy feet, but thanks to great recommendations from the site, I have been able to add some very stylish flats, sandals, dress shoes, and boots. My denim wardrobe continues to evolve, and I now find a variety of cuts and washes in my closet. Boot cuts, skinny jeans, jeggings have all been introduced in the past few years. Who knows, I may even be sporting colored denim sometime soon!

September 5, 2011 at 5:25 pm

Mac

Veteran

Hmmm. My style preferences have stayed more or less the same since I was about 20 years old. Thing is, circumstances have changed: now I have more money to spend on clothes, much more closet space, less patience for shopping, a body that was then a 6/8 and is now a 12/14, and a need for more modesty in my dress (I’m in my 40s). These new factors have impacted quite a lot.

September 5, 2011 at 5:37 pm

Arya

(website)

Active Member

I have always – ALWAYS – loved a tough & tender look: rugged boots with a girly dress, cowboy boots, jeans, and a fitted girly top. Sundance Catalog is my version of heaven. What I have worn, however, for the past few years is dresses & skirts, with very little of the ruggedness that I like. Lots of vintage inspiration.

Since chopping off my very long hair this summer (now I have a pixie), I have wanted to get back some of the ruggedness that appeals to me. I’m shopping for jeans for the first time in almost ten years. I’m hunting for very feminine tops to pair with rugged bottoms.

I’m also heading more toward “sexy” and “sophisticated” than “pretty” and “sweet” when I get dressed up. I’m trading my Eileen Fisher ensembles for Hot Orange Dresses! I’m also trying for a more “hip” look than the “simple & pretty” one I’ve had going for awhile.

I’m having lots of fun with these changing preferences – streamlining, redefining, and engaging in fashion in new ways.

September 5, 2011 at 6:00 pm

Jonesy

Veteran

I had a light bulb moment when I realized that I used to wear vintage dresses paired with Converse, biker boots, cowboys boots, or men’s wingtips all the time in college and post-college–I have loved the whole juxtaposition thing for quite a while now! So in that sense, there has been some consistency for me. In other respects, though, I have evolved. Quality and fit are much more important to me, and I tend to wear more fitted clothes than I used to. I am more understated now, less wild in what I wear. Before I became a prof, it was much more about freely expressing who I was and being creative. Now it’s still about that, but also about conveying certain things as part of my role (authority, competence, etc.).

September 5, 2011 at 8:17 pm

Marley

Veteran

I have loved reading everyone’s responses! It is just fascinating to hear about all of the different style journeys!

I’m having a difficult time trying to figure out how my style has evolved. It is all kind of a blur up until I turned 30. That is when I got my masters degree and for the first time a job that paid well enough for me to actually buy quality items and pretty much whatever I wanted – and I did!

I have always had a lot of fun with what I wear – and am open to trying just about anything. In my 30’s I worked as a psychotherapist and so I wore professional clothing – dresses and lots of blazers with skirts. After I changed jobs and became a CEO I dressed even more professionally and to be honest with you, I never really thought about if it was my “style” or not – it was just what was expected for the position that I was in.

Now, I dress for me – and that means that I am much more creative. In the past couple of years I have learned to love vintage clothing and accessories – but just a little bit at a time. I have also found that after always being attracted to sporty and/or artsy kinds of looks, I now am craving things like girly dresses, the color pink and dainty necklaces – which is shocking to me! Also, this summer for the first time ever, I embraced the bohemian look and thoroughly enjoyed feathers in my hair, smocked tops and beaded jewelry. But now that fall is almost upon us, the bohemian look is just not appealing to me anymore.

One thing that has changed in the last couple of years is that I can no longer stand to wear t-shirts (unless I am working out!) – this is an amazing thing for me – I used to buy t-shirts in every color possible and wore them everyday of the week! I have also always been a silver girl – but have discovered that gold looks OK with my skin tone after all and it has been fun to change it up. This summer I wore more casual dresses than I ever have in my life – that is a big change for me. I’m not sure if I will do that in the winter however, because I LOVE my jeans and boots for cold weather.

I have always been a color girl – both pastels and jewel tones – especially teals, purples, burgandies and blues. A few years ago I went through a stage where I bought nothing but black and gray (with just a touch of brown) and I had nothing in my wardrobe that was patterned. Now, I am not as drawn to the black or gray – but I know that they will always be my core neutrals. I have branched out to interesting abstract patterns. Also, I wear boots year round because it never gets so hot where I live that you still can’t pull on a pair of boots and be comfortable.

Ok – I’ve rambled on long enough and am not sure that I answered the original question – but it has been a good exercise for me in trying to identify my ongoing style preferences!

September 5, 2011 at 10:12 pm

Sona

Veteran

I think I’ve always loved dresses and skirs in my head but only worn torusers msot of my life. I am finally learning to wear skirts and dresses. so not sure this is a chnaging style preference but perhaps learning to adapt a ‘in myhead loved’ style as a ‘ wear in real life’ preference.

September 6, 2011 at 4:33 am

Phoebe

Veteran

Consistent: black, black and white, denim, blazers, lots of shoes to choose from

Changes: from silver to gold, from very high heels to moderate heels, more dresses and blouses, less pullovers and t-shirts, more boots, more (expensive) handbags, statement necklaces/jewelry, in general: having a concept in mind instead of just wearing whatever jumps to my eye

September 6, 2011 at 5:28 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This was an interesting read. Thanks, ladies! The only thing in life that you can be sure of is change.

September 6, 2011 at 9:22 am

DressLover

Veteran

My style evolution sure is a ride.

As a child, I was a tomboy in every sense of the word. I hated clothes and clothes shopping and bemoaned receiving clothing for birthdays. My wardrobe consisted of tee shirts, athletic shorts, track suits, sweat suits, jeans, and tennis shoes. Dresses were the worst fashion torture imaginable. My tights that my mother struggled to get me in were off in five minutes, the patent leather mary janes followed shortly after, and I was running around hiking my dress skirt above my head so I could play sports with the neighborhood boys while the girls sat quietly and played dolls or house.

I didn’t move much past my tomboy roots as a preteen/teen. I dressed in baggy, over-sized clothes in dark colors for many years before awkwardly giving the girl thing a go in my late teenage years, which I quickly abandoned after realizing mini skirts, lace camisoles, and chunky platform heels were just too much of a stretch.

Then I moved onto my suit phase where pretty much all I wore were suits, tailored pants, pencil skirts, button downs, and fitted sweaters. Although I used a lot of color during this phase, my wardrobe felt boring, and I really began to despise pants and jackets by the end of this phase. I think I was trying to prove I was serious and intelligent through my clothing, and that sucked the joy out of trying to develop a sense of fashion.

And then the clouds parted, light filled the world, and the fashion gods delivered my salvation – behold THE DRESS. What I had spent my entire life shunning was actually the answer to my undefined fashion persona. Dresses just made sense. They weren’t as fussy and high maintenance as a top and bottom. They didn’t make me feel constricted and claustrophobic. They came in such luxurious fabrics and interesting cuts. They make you looked pulled together even on days you have no time to fuss with multiple clothing options. And best of all, I finally felt feminine and alluring with almost no effort!

Dresses were the shortcut to fashion that I needed to finally flesh out my fashion persona. And that is exactly where I am today. I have refined my style around the idea that dresses and sharp shoes are my calling cards. I am completely comfortable with my current style and while it will continue to evolve, I don’t see it drastically changing again anytime soon.

September 6, 2011 at 11:05 am

Inge

I think there are a number of things I’ll never stop loving, e.g. stripes, asymmetrical and zipper detailing, military and equestrian elements, simple and strong lines… in fact many of the things you summed up (our style preferences are quite similar, which makes you even more of an inspiration for me). But over the last year I’ve really surprised myself with suddenly starting to like animal print accessories and blouses and a bit of lace. And it only took me about 40 years, so very much looking forward to see what’s next!-)

September 6, 2011 at 1:27 pm

Nancy

(website)

I have gone through many style changes. In high school, I didn’t have much say in my wardrobe but once n college, I went through my black , “woe is me” stage with a few blue jeans and vintage dresses thrown in. Once I graduated and got into the work field, I still had black in my black go-to outfits, but then threw on some solid color pieces and wore lots of silver jewelry. (I thought that gold was too “old.”). Then, it was the floral /girly / romantic stage with a jacket thrown on (think Anthropologie). I’m still into that look although I want to look more polished/ chic than girly these days (like Angie :). I love stripes, bold colors, black and shoes which are my go-to accessories these days.

September 11, 2011 at 6:50 am

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