YouLookFab Forum » Topic: A Style Statement

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: A Style Statement https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:10:44 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Style Fan on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement/page/2#post-2053953 Sun, 18 Aug 2019 08:40:43 +0000 Style Fan 2053953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This has been a great thread.  I was so excited about the Land Army that I forgot to say that I never wear white denim.  Actually, I rarely wear white anything. Katerina on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement/page/2#post-2053947 Sun, 18 Aug 2019 07:40:56 +0000 Katerina 2053947@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I can’t believe I missed this fantastic post! What a superb style analysis. I really admire how accurately you describe your style - it corresponds so well with your posts I have seen during the time I have been following you here. Very inspiring. I am not really there myself yet, but will try to do this due time as well - I think it is particularly interesting to see how you use the similar, but not quite the same characteristics and also the “not you” features. My style is very different from yours and it is fun to see how we are almost opposites - I wear saturated bold colours, no patterns, height contrasts, crisp, pointy toes etc. This is what I love with YLF. SarahD8 on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement/page/2#post-2053866 Sat, 17 Aug 2019 21:56:16 +0000 SarahD8 2053866@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz, thank you for popping in and adding your support! “Heathered,” YES, I am so happy about this adjective! And like I said, I didn’t have it in mind when I sat down to write this up but discovered it in the course of writing. Definitely an argument in favor of doing this exercise. Suz on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement/page/2#post-2053821 Sat, 17 Aug 2019 18:26:18 +0000 Suz 2053821@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sarah, I'm awfully late to this thread but I just want to join in the applause! You've done a brilliant job of encapsulating your style  and I especially love the word "heathered" as a descriptor—it captures the elements of softness and nature that might otherwise be missing and reminds you of a core ideal when you are shopping. Wonderful!  SarahD8 on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement/page/2#post-2053795 Sat, 17 Aug 2019 15:12:01 +0000 SarahD8 2053795@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ lisa p I hear you -- I have mixed feelings about Kinfolk mag too. And to tell you the truth I suspect that "stinkin' cute" would wind my daughter up even MORE than just plain "cute." :-p Ah well -- at least back to school shopping for her is easy: 8 plain, neutral, long-sleeved crewneck tees, 1 black zip-up hoodie, pack of black ankle socks, pack of white ankle socks, and we're done! cindysmith I LOVE "Avenging Angel" as a moniker for you! I feel like the "avenging" part covers your love of RATE/ripped to shreds, and the "angel" suggests those dippin' dots colors. The combination is SO YOU. Glad it is working so well in practice. Yay!!!  cindysmith on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement/page/2#post-2053684 Sat, 17 Aug 2019 03:06:20 +0000 cindysmith 2053684@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It took me forever to come up with a style persona. Like, I didn't know how to accurately describe my style in a catchy phrase, so I just called myself a dystopian minimalist (because I like things so RATE that they're rough through and through) and I am a bit of a minimalist. Funny how this place makes us find ourselves... One day here on the forum, somebody started a thread about what role we would each have in the zombie apocalypse and I mentioned that I was probably out in the woods, hunting food for the community, a la Daryl Dixon, and how I would kill any zombies that tried to eat my fellow fabbers' brains, and somehow that made me decide that Avenging Angel kind of fit me and that's my style persona in a catchy phrase. It covers all the facets of my style that I cycle through, from shredded sweaters to dippin-dots colors to rocker chic and everything in between and it all happened because of the zombie apocalypse thread LOL Thinking 'Avenging Angel' has made such a difference in how I react to clothes and shoes when I'm shopping. There are fewer "what was I even thinking" moments happening in my closet these days LOL Anonymous on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement/page/2#post-2053668 Sat, 17 Aug 2019 01:55:40 +0000 Anonymous 2053668@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’m lined up for the Downton movie too ! And while Kinfolk mag is lovely to look at, it scares me And whole we’re at it , I’ve never heard anyone use the term “ stinking cute” outside of the US. Interesting ! SarahD8 on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement/page/2#post-2053536 Fri, 16 Aug 2019 17:40:24 +0000 SarahD8 2053536@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ah, now I see what you mean Angie. I am glad to have a style that comes across as authentic, and agree that "folkloric" might be a more evocative/descriptive adjective to use in my list. Runcarla, yes!! So excited for the Downton movie! And you're right about "Kinfolk" as a search term on Pinterest -- a lot of what comes up is too minimalist for me but if I click on the occasional layered look there's a lot of good stuff in the related pins. Thanks for reading, lisa p. I'll save some of that caprese salad for you. :-) Thanks shevia and Tammyb! Ginger, I agree -- there's lots of overlap between our styles. And where there's not, there's a common sensibility. I always enjoy your WIWs! ElizabethP and hereforthecake -- would love to read what you come up with if you do a similar exercise.  smittie, you asked about anything aspirational or a direction I'm headed. Dangit I did this big analysis, can't I rest on my laurels for a little bit??? Heh -- kidding. A few quick thoughts: <ul> <li>More focus on the lighter colors/mid-tones in my palette (it's very easy to accumulate dark colors, especially dark neutrals, because they're so readily available. Need to push the balance to a slightly different spot.)</li> <li>Add some new silhouettes. Straight-leg pants would be great if I could find some. Or some more dramatic toppers, like cape-style cardigans? Midi-length skirt outfits for cold weather? How far can I push the "girl on the moors" idea without it becoming too costumey? </li> <li>Challenge myself to put together some Pinterest-inspired outfits, following Runcarla's example.</li> <li>Inspired by Brooklyn's approach, develop AND CARRY OUT (always the sticking point for me) a theme for a season. Have some ideas about doing this for fall (incorporating the first two bullet points above) but will leave that for a later post. :-) </li> </ul> hereforthecake on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement/page/2#post-2053516 Fri, 16 Aug 2019 16:42:50 +0000 hereforthecake 2053516@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Really enjoyed reading your analysis here. Really interesting and it's really clear what style you were describing.  I'm an new & intermittent poster here, and have thought about trying to figure out my style moniker as well. But unlike you, I don't seem to have either the time or the words to do it.  But I'm determined to do it this year! Ginger on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement/page/2#post-2053474 Fri, 16 Aug 2019 14:30:06 +0000 Ginger 2053474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is such a good analysis! I think we're sisters under the skin, although not quite the same - my moniker is The Duchess Next Door. So, a bit of a difference, but some of the some juxtaposition. I'm also heavily vintage-inspired. I do something very similar to your outfits with my winter ones, just with short, cozy dresses instead of layered cardigans. It's also really good to define what your style is not. I find that very helpful for myself when I am shopping in particular. I make fewer mistakes and can better focus on what my true needs are. Elizabeth P on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement/page/2#post-2053471 Fri, 16 Aug 2019 14:18:34 +0000 Elizabeth P 2053471@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <div>What a great thread Sarah.  I love how you've articulated your analysis.</div><div>I still need to do this - like you, there's a lot in my head, and I'm sure taking the time to articulate it would be really beneficial.  There just always seems to be something more important to do... </div> Tammyb on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement/page/2#post-2053438 Fri, 16 Aug 2019 11:11:55 +0000 Tammyb 2053438@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I want to save this and think through this for myself as soon as I have time. Thank you for this thoughtful post! Jaime on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053416 Fri, 16 Aug 2019 03:47:09 +0000 Jaime 2053416@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I enjoyed your analysis! Elegance is refusal indeed ! I don't have a intuitive sense of land girl (will try to look at the links later) but I do see a coherent style in your photos. You are telling a story with your visual presentation as you do with your words. I like it! Anonymous on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053381 Thu, 15 Aug 2019 23:35:46 +0000 Anonymous 2053381@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh - and I don't think white jeans are the be-all and end-all either, so no flying tomatoes from me. I wear them, sure, but they are just another piece of clothing   Anonymous on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053380 Thu, 15 Aug 2019 23:33:42 +0000 Anonymous 2053380@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Really interesting to read, Sarah, and I think you've done a remarkable job of pinning yourself down, as it were   You have a distinct and unique style.  I don't have anything to add, just wanted to chime to say I've read and enjoyed this ! smittie on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053368 Thu, 15 Aug 2019 22:33:18 +0000 smittie 2053368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Nice! You have a unique style (that’s a compliment :-)). Modern land girl is an apt description. You asked if there was anything missing. I think the one thing I didn’t see was anything aspirational. Is there a direction you’re headed? Do you want to improve areas of your style? Or are you comfortable where you are? Carla on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053364 Thu, 15 Aug 2019 22:18:25 +0000 Carla 2053364@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ SarahD8 - Annagybe used the term 'Kinfolk' in a response to one of my threads, and I later stumbled on a magazine of that same title. Also, great visuals on Pinterest when you search. Sometimes a little 'hipster' - but hey! it's all fun! PS: save the date <a href="https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a22139335/downton-abbey-movie-news/" rel="nofollow">https://www.townandcountrymag......ovie-news/</a> Angie on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053362 Thu, 15 Aug 2019 22:10:06 +0000 Angie 2053362@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love the word Folkloric! Better than Folksy. You are eloquent.  Cute can be QUITE the loaded word. I get it. It took me a very long time to get used to what that meant in the US. I say super cute or stinking cute instead.  Actually, no! I don't think everyone's style is authentic at all. I was complimenting you that yours is SarahD8 on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053359 Thu, 15 Aug 2019 21:57:59 +0000 SarahD8 2053359@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you, suntiger and deb! nemosmom, I really do recommend this exercise. Even though I "knew" most of this stuff in my head, the act of writing it down solidified things in a new way. Would love to know what you come up with. Angie, yes, I'm a writer by profession, so I should hope I enjoy writing! I do enjoy the analysis too. I am sure some people find it tedious but it's useful to me, and the longer I spend on YLF the more it is purely interesting/pleasurable rather than a source of angst. I take your point about the word "authentic." I think what you are getting at is that everyone's style is authentic because it is true to them as an individual. I absolutely agree. I would not want others to think I was suggesting that other people's style that is different from mine is therefore inauthentic. I apologize if that is how my post came across to anyone. I truly enjoy the widely varying styles that I see here on the forum and, as you say, it's all good. I don't think I would like to use "folksy" as one of my adjectives though. That word has very negative connotations to me -- I'll leave it at that. "Folkloric" might work to encapsulate many of the concepts I was trying to get at there. I'll give it some more thought and see if I can come up with anything better. How the visual aspects of style translate into the verbal is so personal, isn't it! It's a tough balance to figure out how to describe things in a way that will be intuitive and easy to remember for oneself, and also make sense to others. Now I'm thinking about how I'll tell my 12-year-old daughter, almost without thinking, "I like your outfit, it's cute," and she'll say, "Cute? Ewww," and I have to convince her that I didn't mean "cute" like that, and that she doesn't need to go and change her clothes. :-p  nemosmom on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053346 Thu, 15 Aug 2019 21:12:26 +0000 nemosmom 2053346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love how analytical your approach is! Defining your adjectives and key elements, as well as what is NOT included is very inspiring. I need to do some deep work like this, too. deb on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053301 Thu, 15 Aug 2019 18:58:34 +0000 deb 2053301@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well thought out and written. I enjoyed reading this. Angie on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053292 Thu, 15 Aug 2019 18:50:24 +0000 Angie 2053292@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You certainly like to analyse and write, SarahD8! Nice prose - I think you might enjoy the writing and analysis as much as wearing your wardrobe items. Neatly packaged up, and very satisfying. WELL DONE. My favourite outfit is #7. Orange looks so good with blue. #6 is next. I like the richness of the embroidery.  (FWIW: I'm not sure I'd have used the word Authentic the way you have to describe your style. Folksy springs to mind, and what I see when I see your style. Authentic means something different to me - and I know your style is authentic.)  Vintage and Retro mean two completely different things. Agreed.  We are VERY free to like and dislike what we want. Style is a personal and visual thing, so it comes with the territory. As long as we are respectful of our dislikes to others, and don't take the fun out of things for them - it's all good :) Anonymous on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053261 Thu, 15 Aug 2019 16:36:05 +0000 Anonymous 2053261@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Love this! It's a bit of history I didn't know about before My favorite is the orange dress! SarahD8 on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053252 Thu, 15 Aug 2019 15:46:38 +0000 SarahD8 2053252@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ RobinF I can't wait to see what you come up with! FashIntern, thanks for the helpful link! Janet I think we should pool our intact tomatoes and make a nice caprese salad to enjoy together. We won't even have to worry about staining our jeans. Cheers! Runcarla, YES! I think you've nailed it with the balance of yin and yang as the difference between our styles. How interesting that you've been thinking about The French Lieutenant's Woman as a reference point. I've been thinking about Bright Star (the Keats movie) as a current touchstone for "girl on the moors." Not too far off in terms of time periods but tuned to slightly different frequencies. Now I want to watch both movies! Maybe you're right that the sense of aspiration/fantasy was part of what felt vulnerable about this exercise. (I think also just a sense of: Should I let these people know just HOW much of an odd bird I am???) But for me a lot of the fun of fashion/style is the narrative element, hence the literary/historical/film references. Ooooh!!! How much fun are you and I going to have with the costuming in Greta Gerwig's Little Women??? Carla on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053226 Thu, 15 Aug 2019 13:55:03 +0000 Carla 2053226@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Congratulations! You have done a wonderful job painting a word picture here. Doing the 'work' of coming up with a style statement and articulating what your style IS and IS NOT is a big step in wardrobe wrangling. I'm committed to my Tomboy style, but exploring other styles in order to evolve. Using personas is fun, but as you say can make you feel vulnerable. Maybe because there is an element of aspirational fantasy? I didn't write it down, but while working on the 'alluring' thread I kept thinking of 'The French Lietenants Woman' (my version of your 'Girl on the Moors'?) and I'm exploring 'Modern Land Girl' via a utility jacket, and olive chinos, and contemplating round toe, lace up, boots and cable knit sweaters for F/W. I think we share some similarities in our style preferences, however I think you skew more yin and I skew more yang - if that makes sense? SarahD8 on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053209 Thu, 15 Aug 2019 12:57:58 +0000 SarahD8 2053209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you so much for the support, all! I'm really glad to know that all this comes across as sensible and also matches what others have observed about my style. Sal, yes! -- and I love to see your outfits with woven toppers, bombshell silhouettes, and pointed-toe shoes. You rock those looks and these differences are a huge part of the fun. rachylou, hmm, I just took a quick look at my wardrobe inventory and no, I don't think there's anything in there that's not "me." (Like I said I've been thinking about this moniker for a while.) Some pieces are more basic so not everything aggressively expresses the moniker, and not everything is a perfect "10" -- but it all generally fits the gestalt at this point. JAileen, I've seen that show! Such fun. Ah, your son's explanation of retro vs. vintage makes a lot of sense. In my mind "retro" has more recent associations for me (like 50s-70s style), while "vintage" references earlier time periods. Totally idiosyncratic associations though. Style Fan, wow! How fascinating that your mother was in the WLA! Kathie, thanks for the midi dress love! I'm not particularly trend focused but it's really fun to incorporate trends in a gentle way, and find where they intersect with my underlying style. kkards, oooh, you are reminding me to check Boden and see what's on offer there. Usually they are very much my near-miss adjectives but you never know... Brooklyn, it's funny, the "heathered" concept was kind of a last-minute addition, basically because I needed a 5th adjective. But it's going to be SUPER useful going forward I think! Maybe it's less obvious than the first adjectives I thought of, but still crystallizes something important. I think I'll lean more towards the "girl on the moors" side of things for this fall...since it's kind of new to me, it feels fresh, and will be fun to explore. And thank you again Jen, ChristelJ, Sterling, and Jessikams! Janet on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053206 Thu, 15 Aug 2019 12:55:13 +0000 Janet 2053206@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What a great analysis! I think it’s really helpful to articulate all this. Well done! PS. Not a huge fan of white denim for me either, so I’ll keep my tomatoes to myself. Stagiaire Fash on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053198 Thu, 15 Aug 2019 12:40:10 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2053198@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ JAileen nailed it, but in case you want more verbiage on vintage vs retro, here's something Angie wrote on it  <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/2018/10/26/some-fashion-terminology/">https://youlookfab.com/2018/10.....rminology/</a> RobinF on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053195 Thu, 15 Aug 2019 12:35:25 +0000 RobinF 2053195@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great analysis! I totally see both of these monikers in your pictures. I love the use of "heathered". I have never associated it with a look but it's perfect for your style. This is something I really need to do too. You have inspired me to start my own lists. Brooklyn on "A Style Statement" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-statement#post-2053187 Thu, 15 Aug 2019 11:38:46 +0000 Brooklyn 2053187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I really like the girl on the moors idea. The whole “heathered” concept is lovely and seems really useful going forward. I love “ethereal”! And I can definitely see the inspiration in your style.