https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:35:33 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help/page/2#post-2289077 Mon, 31 Oct 2022 15:41:01 +0000 Ginger 2289077@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all! I really appreciate the thoughts, comments, and ideas.</p> <p><b>Sal</b>, yes! My hair reached to below the tailbone earlier this year. It was looking pretty thin since I lost a lot of hair a few years ago, so I cut off about 7", to 2" below the waist. But it's still growing and is nearing tailbone again. The regrowth is coming along really well, too; it's visible now to below my shoulders. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help/page/2#post-2288885 Sun, 30 Oct 2022 11:24:25 +0000 Staysfit 2288885@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I see your grace, all the swishy circle skirts and harmonious looks, I think of a pirouette. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help/page/2#post-2288859 Sun, 30 Oct 2022 01:13:53 +0000 Sally 2288859@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>definitely elegant.&nbsp; &nbsp;There's an old world glamour there.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help/page/2#post-2288715 Sat, 29 Oct 2022 00:47:37 +0000 Jenni NZ 2288715@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Ginger, what a beautiful series of pics! Very evocative of Grace Kelly to me. Gaylene recently put 5 pics of her down a thread which fit with what I am noticing.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-never-had-in-your-wardrobe">https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....r-wardrobe</a></p> <p> So I like Grace, graceful, gracious for you, still very much Duchess next door, and Angie’s words dainty and detailed. Plus refined. </p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help/page/2#post-2288677 Fri, 28 Oct 2022 19:39:22 +0000 Sal 2288677@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry to be back again- another possible word could be whimsical? Just an idea.</p> <p>Love the pictures you have added.. did your hair get past your waist in the end? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help/page/2#post-2288656 Fri, 28 Oct 2022 17:13:37 +0000 Cardiff girl 2288656@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No good at this but l have to say your look is just delicious.l could look at you all day,so pretty. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help/page/2#post-2288585 Fri, 28 Oct 2022 12:00:06 +0000 JAileen 2288585@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like Carol’s use of Midcentury Modern. &nbsp;I would definitely include that. &nbsp;I’m absolutely no good at this, though, and have not done this exercise for myself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288489 Thu, 27 Oct 2022 21:29:17 +0000 Ginger 2288489@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do really want to stay with Duchess Next Door. It still feels completely right. It's basically the wholesome, down home, slightly nostalgic concept of the girl next door, but with an elegant twist.</p> <p>Still mulling over adjectives. Right now <b>elegant, graceful, detailed, pretty, harmonious</b>. <b>Defined</b> is better than "structured," my original attempt to express the same idea. Dainty feels a little... small for me. I've never felt dainty in my life! Long ago I knew I'd never be small and cute, so I went for elegant/queenly instead.<br />I think that a "vibe" word is still missing. <b>Offbeat</b>? or <b>quirky</b>?</p> <p><b>Suz</b>, fabric weight drives me crazy sometimes! Right now I'm trying to deal with in-between weather which makes it even harder. And that's a good point about blazers. I would love a nice tweedy traditional jacket but it's impossible to find one with the fit I like, and it'll take time and practice to get my tailoring skills up to snuff.</p> <p><b>Carol</b>, Midcentury is cute! It's definitely closer than Retro, though it also feels a little limiting. I'm not always very vintage. There was a time when I tried to be; I stopped when I realized it was turning into a duty.</p> <p><b>Olive Green</b>, that sounds lovely. I can just picture your mother.</p> <p><b>doggeh lover</b>, thank you! I love doing different things with my hair. And if I do the same style for too long, I can get sore spots from the weight of my hair, so I'm motivated to change it up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288440 Thu, 27 Oct 2022 19:10:35 +0000 Column 2288440@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oooo… Angie gets my vote, too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288411 Thu, 27 Oct 2022 17:29:16 +0000 Dee 2288411@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love the creativity of all these looks, so unique. I was thinking perhaps Lady of the Manor, but I like Daily Duchess too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288410 Thu, 27 Oct 2022 17:21:48 +0000 Star (Lise) 2288410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh I agree with Angie. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288408 Thu, 27 Oct 2022 17:18:08 +0000 Carla 2288408@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think Angie nailed it! &nbsp;You might shift what you’re wearing on any given day to be suitable for the occasion (high or low) but there is a quality of elegance (the ‘duchess’) in every look.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288394 Thu, 27 Oct 2022 16:28:26 +0000 doggeh lover 2288394@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No moniker ideas, but had to say your braided hair in #2 &amp; 3 just blows me away! SO gorgeous.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288379 Thu, 27 Oct 2022 14:23:22 +0000 Angie 2288379@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Ginger,</b> here's a succint&nbsp;version:<b></b></p> <b></p> <p>Daily Duchess</p> <p></b> <p><b><i><u></u></i></b><i>Defined, Dainty,&nbsp;Detailed&nbsp;</i><b><i><u></u></i></b> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288372 Thu, 27 Oct 2022 13:42:04 +0000 Olive Green 2288372@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My mom wore a lot of this exact style, she was a petite sized model for French and English department stores and recruitment posters.&nbsp;<br />On mom, it was 50’s French chatelaine. Also a singer and pianist so you are taking me back.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288341 Thu, 27 Oct 2022 10:19:21 +0000 Column 2288341@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Everyday Hollywood Glam</p> <p>Everyday Hollywood Bombshell</p> <p>Midcentury Hollywood Grace (Carol is spot-on)</p> <p>Midcentury Modern Hollywood (you are far more glamorous than housewife)!</p> <p>I mean, “duchess” is not “everyday!” </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288293 Thu, 27 Oct 2022 00:51:05 +0000 Suz 2288293@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I still love Duchess Next Door for you. You could also sometimes be the "Duchess Off - Duty" which might be a little more relaxed and/or tweedy.&nbsp;</p> <p>I liked Angie's D-words -- detailed, defined, dainty, and yes, daring, because you are!&nbsp;</p> <p>Retro speaks to me when I look at your style -- but it has to speak to you, as you point out, so if it doesn't help you, toss it! Maybe it's too general, really -- because "retro" could refer to the 20s or the 60s or any era, really -- and your style relates very strongly to the late 40s and 50s. So maybe "mid-century pretty" or "mid-century feminine" or something like that?&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>When you spoke about the weights and textures of fabrics and how they have to be "just so" for you -- I completely understand and relate to that. I'm very particular about what fabrics work (for me) with what and it is one reason why in a climate of extremes I have trouble "summerizing" or "winterizing" items meant (in my mind) for their own season. I do layer but I want to layer with the fabrics that make sense to me and feel right within a specific season.&nbsp;</p> <p>I understand how for some people, <b>any</b> skirt is going to look "dressy." I think they are wrong, but there it is! Skirts can be dressy or casual, just as pants can. I don't think a blazer is necessarily "formal" at all -- but it might be structured in the wrong way for you. You like structure (the defined waist) but not that kind of structure.&nbsp;</p> <p>Your style is entirely unique and absolutely gorgeous on you!&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288282 Thu, 27 Oct 2022 00:22:41 +0000 CarolS 2288282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ginger, are you Midcentury Modern Duchess or??? Midcentury modern of course refers to that era. But the term modern I think can also make clear that you are not "of the past" -- There is modernity to your midcentury leanings.&nbsp;</p> <p>You always look so bubbly, too -- maybe Merry Midcentury Modern Marchioness (for alliteration purposes!) :-)</p> <p>Such a challenging exercise. I have no such words for myself, and no idea where I would start. (Bedraggled whirling dervish doesn't sound that appealing....) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288276 Wed, 26 Oct 2022 22:24:19 +0000 Ginger 2288276@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Sal&nbsp;</b>-- Exactly so! I admit I'm super excited about the tartan skirt I'm making. I can just see the Queen at Balmoral in her plaid skirt, cardigan, and blouse. I vaguely remember trying "princess" or "queen" or "countess" next door but "duchess" just worked best. Like you said, no sparkly connotations nor crowns involved. Just an elegant lady doing everyday things.</p> <p><b>Sarah&nbsp;</b>-- Right! I'm being picky (LOL) about these words since they need to feel exactly right for me.&nbsp;</p> <p>I made the rust skirt! It's a quilted velvet I found randomly in the home dec area of the fabric store. It's got a ton of body but I love it. I'm just careful wearing green with it because sometimes it feels like a pumpkin costume! The mittens are from an Etsy shop. I wear them over lined leather gloves when walking; even when I get warm from exercise, my hands stay so cold. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288273 Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:55:57 +0000 Ginger 2288273@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Rachy&nbsp;</b>-- Good call about Fanciful going off the rails, or not communicating what I mean. It can describe a much more wild style than mine. Mine's more an Anne-of-Green-Gables type of fanciful.</p> <p><b>Sal&nbsp;</b>-- Wise words. "I think it's what speaks to you," and words being aspirational. I could be very formal, or rigidly (accurately) vintage if I wanted. "Fanciful" is reminding myself to keep the fun and whimsy in.</p> <p><b>Jaime&nbsp;</b>-- Pictures added! I couldn't get out of the alternatives. It feels so limiting to just pick one of each category. They're all different!</p> <p><b>Carla&nbsp;</b>-- Exactly! Retro and Classic are so non-specific and mean different things to people. I'm wearing petticoats but usually under tweed or corduroy, not bombshell and polka dots! I'm definitely sticking with the duchess next door. It's pretty flexible but still meaningful. The girl next door but with added elegance.</p> <p><b>Star&nbsp;</b>-- Quirky Elegance is a good one. Thank you and Sal both for identifying that one; it's not an explicit goal of mine so I wasn't sure if it was a good description.</p> <p><b>ST&nbsp;</b>-- I don't know, this has been a great thinking exercise! The moniker is probably the most descriptive still, but the adjectives are helping me think through the elements in more detail.</p> <p><b>Ellemnop&nbsp;</b>-- (What a clever username!) It's not an easy exercise, especially the more you dig into it. I agree that defining what you don't like is very helpful. I've done that when putting an outfit together; really analyzing what was "off" and how it could be fixed. As for wearing different things in different situations - that's what the forum is for! Other people can see the common themes that tie your style together across outfits. The dissonance is tricky for sure. For me it's resulted in basically being a uniform dresser. For others it has been finding the Just Flattering Enough sweet spot. Something else the forum can help you with. I'm glad you've joined! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288271 Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:52:04 +0000 SarahD8 2288271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ginger, precise but not persnickety! I get it though -- so many of these adjectives can have subtly different shades of meaning to different people. Got to stick with it until you hit upon the one that's just right to you. </p> <p>Great pics -- that rust skirt with the light blue sweater is killing me. Want!! And the Nordic mittens! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288269 Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:48:00 +0000 Sal 2288269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like graceful too!</p> <p>If I think of the Queen, or Princess Anne, or Princess of Wales, Kate, or even Camilla - there is a simplicity about their style.&nbsp; They know what works and vary it.&nbsp; The Queen would not have worn satin to walk her corgis or ride her horse, and neither would Kate or Camilla to hike or play with the children etc..&nbsp; That's why the Duchess next door really works - and I think Duchess is better than Princess (which has a few sparkly Disney type connotations now). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288267 Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:34:34 +0000 Ginger 2288267@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all so much for the input! I'm going to be mulling this over for a while but I feel a lot less "stuck" already.</p> <p><b>Sarah&nbsp;</b>-- I'm probably more of a moniker person than an adjective person as well! It's a fun exercise, though. I thought of "precise" but it seemed a bit more rigid, maybe?</p> <p><b>Stagiaire Fash&nbsp;</b>-- I like the ballet comparison. It wasn't serious training but I did take ballet for quite a few years and danced on toe. The thesaurus isn't giving me much help for ballet terms, but maybe "prima donna"? I do sing as well and love performing, LOL!</p> <p><b>unfrumped </b>-- You really get why I'm fighting these words.&nbsp;I like how you saw the ballerina element; it's not a conscious influence but I do see it in the mirror from time to time. Maybe "graceful energy" to mimic what you said.</p> <p><b>Angie&nbsp;</b>-- You're so funny with all the D's! These are good ones. Detailed, Defined, love Dainty. I sure feel Daring at times, since no one's doing what I am! Duplication for sure. I'm definitely a uniform dresser but there's so much variation I rarely get bored.</p> <p><b>Helena&nbsp;</b>-- You revealed my secret! The current Princess of Wales is the first and only style icon I've ever had and strongly influenced my moniker (when she was a duchess). "Balmoral" is an awesome and evocative adjective, come to think of it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288250 Wed, 26 Oct 2022 19:55:12 +0000 Ellemnop 2288250@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm new to the forum (long time blog reader). It's comforting that folks who have been doing this awhile also struggle to put their finger on their style as it evolves.</p> <p>I feel like it's a LOT easier to pin down the descriptors I want to avoid (frumpy, twee, loud, busy, frilly) than the ones I want to use. I also find myself in a lot of different types of situations that call for different dress and levels of formality, so it feels hard to stay feeling like I look authentic and not like I'm putting on a costume to fit in. I like the idea Angie mentioned about getting some but not all of your descriptors represented in a given outfit, like a style Venn diagram :-).</p> <p>I'm also feeling some dissonance between what I like and what likes me back. Much of what I like style wise doesn't actually seem to suit my size, shape, or coloring so I end up wearing things I like that don't particularly flatter me, or wearing things that are more flattering but that don't really feel like 'me'. Blah! I'm trying to remember to be playful with the process, but it takes some of the fun out of it for sure when nothing feels right. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288134 Wed, 26 Oct 2022 11:59:21 +0000 Anonymous 2288134@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Big yay to harmonious!<br /> In general though, I've been thinking that the monikers are much more useful than most adjectives. Dutchess Next Door really sums up your style </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288131 Wed, 26 Oct 2022 11:53:58 +0000 Star (Lise) 2288131@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Quirky Elegance is what I see when I have seen your pics.&nbsp; Sorry only 2 words - i know.&nbsp; I think Quirky encapsulates the unusual and the less formal that you are after and you do it with Elegance.&nbsp; I agree with <b>Sal</b> that elegance does not have to be stiff and formal, more of an air about someone, and I see that in your pics.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288082 Wed, 26 Oct 2022 02:58:38 +0000 Carla 2288082@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The struggle with ‘retro’ is one I share with you. &nbsp;Being a fan of Kate Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Jackie O - I’ve stocked up on&nbsp;<i>classics -&nbsp;</i>but not necessarily&nbsp;<i>those&nbsp;</i>classics! &nbsp;That said, I do like Sara’s ‘offbeat retro’, and don’t think you should change ‘duchess next door’. &nbsp;Angie’s multi-D’s are all good, too. &nbsp;‘Sandra D’?</p> <p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288060 Wed, 26 Oct 2022 01:54:01 +0000 Jaime 2288060@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like your words and especially how you also gave alternatives - I have a hard time settling down on one word when a few might apply too.<br />I like your words and also Angie's Defined and Dainty for you and yes would find some photos helpful! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288051 Wed, 26 Oct 2022 01:30:05 +0000 Sal 2288051@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like lots of Angie's words especially defined and detailed.</p> <p>I definitely see elegance with your hair and polish.&nbsp; Yet you never look fussy.....I also like fanciful and harmonious.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>I think it's what speaks to you - I use elegant because it's that intangible quality that I seek... and the style icons I admire tend to have that air about them.&nbsp; It's aspirational for me.&nbsp; Whereas the breezy part often comes very naturally to me, and the bold part is more a reminder to wear the colours or the skirts rather than default to classics that don't feel like me.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/new-style-words---help#post-2288035 Wed, 26 Oct 2022 00:25:14 +0000 rachylou 2288035@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fanciful and Graceful Poise? Those words attract me for you. You have a lot of poise in my book, and I think graceful appropriately tempers the word fanciful, which could go off the rails trying to communicate to others… </p>