https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 02:23:44 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker/page/2#post-1002168 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 11:33:34 +0000 Lantana 1002168@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rae, I do prefer a moniker to be as you describe, an "ephemeral aura". My own, secret moniker is so esoteric that noone else would appreciate the connotations it has for me. And because my style is developing any descriptor is of necessity ephemeral. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker/page/2#post-1002098 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 06:24:38 +0000 Jeanie 1002098@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think of a moniker as fun inspiration, never a limitation. And it's mostly personal.&nbsp;&nbsp;I could never pick just one. &nbsp;I sometimes pick a new one daily.&nbsp; I sum it up to being a Gemini. &nbsp;Interesting discussion! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker/page/2#post-1002084 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 05:46:15 +0000 Elly 1002084@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also enjoyed JulieJohn's description of the setting and activities her style persona conducts. I definitely can see myself trying to picture my "ideal" outfits for my environments and tasks I perform. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker/page/2#post-1002062 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 04:10:13 +0000 Elly 1002062@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cciele and Sylvie, I think you both made excellent points. I love Cciele's focus on stripping away clothing and fashion and leaving behind the person and I enjoyed Sylvie's clear cut examples explaining how a moniker or style persona can become a functional rubric. </p> <p>I never really found a moniker or style persona that fit me. In some ways I feel a bit like Anna in that I'm pretty intensly visual and the only fashion exercise on style persona I've ever successfully completed was mostly driven by my ability to explore my inspirations by posting a series on largely non-fashion photos. </p> <p>I also think I'm with Diana G. and IK on this one in that I have a bit of a "whatever" additude. I enjoy expressing myself through fashion, but my goal is normally to look like who I am. Part of that can come through with clothing choices, but I don't expect my clothes to do all the work. Often times, I find a fairly blank slate to be the best frame because I feel like my personality, disposition, and even lifestyle clearly shine through my posture, actions, words, body, ect. </p> <p>Basically when I get dressed I want to get dressed representing my authentic self, but I also don't feel the need to rely on clothes to speak for me. I don't want to look like something or someone I'm not, but if the rest of the world can't guess exactly who I am through my clothing (i.e. pick out my style persona) that is fine sometimes, because they will figure that out soon enough. </p> <p>I haven't posted on 00Noir, because I know I'm not understanding your image fully, but I will probably pick up on how you see that over time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker/page/2#post-1001972 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 01:38:35 +0000 Cindy 1001972@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This thread is giving this newbie a headache! LOL I'm still trying to understand what these style descriptors are supposed to mean let alone figure out what mine are. I guess I think of my wardrobe purchases with the same attitude I have when it comes to decorating my home: If I buy the things that I am attracted to, the things that make me happy, then those things will go together to represent me.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker/page/2#post-1001958 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 01:13:07 +0000 froggiebecky 1001958@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't been using monikers or descriptors long enough to see how it works in the long run, but so far I've gotten further with thinking about monikers than descriptors. I always aspired to a particular look, but I can't stand in a store and ask myself "Is this eclectic?" To me that's more in the styling and less inherent in the garment itself. But I CAN ask myself "Is it modern? Would an adventuress wear this?" &nbsp;Jeans may not be eclectic, but an adventuress does need them. :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker/page/2#post-1001946 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 00:42:25 +0000 Gaylene 1001946@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Labels, even ones we choose for ourselves, are tricky things. Do the labels describe us as we want to be seen by others--or the way we want to feel inside--or a target that we would like to achieve? Leaving aside any questions of how easy, or difficult, it is to find two or three nouns to sum up our personal sense of style, I also can't help but think any moniker would need multiple variations depending on what role we are inhabiting at any one time. The workplace UWP might look quite different than the date night one. And, just to further complicate the issue, none of us remain static; a moniker that suits me to a T today might not reflect the person I am tomorrow and my label might be more of a constraint than a help.</p> <p>It's fun to have a catchy label to sum up my style, but I'm also wondering if it is a bit risky to treat it too seriously. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001945 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 00:39:05 +0000 ManidipaM 1001945@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think where a moniker helps a lot of people---and I wonder if this is true of you too as it is for me --- to narrow down the shopping choices because there is so much we are fascinated by that it gets overwhelming without a little corralling. In this case, the moniker is a touchstone. 00Noir can absolutely go on holiday or put her feet up---even a spy has to sort out her water supply and buy bread at 7-11 or whatever... but asking yourself if that is all she's doing may stop you from buying too many of her undercover looks, where she is dressing AS Mrs Robinson, Mr Real-Estate Tycoon, Ms Supermodel etc because oh playing dress-up is so much fun... till, wait, who am I dressing up as to get the milk today?!</p> <p>TL;DR --- the moniker is only meant to be restrictive enough to keep yourself in check because you have such a rich fantasy life and great empathy with style personas that you would not otherwise rule out enough looks to stay cohesive or within budget or at a preferred closet size etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001934 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 00:16:48 +0000 rae 1001934@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Donna, we posted at the same time. You make a very good point about them having to be fluid... my interpretation of UWP was pretty different from others, I think. But it worked for me for a long time.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001932 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 00:15:22 +0000 rae 1001932@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for commenting, KTK. I definitely don't want to start another debate over what kind of feedback is appropriate here. And I truly, truly know that no one is trying to tell me how to dress. </p> <p>Honestly, I think part of my angst&nbsp;is probably totally unrelated and due to the doctor&nbsp;weaning me&nbsp;off some medication... I have been feeling out of sorts for <i>days</i>, and for some reason it seriously threw me off balance to have to explain myself. Made me feel like a total moniker failure, lol.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001927 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 00:04:57 +0000 DonnaF 1001927@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Monikers and rubrics shouldn't be a source of stress!&nbsp; Plus, I think they should be somewhat fluid since otherwise they will be a source of stress.&nbsp; That being said, when an item becomes HOT on YLF, I think it is valuable to ask oneself whether the It Item makes sense in light of one's moniker/rubric.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001914 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 23:45:47 +0000 JulieJohn 1001914@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The moniker I aspire to is "Sedona Sister" which to me is a boho look that has desert colors and lots of textures. But I think I look more like Mrs. Santa most of the time, comfy and casual, just this side of sweats. :D</p> <p>Since I enjoyed your story here is mine: Sedona Sister is chic and relaxed as she drives her jeep through the red rock canyons. Her multicolored skirts swirl around her dusty boots. Later you will see her drinking chai at an outdoor cafe, with a dog napping beside her. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001913 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 23:45:33 +0000 KeepTheKey 1001913@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A dedicated lurker here, coming out to put in my 2 cents :-)&nbsp;</p> <p>I think style monikers and their purpose varies from person to person. For me, my sense of style is innate, and evolves over time. So when I say I'm a "Boho Rockstar Lumberjack", those are just the adjectives that best describe my current style preferences to other people. I don't really have to look at an item and ask myself "Does this fit into my idea of&nbsp;'BohoRoLu'?". If I'm looking at it, and I like it, I'll make it fit into my wardrobe and&nbsp;play well with other pieces, even if others wouldn't perceive it as any of the above desciptors. And if others don't "get it", well, too bad. I don't have to justify what I like, or how it fits into my closet.&nbsp;</p> <p>For some, monikers are an inspiration or&nbsp;jumping off point that helps them hone in on a particular style. That's also totally awesome, and a completely valid use for these wacky descriptive terms we come up with :-)</p> <p>Any way you slice it, no two people will imagine the same big picture (and maybe not even the same nuances) when presented with the same idea. So while 00Noir conjures up one thing for Rae, I probably get and entirely different idea in my head. And that's 100% okay Questioning the details someone chooses to represent their moniker might where be where things get a bit dodgy. As long as these questions are being asked for clarification, or to help the poster more accurately represent what they want to show, I think it's all good. But if it's in a combative, "that's not how I envision 00Noir (as an example)" kind of way, then maybe one should hold off on their commentary. I guess what I'm saying is that both the original poster and the commenter should look at what's being said, and ask themselves where the question is coming from. A lot of stress can be avoided if we all take a moment to think before we speak.</p> <p>I like to&nbsp;think we can each benefit from monikers in different ways, and that we should all keep out minds open to how others may decide to utilize such an amazing tool!</p> <p>That turned out to be more than 2 cents worth, so I hope it wasn't too agonizingly to read :-)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001898 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 23:29:27 +0000 Anonymous 1001898@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't thing yer doin' it wrong, I think a style moniker can be a very personal thing to some people, and maybe just a shorthand casual thing to others. 00Noir means a very specific thing to you, and I think it is probably not what the general population thinks -- nothing wrong with that, but there seems to be a disconnect with what some people think about 00+ and Noir and your reading of the symbols. Your reading is obviously paramount but it might just be that until people grok it, they will be asking questions or trying to understand what it means to you! That is why symbols are tricky, because they are so arbitrary. </p> <p>Don't fret Rae, I think people just want the best for you and are trying to understand your new symbolism! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001894 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 23:20:30 +0000 rae 1001894@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess it's just a frustrating feeling to think to myself, "How can I not be doing 00Noir right? I'm the one who made it up...&nbsp;" Maybe it really <i>isn't</i> the right moniker for me?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001876 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 22:46:02 +0000 Sylvie 1001876@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the moniker is just a tool to help make your wardrobe more functional and outfits more coherent.&nbsp; Just like a rubric, it's another way to describe one's style goals.</p> <p>Case 1: Moniker helps you decide that accessory a goes better with outfit than accessory b.</p> <p>Case 2: Moniker makes you realize that since you want to keep a smaller wardrobe/stay within budget, these pieces of clothing are going to fit the moniker and these other ones aren't.</p> <p>But your moniker is allowed to change over time.&nbsp; This summer, I'm feeling a particular set of colors and style persona.&nbsp; Come fall, I might be feeling a different one.&nbsp; Most of us don't flip back and forth between diametrically opposed personas, but gradually shift over time.&nbsp; And that's how we get to have fun with fashion! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001875 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 22:36:32 +0000 cciele 1001875@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hm, are clothes the primary thing that make the moniker, or to flip it, is the moniker really a tool to help one develop one's wardrobe? </p> <p>And what happens when you strip away the clothes? I think you're left with&nbsp;attitude and the physical body. Attitude is hard to impart in photos. I wonder if someone dressed as 00Noir but projected an opposite attitude what that would come across as.</p> <p>I actually think I look like my moniker (rocker warrior) without clothes on, because of my hair and my musculature So in some sense it's hard for me not to look like my moniker. I have to try hard to look polished and elegant if I need to be like that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001843 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 21:56:48 +0000 catgirl 1001843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This reminds me of declaring a major in college. Then you're stuck with questions like "why are you taking art history if you're premed?". The danger of labels! There is that semantic line between wanting to be kept on the defined path you've chosen yet not wanting to be confined by it. I questioned the boots because I'm still trying to get a sense of how rigid you want to be in your new description. There is a certain freedom in rigidity, just as with formal poetry. But don't let it stress you! Everyone's impression of your style moniker will be different anyway as you have said. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001831 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 21:42:15 +0000 shedev 1001831@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe it takes some time for us to grow into our names. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001820 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 21:24:06 +0000 lyn* 1001820@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I remember wondering about spy style when I was younger, and remember my dad telling me that the best spies are the ones you don't notice. :p </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001815 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 21:15:53 +0000 rae 1001815@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mo, you touched on something here. Having a moniker isn't stressing me out, but I do think I partially wrote this post because it is just the tiniest bit&nbsp;stressful to put myself in a position where I am being questioned or warned for not sticking to a label.&nbsp;</p> <p>Rachy, that is exactly what I was talking about... input vs. output.&nbsp;</p> <p>Firecracker, yes, I can totally see why you brought it up with the boots. You were not the only one! And it did happen years ago, too,&nbsp;when I was a corporate bank employee and first decided to latch onto the UWP moniker. There was this feeling like I was not making the right choice or something and again I think it was an input output issue.&nbsp;</p> <p>Shedev, I love Asphalt Angel for you!</p> <p>Anna, that's a great photo. I wonder if the kitty is bigger than he thinks, or if he is just a poseur?</p> <p>Una, that makes total sense. I feel a little bit the same, having to reflect my department first and myself second.&nbsp;</p> <p>Sara, I guess that is the danger of publicly declaring, "I am X."</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001804 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 20:58:30 +0000 Sara L. 1001804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think monikers are intensely personal and no one else is&nbsp;going to have&nbsp;quite&nbsp;the same feeling about your outfits as you do.&nbsp; You have an image and feel in your head of 00Noir but we are all going to interpret it slightly differently, which may be why someone&nbsp;questions whether an outfit meets your moniker. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001774 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 20:02:23 +0000 deb 1001774@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really never think of it except when we discuss it here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001770 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 19:53:57 +0000 catgirl 1001770@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well UWP, though not my only style, really helps me focus and also derive max joy from my wardrobe by giving it a layer of feverish fantasy imagination. But I also associate it with visual images like your picture, ad given my reality I can no longer let it dictate my outfits. It's more like "how can I squeeze a little of this feeling into my day?" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001762 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 19:37:31 +0000 annagybe 1001762@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Honestly Rae, because I'm far more visual than wordy, this is how I see you</p> <p><a href="http://www.boen.com/products/hardwood-floors/my-dreams/~/media/1_PRODUCTS/SHADOW%20pictures/MY_DREAMS_Cat_prestige_shadow.jpg?bc=White" rel="nofollow">http://www.boen.com/products/h.....g?bc=White</a></p> <p>Julie came up recently with Haute Zeitgeist for me. But otherwise I've never came up with a good descriptor for me. I guess this goes back to me being visual; show rather than tell. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001758 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 19:32:46 +0000 shedev 1001758@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great question, Rae. How do we sum ourselves up in a couple of words? Back in April,&nbsp;I posted an outfit that Rachy called Asphalt Angel. I loved that name so much I decided to keep it. Thanks Rachy. Then I had to decide what the name means. I came up with that&nbsp;Asphalt represents rateness,&nbsp;color, texture. Angel would refer to fit. I didn't want to be&nbsp;tomboy like a lot of&nbsp;UWP and bombshell feels a little too girly. I settled on fitted cuts that outline my shape but aren't as bodycon. &nbsp;Do I hit this every time, nope, not even close. It does give me something to aspire to, and helps me to focus when I shop. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001742 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 19:09:23 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1001742@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You seem to have a very nicely developed idea of what your moniker represents and how it informs or can inform your dressing. Boy, I am so not there, but it's interesting to read about yours!</p> <p>And I only brought up 00noir in the discussion of your boots yesterday to check in and see if--and perhaps how-- you were thinking of it when considering them. This post clarifies your thoughts about 00noir so that I certainly see how the new boots fit in just beautifully with your style inspiration. I'm even more sold on them for you, if that's possible. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001739 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 19:06:18 +0000 Diana 1001739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, I'm like Diane G.&nbsp; "Arty Eclectic" pretty much means anything goes.&nbsp; I think it's more of a descriptor than a moniker, in any case, which is how I prefer it (descriptor seems far less restrictive to me).&nbsp; But I could see others being the other way around, wanting much stricter guidelines for outfit/style creation.</p> <p>But I think it's all about how <i>you</i> want to interpret the moniker!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001735 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 18:59:57 +0000 texstyle 1001735@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it only really matters how it works for you - and how it inspires you or helps you hone in on your own personal style. </p> <p>I recently realized that I really love organic shapes and earthy, organic feeling jewelry and accessories. I also tend to prefer organic, nature inspired colors in clothing. No big surprise and I knew this in the past, but somehow it&nbsp;got lost along the way as I tried to be more "me too" in terms of going for too many classic styles. I still have a lot of "classic" items in my closet that are too traditional for my taste. I think it's due to business and feeling the need to project a certain business image. Even though I almost never have to see a customer or even an employee face to face these days (we all work remotely). I was shopping for a new bracelet recently when it finally hit upon me to use the word "organic modern" in my search and voila! I found the perfect item for me. But to see me I don't think you'd call me "modern" in my style, it's more of a way to help me realize when something will work for me and make me happy to wear it. </p> <p>I think&nbsp;00Noir suits you just fine! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/spinoff-whats-in-a-moniker#post-1001729 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 18:49:14 +0000 milehighstyle (Linda) 1001729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't figured out a moniker yet, maybe because I have trouble with the idea that I have to match my descriptor all of the time.&nbsp; So I guess I like the idea of&nbsp;a moniker just being a guideline and not a directive.&nbsp;It could be your head to toe look one day or&nbsp;it could just be a tiny accessory or detail that makes your outfit feel like you but still allows you to experiment with a different look on occasion.&nbsp; And I would not be concerned with others thinking of me the way I see myself - after all, I dress to make myself happy. </p>