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Am torn: wild creativity or respect the rules?

krishnidoux

Veteran

I was looking at this page:
http://www.whowhatwear.com/section/lotd

While I am always thrilled to see unrestrained imagination at play, I just wonder about the results of this "look of the day". First thought: well you can really do anything if you're 6 ft tall, super slim, long haired and beautiful. You still look gorgeous.

Is this display something to emulate? What is dressing well and with flare?

I am inexplicably attracted to these seemingly carefree, inspired outfits. How I wish I could feel so free going into my wardrobe in the morning, and throw just about any wild combination together like this.

However in the real world, to me, wearing these outfits would illustrate the Quebec French expression "être habillée comme la chienne à Jacques" (dressed very poorly and with little fashion sense).

What do you think?

29 replies

Latest reply was from jayne

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Literal translation, "Dressed like Jack's dog?"

So great to see you here, Krish! I hope things are settling a bit for you.

You raise a great question.

I think what it means to dress well and with flair varies from person to person -- each of us has to find our own answers. For some, this "gamine" free play is precisely the right approach and will work with our personalities. For others, a more analytic approach is more useful. The goal should be to allow us to feel good, regardless. I don't think "spontaneity" is required unless it is required, if you know what I mean -- unless you are the kind of person whose inner essence requires spontaneity.

On the other hand, we can all be more free and spontaneous once our closets are generally composed of pieces that work well on us and well with one another. Once our wardrobes have some degree of cohesion.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Very good point about the pieces one actually owns, Suz!

Still, I wonder about magazine editors suggesting these looks as "acceptable". Or am I too set in an old mentality?

Aziraphale

Veteran

Haha Suz, I thought " une chienne" was a bitch (not a dog). Makes the expression even more colourful when translated.

So, most of those looks involve colour combinations that make my eyes water. (That might be just my personal thing though, as I have a preference for restrained use of colour). But I think colour cacophony is problem number one with those outfits. Problem number two is is the sheer number of unorthodox item combinations. Breaking ONE rule with an unorthodox item combination is one thing. Breaking ALL THE RULES AT ONCE is something else.

And yet not all of those outfits are terrible. Some of them are chic with, as you say, a bit of flair. But because they're all jammed on one page together, showcasing colours, patterns, and textures in one big image, some of them seem worse than they are.

I guess what I'm saying is that of course you can dress a little unorthodox in real life, but if you overdo it you might look like a fashion victim. Balance with everything, right? Unless you're six feet tall and 112 pounds and being followed by the camera crew from Vogue. Lol.

Anonymous

Krishnidoux, I think it's important to remember that anything picked for a magazine spread is highly curated. While the outfits may appear haphazard, they are anything but. Every detail, every piece, is selected because of how it works together. It's not easy breezy; it's an illusion.

In real life, most people's closets simply don't have the volume or range of items to choose from. You might have similar items, but the proportions might not be right. Or the colors don't mesh. Simply said, that's why this spontaneous look is so very difficult to pull off without looking, well, slightly deranged!

Also, please don't forget that fashion magazines -- or heck, even a lot of fashion blogs -- are putting forward a very particular image, one that isn't very workable (or acceptable) in most people's daily lives. While you can draw inspiration from a high-fashion photo, replicating an outfit to the detail just isn't very realistic, IMO.

If I were you, I'd look at your inspiration photos and try to pick out one or two details that attract you. Is it the proportions? Use of colors? Is it it purely the unexpected nature of the outfits -- and is there a way to do that on a smaller scale?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, a lot of ALGO looks like that make my eyes water too. My personal taste lately is shifting more simple, so even though I can see some appeal to those crazier looks, I don't want to wear outfits like that. I don't care for much pattern mixing, I don't usually like to wear head-to-toe light or bright outfits, etc. I need my outfits to feel grounded somehow.

Bottom line is, I want to stand out, but with structure, sophistication and restraint. I think these exuberant looks work for *some* women. I am not one of them, but I can appreciate it on people who embrace it and match up to it in personality and bearing.

I don't think being tall and thin is necessarily required. I do think personality and attitude are a factor. If these looks speak to you, why not try playing around with some unexpected pairings from your closet, just to see how it feels? That would at least satisfy some curiosity, and perhaps even lead you to a fun new look to experiment with.

Diana

Veteran

Well, I rather like many of these looks. I do agree they're designed to draw attention. Sometimes I want that and sometimes I don't, but the truth is that I have a closet full of statement pieces. For goodness' sake, I own neon photo-print floral pants with a tuxedo stripe. I'm sure when I wear them there are people who think I look like "la chienne a Jacques" (great phrase by the way!) but I knew that when I bought them. There's others who think the pants are all kinds of cool. Anyway, my point is that in order to wear eye catching things you have to not only be OK with standing out, but you have to some extent be OK with the fact that there will be some people who just won't get it.

Would I wear all of them as is? Maybe not, but there are some that I would. For that matter, this is true of, say, Angie's outfits too, which are a totally different style. What is also important is that I can take inspiration from many of them, even if I don't recreate the look exactly. I think context is important too. It would be inappropriate to wear many of these looks if you worked in, say, a bank or something, or if you were going to a funeral, but for brunch and shopping? Sure!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Elizabeth, of course you are right. It is feminine. Huh! Makes it even more colourful, as you say.

But speaking of colour -- the colours of these outfits don't make my eyes water. They barely even stand out to me! Just goes to show you that we all respond differently.

What struck me more powerfully was how many "statement" pieces were thrown together. That, to me, is difficult to pull off. And yet we do have forum members who do it consistently and do it well. So a lot depends on attitude. For me, it would be too much of a too muchness. For some, not at all.

rute

Veteran

I can see your point, if one is an art student or had an artistic or creative work, these could be good looks but for most people they have no place in real life

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I really like a lot of them. Honestly, they are no worse than the Fall stuff from JCrew.

catgirl

Veteran

I pin a ton of her stuff. It's fantasy to a degree but her basic skinnies, top, boots and beanie is my go-to formula. Hers is just a little more upscale!

Sheila

Veteran

I am a little surprised at the fuss, as these look mainstream to me. But obviously in different cities and with differing tastes, they are avant garde to some and routine to others. Vive la lifference (hope I spelled it correctly).

Debbie

Veteran

Some of these I actually like. This one I am drawn too and probably because I own a leopard jacket and am always looking for ways to style it.
http://www.whowhatwear.com/loo.....-lady-cool

deb

Veteran

I really like all of these, albeit, some more than others. This one I want to copy. I just need the sweater and whit shoes.

http://www.whowhatwear.com/loo.....soft-focus

MsMary

Veteran

I'm really surprised at the "eyes water" comments. I really like almost all of these looks and I just pinned several of them to my Pinterest inspiration board.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think I need to clarify. A lot of the busier looks would make my eyes tear ON ME. They are fine on others. But whenever I put on two or more busy pieces or prints, I can't take them off fast enough.

Echo

Veteran

I wonder how much of the responses have to do with seeing all these looks at once. In other words, if we saw each particular outfit by itself, I think a lot of people would remark how creative or great each was. But seeing all these outfits next to one another, it is hard for the eye not to take in all the colours and textures and pieces in ALL of them, thus overwhelming the senses.

I feel about these outfits much the same way I do about most outfits; I love some of them, and others, not so much.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I always think of these looks as inspiration and not a how-to. I wouldn't look good in half these looks, but I might think, oh, I haven't worn my (whatever) in a while!

rachylou

Veteran

Mm. I'm pretty much dressed like this right now... Hehe. I think it's working for me and doing so because of my setting. Big city, hipster-town. Here it says "happy, cheerful, energetic."

I'd look like a slightly morose clown anywhere else.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Wow! Lots of very good perspectives on this. Allow me to echo Echo who echoes Aziraphale and others... seeing all the looks together on the same page has its impact. Looking at the looks one by one, you discover there are some pretty conservative ones in the bunch.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Thank you for all these comments. They open my eyes.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

This dilemma always reminds me of two of my biggest ah ha moments in fashion. Can't remember who said them but the first one is something like; the flamboyant people think the chic/classic people are a little boring & the chic/classic people think the flamboyant people are too OTT. My major fashion goal is to balance these two aspects.

The other one was there will always be someone who thinks you are wearing the wrong clothes so you may as well wear what makes your heart sing

Anonymous

@Caro: well said, well said! I often feel flamboyant when I try combinations that I wouldn't blink at if I saw them on someone else. I wonder why that is?

Great thread Krish. It must take a LOT of tweaking to make some of these outfits even photograph well. I doubt the clothes just fall out of the closet like this, ready to go. At least I hope it's not as easy as it looks, because it sure isn't for me!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Very interesting comment, Caro. And Claire, it makes me think of what you said on my thread. You suggested that maybe I was getting a reputation as a fashionable dresser. Well...yes...and no! Many of the writers are more the flamboyant type -- for them, I'm too boring. And then there are the ones who don't care a fig for fashion. To them, I am the frivolous, flamboyant one!

I agree with Caro's final point -- we should wear what makes our hearts sing. So...Krish - what makes yours sing? What aspects of these looks appeal to you? Or is it simply that sense, seeing them all together, that they are "effortless" -- perhaps the dream of effortless, spontaneous creativity?

Oh, don't we all dream of that at times.....

Joy

Veteran

I like many of these outfits, especially for her. They seem fun and happy. I see lots of inspiration here. Well said, Suz. It's all relative.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

CC I think that is because you are the ultimate chic/classic dresser imo. You don't need flamboyance to feel right but you appreciate it on others. It's wonderful that you've found your groove.

Suz I've had that experience too - it reminds me of the Roy Campbell quote "When I'm with poets I'm a cowboy. When I'm with cowboys I'm a poet."

Lantana

Veteran

I love all these looks and if I lived in New York on a limitless budget I'd dress like that every day. Ari Seth Cohen, here I come.

OK, OK, tell me I'm dreamin'.

Hil

(website)

Veteran

Some very interesting perspectives here which I agree are eye opening.

The interesting thing for me was when I cast my eye over the looks for what appealed, they were silhouettes which I know work for me.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Suz, it's true that authors usually have their own weird fashion, if fashion is the word. Lot's of boho looks within MTL writers, guys included (plus the Kodiak boots).

I like a lot of individual pieces from the looks on the link, but not together. I like high contrast in fabric, such as tulle-like material with heavier knits. And although my frame would never allow me to wear it, I have a soft spot for this one
http://www.whowhatwear.com/loo.....kered-past
because it is so eighties.

However, most looks here are just too busy for me. As if every little fad, every little fashion blogosphere's trend had been jammed into them, with a result that ends up being less sophisticate than what it could be.

jayne

Veteran

High five KD, I also went for the leather jacket and the red checkered trousers! Awesome. My trouble is seeing it all in one page. I am overwhelmed by it all together, and a little frustrated by the looks being sooooo different, (I know, they are trying to appeal to a wide audience). But having a series that it no way represents a specific style or thought to how one person could have all that, or even a third of that, in their wardrobe, just depresses me. It is all about selling, not helping us make the most of what we have.