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An order that worked. Wondering why.

catgirl

Veteran

Angie's post today sparked a lot of thought on my morning commute. A couple of orders arrived while I was gone. The Zara silver jeans were a bust - too small and much too stiff for me. That search continues.

I also got a discount code from Joah Brown and ordered a couple of items because the styles really spoke to me. In particular, the Forever bag (which I'd seen at a local boutique with a big markup) is pretty much perfect. It converts - EASILY! - from a backpack to a shoulder/crossbody and can also be carried by a handle. It has lots of pockets, easy access, and a zipper that expands the bag if needed. It's rugged, sturdy, not heavy for the style, and beautifully made. It's like something I would design for myself if I had the skills.

In terms of Angie's post, a bag like this feels like "style home" to me. So where does my love for floral Liberty prints, quirky/twee Kate Spade clutches, etc. fit in? Are those my style "vacation spots"? Or can I work them into my "home style" somehow?

Case in point: the Kate Spade "Admit One" bag also arrived and it is adorable, surprisingly capacious and well constructed. I am keeping it and consigning a couple of less-used clutches. In Florida I saw and almost caved on the KS ice-cream truck clutch (it has a strap!) - but how many pastel clutches can this UWP own?

I feel a longer post coming on, hoping to break down the following:

What feels like my home style
What I love that's outside my home style
What I love but can't wear (cropped denim looks like it's going to be in this category)
What I don't love and can safely exclude from consideration

And I want to think about these categories in terms of other limiting factors - color, fit, fabric, seasonality. LisaP's recent posts have really resonated with me in terms of the quest for the "next new thing" in conflict with what I actually reach for and wear. Is there any point to hoarding adorable clutches I won't use, or leather jackets I can't work into my outfits?

Anyone else feel sparked by Angie's post? Would love to hear your thoughts!

https://www.shopbop.com/admit-.....106258.htm

http://www.joahbrown.com/colle.....pack-black

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/42.....shoulder-b

General

22 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Anonymous

I think you have something with "style vacation spots". And keep those things in that category .....using criteria you would have for other vacation related things (i.e. you don't need too much of it - and how much of it can one really wear over the course of a year ?)

I also think you've answered your own question. No, there is no point to hoarding cute clutches and leather jackets and other fun things like that. You don't need to have everything you see just because it fits into a category you happen to like. My personal problem is with jewellery. Really. I need to stop and enjoy rather than keep on with some breathless quest.

Always - am I missing the point ? And sorry if I am - I may get carried away by my own thoughts here. Back to the style vacation concept - it's a good way to put those purchases and secret likes into a category you can work with and keep in perspective. I think I may just use it myself.

catgirl

Veteran

Lisa, I've related to just about everything you've posted recently - attention span of gnat, wearing same uniform daily, all of it.

I think you're onto something. I have a small capsule of stuff I take on warm vacations (I'm always wearing the same things in vacation pics!), and a small capsule for film "events" with my sister (the Admit One clutch fits in there). Maybe I need consider my quirky purchases a capsule of their own. Or should they integrate into my regular style for a little contrast and tension?

Gaylene

Veteran

I like the idea of small, quirky capsules to add spice to a wardrobe.

Maybe that 80/20 concept--eat "right" 80% of the time, indulge 20% without guilt--makes sense for wardrobe building, as well? And, to continue the analogy, just because an indulgence can also fit into the "eat right" category (like choosing pricey halibut instead of a less expensive fish), it's fine if things work out that way, but not a requirement. Indulgences are just fine as they are--occasional treats that put the fun into the serious business of life!

rachylou

Veteran

I'm going to spend a lot of time thinking about this. I agree about 'vacation styles.' I like taking a break from my home style, esp. in Spring and to experiment, try on other modes. I also don't know if my home style is always a positive thing for me...it's a little depressive, a little Rebel Without A Cause (Jimmy Dean is also looking to be a philosophical theme for me this week).

AviaMariah

Veteran

There's a lot of food for thought in your post but I just wanted to comment that I love "tension" in looks and the tension between your wardrobe style and your "fun" clutches are really fun. Just enough to keep people wondering.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

For me, I love to buy beautiful beads, and somehow actually turning them into jewelry is not a priority. The joy is in the excitement of seeing something beautiful and new, and in the imagining of what I can create with them. The actual making of the item is usually less exciting, and if the piece will not fill a hole there is no urgency for me to make it. At some point I realized that I need to go to less bead shows as a way to limit my purchases, and I also realized that I don't have to own everything I crave that is within my budget.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Not sure if what I wrote helps, but it was a good reminder for me.

Sal

Veteran

Of course while we talk here about style persona and consistency we can do whatever suits us. I think having style holiday looks or mini capsules is a fun way to mix it up.

I have four looks if I pare it down:

Modern classic- trying to be elegant- 50 percent
Active sporty- mostly dressy gear - 25 percent
Flattering dress/bombshell - mostly evening (not only) - 15 percent,
Summer Boho - holidays, BBQ, hot days - 10 percent

There is some crossover with the looks- my bombshell is not extreme nor is the boho, they are on the lite side. But I love them both. And on a day like yesterday gear is a practical and stylish option.

Una- like you I have not been enamored much with mainstream mall shops- lots of average pieces. Maybe these quirky accessories are your point of difference?

Runcarla

Veteran

Oh! Of course you have to have special capsules or take wardrobe vacations to try alter egos. However, not everything has to be a workhorse, and your specilaty items don't have to do double duty - it's just a bonus if they do!

Some folks on the forum are working on: dance capsules, performance capsules, fantasy/costume capsules, vintage capsules, and they are every bit as important as sports/gear capsules, work capsules, off duty capsules.

Anonymous

Having tension in your look - hmmm. Could be a good thing, or not, depending on how you handle tension. This is a bit of an aha moment for me , as it could explain why certain things that I buy don't really fit in and never get worn. I think I'm going to add some spice to the mix, but the truth is, I don't like tension. Anywhere, anyplace and with anyone or anything. It makes me agitated and irritated and full of the need to escape. If you react to tension or spiciness in a different way, (i.e. positively) that could work very well in a wardrobe. Huh. I can't seem to get anything done at work today but i'm full of my own ridiculous profound thoughts.

Beth Ann

Veteran

What Lisap refers to as tension (or spiciness), I experience as a healthy juxtaposition. It's the element of style that adds a bit of creative unpredictability -- and openness to the other and the different. For myself, I wish I had more of this in my dressing, since it is a huge part of my personality, even if it often throws people for a loop. The danger, in wardrobe building, is not having the element of surprise at all, or, conversely, creating a scattershot wardrobe with no focus, but populated with odd curiosities. You'd think I'd fall on one side or the other of that divide. No, I fall into the "safe and cheap" trap -- as ubiquitous as a midwestern pothole in March!

I love both bags --- the black one is quite luxe and practical, and the clutch is a bit of fun -- a sign that you don't take yourself or fashion too seriously.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Hmmm.,.tension and vacation style...gotta think on this before I can reply intelligently...

Aida

Veteran

Una, my dear, you are an eclectic dresser though these days you seem to be catering less to some of those side personas. I think it's perfectly fine to have some of those satellite arms to play around with. You've got a great handle on your primary style already! And even though you say you don't want to go trendy you do seem to enjoy playing with at least a few each season. So you need to leave some room open to play there, as well. I'd say use your side personas as a way to experiment and push you out of your primary persona. Not to the point where you feel that your wardrobe is chaotic, but enough to keep you feeling fresh.

Great idea to separate out a few of your capsules that have a lot of specialty items (e.g. film stuff, hot vacations, etc.). Do that, then look at what's left and see if any remaining oddball wardrobe pieces don't have a style persona home. And then assess whether or not that's OK.

catgirl

Veteran

Aida, you are right and I think I will do just what you suggest.

Shannon, I'm not talking about style while on vacation but about Angie's concept of "coming home" in her style, and items I own that might be considerered as "going on vacation" from my usual closet home base. I'm as confusing as ever!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Also: consider the light.

While my core style doesn't change a whole lot between seasons, I tend to like brighter colours and more florals and even more feminine cuts in summer at times. This is partly to do with what is wearable but also partly due to the quality of light.

On your vacations, you may be responding to that. It may be almost a visceral bodily response, and may also be taking you back to familiar brights...

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Fwiw those silver jeans didn't work for me, either -- same assessment as yours.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I enjoy a bit of tension/spiciness in a wardrobe and I love juxtaposition in outfits. Throwing a surprise element into an outfit - something a bit funky or trendy or unexpected, in my mind, makes the outfit fun. And whatever our basic style personas may be, it's also fun to take a vacation from that and experiment a little bit. I think that's how you keep your style fresh and alive and open to all possibilities.

Brooklyn

Veteran

What Karie said. I think adding something unexpected or unusual to your style is fun. I get angst if it doesn't work out (guilt about wasted money and excessive clutter) so I try to limit both the number of style experiments I make and the amount I spend on them. But I do think it is a necessary process if you like variety and want your style to evolve.

unfrumped

Veteran

Love these thoughts!

Potential Clutch Hoarder here. And pashmina and wrap hoarder.

Not that I can't use a few, but I'm drawn to them when I find them in different colors or materials and think, I should get that in case I need to wear it for some future occasion and yet am not using them much after all.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am intrigued. Not quite awake but I am thinking of vacation as a more metaphorical way to incorporate your quirky pieces as part of your style persona. As in we do things on vacation that we don't do in our everyday life but our choice of vacations still express a part of our core personalities - what we choose to do, where we go, whom we decide to visit and how often. Perhaps I am pushing the style home analogy too far? Getting more coffee...

catgirl

Veteran

Shevia, you are right on! I was not talking about my style while on vacation, but about whether these forays into realms outside my usual zone can be considered metaphorical vacations from my base or "home style". I'm not articulating it well but I think I need to ponder it more too.

rachylou

Veteran

I'm not sure I'm personally down with tension, in the sense of incorporating two styles in one outfit. Playing them off each other. When I digress, I think I'd rather digress completely.

Funny... Tho this is not about actual vacations, I do find that my home style just doesn't exist in some places. My light hearted dark and spooky can really only be, for example, Daphne Du Maurier (sp?) in the tropics...