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Ask Angie (and everyone!): Juxtaposition of styles...

catgirl

Veteran

In this thread of mine, Denise commented that the boots felt offf to her given what she felt was the more "classic" style of the outfit:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-and-diana

My thought in wearing the boots was that it brought in the element of UWP that I need.

When does juxtaposition of styles create a jarring disconnect, and when is it making an outfit your own unique style or creating interest with tension?

For example, it took me a while to get used to boyfriend jeans with girlie heels, which is now a common look. That's a juxtaposition of girly/dressy with casual/RATE. By wearing my stompy boots with more classic or feminine items, am I owning the look or looking haphazard?

TIA!

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ah. Sorry I missed that outfit, Una. I agree with Denise that the cardigan is classic. It looks okay with the boots, but I would prefer it with a pencil skirt for work.

To answer your question is hard. First, it's a completely subjective thing! With that particular cardi, it's the border down the front that is jarring and making it overly classic for the boots. If you tuck that border away - just for curiosity's sake - you'll see the outfit transform.

Hectic juxtapositions are VERY fashionable and very 2013. So I don't want to stifle your creativity either. I guess you have to take it outfit by outfit.

Sorry I'm being obtuse.

kellygirl

Veteran

Interesting question. Only because you are asking--I do think there is a disconnect between the sweater and the boots but I think it is because of the light wash jeans. The top and bottom look like they belong to different tribes. I think the outfit is fun though and wouldn't give it a second thought if I saw you walking down the street. I would just think, "Wow, that looks great!" I like the juxtaposition.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hah!! We posted at the same time, Kelly.

kellygirl

Veteran

@Angie: great analysis!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Hm, I see what Denise is saying now. I agree with Kelly that it is because the top half is distinctly conservative, whereas the bottom half is distinctly UWP. I think if you sort of "bookended" each element - like by having a pencil skirt on bottom, as Angie said, and maybe a black top to go with the "dark" feeling of the boots?

catgirl

Veteran

Interesting! I didnt' think of this as particularly conservative but I can see why now. There is a pattern mix going on with the sweater and tank, but the shapes are pretty classic.

This is bringing up all sorts of interesting thoughts about outfit integrity vs. deconstruction... Obviously just throwing on the Gidigios is not enough to UWP-ify an outfit!

Isabel

Veteran

I can't answer this ( but you should know that by now, no surprise..hahahaaa ), but this is a very interesting question. It made me think of how women wear leather jackets to "toughen" up a ballet skirt or a silk one. Hmmmmm....

catgirl

Veteran

Yes, Isabel - that's exactly what I mean. How to pin down the right disconnect? Fluffy dress + moto is a great example.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It's that border down the front of the cardigan that is bringing down the outft , Una. I bet you a virtual million bucks. If that same cardigan did NOT have a front border - the juxtaposition would be more harmonizing.

Anonymous

The border kinds of domesticates the Missoni print, binds it, tames it.

catgirl

Veteran

Yes, that's the Target element.

tarzy

Veteran

*taking notes for my own "earthy v. chic" struggles*

Gaylene

Veteran

It's these aesthetic questions that are the most vexing. What one person finds pleasing, another can find jarring. Personally, I don't see what Angie and Denise find disconnecting about this outfit. Eliminating the border, as Angie suggests, would look fine to me as well, but just different.

I think juxtaposition requires a combination of aesthetics and confidence. What we think of as harmonious and dis-harmonious is so closely tied to our personal perception and aesthetic sense that it's hard to set rules about creative mixing. If the combination looks appealing to you and you feel confident wearing it, then I'll probably be admiring your fashion sense. If the combination doesn't feel quite right and you are unsure about it, then I'll probably pick up on your feelings and wonder why you chose that particular juxtaposition of items.

Sara L.

Veteran

I agree with Gaylene that fashion is so completely subjective that sometimes it just comes down to the confidence of the outfit wearer. If you like it and own it, it will (usually) look purposeful and stylish.

cciele

Veteran

I also think it's subjective. I can see where the juxtaposition might be jarring, but what I noticed are the belt and sunglasses, which to me tie in with the boots. Add a black studded bracelet and there will be an even more obvious tie-in to the boots. Like Sara says, "own it"!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Thanks, Una, for starting this thread. Now, would you please take the day off, play in your closet and post, oh, about 20 outfits that play with juxtaposition?

OK, so I'm kidding -- a little. I wonder if we could start a "Here's my juxtaposition, what's working and what's not" challenge? I've got one: classic dress, riding boots, ponte moto (leather is too hot).

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rachylou

Veteran

Ah, well there you go. It's all in the eye of the beholder. To me the blue cardigan with the boots works. I feel all items are playing on the same level and the look is polished, to me, because of that.

It was the other outfit, from the other day, where I felt the boots were "so RATE" and at odds with the more delicate fabric of your coat and the ensemble was not as polished as I think of your style as being.

And OK, now here's the kicker: I'm not sure if the blue cardigan / boots look is the thing, because it is so even and level. I'd want to rough it up more... and maybe you do too... I'm not sure it clashes enough!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ooh - I am with Beth Ann! We should have a "here's my juxtaposition, is it working?" thread!!!

Diana

Veteran

So I'm just copying what I wrote on your other thread because I think it sums up my feelings nicely.

I'm honored to have inspired you! I actually LOVE the juxtaposition of the cardi with the boots. But I wonder if it comes off as more AE and less UWP. So the juxtaposition thing is a huge part of AE style, at least in my interpretation, and is one of the things I love most about it. And as Angie said, although I have UWP elements in my style I am not a UWP.

My feeling about juxtaposition is that it has to look intentional. Thrown together, but not getting dressed in the dark. =P This looks intentional to me.

Mellllls

Veteran

i think this particular juxtaposition works. the jeans casualize the cardigan to me that it works with the boots.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I don't know. I'm withholding an opinion here, because my inner censor doesn't appear to be working. Perhaps Angie is right about the border on the cardigan -- although how she knows these things is a mystery and a wonder to me, but then again she's the style consultant and I'm just an amateur! -- but perhaps another way you could find out is to swap out the cardi for another "conservative" element, like a straight-up blazer (not your edgy Theory workhorse one). I bet it would work with that.

I feel like I mix conservative with UWP quite a lot, and now I'm wondering if it doesn't look as good as I think.

Carole

Veteran

This is all so very interesting, but way over my head!

Anonymous

Una, I'm thinking here about your question and I got nothing. The only thing I can tell you is that I have that cardi and to date, I have not been able to make the sucker work for me. It is very hard to style it.

I finally gave it to little Zap. I have not seen her wear it either...

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

So interesting. I am just fascinated by Angie's comment about how the sweater border makes the difference here. I need to think about this more and look for pictures.

Deborah

Veteran

I agree with Angie. The border on the cardi "neatens" it up and kind of restricts it. Take away the border and your RATE vibe returns with the pattern going all the way to the edge. It is a minor detail but it makes a huge difference.

catgirl

Veteran

Well, clearly this is the difference between Missoni for Target and Missoni! Or maybe not. I actually love this cardi because I love Missoni patterns, so I will have to think of some new ways to wear it...