This is a very interesting topic and I loved to read the answers.
I do go trough this sometimes, I see someone using an outfit that looks great on them and want to recreate it.
It doesn't go that well most of the times, in fact the outfits that end giving me a higher happiness factor are the ones I can 'shop ' in my closet all by myself.
I try to keep things fresh and try new silhouettes or shapes but at the end of the day the end result continues to be very me.

Great read Lisa, I think you have come to a great place.

When shopping all you need to remember is this:

I like a fairly structured and tailored look for myself. It flatters me better than layers and flowing pieces. It makes me feel pulled together and crisp, and I feel stronger and more confident dressed that way.



There is plenty of scope and variety within those parameters for variety especially since you love accessories and have wonderful scarves, jewelry and footwear.

I can be a bit of a chameleon, and I can look prim and proper one day, scruffy and edgy the next, and sporty luxe the following, I am still working out which one is really me!!

Lisa, we are on the same wavelength... in fact I was going to post about this topic, because I feel like I now have four distinct style personas. Roughly, they are:

UWP: this is my RATE/distressed/Mad Max wardrobe. Allsaints used to be this but has since moved more into Strict Edge, below.

Strict Edge: Burberry, Theory, some Helmut Lang, etc.

Colorful Statement: I haven't quite narrowed this down. It's not boho or ethnic. My floral clutch and Ted Baker dress are good example. Big florals or graphic digital prints in bright colors catch my eye all the time.

Easy Comfort: Another category I'm not sure how to define. This includes my NYDJ ponte pants, jersey cardis and other work clothes that are pajama-like but presentable.

These categories don't overlap very much and are not all that well defined yet, but I am trying to figure out what percentage of each makes sense for my closet - sort of like a food pyramid for style. Is there a food pyramid for style?

Sorry to bogart your thread - I should probably repost this somewhere else. But know you are not alone in your thought process!

Lisa, you've hit a nerve! I very much admire that you're so certain of your style. It really shines in your WIW's.

Not wishing to sit on your thread, but what you say resonates with me for an unexpected reason. I often find it quite difficult to pin down what defines my style precisely because I do like to experiment. Then again, like you (and many others here) I'm of an age where I'd prefer to be purposeful in what I wear rather than grab hold of anything that catches my sugar eye.

Paradoxically, I find myself more and more interested in developing the kind of signatures and uniforms you describe and experimenting with form in my dressmaking through different materials and cuts. I'm looking for novelty in the restrictions rather than the freedom. Does that make sense?

So interesting! And I just posted on how much I have been helped to explore my own style. Great minds, snicker!

I'm with Elly on the middle ground because I think my knee jerk reaction is the opposite of yours. I am much more likely to see something new and different and not like it. When I see a look and I have none of the components I tend to just disregard it. So many things become not me before I've even tried them. The printed pants and graphic T post? I barely skimmed it! It takes me such a long time to warm up to a look that I'm just ready to try it as others are moving on.

And really, this is not so great either. I don't buy a lot of not me things, so I'm safe that way, but maybe I'd find something I love faster if I'd be more open. I do feel like lately I am hitting my stride and really finding what I like...so interesting that it has come in the opposite direction of yours, but with the same results!

Lisa, I do love how your mind works (you remind me of my Gemini mother--another woman unswervingly true to her sharply tailored style, even now, at 87.) You zero in on a problem, and always hit your target. Here I am, feeling over-influenced, tired of my own thoughts, ready to retire from this forum to clear my head, and you've reeled me back in, because I want to see what you will say next.

Lisa, your insight lends useful perspective. What feels genuine to me are the clothing pieces left in my closet after a yearlong closet purge and revamp. Experimentation and YLF forum member feedback weighed heavily in what I want to call my personal style literacy and self awareness. Most of my experimentation has been due to suggestion from feedback to my WIW posts, but sometimes it is from an Angie ensemble, or less commonly something I see someone else wearing. The most poignant group of forum posts for me this past year were when we dressed to represent artwork chosen by Angie. I saw the wonderful uniqueness, creativity and originality of our forum members individual styles. I knew with certainty that I could never copy anyone one individual's personal style after seeing those posts, but I learned that I also had my own unique style to explore and develop.

From experimentation motivated by the forum, I have tried some new silhouettes and adopted long cardigans and tunic tops as long as they aren't too boxy. I have also tried asymmetry much to my DH's dismay. The biggest area where I have been a style lemming on the forum is with shoes/accessories. I admit to shoe stalking forum members feet and Angie's shoe picks. Adding a unique shoe is a great way to take a plain sheath and completely alter its overall vibe. I have also used my jewelry and scarves differently since joining the forum. Learning about the shoulder neck point and different types of drape were among the most fundamentally useful concepts I learned in forum posts this year. These concepts have strongly informed my shopping and style choices.

The more experimentation, the more refined my style becomes, however, there is always that one piece that is going to work even in a category that I have personally defined as out of character. ( not authentic, not my style, etc.). Without a willingness to experiment I would never find that item. So, for example, even though I inherently don't like fit and flare dresses, I own and love this BCBG version. Why? Well, it's not overly flared or stiff, the length is longer, the color is perfect, and I love that it's sleeveless and bares what for me is the perfect amount of shoulder. It also addresses the shoulder neck point issue mentioned earlier.

Lisa, thanks again as always for your thought provoking posts. I have enjoyed reading everyone's responses to this one.

I love what you say here Staysfit.

The most poignant group of forum posts for me this past year were when we dressed to represent artwork chosen by Angie. I saw the wonderful uniqueness, creativity and originality of our forum members individual styles. I knew with certainty that I could never copy anyone one individual's personal style after seeing those posts, but I learned that I also had my own unique style to explore and develop.



I can love someone else's style but not want to dress like them at all. Even if we share the same shape, colouring and lifestyle! What I love about YLF is checking out how others wear things that I don't want to wear, or cannot wear.

Lisa - I love your style! I always love to see your WIWs and think you have an amazing sense of your own style. I know exactly what you mean though. This forum opens up so many posibilities it's like being a kid in the candy store and I want it all!
I'm a jewelry artist/metalsmith - something I fell into after leaving my job to stay home with the kids - so relatively new to the art world. Well let me tell you - It can be very intimidating looking at other artists work! I have to remind myself - they have a different look - it's not what I make (my style) or maybe it's something I could aspire to be with more experience. At one point I decided I shouldn't look at other jewelry because I was being too heavily influenced and almost a copy cat - or I would think I wasn't worthy and quit. Well, neither is right and looking at others work is extremely important for growth, education and ideas.
So my point is...fashion is art and dressing everyday is a creative process. It's always going to be finding that sweet spot of influence, ideas and you're own creativity. Hmmmmm....actually now that I'm thinking about it....fashion has some more challenges thrown in - like what looks good on you, your figure AND all the body image baggage. Geez - no wonder it's HARD!

Sarah - you make some very astute points. And I'm interested in your career as a metalsmith and jewellery maker. I'd love to see your pieces. Do you have a website? But you're right - outside influence and INFORMATION (as I like to think of it) is definitely important no matter where you are in terms of style. It's why I have read every fashion magazine I could get my hands on from about the age of 12 - and continue to do so today. Doesn't matter how much I already think I know, I want to SEE more, just to continue to stoke the fires.

What an interesting read for my after work wind-down.

I have observed that new members often are more susceptible to the influence of the YLF. Many go off in different directions and make forays into previously uncharted fashion territory. Experimentation is an interesting road that most often leads back to a better version of the original sense of style one had. Lisa, you seem to have made the journey in much less time than many of the members I have seen come, partake, and then find their balance.

I equate it to a buffet. There is such a temptation to try everything that we can be lured into over-indulgence. I see a lot of value in the process and you have demonstrated it in your realization that you already have your style defined. It may evolve slightly over the years but will likely not deviate too far.

I suspect it feels very good.

Love your journey journal!
I agree that there is a "sweet spot" and for me it's getting closer to honing specific silhouettes and then updating more within the silhouette. Otherwise my wardrobe becomes too complicated--"confusing" in your words.
I want interesting and modern enough but not complicated. That does not mean "simple" in the sense of very simple cuts or styles, but simple to put together.
Proportion issues create the most complications--for example, pants that are too slim and too tapered require much longer and looser tops on me that is my average style, and then tend to not fit well through the shoulders and chest , and also require special work with footwear, and then toppers don't work. While some versions can work out, overall this silhouette is less flattering and yet requires an entire wardrobe collection of its own.
Too much variety also creates confusion. But I still get drawn into more selections and colors and duplicates.
The best lesson I keep working from is to try on a new item with practically my whole wardrobe! Does it "fit in" or does it create confusion (not the same thing as excitement!).
That is what I will work on with the burgundy coat when I have time and it's cooler. I love the look of the coat and fabrication, and it seems like it ought to work--burgundy and black trim, a no-brainer, right?-- but it could be that it does not actually play well with enough things, for whatever reason.

I'm sorry Lisa, I'm not much of a theoretical thinker so my first thoughts were: It makes total sense to buy good quality tailored blazers, yes. Because the materials are nicer and the cut is just a little bit sharper, and I think the construction makes it hang better (fewer wrinkles) , and just straight up looks better in every way, plain and simple. And these are things I notice.

...

I still don't feel confident about buying an expensive blazer for myself, even though I want one. I think it's because I'm still not sure whether that level of structure is what I want. It would be better if I chose something less pricey to experiment with.

Is there a clothing item I feel comfortable blowing a wad on () because it's just so me? Not really. I think I can get an awesome pair of Frye boots for $250, excellent saint James wool sweaters for $300, and great jeans for under $120 .

Do I think I have a core style that I come back to? Yes. I was looking over some pics of myself from about five years ago, and thought, "hey that's a nice outfit!".

ETA: Just wanted to add that the most useful convo for me thus far on ylf has been around "splitting wears". I learned that if I buy two similar items, I'm really only going to wear the preferred one. So I've saved a bit of money by only buying one thing! As well, I've learned about my repeat tolerance. I feel bad when I don't wear a piece at least once every two weeks, and for an expensive item, once a week. That info has been helpful in wardrobe planning for fall and winter.

Yes! I just posted my attempt at layering totally inspired by Deborah, whose layering I love, and it wasn't much of a success.

I'm not sure if layering just doesn't suit me or if it was a mistake in the way I did it.

I'm usually pretty confident in my style, even though it's a mishmash most of the time...but at least I have a good feel for what suits me....the layering experiment has left me a little uneasy...lol

CocoC - I know exactly what you mean. And another forum member voiced my thoughts about it earlier in this post : it makes me feel " fat" - which is all relative I know. I remember this dictum of tailoring and fitting from years ago: a well- tailored jacket will take 10 lbs off of you. It's so true for me.

Fantastic thread Lisa. I love trying out new ideas just to challenge my default beliefs. Fashion is not the only way I do this, but it is very fun. Regardless of my willingness to try, and adopt, certain new ideas like culottes, there are plenty of things I reject as not me for whatever reason. Ripped jeans come to mind. Playing with clothes helps me keep my vision of myself sharp but not stagnant.

Lisa, I've been an artist in various forms of media for most of my life.
Creating / curating a personal style is very similar to creating a piece of art.

To me, one of the main principles of creating both art and personal style is this:

"What you choose to leave out is just as important as what you choose to include."

You have a very fine sense of that principle when it comes to your personal style.

Great discussion!

A few years back, someone on a YLF thread suggested the exercise of listing of What I Like , What I Don't Like, and What I Am Not Sure About. That was an eyeopener for me, especially the "unsure" category--which was huge. I figured that choosing a few items from the Not Sure About category once or twice a season would satisfy my need to experiment and keep my interest in fashion alive, while still keeping me from straying too far from what I liked to wear. I also learned my lists weren't static; items shifted as my eye changed or I saw how others incorporated new looks into their wardrobes.

Interesting discussion! I think experimentation is one of the key joys of fashion but I agree that it can have a lot of undesirable consequences: unnecessary spending on items that end up unworn or seldom worn; unwanted clutter in your closet; items that don't work together; stress from too much choice. When I first started looking at this forum, I was surprised at how many members were concerned with identifying their "style". I see now it is all about making good fashion choices going forward and developing a cohesive wardrobe. It is quite inspiring (and a little intimidating!)

Outfit, ensemble, and WIW posts are a mighty inspiration...but they don't automatically mean you need to shop! Even with a very small collection of clothes, I will try to 'shop my closet' to, create a look. Angie's posts, along with members WIW and outfit lab posts simply help me to visualize different ways of styling things I already have.

The ensemble post you referenced had me fishing out my 3'year old snow leopard skirt (bold print) and my already frequently worn bicycle T. Joy did an outfit lab around a black summer dress with fab results when paired with nude sandals, and the suggestion of a seashell necklace...and I was able to successfully replicate this look from items I already own. TransconaSharon and MsMary do the most amazing things with colour mixing that I have been shamelessly happy to copy cat.

And when I AM in the market for something, it is useful to have an idea of what is on trend, and invaluable to learn what has worked (and not) for forum members.

The next time you are inspired by a fashion forum post, why not challenge yourself to create a LisaP version from your own wardrobe?

Lisa these are fabulous reflections and insights. It takes us a while to circle around; sometimes we find an unexpected path and sometimes we end up back where we always knew we should be. But regardless that experimenting along the way can be very illuminating (although unfortunately can also be expensive). It sounds like you're at the point of really honing in on what your essential style elements are. Knowing those, and staying disciplined within those elements, can help when you DO want to experiment; it will help you to, possibly, wear something "new" in the context of your own style. You know, if you feel like it. But of course you don't have to.

(Incidentally, today I am wearing JCrew printed pants and heels )

That's it Lisa! Whenever I layer, the final top piece is usually something fitted that brings it in and makes me feel relatively slim.

Today I have my layers looser and it's messing with my head telling me that clothes should make me look slimmer not bigger. Ugh!!