But...do you *have* to have a style? - YouLookFab Forum

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But...do you have to have a style?

Beth

Veteran

*warning: rambling thoughts ahead*

Thinking about all the conversations recently about defining our styles, I can't help but wonder if I'm just feeling ornery or if I'm having a mid-life crisis.:O

It goes like this: I'm a classic dresser and have been most of my life. Why? It's less expensive for me in the long run, I like clean lines and it's the easiest style for me to put together. Classic style is probably in my genes somewhere because it feels so natural.

But there are so many things I love that don't fall in that mold. For years I've admired different pieces but walked away, using excuses like "its lovely, but on someone else" or "where would I wear that?"

Since YLF, I'm starting to buy whatever I like. If it calls to me then I'm just going to figure out a way to work it in my existing closet! I hope it doesn't look like the fashion version of Multiple Personality Disorder, but oooh I'm having fun. It's a big step for a Type A personality.

So, how undefined can your style be without looking like a different person each day?

General

16 replies

Latest reply was from Tanya

Queen Mum

Veteran

I think for me what helps in "knowing my style" is that it makes it easier to realize what I am doing wrong when I'm trying to make an outfit work and it is just not working for me. in other words.. it saves me time and gives me guidance. Not that I can't feel fab in a pair of boho shoes, but I know not to try to deck myself out head to toe in boho and then wonder why I just don't feel right.
Does that make sense?

Lisa

Veteran

I think it's ok to have pieces in your closet that doesn't fit "your style" as you try to revamp or refresh your current look. Only through experimentation will you see what you like.

Anonymous

Beth - I don't think I've ever had as a goal to stick to one particular style. I like the variation of going from "classic zap" to "rocker chick" zap to "girly zap" etc... I find the quest to stick to one particular style too limiting.

LeahJanes

I believe that "having fun" is a more important rule that "define your style". If you're having fun with your clothing then that's what matters

Having a style helps you narrow down the myriad choices available to us, but it's not a hard and fast thing - it's a tool. If you have one, it will evolve naturally out of the clothing you like. Or it won't and your style will end up as "chameleon" which is also really cool.

ticksgirl

Beth, I'm so glad you asked this because I have wondered the same thing, and feel exactly as you do, right down to the potential midlife crisis. I have a mostly classic style for the same reasons you gave, but with a strong bohemian bent and some urban thrown in as well. I think what bothers me is that in other areas of my life I am very much my own person with strong opinions on just about everything, so in a way I feel almost like a waffler if I don't stick with one particular style. But I really don't want to limit myself either because that would just be too stifling. At this stage of my life, what I'd really like is to choose the right kind of basics that will allow me the versatility to play around with the other styles I like. I hope this is possible, but we'll see. I'll be interested to read what others have to say on this subject.

Maya

Veteran

I don't see too many items that are ultra specific to one style. Most can be adapted without too much trouble.

Having your own style means taking something and making it work within the framework of your existing style...not allowing the specific item to dictate what your style is. I have a classic white buttondown, but it's not as though I feel like I need to wear it in a modern classic way. I wear it in my own way. Plenty of modern classics here have zippered leggings, but the way they look in theirs is completely different from how I look in mine.

tarzy

Veteran

Great question! I think that liking many different styles IS having a style, or as Maya says, it's simple having "style," (as opposed to not thinking/caring about what you wear.)

And - I sort of don't think that someone who basically dresses modern classic is going to suddenly be a completely different person if one day they dress a little more rocker. It's still going to be a sort of classic rocker, I think. I mean, they might throw on all black, some biker boots and a ton of necklaces, but I don't see them suddenly becoming a completely different person. I think we all interpret different styles through the lens of our primary style.

Personally, at this age I'm wanting to experiment less and less. It doesn't mean I don't enjoy fashion or am not having fun. I have the most fun when I feel confident and fab, and I just want to find a set of clothes that do that for me. Still searching!

Steph

Veteran

I think that your style is your style, period. Sometimes a person's style is easy to define and fits into a simple label, but other times it isn't as simple. If you pick up stuff that you like, what you like is your style. It may be that as time goes on and you amass a larger wardrobe of things you love, you'll notice that they do fall into some pre-defined style, or that a few simple adjectives describe them easily. But it might be that isn't the case, and that's fine.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I think everyone should have "style", but I don't think everyone needs to have *labels* for that style. That's where we get tripped up, imo.

This need to have a definite label reminds me of the way we are often so determined to find the right label for our body shape. I never knew I was a pear until YLF, but I always knew I had a nice waist, a not-so-great dupa, and great legs, and I dressed for those. I didn't have to know the name of my body shape in order to recognize it and to find clothes that flattered it.

That said, knowing my body type label allowed me to learn of more tips about dressing for it, so I was able to fine-tune outfits that weren't working for reasons I couldn't define. So it was good to learn it, but I was okay without that knowledge too.

So instead of searching for a pre-assigned label that you fit into, I would recommend thinking about the things you like to wear, and seeing if there are any patterns/similarities among. Use descriptive adjectives, and see if that helps you determine what your "style" is.

For example, I like:
-bright, bold colors, and/or unexpected/striking colors paired together
-patterns and prints mixed into the outfit
-figure-flattering silhouettes (for me that means legs, legs, gotta show off my legs)
-minimal amounts of hardware and adornment. If it's a print, I want the whole item to be a print, not just the hem embroidered with something. I don't like clutter in my home decorating or in my wardrobe.
-layered looks with 1-3 key accessories pulling it together
-comfortable, fun shoes

Or I could say I like "modern classic with a twist", but that doesn't tell me nearly as much about what I should look for when I am shopping as the list above. Does that make sense?

Tanya

Veteran

What a great question Beth ! I have been following closely all the style discussion here recently but haven't had time yet to voice my opinion.

I think Kristen hit the nail on the head when she said that actual labeling is more difficult but not really necessary. For example, I also don't know what the label for my style will be. From Angie's classification, I could me modern classic, or trendy or urban, but definitely not boho or casual. Fro Lucky's classifications, I do fall into plenty of categories: Euro, bombshell, rock, but not some other ( e.g. California casual). All of these styles are me, just come out on different occasions and it different settings. Yet I definitely can not come up with a single label for it.

Isabel

Veteran

I once read that there needs to be something tying it together so that you don't look like a different "character" every day. I like that thought. There are many people on this site that are incorporate trends yet do it so seamlessly that it looks cohesive from outfit to outfit.

taylor

Veteran

Great replies here!!
Why not add different elements of fun to your classic style??? It doesn't change your style is just makes it more dun and interesting:)

tarzy

Veteran

While I agree that labels can feel oppressive at times, they absolutely do help me.

I don't have a good enough eye when it comes to these things, so I'll often put an outfit together and it's just off - but I don't know why. It helps me to be able to look at shoes, jewelry, scarves, etc and say to myself, "Okay, that's going to give a Boho vibe," or "That will give a classic vibe." I know it sounds silly, but I need this. Books like "Mastering any Style" help me because they educate me about the details that add up to a certain look. When I get better at recognizing these things I'll be able to improvise on my own, but I need learning aids!

Anonymous

Personally, I like having labels since it helps to keep me on track and to know where to go when I am shopping. And helps me to put together outfits so I don't look like a fashion victim wearing all trends in one outfit. I like reading fashion books and blogs to gather information about the labels and categories and see what I can apply to myself...however, I take it all with a grain of salt since sticking too closely to one catagory or label could steer you right into costume territory.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Some people like labels while others don't - it completely depends on how the label is interpreted by both you and others.

Personally, I like the simplicity of a label because it helps me create a bit of order in my fashion and style writing. But you are also NEVER held to a label, or are just one label. And my "labelling" is always very loose. Whichever floats your boat. They are just words - style actions speak much louder than words

Tanya

Veteran

Angie, yet again you have hit the nail just right on the head! Yes, I also think that having a label helps, just it is very difficult to figure out what that label exactly is. I think I am of to start a new thread to figure out mine.