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Style changes

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I just bought this moto-inspired crop top from Jockey. You can see the stitching that makes it like a jacket or boots on the front. The thing is, it doesn't match my normal style. My three words are:

Classic
Casual
Italian

And I would certainly not call this classic. Classic has been an emotional place for me--my mother dresses more classically, and her mother did. I like the orderliness of the style, and the predictability.

For a few months now I have been intuitively buying things that aren't naturally my style. Like I might get a stonewashed ruffled skirt from Poshmark. I didn't have words for this until someone recently posted about style transitions, and mentioned a post Angie has about it.

For now I am taking this as it comes. But I am interested if anyone knows any good quizzes, videos, books, etc. on finding your style. And has anyone else gone through a major style overhaul?

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16 replies

Latest reply was from Carol

SarahD8

Veteran

Do you feel that you are experiencing a style overhaul/transition (in the sense of no longer enjoying styles you once did)? Or more of a style addition (drawn to things that weren't previously in your wheelhouse without necessarily disliking previous styles)?

You might get some good food for thought from Blue Collar Red Lipstick and the blogger's concept of "style avatars." (Forgive me if you're already aware of this.) Might be a bit head-spinning for your minimalist tendencies but I think it's great fun to think about, and it can be comforting to think that we don't necessarily have to choose just one "look."

Her latest post is on the topic:
https://bluecollarredlipstick......ar-update/

And if you just punch "blue collar red lipstick style avatars" into your Google machine it will show you past posts so you can see how these ideas have evolved.

Carol

(website)

Veteran

SarahD8--thank you so much. I have seen maybe one post by that person in the past, so I will check it out. And I have not heard of the concept of style avatars--the idea of being more than one person is interesting.

I'm not really sure I am that style anymore. But I better think first before I retire it--it's such an iconic look.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

For a few months now I have been intuitively buying things that aren't naturally my style.
This is so interesting Carol - I think my style is exactly the collection of things I intuitively buy. Any descriptors are induced from the array rather than deduced from a preconceived style premise. (Sorry for being so philosophy nerdy about this.) Does that make any sense? A style evolution takes place naturally as I start to be drawn by different types of things. Then, as new patterns emerge, I can reconsider how I would describe my style.
Anyway, I second the recommendation above, and am drawing a blank on other recommendations but there are lots of quizzes out there!

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Jaime--when I read your comment, I immediately thought of the phrase "bad taste." As in, I maybe used to, or sometimes have bad taste. Of course, as a tween and teen I would be drawn intuitively to items, as you said, but some of it would prove poor taste when I moved to the big city. I once wore a green plastic spiral bracelet out, and a date said it looked like it was for a 14 year old girl. He was right! I've had to unlearn some of my bad patterns, like being drawn to stuff more appropriate for kids.

So of course I would have been drawn to what I admire, and what is more urban: Italian style, classic style. My heart is still really there, but maybe it feels confining.

So maybe what is happening now is I'm finding some harmony between "stylish" and "expressive."

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Here's a thought -- You can always style the new items with more classic pieces to make them feel more congruent with your typical style.

I like Sarah's suggestion of looking into style avatars. Some of us on the forum have developed what we've called "monikers" -- a similar idea -- names for our style personae. (I'm "laid-back luminous garçonne").

I definitely went through some kind of overhaul when I joined the site, though in some ways I also came full circle, since I would happily wear some of the same items now that I wore back in the 1980s.

You might go down the Kibbe rabbit hole. (It can be fun...if crazy-making). But following your intuitions and seeing where they take you sounds like fun. If you do it mostly with second hand items there it little cost to you or to the environment so why not experiment?

Bijou

Veteran

Carol I have gone through a recent style change in response to a significant change in the way I work - having moved from a formal office to working from home. That required a change in what I wear, I needed to find more casual clothes that I enjoyed wearing.

Below are two dresses in my wardrobe - the tweed dress is from my BEFORE wardrobe - it is lovely, but no longer practical to my everyday needs. I keep it because it is a great dress and I do have the occasional business meeting where I still need to dress professionally. The denim dress is my AFTER - this is what I can wear every day.

I found Kibbe very useful in helping me determine the sorts of clothes that I can wear well.

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Olive Green

Veteran

I love Jaime’s comment on looking at what draws you to figure out your style. I did something similar with Pinterest. Moniker is Nomadic Utilitarian Minimalist. Probably makes sense only to me, but works for one aspect of my style. The other, work related, was far more classic and strict. At 5 feet tall, I needed the authority and clean shapes. Both styles use a lot of colour, no patterns. Not much texture. So some transfer.
Perhaps your style is migrating to a little harder edge? Agree that a few thrifted items will make this clearer at little cost.
And the concept of a shadow style was interesting, as discussed on this forum. I have been known to break out in red and ruffles. Apparently, my shadow is a flamenco dancer.
Anyway, it’s interesting to see where you want to change things up, looking forward to more from you, on this.

Anonymous

I think of it as testing out different identities- like being an actor! Sometimes they integrate with the whole, but sometimes they're just temporary. Ok- tried that. Felt authentic/ didn't feel authentic. Now I know

Dee

Veteran

I agree with Suntiger's comment, its fun to experiment and see what truly feels like you. Just beware though, that you could end up with a hodgepodge wardrobe that might make getting dressed more difficult if you don’t hone in on an eventual style.

Star

Veteran

Check out April of Stunning Style Blog. She has very basic quiz to do but what I particularly like for me is that she hones in on classic with a twist of 'something'. In my case it is 'edge' and a little preppy and maybe lately sporty - that one is a new development for me for sure. Her blog has evolved into more of a business in recent times but I still think offers helpful free information.

Sisi

Veteran

I think you could have a main style plus some sub-styles. This is at least what happenes to me. For what concerns quizzies and such - I ignore them. Every time I took a test I came out more confused! I prefer to follow my instinct. This is just me, of course.

cat2

Veteran

For me the process was reading up on what flatters my body type, sorting out my best colors, doing some style quizzes to figure out how to describe what I am going for, and then starting to shop more carefully. Pinterest, this blog and The Concept Wardrobe were helpful. In the distant past when I first started out I just bought whatever caught my eye, and that was a recipe for having things in my closet but not having anything to wear. So given my history I would be cautious about a magpie approach.

rachylou

Veteran

I sorta have, done a style change or two… one thing, I really like classic pieces, but I don’t think I look that great ‘looking classic.’ And it somewhat works in reverse, you can be classic using some not-classic items. So I mean to say, you don’t have to leave classic behind…

Sal

Veteran

It will be interesting to see how your style develops. Whilst I admire people with a very consistent style - I think mixing it up is equally valid.

Sometimes the best outfits come from a combo - a more edgy top with classic trousers, or a simple tee with a romantic skirt etc.

For me- I use Grown Up Charlie’s Angel as a fun way to think about my aspirational style. Relaxed hair, working style , a bit of glamour, but always ready to chase down a baddie!! And then on a more realistic level I use bold breezy elegant as three adjectives to keep me on track. The breezy part is easiest for me, the bold and elegant can be a bit harder. But I feel best when an outfit captures these moods.

For you it might be that a bit of edginess helps your classic looks feel just right.

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Suz--I guess you're right--why not experiment? I do love Poshmark a lot. And I have a golf-shirt crop top coming, and a ruffle skirt--very different from a serious, classic style.

I have heard of Kibbe, but I'll probably only try it for 5 minutes for fear I'll get overwhelmed.

Bijou--great examples of before and after. I, too, have changed locales and lifestyles. From an urban teacher to a Southwest retail worker. Perhaps this is allowing me to explore more.

Olive Green--love the idea of Nomadic Utilitarian Minimalist. I picture the lead singer of The Talking Heads striding across Mongolia. Perhaps I am migrating to a harder edge, or perhaps more youthful--this town seems to be generous in allowing women to age differently. I did buy two crop tops, but I think I need to work on my abs!

suntiger--great point about things "feeling" authentic. Like I would love to wear stilletos everyday, but not sure that's me. (Not sure that's a LOT of women.)

Dee--yes, looking out for a hodgepodge. What's good is that I have a pretty solid foundation of basics to fall back on.

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Star--I went to her blog and took the quiz, and the first category that came up was "classic sporty," the second "classic playful." I see she has some videos on this and I do want to watch, but they are an hour! I will watch eventually. No wonder I'm drawn to serious athletic shoes, like orange Nike Air Force One.

Sisi--I can see where I would get confused with the quizzes, too. However, I'm afraid by following my instinct I won't have the inner wisdom to develop something cohesive.

cat2--I like the idea of starting with the body you're working with. I saw a similar video that recommended taking a good hard look at your lifestyle to determine if you really need...dress trousers if you work in nature, etc. Thanks for the resources.

rachylou--interesting about looking or not looking classic. I never thought of that, but I guess it could be true. I saw a video a girl did on "classic body type," which basically meant having everything in proportion. I'm not sure I have that.

Sal--always chasing down a baddie! I like that. I also like that adjective, "breezy." You know one of my words is Italian, but I don't work too hard on embodying it. "Italian" itself embodies breeziness, femininity, quality, and luxury.