Do you have a signature style or silhouette? - YouLookFab Forum

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Do you have a signature style or silhouette?

N

So today I started researching style essences, i'm not that sure what my essence is actually but came across another video explaining how to put together your personal signature style incorporating your own tastes and preferences. So I came up with two different silhouettes and although I prefer the first one in my picture, i'm wondering if either would actually suit me. I still have to experiment a lot more. It would help if I could try stuff on without buying it first. My artistic skills are none existent so please don't mind my lack of talent

Within the silhouette, I could use both casual fabrics and textures and then more polished ones depending on the situation and if I keep with the same silhouette and colour choices could come up with my signature style.
Before sketching I could only pinpoint that I liked French chic but I think that doesn't necessarily have a silhouette but a focus on wardrobe essentials, good quality and clothes that fit well and look good on your shape. Plus minimal accessories and no flashy logos etc. The French beauty (make up and skincare) i'm all in favour of.

Please share your own silhouette and signature style with finds if you'd like. I'd be interested to see!

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34 replies

Latest reply was from Jenn

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I have a signature style—rough and tumble maximal and elegant, no extra ruffles or frills, often wear fitted + flowing together. Lots of berry colors and blues, and patterns.

I do not have a signature silhouette, would get incredibly bored with that.

Star

Veteran

My favorite silhouette is narrow (not bodycon). So tube or pencil skirts as opposed to fuller or circular skirts. Sleeves that are tapered, not bell or wide. Same for trousers. It is not on purpose though. When I wear any pieces outside of this preference I don't feel like me. My style has always been more edgy, no frills, etc. As time has progressed I am more classic but still with a bit of edge, particularly in the accessories. I like to mix in a little boho-lite occasionally with the edge, so prefer dark, moody florals to regular florals, but only sometimes. Want to add some preppy-lite for sometimes too. I love stripes and dots and geometric bold patterns, so nautical is a favorite too. I am not too rigid though and experiment alot.

Staysfit

Veteran

N, I have been reading your thoughtful posts over the past few weeks and have not had much time to comment, so some of what I say may pertain to some of your earlier posts.

Favored silhouettes are highly personal. They are determined by body shape, personality, climate and location, function, and aesthetic preferences among other things. My favored silhouettes are those that have long vertical lines without horizontal emphasis for distraction. I also prefer looks that are sleek, have sharp tailoring, and do not like anything oversized or body con (body con emphasizes horizontal lines). I can create an outfit like this in many ways, using almost any wardrobe item. For example, A line skirts would not be a typical item for my style, but they work if the skirt is well fitted about my hips, and the flare occurs near the bottom of a fairly straight or narrow A line shape.

My all time favorite winter looks:
1. MIDI length wrap dress over skinny jeans and duster cardigan.
2. Longer length turtleneck sweater with fitted shoulders and arms, and slim straight legs jeans.
3. Long blazer, camisole, whatever trouser, jean or skirt works

In the summer I usually wear dresses, sheaths, and straight line maxi and midi dresses.

Bijou

Veteran

N I dress to suit my figure, lifestyle and climate. It has taken me a while to dress for the life I live, rather than the one I wish I had. Where I live has a Mediterranean climate, which means hot dry summers and cool wet winters, no snow or ice - ever. I live in a city and enjoy an urban lifestyle which informs my fashion choices. I work professionally (hence my suits) and prefer a dressy style even when working from home and on the weekend. I exercise daily but keep my gear very much apart from my regular clothing. I have an hourglass / pear figure and like to highlight my waist. Some of my favourite clothing is in Finds and gives you an indication of how I dress.

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Minaminu

Veteran

Ditto Staysfit and Bijou! I try to dress to fit the weather, lifestyle, personality and body shape. I live in the UK, the weather is very seasonal with wet winters, mild summers with few days of heatwaves. I am a pear shape and tend to look for shapes that help me balance my proportions. As a classic romantic, I often battle between simple classic and romantic pieces, often trying to find a compromise!

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Anonymous

My silouette varies but I'm consistent about some things. Like Staysfit I try to avoid horizontal emphasis and keep long, unbroken lines. I don't like any clutter (obvious pockets, buttons, ruffles) on my torso or hips. I much prefer dressing with no layers- a simple sheath or wrap dress or sleeveless blouse and skirt + sandals are ideal. Lately I've been enjoying column of color outfits. I keep to my dark autumn color scheme, and avoid high value contrast. Basically I want my clothes to be an extension of me. Wardrobe is all in my Finds, but here's a few favorites.

Sheridan Mia Tamara Slide Sandal

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Banana Republic

Metallic Sweater Tank

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INC International Concepts INC Solid Scuba Pencil Skirt, Created for Macy's

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Lauren Ralph Lauren 3/4-Sleeve Ruched Jersey Dress

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Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I usually go for EITHER 1) a fitted top & high waisted bottoms OR 2) long over lean (still with waist definition) - these 'uniform' silhouettes take the following things into consideration:

- BODY: petite hourglass/ pear - I find it easier to just tuck a fitted top into ankle length 'maxi' skirts or stretchy trousers than to fiddle with finding the right length of 'flatteringly' cropped for me.

- LIFESTYLE: I teach at a local university so I don't have a strict dress code but prefer to be practical about things like too low necklines (see aforementioned 'bending over') or sleeves that drag (either neatly cuffed or 3/4 length for me, please!) I commute everywhere in HK so comfy shoes are also a must.

- CLIMATE: The UK is home but I'm currently stuck in HK - subtropical humidity year round, summer A/C & typhoons in May to October, & mild rainy winters but with no central heating. So I prefer to wear natural, breathable fabrics. I like to hike outdoors, but am otherwise usually indoors (gym & yoga) so I dress in long & lean layers for those due to A/C.

- PREFERENCES: My YLF 'style moniker' is the 4 C's; Colourful, Comfy, Covered, Chic. This means staying covered up even in summer. I believe my Kibbe type is either 'Soft Classic' or 'Romantic' so I compromise by wearing ballet/ boatnecks rather than deep scoops. I'm also supposedly a Deep Autumn but like bright colours, so I try to compromise there too with more 'sunset brights'.

Sorry for the length of this lol - I hope reading about other people's thought processes helps your own wardrobe building, though. I believe Angie also has an article on something you mentioned above, about how to add visual interest to outfits. If you decide to keep a more uniform silhouette, then this may be useful:
https://youlookfab.com/2017/12.....and-shine/

N

Thank you all! I love reading about your wardrobes and how you decided on what to have in them.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about mine over the last few days, especially the lifestyle part. I don't want to just dress functional (otherwise it would be a tunic and leggings which are deemed sloppy here, well in fact leggings are usually strictly seen as underwear so yeah I probably shouldn't keep going with that for very long...). I think you can't really be over dressed here in Japan. The mothers pick up their kids from school in their best clothes dressed to the nines especially in Tokyo. Further up north it is more relaxed but yeah i've seen mums tottering around in like 10 inch heels and designer bag in arms whilst pushing a pram. Not sure how they do it as i'm always a hot mess with the kids. So i'd probably aim for somewhere in between. Put together but at least comfortable. I have been the scruffy one for a long time so dressing up a bit more will never hurt. Now that said, I still want to be comfortable and conservative so nothing too short or revealing.
I'm pretty set on having boat, batau and slash necks. I do wear scoops at the moment but I think the others look far nicer on me and much more elegant too. I'm open to having a scoop or deep V back but if they are too deep I suppose i'd need to cover it with something anyway.

I think for the bottom half a slight flare will be okay to balance my shoulders. I'm tall and long enough hopefully for it not to shorten me too much and want to avoid a funnel look by having my trousers tapered at the bottom.

I previously never had a summer wardrobe, mine was an all season one which I think probably doesn't work but I've always liked covering up mostly anyway. This year I'd like to find some shorts that aren't too short and skirts that are a-line but hit me a little bit above the knee (which would be midi length for most). I've always worn opaque tights even in summer and yeah that wasn't so comfortable so i'd like to feel like I can go out with bare legs. That said in some ways its better just to cover them because of being burned. I don't really like to sit out in the sun much anyway and avoid as much as possible and stay in Aircon.

I think finding clothing that actually comes in the cut I'd like, with my size in mind, suiting my preferred colour palate and also vegan, ethical and sustainable is going to be a tough job! Its probably going to be slow progress for a while! In the meantime I can gather accessories (which I also don't have) and make sure my wardrobe basics such as bras, underpants and camisoles and socks, hoisery are all in order (I def need new bras and camisoles).

Janet

(website)

Veteran

It looks like you are doing some productive thinking and analysis, but I also think it’s good to just try things on together and play in your closet a bit. You seem to have a body type that can wear many silhouettes well, so it’s really a matter of what you feel best in.

Like Staysfit, I don’t necessarily strictly limit my silhouettes but I do prefer ones for myself that have some long, lean integrity, and I may wear a less conventionally-flattering silhouette if I massage it with details that make it more flattering (low contrast between top and bottom, asymmetric hemlines, adding vertical lines like pendants and open jackets, etc) . I have a very hourglassy verging on pear shape and don’t usually dress to emphasize it — in fact, I generally prefer to at least attempt to minimize my hips and sometimes even my bust, especially at my current weight/size (when I was a size or two smaller, I sometimes enjoyed a bit more bodycon). Flattery drives my silhouette choices.

My signature style is maybe best defined as refined rock’n’roll. I like denim, boots and other substantial footwear, leather jackets, graphic tees, etc. I like some masculine edge to toughen up my natural abundance of yin in my appearance , because I am not a ruffle and flounce kind of person. But I also like certain prints and patterns like moody florals, details like scarves and jewelry. It’s all about balance for me.

cat2

Veteran

Hmm, I have separates expressly so I can vary my silhouette. So I am not a good person to answer this question.

N

Janet I totally would try stuff on if I could! My current wardrobe has about 7 tops/tees. (I have two pairs of tops that are the same in two different colours and all of them are very plain essentials). I also have 2 one size tunics which dont flatter me at all, its pretty much just like wearing a potato sack (except I dont look like Marilyn did when she wore one) and I have a single dress, one v neck cotton knit, one long cardigan and that sheer knit I posted yesterday. For bottoms I have 1 skirt in the picture and two trousers (one culottes and one very slim tapered woollen trousers). I have one functional winter coat (like a puffy snow jacket) and an organic cotton sort of spring/autumn long open jacket. Oh and one fancier sparkly top.

Thats everything I own for all seasons, everything. Almost everything is unflattering. I think after I gave birth I just didn't even have time to think of anything to do with clothes and wasn't that fussed about them either. I've only just really started to feel like I want to look better again. I'm basically starting from scratch.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

So you are truly starting from square one! I’m sure that makes it much more challenging, especially at a time when in-person shopping is more difficult than it used to be. How are the shops in your area? Are things open, and are you able to at least go try some things on?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

What’s going on with shopping centers where you are? When I first started at YLF, I made a trip to the mall with the intention of not buying a thing and posted about it. I always thought that when sales associates figured out they weren’t going to make a sale, they lost interest entirely, but in fact the opposite happened. I happily and straightforwardly told them when I walked in that I was checking out new styles and how they fit my body, as it had recently changed. No one turned their back. If anything, they seemed to enjoy the chance to just play with whether piece a and piece x worked together, or how on earth this one weird piece was even supposed to go. It was fun. Maybe that’s the kind of “shopper” some of them were looking for when they took that job. If stores are open there, I’d encourage you to take a similar outing. It was surprisingly freeing not to even think about whether I was going to buy the thing I was trying on or not. You might enjoy it.

Helena

Veteran

N, if you did around in the blog section, you'll find some great posts from Angie about style monikers, defining your style, etc. that you might find fun!

As to signature style, my moniker is classic, polished, and casual, and though I sometimes play around with additional variables, that's been my 'base' since I left the corporate world 15 years ago.

As to silhouette, I am more or less tailored - not very exciting!

I also saw your comment in another thread of mine about style essences but haven't had a chance to respond. I did do a style analysis for fun a while ago with a woman who does something-similar-to-be-not-really-Kibbe, and she pegged me as roughly evenly split between Classic, Gamine, and Ingenue, which seems legit. Interestingly, her philosophy is to determine style type almost exclusively by how things look with your face, and she more or less ignores body type. I tend to feel happiest in classic looks that have some contrast (the Gamine bit) and I can also do some softness (Ingenue). But if I take any of these too far, I feel either boring or off. However, I hold this pretty lightly since I could drive myself insane trying to get it just right - it's very useful as a diagnostic tool though when things feel off.

N

Yes I can go in store and try things on in Japan (I think we can try on but not 100% sure) but the problem being that i'm too big for any of the clothes here absolutely nothing will fit me. Sleeve lengths, inseam and even i'm probably the very widest size wise they cater for here too. My butt just about fits into Japanese L size underpants (though most places only go up to L). I think i'm a UK size 10-12 (probably more towards the 12 now) and was always S/M-M but to be too big for most things here was always disheartening... Probably why I gave up trying for ages. I'll have to buy from abroad for most things, and then have to hope I picked the right size or have to pay for shipping back. Would have been better if I could have a trip back home to the UK and tried stuff on whilst there but of course Corona happened

Oh I tell a lie, I can fit bras here. Since I'm so small chested that's the only thing, but I really hate that most of them are push up style with soooo much padding.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Is it bad that I laughed? It was a rueful laugh of familiarity. We live in Berlin, had just found out in February that we could travel, wanted to visit family in the US who we hadn’t seen in ages, and then boom! Covid shutdown. Here is how tall my son is next to me now, and the day before we left the US. So I definitely hear you on not traveling. But I’m not as small as he makes me look—I’m average size for a German women, so could shop here (stores are just now opening by appointment only).

Is it any less expensive for you to order from Australia/New Zealand? There are quite a few forum members there—maybe some of them could guide you to shops.

Also, the fact that you couldn’t be bothered with this for a while says things about your style—good things, imo. A couple weeks ago, Angie posted on her beliefs, values, and personality (or something very similar) and her style. If you read that post and scroll to the bottom, you’ll see links to lots of posts where people here tried to suss out our own version, and how it links to our personal style. You might want to look at a few to get the idea, then think through your own that way.

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N

Thank you Helena, I will have a look on the blog for Angie's posts on finding your own style. That said I think I do have quite a clear picture of what i'd like now (the silhouette on the top line of my drawing). The video I watched said to think of all the styles you like like even completely contrasting ones and write down their features then think of something that could run through all and tie them together. She chose silhouette or rather shape I think in her examples. I think she put together cute/pink, Goth, minimalism and tied them altogether with a geometric shape.

I had a think and realised I like 60s shapes, minimalism (in colour and accessories and will happily have the same style of clothes in like all 5-6 of my colours, of which 4 are neutrals), elegance/chic, French hair/beauty styles and their effortless style with essentials.

Put that all together and thought about my body shape and how I could either probably try to conceal my wide shoulders and my hips (somewhat) by playing up the vertical rectangle lines but I thought it might be better to balance by having flared trousers, shorts and skirts on bottom and a high neckline on top. I also prefer fitted tops rather than baggy I think.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Oops—ignore my last paragraph. You’re further with this than I thought

N

Thank you FashIntern i'll look for those posts too! Not at all bad that you laughed. I was laughing too! It seems my emojis don't show up, but yes I was laughing. I'm from the north of England and its very common to laugh at yourself. Your son is getting tall! My Eldest is 5 and so tall already, like hes needed new clothes constantly (every single season for the last 5 years he goes up a size!) and I'm going to have to get him more soon too (hes grown out of size 7-8y)

Minaminu

Veteran

Being half French, it always make me smile when I read about trying to get the French look. Most parts, French people just try to feel at ease with what they have and try to be as natural as possible.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Since we can both laugh at ourselves/our situations, we’ll get along well And no, most emojis don’t work on this site. <3 used to. I think does but not

Eta well, lookie there!

nuancedream

Veteran

N, my favored silhouettes/signature style/style persona are actually kind of hard to define, but I guess I do strive for an element of uniqueness in what I wear, usually with accessories like statement earrings. I do have a preference for more causally sophisticated looks with lots of color and pattern. Mind you, I also love soft neutrals High waist flared pants/jeans, midi skirts with lug soled shoes, fashion sneakers, booties, and metallic footwear are now favorite items. Over the past 7 or 8 years, I have moved away from a more corporate/business bombshell look to a more relaxed and carefree chic look. I love fashion influences from the 1960s, and 70s and will seek out vintage pieces out from thrift and consignment shops and pair them with what's already in my wardrobe. Creating one's signature style is a process that requires considerable thought and experimentation, but it's worth the effort. Have fun with your style!!

slim cat

Veteran

I'm Gamine type and currently trying to work "broken vertical lines" idea for my home casual and dressy-restricted work wardrobe.
I like the rock-n-roll as a signature style with moto jacket and fun graphic tees.
When deciding on your style try to have a bit of fun - you probably look quite different from typical japanese ladies and it'll stay that way no matter what style you adopt.
You may decide to emphasize things that you think you need "to conceal" now - like your shoulders that could carry a lot of interesting pieces ( like artistic unusual jackets with architectural elements - would work great with more classic pieces from "french" wardrobe ).

rachylou

Veteran

My moniker is Quirky Waif. I’m a baker and technical writer. Most days I’m in my bakery wear - pattern mixed leggings and top, combat boots, and all topped with an orange mini skirt worn as an apron. I favour skinny bottoms generally. Office days, tho, are a free for all. I also have a penchant for interesting sleeves, puff sleeves, and gingham. Cotton sundresses, often full skirted, in summer. I also like an A-line skirt and fitted tee, t-strap shoes, and block heels. Probably my signature item is a long coat... the Famous Puffy... but I have a light weight olive thing with ruffles for the summer, kinda country punk... I’m a nut really, yet formulaic

N

Minaminu, thats why I love the "French Style" because it is so natural. I'm not one for make up or fussy things so to achieve a chic look without doing too much is a worthy goal. For example, I never blow dry my hair, just let it air dry mostly because it is too hot in summer for it and it is healthier for the hair. I need glasses and I used to wear contacts but I have an eye condition that seems to get worse when I wear contacts so wear the glasses fulltime now. I want a style that works well with those, even for an evening look. I want to work with what I have. I kind of chose the "French look" because it suits what I already do, just way more defined in a way. Anyway I so much admire that French people seem to know about style from a young age and can dress so intuitively. I believe they know a lot about their body shape and what works for them, perhaps without even consciously realising unlike us Brits who generally know nothing.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Interesting thread N! I do relate to the feeling of waking up after intense years of baby care and realizing you don't know what to wear. That is how I first found this site many years ago. Anyway, to answer your question, I don't have a signature silhouette that I am aware of, but I do have some signature defaults, like long shorts in the summer and vintage coats and jackets in the winter. Given your shopping situation and inability to travel, I think you are smart to focus on a small French capsule to get started. And own your height and your strong shoulder line - they are gorgeous parts of you.

Jonesy

Veteran

N, have you looked at Ines de la Fressange's line carried at Uniqlo? She has a new collection every season (spring/summer is now in stock on their website, and presumably in person somewhere near where you live, since Uniqlo is a Japanese company?) and many of the pieces might offer you that French style you are seeking. And the line is not expensive, so you could experiment a little bit. One wonderful thing about the Uniqlo website is that they list the precise measurements of each garment, so you can accurately assess which size you need. Removes a lot of the guesswork!

N

Thank you! I'll go check out uniqlo store (I think we can try on still but not certain. The store is certainly still open). I actually really love uniqlo, such amazing quality but hate their ethics. I stopped shopping there based on that but you can't beat the quality. Even theory seems to wear out quicker than uniqlo. I'll just go and try on the stuff when I can but won't buy.

N

Shevia, yes my youngest is now 3 and starts preschool in April so this was the year I planned to start to feel myself a bit more again. Of course I didn't expect the corona but that can't be helped.

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