Eclectic Matriarch calls for help - YouLookFab Forum

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Eclectic Matriarch calls for help

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi everyone, calling for help on this style moniker thing. I decided in 2017 on Eclectic Matriarch because
1. I like all sorts of stuff and 2. I feel like a matriarch. Not just because I'm older now, but because my Mum died almost 20 years ago when I was 38, which made me the oldest female in my direct line with at the time a 33 year old sister, 8 and 5 year old daughters, and a 2 year old son. I felt...responsible for all of them. And I have mentored younger colleagues since 2004 and I seek to look after people.
But really, it doesn't help me choose clothes. Some kind Fabbers had ideas on the blog post... nomadicliz, Suz, and Angie. Pixie and elfin and theatrical have been mentioned. I used to look more elfin and pixieish when younger... but not to put too fine a point on it, I've never seen a grey haired pixie or elf with a fat tummy? Maybe in a childhood illustration of The Elves and the Shoemaker? They still didn't have grey hair.
I thought I might like Playful in there? My shoes especially feel a bit playful and so do my earrings. I also like small quirks, but am not really quirky. That's Rachy!
I did consider Playful Practitioner which gives a nod to my life's work as well as to the idea of practising or playing with ideas. I don't want to be only defined by my work though. I love Gryffin's idea of "Would a P-POD wear this?" but saying "Would a Playful Practitioner wear this?" doesn't have the same focus.
Here are some pics of my fave Playful ( red) lipstick and some other happy things. Help?!

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54 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Well, there is a right jolly old elf who is defined by his white hair, little round belly (that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly), and is covered in fur from his head to his foot, besides wearing a lot of red, but I hardly think that's the image you want to conjure up--your clothes are not tarnished in ashes & soot! (I hope you get the Clement Moore reference!)

"Eclectic" does seem to be a strong part of your style, as I've seen you refer to it on here numerous times. But "matriarch" and "practitioner" both refer to your roles in life, which could be carried out in various styles.

I actually think there is a bit of elfin playfulness to your style, but I've probably ruined any appeal that descriptor had with my opening line.

I just looked up synonyms for "playful":
frisky, jolly, fun-loving, lively, full of fun, high-spirited, spirited, in high spirits, exuberant, perky, skittish, coltish, kittenish;

mischievous, impish, devilish, puckish, roguish, rascally, tricksy, prankish;

informal full of beans, frolicky;

dated gay;

archaic frolicsome, gamesome, sportive;

rare ludic

"she was in a playful mood"

light-hearted, in fun, in jest, joking, jokey, teasing, humorous, jocular, jesting, good-natured, tongue-in-cheek, facetious, frivolous, flippant, arch, waggish, flirtatious, whimsical;

rare jocose

Do any of those grab you? I think light-hearted, jocular, good-natured, whimsical, lively, and spirited sound like you, but maybe you feel drawn to another. You could just use "playful" and skip the synonyms.

You mention shoes and earrings. "Grounded" would refer to the footwear, and I think it reflects your personality too, as the responsible matriarch and practitioner. I wanted to look up ways to say "at both ends", tried "bookended"; that was frustrating. Most resources automatically changed it to the noun "bookend". Urban Dictionary gave a definition for the verb that really isn't your style, and there's a Psychology Today article about bookending & ADHD--also not helpful. My wifi really isn't cooperating enough for me to do more. But your shoes really are a big part of it for you, so maybe work them in.

rachylou

Veteran

Your choices make me think Arty and Fun. Not playful. You have a serious streak too. You’re a grounded person. I thought what you said about your ZA persona interesting, very grounded yes.

It occurs to me to ask if you have any particular style aspirations, because it’s nice for a moniker to reflect those too.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

RL, playful can be serious too--it's a great parenting technique! But I'll agree that it's somehow not the best choice here.

rachylou

Veteran

Hmm. I was posting at the same time as FashIntern... and I also see she talks about you being ‘grounded’ too... hmm!

rachylou

Veteran

FashIntern - it’s funny, while play can be serious, playful strikes me as a word that connotes the opposite in the main. Anyways, agree it’s not quite right here.

Also, I have to say I thought of Santa too, lol!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

That is awesome! Thank you so much! I really like "Grounded". I like lively as well. And I remember the original Santa Claus was some kind of pixie that came down the chimney, pre-Clement Moore and Coca Cola! He certainly could be a white-haired pixie or elf with a fat tummy!
I looked for my old children's book just before but we gave it away when moving house- I had to save a smaller number than what I had kept before. It wasn't my fave book but I did love that Elves and the Shoemaker story. Might Google some images of that tomorrow. I did quite like Suz's Elfin Eclectic for me. I guess one of the things with elves is having LOTR elves like Arwen and Galadriel and Legolas in my head and I am not at all their build- I'm more like a hobbit.
I'm going to sleep shortly- have a good day.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hey thanks Rachy also- my ZA persona may have been grounded because she couldn't run fast!

Mainelady

Veteran

Your fashion is colorful, fun and happy. What about Lively Lighthearted Eclectic? I suggest Lighthearted because, even though you are in a serious profession, your attire speaks to me of genuine happiness and a zest for life.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I like “cheeky” for you, instead of playful. I see that in your style and your comments here in the forum. (And I mean that as a compliment.)

gryffin

Veteran

Hi Jenni - I’m glad the P-POD ? resonated with you. It’s funny the way I came up w the moniker. It was effortless and without thought or calculation. I was late to a thread which I was clearly meant to comment on. I think it was Deborah and feelings on “black”. I tossed off Princess I’d darkness reporting in. But that stopped my in my tracks because that’s the core of who I am. Ladylike, proper, elegant, formal, but I n a dark palate with a tough edge but it wasn’t enough. I’m not Disney princess material. I’m a working girl, physician, practical, unfussy. It felt right. Matriarch seems to be your core. But like pod without the “p” it many need to be expanded. Do other plays on matriarch resonate granny? Dame? Like Brooklyn’s “cheeky granny”. “Naughty nana”. I don’t think that’s right but you know where I’m going with this if matriarch is too formal what feels right if the same ilk and add modifiers. Hope that helps.

kkards

Veteran

the 1st word i thought of was Magpie...in the way that the NYTimes used it to describe JK Rowlings "...is a literary magpie and first-rate synthesizer, and her stated inspirations for the Harry Potter books range from classical mythology to Jane Austen".
to me your style is like that, a mix and match of different styles & moods that you collect, and than totally make work for you!
as almost everyone else has said, i see the foundation of your style as fun and happy....i don't see your style as grounded, although i do see you as grounded...does that make sense?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

kkards, agree with you on "grounded" in the usual sense. What's a better way to work in the importance of shoes in JNZ's style? I thought of "grounded" the way my grandma used to say I had a "firm understanding" to mean my thighs were strong and thick, in a good way (at least as far as I was concerned).

RobinF

Veteran

No new words to add but I think both lively and cheeky are a great fit for your look.

lyn67

Veteran

I think you are the most playful and cheeky eclictic matriarch on Earth! Love your moniker and outfits, too!:-)))

Helena

Veteran

I don't know, I think Playful Practitioner is actually perfect for what I see. It speaks to the grounded piece; after all a practitioner (you're a nurse I'm guessing) is the height of no-nonsense, need to get it done practicality, which I can see in your style (you can move and be busy in your clothes) - but there is definitely an element of elfin fun there too! I think lively and cheeky both work really well too. Lively Practitioner? Cheeky Practitioner? Whimsical Practitioner?

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Jolly colourful Jenni!Not perhaps the best moniker but a very good description.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I love Playful Practitioner. You ARE also very grounded, Jenni.

How about Playfully Grounded Practitioner?

Bijou

Veteran

Jenni, whilst I don't think your profession has to define your style, I do think the fact that you are are GP impacts how you are perceived by others. I have been seeing the same GP for 30 years. I don't see her often, because I am healthy, but she is very important to me. This is one of the most trusted people that I know and I value my relationship with my GP as her patient. I can see how your patients would feel the same about you.

You have a special warmth about you - your use of colour and signature hair style and amazing shoe collection make you relatable.Yet you are also grounded, practical and professional and not drawn into frivolous pursuits. I value your opinion about things.

In terms of the photos above, I can see an authentic, playful GP.

Authentic - lack of fuss and keeping things real - no artificiality, an honest and truthful person.

Playful - #11 in photos above - says more than I could put into words... you are fun and bring that light and energy into your interactions.

GP - Being a GP is a serious job, you are an intelligent and hard working woman who helps and guides others. You deal with all sorts of people and have to provide guidance and care to them and have a level of authority that cannot be trivialised.

A style moniker is most useful if it helps you when making purchasing or styling decisions. My style moniker is a balance between my liking of pretty and hard edge elements. When I get that balance right, is when I feel my best.

Anonymous

I like lively lighthearted eclectic! Or-happy little magpie Your style is so fun and vibrant!
*carries off bronze boots*

DonnaF

Veteran

Zesty?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

GP also stands for "good person". Just sayin'.

wendy

"GP also stands for "good person". Just sayin'. "

Love this.

SarahD8

Veteran

Magpie matriarch?
Whimsical competence?

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

What about playful professional? Someone willing to wink and laugh, but who still cultivates an aura of trustworthiness and knowledge.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, I'm sticking with pixie even though my hair is grey! Sure, I'm the oldest pixie on the block but so what? Even pixies need a leader. (Is that Puck?) And besides, I'm ready to work some magic.

I think of these monikers as aspirational, not just descriptive. So, how do you want to be seen/ known? Matriarch sounds so serious and in a way seems to describe the parts of you that seem at times to worry you (waistline, grey-as-sign-of-age). I vote for emphasizing the aspects of yourself that make you feel unique and happy and most yourself instead!

"Cheeky" is terrific and feels extremely apt. But I like Playful Practitioner, too. Practitioner seems to get at the grounded part (medicine being an empirical science, after all -- as well as a healing art.)

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Just woken up and here is all this wisdom. Lots of what you say resonates. I think I will ditch matriarch for the reasons Suz says above. It does make me feel old, though in a way I've felt like that since Mum died. I don't mind actually getting older and am not trying to hide it, which is why the hair is natural, but I guess it's not aspirational to look older! ( Unless you're a child or teenager or very young adult maybe). And I might ditch eclectic too because it doesn't help me choose or decide on anything.
I do like lively and cheeky and authentic, thank you all for the kind words. Will be back x

Gretchen

Veteran

I love going more towards cheeky, playful or lively - it’s in your comments and the twinkle in your eyes in some of these pictures.

Cheeky GP? Where GP can stand for multiple things?

Is these another word for practioner that would fit? Sage, guru, doyen, advocate, promoter....

Cheeky Guru?
Lively Sage?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Sage is nice...sounds wise. I won't put GP in it though the Practitioner part of it I'm still musing on. I want to be fun as well as serious so that cheeky, lively or playful bit needs to be in there as aspirational. Will have to think what else I aspire to...

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I went to sleep thinking of gardening (because of the grounded that came up) - planting and tending things. Feet are planted on the ground.

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