Have I finally found my style moniker?---"The Gentlewoman"

I recently came across this article in The Guardian on the grownup version of Tomboy Style. She calls it Gentlewoman Style. As epitomized by Katharine Hepburn. Definitely my look.

http://www.theguardian.com/fas.....ike-a-gent

I knew I had a lot of androgynous elements to my style, but "tomboy" really didn't fit. I will never ever ever wear a baseball cap or a tuque; bomber and moto and denim jackets aren't me; neither are band Tshirts or jam shorts; and I have to go out of my way to make sure my few pairs of jeans get SOME wear.... Yet I am too RATE for the polished Bianca Jagger in a tuxedo look.

I like this as a moniker because it combines the ladylike aspects I do still enjoy--- full skirts, long hair. I think of it as a sort of "English town and country look"--- the tweeds and brogues one wears for a walk on the moors perhaps?

The funny thing in all of this is, I almost NEVER wear a blazer. I own quite a few, but have had to put a moratorium on buying more, because they don't get worn! I love the empowering feeling of wearing one, but where to? At work my outfit is topped with a white coat (room for a cardigan underneath, but nothing so structured as a blazer). In my climate I'm in heavy outerwear for half the year, and much of the rest it's either too hot, or threatening rain. I could wear one to church or the theatre perhaps but that's when I like to let the ladylike side come out to play.

I don't have a great backlog of WIW pictures to show, but his is a link to the page where I posted some fave WIWs from 2014 (I'm near the bottom).

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ere/page/4

To summarize my style: I go for neutrals: black, white, grey, navy, occasinoally red or blue. I love geometricals especially Breton stripes, tartans, and menswear type prints (tweed, houndstooth). I gravitate to crisp buttoned shirt in white or stripes, crew or turtleneck sweaters, trousers slim or wide, mannish footwear like oxfords and loafers. I love to wear a vest (sweater vest or woven waistcoat) as a third layer.I aso love tube/pencil skirts and full skirts, but again had to place a buying moratorium because they don't get much wear in winter or on weekdays. Hats and scarves as accessories, never bling except my wedding band and a big watch. I wear my (salt and pepper) hair long and loose, with dark framed glasses and red lips. "Sporty", for me, means nautical.

Is this the right style descriptor for me? Any modifications or suggestions?

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10 years ago

Anonymous

There's an entire magazine (UK) called The Gentlewoman.

rachylou

Veteran

That's really very insightful. I like it. Kate Hepburn is a style icon.

"Gentlewoman" is a great new descriptor. I see it as calm and elegant, not so tomboyish perhaps. Katharine Hepburn reminds me more of a sporty type (the 30s lady golfer/equestrienne look) or New England eccentric (the latter years).

Mellllls

great descriptor

UtahDesert

Active Member

I think it works for you, and it's a great descriptor! I've bookmarked the article too, because I think it describes the style I lean towards the most. (Fortunately I can wear blazers five days a week if I like--I think of blazers as the college-teaching uniform.)

tulle

I love your moniker! That polo coat worn casually on your shoulders captures the look exactly. It's a style that appeals to me a lot, though I can't pull it off as well. As far as blazers go, maybe one as comfortable and slouchy as a cardigan (like a jacket made of knitted wool or sweatshirt fabric) could give you softness and ease plus a little structure? And of course your white coat is a kind of blazer, after all.

Caro in Oz

Sounds really good to me

I thought of the magazine like Lisa!

I love this style of dressing, and might decide to adopt it when I grow up (lol), so I understand the appeal. When I looked at the favourite outfits you posted from 2014, though, I see a lot more playfulness than my mental conception of Gentlewoman. The fabrics you gravitate towards tend to read more casual too; in my mind at least Gentlewomen have a dandy-like love for drapey silk. Your looks reminded me more of the 'sturdy' version of 'high WASP' style discussed at Amid Privilege. (She identifies herself with that style, so those words are used affectionately!) I can't find a good post summarising her description, but searching her blog for 'sturdy' brings up a lot of good info. Here's a sample post.

On the other hand, if being a Gentlewoman is your aspirational style, go for it! Or if it means something completely different to you than to me, feel free to ignore my post. It's all about what helps you get dressed in the morning, isn't it?

L'Abeille

You're right, Eva, "gentlewoman" can have different connotations, which is why I'm trying it on for size. I hadn't known of the magazine before, but from the glances I've now taken, it seems to be about women of substance? impact? something beyond the sartorial aspect I am addressing.

By the way, I believe Kate Hepburn is pretty much the definition of the Sturdy Gal. High WASP. Sporty. No-nonsense. The flannel nightgown.

There's a bit of a cultural divide that complicates things too. The Guardian article is British, and refers to shops and designers I don't recognize, so no clues for me there. And there could be class associations going over my head too. But I think the country gentlewoman has an element of shabby to her chic, as well as the elegance that is not so much my strong suit.

For me, I am definitely RATE not polished, crisp not drapey, cotton/linen/rayon not silk. The collar unbuttoned and sleeves rolled or pushed up. Those things aren't going to change. (I can try to be Grace Kelly in my head but it doesn't translate. Like trying to fight my Kibbe type... I'm FN all the way.) Is there a better style name for this RATE-but-refined grownup tomboy?

Oh how interesting that we both lean rate, but I go for drape where you prefer crispness. I hadn't imagined rate crispness before, but now I can see it. And I agree that a bit of wear and tear is essentially for any aspiring country gentry. Hehe

Back to your moniker (and my phone battery is almost dead so I have to make this fairly quick for now): I think there's more than enough space on the gentlewoman umbrella to work with your preferences. I find it a very empowering term; a way of being comfortable as a woman without conforming so tightly to traditional gender roles. Your own version seems to have a wonderful classic New England flavour to it, if you wanted to add a modifier I'd look there. But I truly think if gentlewoman is enough of an inspiration on its own you should stick with that!

Olivegreen

Think you look great, very put together and still casual. Like the descriptor, too.

Dana

Great article! Thanks for sharing!

Rambling Ann

(website)

I found that fascinating, then did some more searching on the new-to-me term and found this article, The Dandy, the Rockstar and the Gentlewoman. The compare and contrast of three different menswear inspired me with some directions to take the Gentlewoman concept into a little less WASPy aesthetic, less horse-and-country club English, especially to take the mostly neutral, natural Gentlewoman and brighten it up with some color. If my lifestyle were amenable to Katharine Hepburn white-out suits, I'd be all over this look.

Kristin L

Yay for finding your moniker!!! I hadn't heard of this term, but it makes a lot sense. Thanks for link to the article.

Staysfit

Oh, excellent! I think it's a good fit, and I really see it in the pictures you posted as your favorites. At first I was a bit stymied with what to do with the dance/drama element but of course that fits perfectly with a Hepburn aesthetic. The Kibbe categories still confuse me.

Elizabeth P

Sorry I missed this earlier... haven't been popping on here as much as usual. At least, trying not to

I think gentlewoman is pretty close, and I guess the important thing is does it help YOU? I personally think that you are a bit more naturally RATE than I would think of a "gentlewoman" as being. I actually really like how you described yourself... "RATE-but-refined grownup tomboy".

Hmm... could you be a "RATE gentlewoman"?

just got around to reading the article and i think the descriptor is perfect

Firecracker (Sharan)

I think the moniker suits you, from looking at the favorite outfits you linked to. You might add an adjective to gentlewoman, to narrow it down or allude more to your take on this style. I like Elizabeth P's suggestion of RATE Gentlewoman. Or Unfussy Gentlewoman?

judy

At the end of the Guardian article you posted it mentions the author, Alyson Walsh's blog, "That's Not My Age", which if you don't already read, might suit your "gentlewomanly" waysl ! And she has a book she has been working on called Style Forever as well.

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