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Help me Define my Style Please

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Hi fellow fabbers,

I have been thinking about this for some time now. I used to wonder why so many fabbers wanted to define their style and didn't just wear what they liked or what felt right. As I read through the big compliments post (thanks IK) and next Shedev's post on style, I realized that there is as much benefit to defining one's style as there is to knowing what colors work.

I should know what my style is by now but really don't. I have always thought I have different styles for different parts of my life. I think I am fairly conservative for work, borderline glam for evening, and uber casual for leisure but that isn't really a style.

I have been posting WIWs for a few years but not much this past year so some of the newer members won't be familiar with my "look" or lack thereof. Those of you who are, I would really appreciate feedback on how you perceive my look.

A big thank you for feedback and input.

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Deborah

Veteran

Dianthus, I see your look as conservative, elegant and lady like but not in a prim way. I might tag you a modern classic. You have poise and polish that adds something special to everything you wear. I got the impression from your recent WIW's that you might be experimenting a little?? One of the problems I see with buying and wearing what I like, is that I like a lot of things but not all of them "feel right" for me. For example, I love Angie's style but it's so not me. If I bought some the things she wears, they would likely become orphans.

Edit to add; I have just been thinking who in the public eye has a style I would consider similar to yours (because I am not so good at articulating style) and I see your style as being similar to Michelle Obama:). Does that resonate with you at all?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Dianthus, have you tried the Kibbe types questionnaire? It is maddeningly difficult to interpret at times, but can be enlightening if you persevere through it.

I think your style as reflected in WIWs is modern classic, as Deborah says -- but I sense you are looking for something less general than that -- more of a style persona or something you can use to guide you towards those items that are ideally suited to you.

You have beautiful womanly curves, gorgeous soft features with some "yang" energy in your jawline and square shoulder line. And although you are not tall, you can look tall due to your long legs.

Here's a link: http://kibbe39.rssing.com/brow.....038;item=1

Mo

(website)

Veteran

It can be hard to sum up, but is very helpful, I'll agree. Why don't you try going through some past looks and pick 3 or 4 that feel very 'you'. Might get more feedback with the visuals right there to help us along.

Isis

Veteran

I am not good at descriptors, Dianthus, but I would associate these words with your style: classic, polished, structured, luxe.

Also, I am surprised to learn that you are not tall! Your pics give a tall impression!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

See? Told you so.....

I think you might be some combination of dramatic and natural in the Kibbe system, if such a thing exists.

cloud9

Veteran

I've seen mostly your work wear, so I'd say... Polished with a little edge ( a little twist/drama with typical modern classic).

Emily

Veteran

I see your outfits as being colourful, classic and preppy - like Katie of KatiesBliss.com, but a touch more conservative.

A pinterest board of outfits you like might be a good first step to defining the look you want.

jackiec

Veteran

I'll have to come back to this. I like what Deborah said about Michelle Obama - I totally see that too (and I hope that's ok - I'd take it as an uber compliment ) Down to earth elegant?

And what the heck Suz? My impression is that dianthus is about 5'11"? .... how do you define not tall?

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Deborah and Suz. I do think I am quite conservative and tend towards classic styles. I am also often a late adopter of trends - not always but often.

Cloud9 and Emily, I do like to add an element or two that are distinctive or different but usually use color or an accessory so I think you picked up on something interesting.

Isis and Jackie, I am just under 5'5" but think my inseam is in the 32-33" range which makes me a bit leggy. Most people guess me to be 5'7"-5'8" IRL.

Suz, I am going to check out Kibbe when I am home later and Mo, I will go through outfits and try to add a few that I think are good.

A few more thoughts since I first posted. I have always preferred more fluid fits in pants and and if in between sizes, will almost always go bigger. I found it hard to get used to the more fitted shirt styles as I gravitate towards tops that drape but liked to tuck them so I didn't lose the waist definition.

I think I may have been more trendy and daring in my choices when I was at my lower weight. I find that JFE isn't me. I like to wear clothes that fit and flatter moreso than clothes that are a specific look. Comfort is also very important and I rarely sacrifice comfort for fashion/

I am finding this fashion introspection to be very interesting and really appreciate the input.

Susie

Veteran

Dianthus, I found it helpful to also include a list of things that are NOT me and that I don't wear. For instance, for me that includes ruffles and frills, pastels, ALGO, etc. Perhaps you could include your dislikes here too.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, yes -- Aida had that long self-questionnaire.

Or go to Angie's posts on this in the blog. Pick 5 adjectives that do describe your style, and 5 (or more) that don't. Some of us find it easier to say what our style is not and narrow down what it is based on that.

For instance -- my style is not:

Frilly or flouncy
Overtly sexy or bombshell
Embellished or highly ornate
Hard -edged
Maximal
RATE
Fussy/ Seasonally confused

You can extrapolate from that, noticing that my style is:

Clean lined
Androgynous (or at least open to androgynous looks)
Simple (for the most part)
Whatever the opposite of hard-edged is -- maybe approachable?
Somewhat minimal
Polished
No-nonsense, practical

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I'm not great at analysis, but I'll take a stab at this based on what I've seen in your WIW posts, as well as what I know from meeting you in person.

Above all else, I see polished as part of your style. There is never anything slightly disheveled or rate in your outfits.

You have simple elegance in your outfits. You don't wear clothes that are complicated, fussy or overly adorned. You appear to like a mix of fluid with tailored - i.e. body con tube skirt with flowy blouse/knit top.

You love color and rich fabrications and are not afraid to be bold, but never OTT. I think you skew slightly toward minimal in terms of not a lot of layering, jewelry or other accessories but not minimal in terms of color palette.

I would say your overall style is modern classic - you choose modern and current pieces but not overtly trendy.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I agree with what Shannon says here. For someone who thinks she is not good at analysis, that's a pretty good analysis.

rachylou

Veteran

I'm going to mince words and say I view you specifically as Contemporary Classic. Contemporary has connotations and connections that are slightly different from modern in my mind, not that there isn't a lot of overlap. But for example, I imagine you in CB2 more naturally than DWR.

What? Rainaldi bookcase or Rainaldi bookcase? HUGE difference. Stop laughing!