How to define style personas?

Susie

I've been reading a lot of your posts about style evolutions, goals for the coming year, etc as well as some older blog entries from Angie regarding the different style personas. I especially liked ones from early last year where she encourages you to list adjectives that define your style as well as adjectives that describe what your style is NOT.

It is all very interesting to me. While some didn't feel a need to describe their style in words- or even resisted trying to categorize their wardrobes- I feel it would be helpful to me to be able to articulate what I want my look to be.

But I feel like I need a better overview. What I'd like to read more on- and maybe see examples of- is definitions of the various styles. Just what is Modern Classic or Euro Chic or Artsy?

Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks!

13 years ago

Dressing

5 replies

Latest reply was from Gaylene

Gaylene

Veteran

Personally, I think you'll get as many different interpretations of Modern Classic or Artsy or EuroChic as there are women in this forum. You might want to check out some of the women who label themselves as having a particular style persona to see what they wear to get an idea of what that style might include. But be prepared for a wide interpretation.

I think, though, that Angie's idea of articulating what you DON'T like was a very useful exercise (and, sometimes, easier than trying to grasp the phantom of what defines your style). I also found that Astrid's idea to rank her clothes according to how good she felt in them was insightful--her term was "happiness" factor. Once I saw the items and outfits that ranked highest in "happiness" factor for me, I could see that I did have quite a definite personal style preference, even if I couldn't articulate it in one or two catchy words.

13 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

This is mine:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....road-wordy

I found Angie's adjectives idea to be one of THE most helpful things I've ever done on my style/wardrobe. The labels of classic or boho chic or whatever are confusing to me too - can't everyone wear jeans, shirts, boots? Where does the continuum of boho end a sloppy begin?

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Quick aside, I think it was Jayne who coined the term "happiness factor." And many of us, including Astrid, and Angie herself, have enthusiastically embraced it! Genius term.

Mrs. Eccentric (Steph) http://dashingeccentric.blogspot.ca had another, similar test: she asks that you try to come up with one outfit (preferably including a photo) that made you feel 11 out of 10. And then analyse what it is about that outfit that really makes it sing for you. I tried it, without pics, and was her "case study." http://dashingeccentric.blogsp.....-case.html

Some people have found the book Style Statement http://www.stylestatement.com to be really helpful in pinning down their personal style. Others like the Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style. http://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Gu.....1592404022

I've come up with a couple of rubrics to describe my style. But in the end, the words don't seem to be as helpful as the process itself. Buying things I *think* I like. Wearing them. Finding out if I truly like them or not. Looking at photos. TAKING photos of my own outfits. Posting them here. Thinking about my day to day (and other) needs. I am now at the point of not really knowing what to call it....but knowing if and when I like it. This feels like an advance.

13 years ago

Vix

Veteran

Hi Susie---

I for one am very glad that you're exploring the style persona thing, because I am a total sucker for reading about people's explorations!

[As you can probably tell if you've seen my comments on those s.p. threads.]

I agree with Gaylene's suggestion to see how forum members and bloggers self-identify -- and also with her remarks about being prepared for a wide range of interpretations.

To me that's the fun, and it's also a great way to do the "this not that" exercises Angie and other style gurus recommend. I swear sometimes it's easier to figure out what I *don't* like than what I do!

Also agree with Suz's recs for the Style Statement or Lucky Guide [etc] books.

IIRC I flipped through the Lucky one at the bookstore and got what I needed from it, which isn't to say it's content-light. It's just a good "gut check" book.

Now, I cheated my way through the StSt thing using only online info, and ended up with three 2-word style personas...probably not the "right" way to do it, but having 3 has helped me shop more purposefully.

************

Not sure it will help or be of interest but:

1) My friend Eileen was trying to figure out her style as part of a complete closet overhaul; she let me interview her about how she figured what she wanted her clothes to express and photograph some of what she bought:

http://buildingacolorfullife.w.....mons-pt-1/

2) I did a show/tell about how I try to use one item in my closet to suit my 3 persona labels -- and it includes info about how identified what I wanted those labels to be

http://buildingacolorfullife.w.....-personas/

Keep us posted!

13 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

Whoops, my apologies, Jayne! And thanks, Suz, for making sure Jayne got her rightful credit for her genius phrase! I'm claiming a senior moment for that one

13 years ago

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