How to Merge Two Different Styles? - YouLookFab Forum

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How to Merge Two Different Styles?

Echo

Veteran

I tend to view myself as very UWP. I tend toward wearing a lot of black, big stompy boots, leather and skulls. That is my comfortable place/style. However, every summer, I tend to go all boho - big, floor length skirts, hippie/harem pants in batik or printed fabrics, Birkenstocks.

I guess I don't really have an issue with wearing the two different styles, but they seem so polar opposite, and I really wouldn't mind incorporating the boho/hippie element into my fall/winter dressing. So my question is how to combine a harder edge with a softer boho style? Or is there simply no way to comfortably do that, and I should keep the style dichotomy?

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Vildy

Veteran

Sure you'll get loads of great advice here and I like the process this video uses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8Pci6_Iihs

Find Your Unique Style from Merriam Style

cjh

(website)

Veteran

My first thought was to choose the shapes from one look and the colors/fabrics from the other. Such as black, gray or other chosen neutral solids in the swishy, more girly peasant shapes, perhaps. Or the more colorful prints in starker shapes with the stomps boots. I haven’t looked for possible images to support my theory, but it’s intriguing to me.

Helena

Veteran

Perhaps it's am opportunity to use outfit juxtaposition, as Angie suggested for outfit interest? Wear the style that speaks to you for a given day, while accenting with the other style?

kkards

Veteran

Hmmmm interesting because I don’t see these as being opposites, I actually see them as 2 ends of the same style spectrum. In my limited imagination I see boho as the natural summer look for stompy boots and leather because to me they both speak to an outsider, “I dress me for” fashion vibe. But that’s just me.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Yes I was just re-reading Rachylou’s ZA thread before and you were being an UWP there Echo. But haven’t there been threads just this week on “containing multiples” or Nemosmom’s thread on her 3 personas and how they overlap as Refined Californian? I like KKards’s thought above about different ends of the same style spectrum?

Anonymous

I see them as very much related . Masc vs femme versions of a certain aesthetic .

rachylou

Veteran

Boho tops and leather pants would totally work. I have a similar issue, but my question is how to make stompy boots summery. I had some stompy sandals, but they died...

Gretchen

Veteran

They definitely work together! Boho tops over leather pants? Flowy skirt with a tighter top and stompy boots?

Also, can you take the boho into winter with a darker color scheme?

Anonymous

Agreeing w Gretchen! Think 70s, 90s rockers as an influence: leather jacket + maxi would work well. Maybe some velvet and brocade too

Echo

Veteran

I ALMOST, but not quite, see what you are saying in terms of the masculine/feminine dichotomy. Yes, of course slimmer tops work with flowing skirts, and flowing tops work with slimmer/leather bottoms. But it is the winter aspect I am thinking of (since it is coming right up). Slim leather or suede tops work with summer bottoms (long, flowing skirts; harem pants), but the two seem to work less effortlessly when winter is considered. Slim leather tops with slim leather bottoms; too much. Boho tops with boho skirts for summer? Too free-spirit. I encounter the difficulty when I try to combine the two together.

Combining slim tops with flowy summer skirts is no issue, as is combining flowy tops with slimmer and leather bottoms. But fall/winter is right around the corner. I don't feel like I can wear flowing/long tops. Or at least if I do, I need to wear a longer/flowing jacket on top.

So perhaps it is the three-piece issue that is bothering me? I have no issue in the summer combining a flowy top with a slim bottom or vice versa. But when it comes to combining three pieces - bottom, top and topper - I don't know what to do.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Do you need a topper for warmth or because you work in an environment where that is more or less expected? Because otherwise you could layer under the flowy top. Of course "flowy" would probably be relative...not a lightweight cotton but merino or something. And you could layer a base layer (either knit silk, Heattech, or merino -- whatever you like) invisibly beneath.

Echo

Veteran

Suz, it is more for modesty than environment. I am willing to wear short-sleeved tops, but few of them seem to work with slim bottoms. While it isn't "expected" that we wear a topper, I feel uncomfortable if I don't. And then again, after September is over, that pretty much leaves the rest of the winter season with three pieces instead of two, making a topper mandatory.

Sal

Veteran

I think boho does seem to work more easily in summer. Maybe it is the vacation vibe? I could see floral blouses with a long cardigan and jeans and boots? Or a velvet blazer? I think to combine the two I would take pieces that were a nod to boho.

Floral dress with pants underneath and doc martens? 90s style?

Gigi

Veteran

Perhaps you need to expand the toppers in your wardrobe? A light leather jacket can be worn indoors, and some boho clothing stores (Free People comes to mind) have blazer-like toppers. If you are wearing a long, flowy top, maybe look for a cropped jacket instead of a long, flowy one?

I think that having some boho pieces in black will help bridge the gap. And changing up your shoes can do a lot to alter the vibe of an outfit. If you are wearing a predominantly edgy outfit, try wearing boho shoes with it, and vice versa. And maybe look at your accessories, to see if you can add the contrasting style through accessories. Or even your hairstyle.

rachylou

Veteran

I have just googled *winter boho top*... I'm not sure if there is such a thing...