Is it important to meet ALL style descriptors at all times?

Tracey asked an interesting question on my WIW-thread today: "Do you have to meet all 5 of your descriptors with every look? Or can Playful and Simple work for you at times?" Her question made me pause a little.

My immediate reaction is of course, no! It is NOT necessary to meet all my five descriptors (Simple Chic Playful Modern Classic) at all times. But then again, by asking the question, it became clearer to me what I liked with my more than usual-boho inspired outfit today and vice versa. In that respect, asking the question was the most important, not the answer. I can conclude with "no, this outfit is not really Simple Chic Playful Modern Classic, but I like it several aspects of it for me anyway". The difference is that I now know why I feel like this about it, and can settle with that. To be completely happy about an outfit I prefer it to meet all my descriptors, but as said, I CAN easily settle for less, too.

Over to you: How important is it for you to meet your style descriptors when creating outfits? I know this is a theme that has been up to discussion here before, so please accept my apologies if I'm breaking into wide open doors. Your thoughts?

12 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

I'm just off to bed so probably too tired to think this thru properly but my immediate thought is that I have my prime descriptors and my sub descriptors. The prime ones are the ones that are constant in my outfits and the subs join in at different times. Does that make sense?

Ingunn

(website)

Very much so, Deborah. Thanks, and sleep well!

Anonymous

I don't think it is necessary to meet all descriptors either. I think there is probably a certain threshold that people carry (or else why would you have a set of descriptors anyhow), but I think subsets of the complete set of descriptors can come into play at certain times.

I think that style is or should be a bit fluid, so I think if you start to find you are concentrating on only a few descriptors then it might be a signal that a style shift is brewing. Or, if you find it is impossible to meet all your descriptors, maybe it means they need tinkering with!

Suz

I guess I have found my "style persona" to be much more helpful to me than any rubric of style descriptors. Don't ask me why what is essentially a shorthand should work better for me -- but perhaps it's precisely because it is more intuitive and fluid. If I think "urban prince" -- well, that can encompass quite a range of specific descriptors. Whereas if I have a list of descriptors to tick off, sometimes I might tick all the boxes and STILL feel as if the outfit was lacking somehow in happiness factor.

Ultimately, that elusive "happiness factor" is what we all seek, and we seek it in different ways. In my case, I'm happiest if my outfit is consistent with my style persona and my activities. In other words, there's a practical element. I could be wearing the most "princely" outfit in the world, yet if it left me freezing (or boiling) or if I felt inappropriate in some way, I wouldn't be happy.

I think I just took us on a different tangent, Ingunn -- sorry!!

Good point, Suz. I am much more likely to think Urban Knight as opposed to style descriptors

Transcona Shannon

My rubric still plays a strong part in my style (although there has been some shifting) but I don't need to meet all of those points in order to feel good in my outfits. I do have to meet most of them though or I feel slightly "off".

Carole

I feel almost ashamed to say I haven't actually nailed down style descriptors for myself:(

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Short answer to your question, Ingunn - No. And what Ceit, Debs and Suz said.

Tough one because I don't have style descriptors or rubrics, other that Angie's definition my style Sleek Urban Princess.

Do I have to look, sleek, urban or princessy all the time, no.

However, think as long as I have something on that "does not belong" or "looks different" than the rest, I am happy. I also need to have some accessory on.

unfrumped

Also a no. But I can relate to the confusion.

I'm still unsure of what words work best for me--despite my long post on same-- so I'm really trying to focus on the happiness factor this year. Of course, understanding the underpinnings of style persona would help make that more reproducible, but it's a start to just look at the outfit and say, nope, I don't want to wear this again, not this way.

And to try on a new item with a bunch of stuff and really say, I don't care what it was supposed to be like, whether it ticked all the right boxes in the photo, or whether I tried something completely wacky, do you love it or not? Do you want to try this direction?

Or when editing--I recently tried on a couple of RL sweaters that haven't been worn much even though I thought I loved them when I bought them. But it isn't a happy-happy look now. Something about the fit. I'm not able to tie it to it's not being this or that word.

I'd say no. They are tools and should be used when helpful. They are not written in stone either. If they no longer fit, some may be changed or discarded, but they are your guides, not rules.

shedev

I think the persona is more stable and descriptors are a little more fluid. I use casual as a descriptor but I do have need and want of a more dressy outfit from time to time. But both looks would embrace my persona.

Like I thought, we all share almost the same view on this. I like to mention my descriptors in my posts to investigate whether you see my outfits the way I do or not. Other than that, I'm not in any way feeling obliged to be true to every one of them at all times. I also like my style persona, Queen Modern Classic (given by Angie), more than the descriptors, but I think it might be a bit too vague for many to "get" at times. Besides Angie, of course

catgirl

I don't think so and for me it's sometimes not possible due to circumstances. I am now trying to create two personas to fit my work/non-work styles so I don't go crazy trying to meet impossible goals.

bj1111

i think "what would emmanuelle alt wear" when i'm feeling at a loss.

TraceyLiz65

I posed the question because I feel like there a at least two sides to me and I embrace and enjoy both of them...

una...i am so in tune with what you are going thru. while i haven't veered to far into away from corporate, i'm struggling to get back into more conservative clothing on a day to day basis, because i LOVE my non conservative closet and i want to wear it all the time!

Jaime

For me it is mostly about the happiness factor and only later I might look back and see how it fits into my descriptor gift from Angie (elegant tomboy). And what Suz said.

Just popped back to say following on from some others, I haven't developed a rubric either but I find my style persona to be the most useful reference for me. And I second what Una said, sometimes work requires a more modern classic persona as opposed to elegant eclectic thought I have to admit to spending time planning how to intergrate a bit of elegant eclectic into those modern classic outfits:)

Eliza

No. I think boredom and a lack of experimentation/evolution would set in around here. I am beginning to realize that the happiness factor may be the most grounding form of self assessment and fashion selection for me.

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