MicheleLee - Wow, "I've learned how to look at others and adapt what I like to myself and my body." I wish I had your abillity to distill what I see on others in such a workable way. It's one thing if they have a very similiar body type, but another to do it in general. Also, the biggest difficulty I have is making sure each new piece has the right proportion, not just fit or look, to work with other pieces - to achieve the style I aspire to. If you have this ability, whether inate or honed, you are so far ahead on your sartorial journey. I think that's just amazing!!

I would have to say, katharine hepburn. Ever since I discovered her in my teends.

Although of course she is a stunning woman, in her day she was not considered classically beautiful. but she owned her look and worked with her angular features, embracing the wide shoulders and making masculine items look femnine in her own way. That was a watershed for me, not having to make myself over into an hourglass when I was an IT. I still ask what Katharine would do if I'm not sure about an outfit once I have it on.

The other one--more of a style role model than icon-- was Stephanie Zimbalist in the Remington Steele days. I was just starting out in my profession, and found myself identifying with women older than me, such as Candace Bergen. Then Stephanie came along and there was somebody my age striving to look intelligent and capable, and the attractiveness was the bonus.

Sadly there has not been in anyone in my real life who has been a major inspiration. When I was a young girl in the my first corporate job in the city, I used to see such stunning elegant women in town and that was my initial source of inspiration, particular in terms of polish and drama.

It has only been in recent years that I have come across a couple of women whose style I feel I truly relate to and who have somehow revealed to me things about myself stylwise. I find it very hard to put into words sometimes exactly what it is that I relate to, it's almost intangible but I have a positive emotional response when I see it.

I am unsure if influence is the right word in my case, but certainly Odyssey inspires me. I relate to her style incredibly BUT I am not her and it would not be authentic to simply 'copy' her look, rather I have been inspired to analyse the elements that I feel particularly drawn to and consider how I might incoporate them to create my own signature look.

Angie is also a major influence, not in that I want to dress like her. I adore Angie's style but it's not me and again there would be a lack of authenticity if I were to take on her style. Rather Angie has been a main player in influencing me to find my own style. Her encouragement has helped me to not only be me but also be the best me I can be... does that make sense? And she loves me even tho I continue to wear black xxx

John T. Malloy back in the 70's. I was a teen, but I was an avid reader...anything I could get my hands on! My dad had a "Dress for Success" book. I loved reading about the mens uniforms and there was a small section for women. The takeaway was that the clothing you wore could send a message, and understanding could allow you to manipulate that message. There is actually a kind of power in that understanding. Not a power to dominate, but a rather the ability to use another medium to communicate who and what you are.

Aenne Burda. I never met her in real life. She was the publisher of Burda World of Fashion magazine, which was (and still is) a magazine for those who sew their own clothes. Back when I was a teenager in a then-communist country, my mom had a few issues of the magazine. It showed runway inspiration, fabrics, lots of beautiful coordinated clothes, and most importantly, it had patterns to make those clothes.

When the regime fell apart, Burda WOF became available on the open market and I bought it every month. It taught me the importance of fit and fabric, as well as how I could use one pattern and make small changes to it so it would always look a little different. It also taught me (visually, not in words) about coordinating colors, accessories, and figure flattery.

For years, I sewed as much as I could from the magazine, developing my own preferences for fabrics and shapes over time.

In an odd way, my boyfriend.

When I met him we were 17 and he was so cool. He drank his coffee black, got straight As and knew everything, and was dating a goth fashionplate at the time. Neither of us had very well-developed styles, but I found myself imitating his all-black clothing. (To be fair, a lot of us were doing that, so I was fitting into a whole crowd, not just imitating him.)

I got way more interested in fashion than he did, but he's always appreciated the avant-garde, the unconventional, the gender-bending girlpower of androgyny, the idea of clothes as a statement more than a way of fitting in. So, I often think of him when I find things that look particularly cool to me.

(Today is our 16th anniversary [dating not marriage] so I might be feeling a little sappy!)

In terms of actual inspiration, Tilda Swinton is my icon. I don't copy her style per se (for that, I'd point to Kate Lanphear) but I just want to be her.

That's really hardcore, Alexandra!

Sending celebratory vibes to you and your partner today, Greyscale!

What an intriguing question, gryffin!

An estranged aunt most influences my style, even to this day. I was a young, awkward tomboy in a small rural community, who was more concerned with the shearing than the fabric it would ultimately become. She would gracefully waltz in at Christmas time, her sleek, grey bob pulled into a low pony, wearing floor skimming, shoulder baring, silk dresses, a full face of makeup and heels and leaving a trail of expensive, elegantly crafted fragrance. She was the epitome of glamour.

I don't know if I do. I can point to a lot of smaller influences, no real big one though.

The one that stands out the most in the smaller influences is a girl from work- I can't even remember her name! She was a program manager and had the most 'perfect' body and her style complimented her in every way. Everything was very figure-flattering, cohesive, classic and elegant with a hint of sexy. She left the company years ago.

L'Abeille - I know just what you mean about KH. She was a handsome woman, but not classically beautiful nor did she ever try and present herself that way. Athletic, confident, compelling and so no-nonsense - she let nothing constrain her especially clothes. Very much a woman in a man's world. I loved RS and still think Stephanie Zimbalist is a very beautiful and stylish woman. The whole concept of not being accepted as competent without being under the aegis of a man. What a great role model!!
Deborah - you seem to be a very visual learner and if that's how you process things I think it would be very to actually articulate the subtleties and nuances of what your experience. I think it's a great art to be able to take an image and break it down yourself. I am one who needs the remedial course and require text or at least subtitles with my visuals. Angie has an extraordinary gift to empower people and to very gently and craftily to us to explore our authentic selves. I don't think we could have a better guide or cheerleader!!
Runcarla - you were definitely ahead of the curve on figuring out the power of dress. Although I understand their power, communicating a clear and consistent message is an art. That you've been tapped into for so long is impressive. That is still an awesome book that I love to reread!!
Alexandra - I cannot sew but I am so envious that you can!! How freeing to be able to tweak and adjust and select and make something not only unique and beautiful but flattering. I am sure the leaning curve is steep but how amazingly rewarding!! How wonderful that there was someone who created such an extraordinarly metier to give you such a wealth of knowledge!!
Greyscale - what a beautiful story and it can never be "sappy" to shed that proverbial tear for the one you love. It just shows how sensitive and loving you are. Isn't amazing how meeting the right person feeds our most authentic self. How they help us become our best selves in all areas. It frees you to be who you really are!! Happy, happy anniversary!! (I'm married almost 30 yr and just thinking of my wonderful, sweet, husband still makes me tear up and be totally sappy too!!)
Fuzzy - that's so interesting since you WIW's are so feminine, I was not getting the tomboy vibe!! Your aunt sounds like a force!! But especially with your mindset her style must have been a revelation. Your outfits are dramatic with such attention to detail, balance and silhouette that they have a real presence. Definitely sounds like the sense of drama and presence is something your aunt was known for!
Meli- it's interesting that some of the influences were people who were seen but not "known" or friends. But their visuals were so powerful and empowering. It's one thing to see great dress in a magazine but when you see it in real life all of a sudden you realize that it is actually possible. That's a powerful moment!!

All of these stories and anecdotes have such powerful emotions associated with them. I guess that's why they were/are influential. Thanks for sharing them, everyone. Great forum question, gryffin!

Not so much the tomboy now, gryffin. I think that faded as I realised I could be gentle and tough at the same time. Still pretty handy about a farm, though. . A sense of drama? Most certainly. You are very perceptive! Plus, I'm a Leo so that was always going to happen.... Bwahahaha! (Waving)

Too funny, Fuzzy!! You and your beautifully tailored dresses and heels working the farm!! Delightful image and I am so impressed you are that handy(from princess all thumbs)!! Talk about multifaceted and versatile!! Kudos!!

L'Abeille - I loved, LOVED Stephanie Zimbalist's uniform in Remington Steele. Her little suits and slingback shoes. Very slick.

Growing up as a teen in the 80s, my inspirations were MTV and my friends (not anyone in particular). The 80s were great in that styles ranged from black mod to romantic new wave to goth to rock, to a little prep thrown in (mostly preppy since mom bought most of my clothes in high school until I got a job). As you know, the 80s ripped off the 60s quite a bit so oldies TV was also an inspiration to me (think: Audrey Hepburn movies, 60s and 80s teen movies - To Sir, With Love and Valley Girl and the list goes on), hence my outfits lean toward modern retro.

No. I'm very suggestible so I sometimes will tip to a norm, but I'll weeble-wobble back to 90's black sure as sure.

citygirldc- lots of very powerful influences. Love your look of modern retro - ladylike elegance at its best!!
Ironkurtin - really interesting that you are that experimental!! I think that's great. having a touchstone decade but finding inspiration in the present!!

i know this is totally left field but when i was younger it was sharon gless in cagney and lacey.i loved it when she had a date to the opera or dinner her clothes always seemed well put together even on a stake out!

clara - what a great inspiration. I remember that show!! Powerful, confident, intelligent women ready for any and everything. What great role models!!

As an artist I've always been attuned to color, texture and visual proportion. Alas, I had nuns as teachers through high school. But in college working on my bfa I had a woman professor who nailed it for me! Classy, conservative dresser, but beautiful handmade jewelry. From that point on I've invested in the artisan jewelry, wearing classic backdrop clothing.

Kt - that is such a wonderful look. Beautiful and handmade pieces without distraction. Elegant, chic, refined but interesting and perfect for your sensibilities and aesthetic. How marevelous!! I am sure you have a totally awesome collection of pieces!!

It's funny to think about this. I grew up in CT and was a teen at the time of the Preppy Handbook, and I'd have to say that pretty much defined my look for quite a long time, but without all the seriousness because we were Catholic and weren't boarding school people. So my formative years, fashionwise, were not very interesting.
However....the earliest influence on my style that I can identify would be 90s Winona Ryder, who solidified my desire to be a pretty tomboy, a yearning that is still reflected in my style today. Despite wearing clothes like everyone else in high school and college, I cut all my hair off in 8th grade and really never went back.

Viva - I totally forgot about the Preppy Handbook - I went to a college in New England - that was a huge, mega influence on a lot of people. I am not surprised it was very powerful for you. Winona Ryder has always had amazing style too and really rocks short hair!! I can see where that could have been a major force for change. Plus, a short cut is very elegant and flattering to your features!!

I have so loved reading everyone's tributes to their style icons. <3

The summer before my 8th grade year, I met a girl who has coloured my style choices ever since. I grew up in a fairly conservative town that is known to the world outside it as a retirement destination - not exactly a hotbed of teen fashion - so when I had the opportunity to go to a two-week long theatre camp, I was exposed to an entirely new way of dressing and presenting than anything I'd ever seen at home.

She had that magic figure of being both lanky and curvy and wore her hair in a style I'd only ever seen skater boys wear (I always called it a "sling," due to the way they'd sling the bangs back out of their eyes). Her outfits were slouchy and oversized - it was clear her shorts had been cut off from grandpa's old pants, and her tee shirts were all band and concert tees - but still managed to show off her femininity. She walked with a long-limbed insouciance, and laughed easily and loudly, without a care to who was paying attention.

As a result of meeting and spending so much time with her, I became entranced with the style of Mary Stewart Masterson's presentation in her films around that same time - Some Kind Of Wonderful and Fried Green Tomatoes. Later, it became Bette's style from The L Word. It's still something that colours my choices to this day: the feminine tomboy, with a punk rock edge. I'm not sure it translates so well, but that's what's always driving my choices.

Anniemouse - how enthralling. I can imagine being very taken with that style. Plus I loved "Some kind of wonderful'!! The gloves with the chauffeur's uniform!! The hair!! Brillaint!! The scene at the end with the diamond studs - wow getting teared up here. But powerful, confident, unique, unfussy but still beautiful and just with a hint of vulnerable and unaffected. Those are powerful lures and influences. I could see how that could resonate and if you use the concepts and individual elements, I do think that would translate well into any area of style you wanted or needed to persue. Just awesome!!

My "Dodda" i.e. my mother's mother. A beautiful resourceful lady. Who loves her bags, wears kajal daily.has beautiful curly hair. Especially particular about her saris and her bra.
I want to be her

Ramya - how wonderful to have a woman like that in your life!! I adored my maternal grandmother (Nana for us) She was born in 1900, the first to cut her hair, drive a car and have a job outside the home in her family. Also an elegant, refined, stylish dresser - a real trailblazer and I adored her. So I really empathize!! So glad that it sounds like your Dodda is still with you!! Cherish every moment and write down all those stories in addition to soaking up the style!!