Oh, wow -- I love the newly altered items on you! Fab choices!

That top does not look khaki as I understand the word!

My former moniker was urban prince. And I did use it as Jenni describes when I was actively building a wardrobe from almost nothing. I'd ask, Would an urban prince wear this? and How would an urban prince wear this? and Does this outfit (as a whole) read 'urban prince'?

I have a good core wardrobe now so I'm not buying as aggressively, and I also have a stronger handle on my style so I rarely ask myself if a Laid-back luminous garconne would wear this or that -- now, it's more like looking to see if each outfit incorporates the degree of juxtaposition that those adjectives and that noun seem to telegraph to me. So...do i have enough laid-back (for this activity). Do I have enough luminous? The "garconne" part is pretty close to the "prince" part -- maybe a little more playful and with a shot of femininity.

Ok, I havent read the other replies so sorry if I’m repeating. The words that come to my mind looking at your wiws etc:
Spice market
Rich
Nuanced
Earthy
Deep
Smouldering
Amber-jewelled
Lustrous
Glowering
Powerful feminine
Tiger
Jaguar
Kingfisher
Bird of paradise
Bright jewels deep in the jungle
Glamour
Refined
Polished
Sophisticated
Sahara desert at midnight
Well-dressed
Expressive
Hope that helps

Hi Zaeobi that’s the thread of mine, yes, but I meant Angie’s blog post that I linked it to. Click on my thread and then click on the blog post at the top. Angie’s ideas on style monikers.

@Suz
Thank you - still have a ways to go but at least I'm finally making a dent in the alterations pile...
Lol I thought so, just checking I hadn't gone colourblind - will give it (& the turtleneck by the same misnomer) away.
Thanks for the explanation of how you utilise your moniker - both before & after. That's what I'm looking for!

@jussie
Ooh, nice list! Just to double check though, do you mean Glowing instead of Glowering? Unless that's how I look in my photos, lol
The Bird of Paradise is the perfect mix of glowing spicy colours though - thank you for your birdly knowledge!

@Jenni
Ah gotcha, will have a read of Angie's post too - I got distracted by @rachy's 4 year old thread on what everyone would wear/ do in a Zombie Apocalypse, lol!
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-in-the-za

1. LOL! *Khaki* Hahaha! Who are these people?

2. The whiskey ad… ooh!

3. The altered pieces are fantastic!!

4. Ok. So right, who WOULD you be in the ZA? I always loved that exercise. Gets right down to it.

I also see PRETTY

How about:

Tropical Earthy Glam

@rachylou
1) Ok good to know it's not just me lol, will pass on the 'khaki' lol!
2) I like how the Raggiana Bird of Paradise has those whiskey colours - persona easily incorporated! (See photos)
3) Thanks, my hand sewing skills are veeery slowly developing lol...
4) I'm not actually sure, lol! I know I'd more likely help out behind the scenes where I'd have time to think (either cooking, gardening crops, healing/ mending, or passing on knowledge through teaching/ writing) but I don't have a ton of those skills practically speaking... Maybe I'd flit to whichever one of those areas needs assistance? Like a chameleon helper, lol!

@Angie
Ooh thanks for recognising Pretty too - must remember that, to stop myself dressing too utilitarian (looks great on others but I feel a bit clunky that way).
I like those aspects, but also the idea of a Persona to help visualise the end result - how about 'What would a Relaxed Pretty Bird of Paradise wear?' OR maybe 'What would a Practically Polished Bird of Paradise wear?'

I think that incorporates the 'earthy tropical' in autumnal colours of the Raggiana Bird of Paradise (see photos!) but also my need to balance Pretty Comfort.

What do you think, Fabbers? Can you easily visualise this persona? (though it's non human lol, is the imagery still vivid enough for style direction?)

Oooh, I love either of these! I can absolutely visualize the persona and it fits with what I have seen of your style. I am not sure which one I'd go with...a Bird of Paradise is perhaps inherently pretty...I think "practical Bird of Paradise" incapsulates pretty and spicy colours and all those good things and also offers that bit of juxtaposition.

I like practically polished bird of paradise … because although comfort is a priority you look quite polished to me?

Thank you both, this is exciting- it's slowly becoming much easier to visualise!

Yes, I agree I need something in there to remind myself of the juxtaposition I need (instead of going too far in either the Glamorous or Utilitarian directions).

Sorry gotta disagree with Jussie and Suz! I like Relaxed Pretty Bird of Paradise much better- but if you think the pretty is already in there what about just Relaxed Bird of Paradise? The pics are so pretty!
Only it makes me imagine the bird in a deck chair if it’s relaxed,LOL

This Sassy Shoemaker’s Elf would humbly ask to take the Relaxed Bird of Paradise out dancing… sounds like fun.

I always see 'polished' so think it should be included. I did not read the other comments so not influenced

Hmm I think the 'right' modifier comes down to subtle changes in connotations now...

I remember when I first joined YLF, I was most drawn to Angie's 'Demure Bombshell' type, because it was both modest & tailored (I need fitted shoulders, waist & hems). But I don't like to go *too* 'neat' or 'sexy', so...

What (connotation) differences do you see in any of the following:
Relaxed VS Practical
Relaxed VS Ease
Relaxed VS Fluid
Fluid VS Fitted
Fluid VS Tailored
Fluid VS Ease
Tailored VS Fitted?
OR
Polished VS Pretty
Polished VS Glam
Pretty VS Glam?
Or if you think another word better modifies the Bird of Paradise moniker, please share!

I'm thinking practically, to curb the times I go shopping & end up trying things on that don't suit my lifestyle or comfort levels (I'm sure a Bird of Paradise's life is more glamorous than mine - without the need to worry about being not work appropriately modest & machine washable, lol!)

Well just one thought, to me, both the words “ease” and “fluid” make me automatically think of baggy clothing.
But that’s just me.
I think the word glam has a slightly attention-getting, slightly sexy note to it, whereas polished doesn’t necessarily mean either of those.
Pretty makes me think of Laura Ashley, girlish looks. Again, just my own connotation which may say a lot more about me and the culture I’ve been immersed in rather than anything else.

This was great analysis, but I am no help at all. I just can’t put this things into words and don’t even have moniker for myself.

Unruffled Bird of Paradise? Unruffled could cover both tidy and relaxed/easy… and fits with the bird concept….

Not sure- but love the bird

I like:

Practically Polished Bird of Paradise

The Bird of Paradise denotes the tropical, colourful, glam, elegant and pretty part

Haha @suntiger I love the bird too! Now to build the descriptors around that

@Jussie I'm inclined to agree - Pretty works great for alliteration, but I think I'm too much of a magpie to not get distracted by bows, ruffles & ditsy florals if I choose it as a guiding word.

@anchie I see Citrus Toffee Polish for you (or maybe Sweet & Sour Polish?) as a nod to both your creamy neutrals & brights
It's difficult though, isn't it? If you're not a very wordy person though, maybe making a visual moodboard instead could help?

@CarolS & @Angie
I love both concepts, thank you! I think I'll use them interchangeably - Unruffled Bird of Paradise works great for my casual summer looks (when I'm usually off duty), whereas Practically Polished Bird of Paradise works great for work & going out. Will update my YLF profile accordingly!

---

Thank you everyone for your contributions to this thread, & for tolerating my verbal diarrhoea through this process, lol! I appreciate you all helping me to think through this - it's already making it easier to visualise how to incorporate my 2023 goals of more shine & texture:
https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2023-goals
Just pulled the trigger on these COS items as a result - the knitwear is more saffron than pale yellow IRL. Also think this will be the year I finally hem these clay red silk trousers!

What a happy ending Zaeobi! I hope they really help. The Bird of Paradise is beautiful and so are you!

Love your new monikers, perfect!

That is perfect!

Ooh love the new stuff!

The new monikers are perfection!

Yay! Thanks for letting us "play along"! When I see that bird and think of your wardrobe, well, it just makes so much sense.

Also, those yellow Cos jumpers are glorious!!

These are wonderful monikers. I think they will be a great guide for shopping and dressing. Let us know how they work out once you've had a chance to try them.

Aww thank you @Jenni & @star, @helena, @tanya!

@CarolS
Thank you - I think it reigns in the 'tropical' part just enough to remember to stick to my autumn version of tropical shades (instead of primary colours). I realise this is a very 'me' problem to have, though - most people probably need to remind themselves the other way around, to wear stop wearing so many neutrals instead lol

@suntiger
You know, this is my first time buying from COS! I had to order in my size for the jumper, but I remember feeling it in-store & being so surprised that the wool wasn't itchy! The turtleneck is also thin merino - a bit sheer but good for layering. They have it in a tiger print too, if you're interested

@Bonnie
Am patiently waiting to receive the jumper but I'm happy to report that I've tried the turtleneck in the meanwhile (other than with my floral jeans in the fitting room) & it layers well. Now to apply it to the rest of my closet

Well those are probably the most fun monikers I've seen yet. Well done!