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Looking for new descriptor

Sally

Veteran

I really like this style for the colder months. Do you see a similar theme here? I’ve even found some older women inspiration. I’m looking for a new descriptor. I’ve changed practical to utilitarian, keeping urban. My other word used to be modern but I don’t think this is necessarily modern. I’m looking for a noun. Utilitarian, urban……? Suggestions welcome. Let your imagination fly…

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30 replies

Latest reply was from Sally

Vildy

Veteran

some of those pictures sent me down the path of dystopian, post apocalyptic and cyberpunk but I ended up at Futuristic

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I see “slouchy” but some other words that might work:
Relaxed
Ease
Nonchalant
Androgynous

CarolS

Veteran

I like these looks and can really see you in them, Sally. I think urban utilitarian nails it and stands pretty well on its own, but I also see a bit of tomboy in them. Or maybe bad@ss (In the very best sense of the word if salty language speaks to you! ) I feel like there should be another word but it’s just not coming to me right now.

I will be following to see what others have to say!

Sally

Veteran

Thank you Vildy. I do like the dystopian/apocalyptic look but one that doesn't look out of place for work or any setting.
Thank you Jenn so if I changed it to a noun I could use utilitarian, urban slouch or utilitarian urban nonchalance.
Thank you Carol. I don't mid bad@ss. I guess that invokes other less salty descriptors such as renegade or dissident. I also like utilitarian urban tomboy as well.

SarahD8

Veteran

Tomboy was the word that spring to mind for me - a lot of these looks seem to have a menswear element in the mix.

Star

Veteran

Very you. I still see edgy.

The Cat

Veteran

When looking at these pictures, the word "tomboy" easily comes to mind. No dresses, skirts or blouses are seen here.

Sally

Veteran

Thank you SarahD8, Star and The cat. I guess I’ll just have to reconcile myself to edgy and tomboy . I don’t feel very tomboyish or edgy. I wonder how many of us dress in a way that is different from our perceptions of ourselves. Is it aspirational…interesting.

Minaminu

Veteran

I may be wrong but when I see your outfits and the images that you uploaded, I would describe your style as utilitarian urban boho.

Bijou

Veteran

Looking at your pictures, I thought 'insouciant urban' was a good descriptor for this style of dressing.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I see bohemian in all the outfits except no 8. So I’m with Minaminu. Urban bohemian.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I like what Bijou says. But it does also look androgynous to me. And utilitarian. All of them look urban except maybe the last one.
I seem to have started in on the skivvy, warm knit, warm pants thing already this year and feel boring! At least I bought one new skivvy in a brighter blue, for a tiny bit of interest…

Olive Green

Veteran

We share a few pins and the slouchy aspect, Carol.
My moniker is Utilitarian Nomad.
Urban Utilitarian Flaneur comes to mind for you, all outfits very walkable, easy to commute in, not too fussy. Some classic lines, some more drapey ones…and a touch of bad ass, which is sometimes needed in urban life, don’t you think? Lol.

Chris987

Veteran

I can definitely see these looks working for you! I'm not much into monikers myself so nothing to add there, although I am following with interest. So glad you posted this! I've been wanting to add a bit of this whatever-it-is to my own style and these examples are perfect for inspo. I especially love #7 in part because the messy closet reminds me of my childhood where I shared a tiny bedroom with 3 sisters. Our clothes-all-over-the-place were nowhere as interesting as those of the woman in that photo How did you find these photos? Do you have search terms you used, maybe in Pinterest, or are these specific bloggers/instagrammers?

CarolS

Veteran

Ooh, I like renegade, Sally!! Utilitarian urban renegade sounds good and maybe feels more authentic for you than tomboy?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I see what Jenn sees.

Androgynous Slouch.

Anonymous

I like your inspiration photos! I collected some of them for my cold weather style. I see layering and accessories in your looks. Layered Boho Utilitarian

Sally

Veteran

Wow so many ideas. I’ve gone to work this morning (southern hemisphere) and will reply fully end of the day.

Helena

Veteran

Yes to androgynous slouch!

Roberta

Veteran

When I hear the word tomboy, I often think of a younger person. Overalls and Converse, if you get my drift. That's a look I really like and no offense meant. A teen or college age person. The looks you have posted strike me as grown women, very confident and self-assured. Also practical, duh, because look how many of them have their hands in actual pockets!

The looseness and flowiness (is that a word?) of some of the pieces give them a certain femininity in my eye as well. Alyson Walsh calls this style Gentlewoman - https://www.google.com/amp/s/a.....entlewoman

Our seasonal discussion elsewhere makes me wonder how these looks translate to hot weather.

Sal

Veteran

I like all these looks for you Sally.

My comment would be that these ones are androgynous but you also wear more colour, cardigans, prints and skirts in summer that are more feminine in style. They have a more boho element.

So I like utilitarian bohemian urbanite...

That way I think you can capture two of the three in most outfits - it won't always be all of them

For example - blazer and jeans and boots won't be bohemian but will be the others and your pleated skirts and cardigan with boots might capture them all?

For me I need an outfit to work with two of my descriptors to feel authentic.

rachylou

Veteran

Urban renegade really does it for me…

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Urban boho, androgynous RATE (rough around the edges) all catch some of this. Love the inspo. #8 is my spirit image.

The Cat

Veteran

I really like Sal's suggestion--utilitarian bohemian urbanite--that not only captures these inspo pics (which generally seem to be fall and winter outfits) but also "allows" for wearing skirts, cardigans and more colours and prints in summer or whenever you want to.

Sally

Veteran

Thanks
everyone for your ideas and feedback

@minaminu-
yes I guess there is vibe of bohemian and it could be a descriptor in terms of unstructured and carefree.

@Bijou – I had to look up insouciant – great word!

@ Brooklyn –
thanks – I threw the last one in because I liked the bag and her expression.

@ Jenni – I don’t
mind wearing the same thing everyday as long as I like what I’m wearing and Ican change the scarf …but ask me again at the end of winter though. I might be bored then and it feels like there was never a summer.

@ Olive Green –
I really like that word – Flaneur. I am a bit of a Flaneur and it is definitely important to have good walking shoes as I am constantly on my feet for my job. Yes also needing to be a bit badass in urban life.

@chris987-
these are all off pinterest. I just put in some descriptors like urban ulitarian and I often add older woman because I like to see how older people carry off looks. Quirky older woman style is another good one. Then if you search for a few, it automatically gives you similar ones next time you look or you can just click on more like this. I also think that lady was in a thrift shop but I guess it could be a bedroom. What a lot of fun sharing your room with 3 sisters but maybe not all the time.

@carolS = I like
that word too – some styles are more renegade than others in my opinion.

@Angie – thank
you. Slouch is a noun so could be a good final word for a descriptor. I like androgynous dressing.

@ Nikki –
interesting that you picked up the accessories. I think the scarves and the bag are a big thing.

@Helena – Thank you.

@Roberta –
great article. I think you hit on the right note about tomboy. A lot of
midlife women find the word tomboy problematic but the description of the gentlewoman fits. As far as summer goes, I struggle more
with dressing….usually stompy sandals and a shapeless dress, or a more bohemian look as Sal suggested.

@Sal – you are right. I do tend to move toward bohemian
look in summer as I struggle with clothes in warm weather and don’t like
wearing shorts unless it is walks etc. Good point that we can’t fit all the descriptors all the time. It’s a bit of a case which of my words do I
choose today.

Sally

Veteran

@ Rachylou - I definitely feel renegade in my black skinnies and combat boots and black coat.
@ Jaime - thanks for the words and Yes that lady just reeks of attitude. Thats why I picked the picture.
@ The Cat - good point - urbanite is a good noun.

Okay I think I will go with utilitarian bohemian urbanite
but sometimes I will add a bit of renegade (sandman inspired clothes) and I will be a flaneur when I have spare time. I do like the word slouch but it keeps making me think of sloth.

Anonymous

I especially like the first outfit!
Bohemian urbanite bad@rse?

The Cat

Veteran

I think having 5 (or more) descriptors is ok. As you said, Sally, "we can't fit all the descriptors all the time." But you can make it a goal that at least 3 of them fit in each case.

Years ago, I wrote under "Style statement" in my profile: "I want my outfits and even each item to include at least 3 of these elements: Casual, Elegant, Gamine, Urban, Polished". Lately, I have actually added a few words (in my mind and on my phone). However, as long as 3 or 4 of my (carefully chosen!) descriptors fit the item/outfit, it will be fine.

Katerina

Veteran

The outfits strike me as confident, cool, strong….
I’d say urban boho with attitude.

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