My approach to wardrobe themes

I thought to explain my approach to wardrobe themes in more details than I posted on my Style Goals yesterday, especially since in the next post I will describe my current theme, Dark Romance, and I want to cut on the length of introduction on that post.

I credit Brooklyn with her thematic posts starting 4 or so years ago to start doing this myself properly, her posts are such an inspiration! I have also always enjoyed how InStyle magazine used to report trends for upcoming season, in form of several style stories, each describing the inspiration/look, and then breaking it down to relevant shapes, colors, patterns and materials. Sadly, they don't do it anymore, although one can still find similar articles from time to time from fashion forecasting agencies and similar entities.

The hardest part of the process for me is identifying a theme "menu" to choose from. It is much easier if one finds articles like above, harder if you have to do everything from scratch yourself. I look at the shows from the relevant season, read all the trend reports, look at the social media trends etc. The theme has to match the season, and my preferred neutrals for it ( I would not do anything black heavy in the spring). My fall theme of Academia Chic was mostly based on the Dark Academia trend that exploded on social media. It was very popular and easy to define because there were so many "how to" articles. My current winter theme, Dark Romance, is based on runway looks and trend reports. I should mention that in general, I like lot of different things, but they are always consistent and don't change randomly (e.g. bohemian will never be my thing, but I admire it one others). So picking a theme is basically focusing on a certain look I already like.

The next step would be defining the theme in details: the colors, shapes, patterns, etc. For example, for Dark Romance that would mean juxtaposition of edgier/gothic styles with romantic ones, lots of black, moody florals, etc. Then the theme gets filtered through the lens of my own preferences, or style monikers. My main persona is Sleek Urban Princess (SUP), with two shadow-personas, edgy and bombshell. I would think on how would SUP interpret, say, Dark Academia? For that theme the main bottom options were skirts - both fuller midis and a-line and pleated minis, and relaxed trousers, often pleated. Looking through SUP lens, I eliminated pleated pants - not sleek and I don't like them, and minis which I don't wear. Some aspects of a theme get eliminated, some enhanced, and some modified.

After that, I see what I already have in my wardrobe that suits the theme. I would obviously not pick a theme that would require everything from scratch - that would likely mean that it wasn't a good option for me anyway. I try putting together outfits and make a short shopping list of items to complete them or which are crucial to the look and I don't already have. For example, I would find it hard to do the Dark Romance theme without a dark/black leather moto.

Finally, the looks are put together and worn throughout the season. I don't take this too seriously - so far I am following my themes about 80% of the time, and borrow from elsewhere, too. When I was doing Dark Academia in the fall, the theme was well suited to daytime activities but less so for going out/dressing up, so for social occasions I did the winter Dark Romance theme. Some of the interpretations are pretty subtle, maybe only in colors or accessories. And I don't follow the themes for every role/type of outfit. For example, for WFH, I skip the themes, only choose the same general color palette, and do the usual dressed up loungewear.

I also wanted to clarify something I wrote yesterday, namely the "A meets B" approach for the SS2023. I will copy what I added there: " Based on fall and winter experiences, I realized that I prefer themes that naturally incorporate juxtaposition (like Dark Romance), to "homogenous" themes (like Dark Academia). When considering various themes for SS 2023, I couldn't come up with anything that naturally included juxtaposition, so I decided to make my own. So for each season, I picked two relatively contrasting themes to juxtapose myself (e.g. for spring, theme A meets theme B). This will still be filtered through my moniker lens later."

Thank you for reading this novel and any comments are welcome!

1 year ago

Tanya

Veteran

As an example, I am copying here an excerpt from one of those fashion trends articles with 6 themes that really resonated with me so I saved it. Unfortunately, the whole article is now behind a paywall. This was for winter 2020, and I really wanted to do this theme, but then pandemic happened, and there were no outfits, just loungewear, for quite a while. This theme still appeals to me on so many levels, so I definitely plan to a version of it sometime in the future. The theme is called Marvel Noir, and it is one of those that incorporate juxtaposition on their own.

"When it comes to Marvel Noir, the story will be all about the femme fatale heroine.

“It’s alluring film noir siren meets brash cartoon superhero,” Graubard said. “Futuristic movies take their cue from the ‘40s…we’ve mixed this film noir heroine with the Pulp Fiction novel.”

Here, it’s about Afrofuturism and dystopia, it’s a little luridness, it’s Janelle Monáe.

Colors: The palette is black and white, but it’s also “lurid tones,”
like aqua, shocking pink, orange and “weird purple” as Graubard puts it.

Fabrics and details: Fluid silks, smooth jerseys, high-gloss patents or vinyls, stretch velvets, dense neoprenes, heavy satins. “The fabrics are slick and sticky and velvet,” she said. “They’re not cozy yummy.” Shoulder flounces will make an appearance, as will openings in sleeves for cape effects.

Prints and patterns: Blurred motifs, fetish imagery, winged insignias, vintage fashion illustrations, animal prints,graffiti prints, checkerboards, monster hands, classical sculpture, tattoo roses.

Styles and silhouettes: Graphic or printed top,pencil skirt, slim tailored trousers, shiny trench coat, cape or capelet, yoked top. “There’s a lot of action at the breastbone, whether it’s an opening or some kind of trim,” Graubard said. “This is not sweet, but it is sexy.”

Denim: Denim will come in shades of black, from washed and faded to
super-black. The story will see charcoal washes, jeans will be doubled or high waist, hips will be clean without pockets and corset seaming will make anappearance. “Black denim makes a big comeback with white stitching,” she said.

Accessories: Dramatic sunglasses, top-handle bags mixed with punky spikes and superhero belts. The scarf around the neck will also be key.

Footwear: ‘80s-influenced booties, studded pumps, high-tech sneaker boots, for a mix of “vixen appeal and superhero energy.”

Cardiff girl

I am totally in awe if anyone who can do this level of fashion analysis and l love reading about it.Can’t wait to see it translated into looks.

Anonymous

Ok I need to come up with this for my own style. Maybe it will keep me on track.
Wanna see the Marvel Noir!

Vildy

That article was a great find. So wonderfully detailed as to mood. Created a login to read it all.

Runcarla

I miss Instyle magazine (paper) sooo much. I think my theme is 2018 Pinterest

jussie

Wow! Just… wow! Can’t wait to see what you come up with.

Sal

What a great project Tanya! I look forward to seeing your Dark Romsncd outfits. I agree that contrast or even clash can be the key to the best looks - it’s the tension that makes it fun. Something trendy, something classic or something sleek and something tough or tough.

Suz

(website)

This is so helpful, Tanya -- thank you! The level of thought is astonishing but I can also see that once you get into the swing of doing this, it should not be so difficult.

Hmmm. Off to find my spring/ summer thing:

Laid-back luminous garcon does....

Wait -- I've got it: Laid-back luminous garçon does: off-kilter utility pretty.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

*APPLAUSE*

I love that you find countless ways to enjoy your KILLER wardrobe, Tanya! As a scientist, you stick to all sorts of new and old formulas - but with the intuitive flair and flexibility of an artist. All in good fun! LOVE seeing you have fun because I know that fashion and style are a creative and therapeutic outlet for you

Thanks for sharing, and please carry on!

Sounds like a lot of fun! Maybe I will give it a try for spring with the Atomic Blonde description that someone gave me. I look forward to your renditions. I enjoy your posts

Brooklyn

So excited…

Jenni NZ

What Cardiff girl said. Will watch in awe.

SarahD8

I think the deep dive into what a style could mean and what elements, colors, silhouettes, etc. it could encompass is SO interesting -- and fun! Looking forward to hearing more about your take on Dark Romance.

Jaime

Fascinating! I don't think about my style in terms of themes, but this sounds so fun and thought provoking I'm tempted. Can't wait to see how this plays out!

Sally

Sounds amazing. I admire your depth of planning and think it would take a wardrobe with great depth and versatility to pull this off, but I guess as you say you only go with themes you like and your wardrobe is already built around the pieces you love. I look forward to seeing how you use the theme to style your outfits.

Thank you all for the kind words and excitement! And please join me in doing your own themes if you feel so inclined.

Suntiger, Marvel Noir has to wait for some future year, but I am excited to do it when the time is right.

Vildy, glad you enjoyed the article.

Suz, very glad this is helpful! Your chosen theme sounds very interesting, can't wait to see how you execute it.

Angie, thank you very much for all the support.

Bijou

Wow - I am blown away. I have set themes, but can at times veer off in directions that whilst may be enjoyable - not entirely cohesive with my preferred wardrobe direction. I particularly love how you have shown how specific Marvel Noir is.

Thank you very much, Bijou! Your wardrobe looks very cohesive to me.
About specificity, when I find those articles with well defined themes, they are super specific which I like. When I am putting a theme on my own, I inevitably end up being less specific. And finally, when putting it all into practice, specificity drops down even more, as some interpretations are quite subtly and I try to sue a lot of what I already have so some things may tick some but not all boxes.

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