My introspection on Style Beliefs, Values, and Personality

Oh, I have LOVED reading everyone's posts, so thoughtful. Here are mine:

Beliefs:
I believe that no one cares more about what I look like than I do. Style to me is not only a visual thing, but a visceral thing. The way I look on the outside and the way I FEEL in a look are at least equally important, and often the feelings are actually more important than what I look like to others (especially days when I don't actually interact with anyone outside my household!) Just to be clear, this doesn't mean I dress in pajamas everyday. What feels good doesn't mean ultimate comfort. It means colors and shapes that intrigue me. Many times it means wearing beautiful jewelry and perfect makeup. Interestingly, I've worn a couple outfits around my house happily (quite dressy) and then when I wore them out to an appointment I felt self-conscious in them, because I knew they weren't traditionally flattering and that many folks were probably raising their proverbially eyebrows. I try to resist the urge to bend to this feeling because I know for the most part this is a very fleeting judgement on their part, and that most folks, including myself, don't have much energy to spend too much time worrying about what someone ELSE looks like. Nevertheless it did take some of my joy in the outfit so I'm trying to work through this. I don't want to avoid wearing things I like because of this!

Values:
I value experimentation, inventiveness, and individuality in my style.
I also value physical and psychological comfort, but it does require some balance with the former because sometimes playing around with style creates some outfits that challenge my psychological comfort. OTOH, if I miss an opportunity to play with an idea that also makes me sad!
I also value a curated wardrobe. I do not like to have "dead weight" in my closet as it causes me to lose some creative power.
In addition, sustainability, washability, size equity, and fair trade practices of the brands and garments I bring in to my closet is extremely important. Just as in the rest of my life, I think being a good earth-citizen is crucial, because we are all truly connected.

Personality:
I chuckled at Angie's "playful" personality because while I love the play with ideas, I am not at all drawn to actually playful clothing. I don't even wear polka dots.
I tend to be drawn to outfits and garments that have some historical/antique references.
I find that for my body type, color, and personality that clothing with softness works very well: soft textures, sheerness, round or blurred prints, lower contrasting color combinations or colors that are on the muted side of things.
Softness doesn't rules out boldness, though! I do love statement items and tend to prefer even my basics to have something interesting about them.

3 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’m so glad I read this. It inspired me to go look at some of your wiw posts, which I should do more often. You and I have some things in common and some that are very different. Your last couple lines, about boldness, sound a bit like my love of “lurking quirk” on even basics & essentials, because why shouldn’t they be fun? I’ll especially be watching for your historical references, as this is something I want to focus on, from time to time. Thanks for posting!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My dear Jenava, FWIW, I absolutely perceive your outfit combinations as playful! The items too. Just differently playful to my look. Your permed hair and new specs are playful! So maybe.....chuckle with me

Love the historical and antique reflection!

Sorry, I have to run, but will be back later. You did great

Synne

Lots of golden nuggets of wisdom here. Great read, thank you!

Anonymous

I agree about no one caring as much as we do about our own appearance, unless you really stand out in some way. 9x out of 10 they're probably thinking about themselves and whatever they have going on in life. And yes to feeling playful, without wanting to dress that way!

Jenava

Angie, I like to think of it as "experimental" rather than playful. haha. But I suppose I should introspect on why I dislike the terms specifically. I think because to me (as you also noted) I dislike the idea of "juvenile". now, why do I have a specific dislike of looking younger than I am? That, I suppose, is the money question.

Minaminu

What a fab post, very inspiring! I do think your outfits are playful and fun, particularly how you mix the colours in your outfits!

rachylou

The way I feel in something, emotionally as well as tactically and visually, is something very important to me too. (Only, I’m perhaps more at the level of trying to make it not look too awful!)

LaPed

I’m more drawn to the word “experimental” than “playful” too. I don’t think of myself as an experimental dresser in the sense of being avant-garde, but I certainly conduct my own little experiments. I suspect others would call that playing.

FWIW, I think Angie manages to cultivate a style that is youthful without being juvenile. And you, Jenava, have an incredible ability to bring in historical/antique elements without looking anachronistic or fusty. Classic beauty with a contemporary twist.

Thank you, La Ped

Jenava, I hear you on NOT wanting to look juvenile. It was in fact the first thing I mentioned in my post! I want to dress like a grown-up.....but my sartorial preferences are playful in that they are not serious. More lighthearted, colourful, upbeat, jolly, fun-loving, and a little mischievous. I think you can be very experimental and creative with your outfits, but the visual result is not playful. I see my definition of playful in your style. Does that make sense, to you?

I LOVE what you said about how feel in an outfit, and what you perceive works best for your body type because it gives you physical and emotional comfort. Since I've met and dressed you a few times, I can attest to the accuracy of all it! And think your style reflects beautifully how you are on the inside. Excellent congruency!

*APPLAUSE*

Jaime

A big yes to "no one cares more about what I look like than I do". This is really one of the most freeing beliefs I have, and, relatively speaking, I am less attuned to other people's opinions than many.
Also softness does not rule out boldness. Absolutely and a pretty good summary of your style as far as I know it.

Suz

What Shevia said. It's really important for us to remember that as we develop our style.

I love the historical references and see that in your style. Often, you remind me visually of a young Virginia Woolf and/or more often, her sister, Vanessa Bell.

Runcarla

Experimental is a good word. You are fashion forward with your silhouettes. I see the use of secondary colours in your palette, more so than primary brights. But your wardrobe is every bit as vibrant as the most colourful among us. The historic/antique provides a note of the romantic.

Sal

What a great read Jenava - it was fun to learn more about you. I see you as fashion forward and a lover of excellent colour combinations - ones that work.

Words are interesting because I would not see your style as playful but that is because I associate that word with brighter colours. I don't know why. But I would say you have fun with fashion and that is something I share with you, although we do that in different ways.

Bijou

You soft and dressy style and great use of colour is always such an inspiration and congruent with your BVPs. I am with you on the softness does not rule out boldness too!

Helena

Awesome insights ... I love the tension you've highlighted between how psychological comfort must sometimes be stretched to accommodate other aspects of your BVP ... balance is always the challenge, isn't it?

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