I've been working on this post for a full day and I still don't have firm conclusions. I'm so down in the weeds I can't see the patterns! Posting now or I probably never well.

Thanks to Sal for starting this discussion! Like Suz, I realized that my adjectives need to be updated. I chose Colorful, Comfortable, Structured, and Elegant some years ago. While perfectly true they aren't evocative. On the other hand, the moniker Duchess Next Door still feels right, even as my work has changed from an office to being home-based.

The clothes I wear have changed a lot. One of the things I love the most about working at home is being close to the outdoors. My office wardrobe is geared toward a highly climate-controlled environment. Whereas at home, I love having windows open and stepping out for a walk around the block. My office clothing wasn't this flexible, so I have made quite a few dresses and skirts and bought tops and cardigans for layering. I've paid a lot less attention to trends, and I've really honed my own preferences. When I went to the office I'd always change clothes when I got home; now I don't need to.

Analyzing in more detail is very challenging.
Lots of conflicting aspects:

• elements of fantasy, practical fabrics
• minimal layering, texture variation
• non-clashing, colorful
• feminine, clean lines
• skirts and dresses, loafers and sandals

My first try: Fanciful,

Harmonious, Nonchalant or Workaday

Fanciful: Trying to capture my vibe. My style is a combination of many things. Most would say Retro, but that word isn't meaningful for me. I'd be more likely to call it Classic, if we're talking in terms of The Thin Man, Casablanca, and White Christmas. But not YLF classic. Color, minimal neutrals, but not primary colors and clashing.

Drama for sure.

Elements of Boho, Cottagecore, and Fantasy.

Alternative words: picturesque, quaint, offbeat, old school

Harmonious: I feel this covers a lot. I like interesting outfits, with one or more colors that go together just so. Silhouettes, fabrics, accessories, any outerwear - all very carefully worked out. It doesn't take a lot of time now, but it's definitely something I've discovered bit by bit. I'm very careful to keep the formality of each piece balanced. Example, simple linen summer dress needs sandals or espadrilles; ballet flats look too heavy. Heavy cable cardigan doesn't work with trim high heels to church; the heels need a lightweight sweater. Corduroy is uncomfortable with a silky blouse, but the blouse works with wool plaid. Maybe the rules are all in my head but I'm not happy if I deviate from them.

Alternative words: elegant, refined, polished, graceful

Nonchalant or Workaday: Sal said, "There an ease but I don’t think casual is the right word." I've been wrestling with this concept. I'm not sure whether it's truly the clothes, or how and when/where I wear the clothes.

It's a balance -- tension? -- between formal and informal. A blazer would be far too formal for me. Jeans always feel casual, verging on sloppy, which I don't like. To me a linen dress, or a corduroy skirt and sweater, feel very laid-back but still put together. I wouldn't lounge in either but don't feel the need to change at the end of the work day.

But most people don't see my laid-back clothes that way. Skirt = dressy, regardless of its comfort or shabbiness.

So would that word really be nonchalant? Is it outfit-driven, or the fact that I choose for my everyday clothes to be in this middle land, neither formal nor informal, and definitely quirky? Workaday is almost boringly practical. Should this be two separate concepts?

Alternative words: composed, poised, suitable, seasonable, unpretentious, down-to-earth

I'll dig up some pictures in a few... maybe that would help as well.

ETA: Pictures added, across a wide variety of seasons. Some are church days (#13 is Easter) and some are regular days. I'm showing different hairstyles, too. It's usually more up than down (hot in summer, and in winter picks up lint and tangles from sweaters) but I'm always doing things with it.