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Personal style and the Zara change room

jussie

Veteran

Hi all,
Lately, as always, I have been mulling over some potential style words or guideposts. A “style moniker” or descriptor has usually eluded me. Maybe I’m just not as creative as I wish I was? Anyway, the words that I think best describe my personal style, don’t really represent any well-known, well-defined style. Herein lies the problem. I think it’s easier if someone uses a well established look, for example “edgy” or “hard edged”…. Because there are a tonne of examples and style icons with that style.
Whereas for myself, what’s most important to making me feel good in my clothes are the following:
1. Very colorful
2. Artsy
3. Trendy
4. ? Eclectic
I really enjoy pattern, and statement shoes. The closest well established style I think is probably what’s called “avent garde”…. But with a touch of Laura Ashley girlish ness.
Now, I certainly am nowhere near nailing this look as a whole, partly because I don’t even really know what it looks like!! Also I have budget constraints, and I do shy away from trendy purchases sometimes, even though I want it as part of my ideal look.
However I do know I need to do this look in a way that works for my practical needs, and is somewhat figure flattering and feminine.
My style must largely NOT be: corporate, very structured, preppy, sexy, refined, sporty, minimalist, classic.
Anyhoo, I wanted to actually find out what this look really looks like, when fully embraced. I made an outfit at Zara; leather crop pants, green suede boots, architectural shirt with delicate pink pinstripe, colourful neck scarf, aubergine shacket.
Trend elements: leather pants, architectural shirt shape, shacket.

Colours: aubergine, pink pinstripe, pop of intense colour in scarf.

Eclectic: mix of textures and shapes/cuts (point toe shoe, very oversized shirt etc).

Artsy: oversized shirt (?? Looks like I could wear it painting in the studio?), messy high bun.

Any thoughts or advice on ANY of this is welcome. Sorry for such a long and rambling post….
I know it’s a big ask but, how would you picture an outfit that’s very colourful, artsy, eclectic and trendy?
Funnily enough, now that I look at these photos, the outfit comes across as much more conservative than it felt at the time! The colours have come up very subtle… irl the textures and shapes seemed a lot more interesting. Maybe there’s something in that….

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Jenni NZ

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Not long and rambling, rather very relatable. I like to work back from examples inductively myself . So just looking at the pictures I see soft colors and contrast juxtaposed with a bit of sharp structure. So in Kibbe terms, a theatrical romantic (not typing you - just the clothes!). Not sure that helps, I am rambling myself!

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

This outfit makes me think of a lady painter in the French countryside circa 1865, maybe? (But modern , of course). I definitely agree that girlishness and color are important to your style.

rachylou

Veteran

I get a kind of Scandi Cowboy vibe… I realise that’s largely the boots, but the ‘cowboy’ has a bit of true grit that artsy, country, and hipster do not—which there are hints of in this outfit. That is, I could see this outfit in Oak or even Kinfolk, which are somewhat avant garde magazines (or were), but it’s an outfit that can be more real than any such magazine photoshoot…

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I would call the overall vibe of this outfit “artsy” rather than “arty”- not sure how much of a difference there is though. I found the term “eclectic” of little use to me as it didn’t give me any direction, just meant I liked a lot of things!
I think Zaeobi’s fairly recent thread on finding her Bird of Paradise style monikers was terrific for this sort of thing.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

I think Jaime nails it with theatrical romantic. I like rachylou’s idea of Scandi Cowboy, because it’s fun to join things that might not belong together and make them work, something I do myself with outfits and capsules. (cf Buffalo Kawaii)

When looking for style monikers, I boiled it down by thinking about the values I applied when selecting clothes and getting dressed. I eventually settled on: timeless, urban, eclectic, androgynous, individual. They still work for me.

Nice boots, btw. Provenance?

Anonymous

The boots look Dramatic, the pants shape is TR, the shirt is Classic, and the topper is Natural. Aside from the colors its a pretty Yang look overall, and I've always thought of your look as more Yin.

Bijou

Veteran

Jussie, you remind me of an off-duty Cate Blanchett in your style, you have the same ethereal elegance even when wearing practical day clothes.

Indigoprint

Veteran

I also enjoyed your musings. I am older than you and still do not have a grasp of descriptive terms for myself. Although it is funny since when I have the occasion to shop with good friends they can point out/pick items that they think look like me and they are usually accurate so maybe I should ask them!
I do know what I do not like. I think I am challenged because I seem to like ALOT of things so I lose my focus when it comes to narrowing it down.
I do not know if you can get Cutloose brand clothing where you live but the colors seem like you might like them. They tend to be flowy and not body-con in design. Just a visual I thought to further explore your process.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I see PLAYFUL when I see your outfits Jussie.

I also see soft, vibrant, delicate, pretty, romantic and creative!

lyn67

Veteran

Love how fearless you've put all these together! Will you buy the items? they really make a great outfit!

ChristelJ

Veteran

I'm no good at all with monikers or descriptors so I won't attempt those, but just want to say I enjoy your style so much because there's always something unexpected, fun, and hip while being flattering at the same time. This outfit is delightful!

Synne

Veteran

Love the Cate Blanchet reference above! Also "Scandi Cowboy".
To me, you remind me of the character Miss Honey in Roald Dahl's Mathilda. Something always soft, feminine, romantic and ethereal about you. How about "Miss Honey moves to Berlin"?

Runcarla

Veteran

I’ve always seen something Bohemian adjacent in your style. I use the full word, and not ‘boho’ because there is something about your look that is rooted in the original early 19th century meaning, and not the modern derivative as it seems to be applied to fashion (lots of shapeless gauzy layers.) Does that make any sense? Romantic Vagabond?

Irina

Veteran

I agree with Angie, outfits that you posted look playful, romantic and pretty. Also, as RunCarla mentioned, there is definitely feel of a bit bohemian. I actually don’t see an architectural or avant-garde as these styles are on the hard edge of fashion and your style is softer.

Star

Veteran

I think Angie has nailed it.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

First off, those colours are lovely on you, Jussie! And I join Lyn in being delighted at your intrepid try on session at Zara. What a great idea!

I love the "off duty Cate Blanchett suggested by Bijou! That is brilliant! Agreeing with Angie that your style (as I have seen it thus far) is soft, romantic, creative, delicate, vibrant. Nodding with RunCarla about the somewhat bohemian thread (which might be considered "arty") but, like Irina, I do not see architectural or avant garde in this or in your typical outfits -- however, that might be part of your aspirational style. A direction you want to move toward?

The "Scandi Cowgirl" is a fun idea that describes this outfit but I am not sure it describes your more typical outfits.

Probably "theatrical romantic" in Kibbe terms...for whatever that is worth, LOL.

jussie

Veteran

Jaime: thank you for pointing out the idea of Kibbe theatrical romantic, I will have to do some research on that. Sounds exciting though!

Jessikams: I love the sound of lady painter in a past century! For some reason I feel like I need to ride around on an old bicycle to complete the look :). Thank you for mentioning you see girlishness and colour; this is something I might lean into even more.

I will respond to each person a little later today, so far it’s been illuminating!

jussie

Veteran

Rachylou; the boots definitely do veer into a cowboy look don’t they? And that, teamed with the shacket gives the whole thing a bit of a country vibe. It wasn’t really what I was going for, so I am grateful to you for pointing it out. Gritty is just not me, so maybe I need to re-think whether this outfit really encapsulates what I’m aiming for.
As shoes really do determine the overall “vibe” of an outfit, choosing a gritty, country ish shoe just probably doesn’t help me achieve my style goals. Even though they are great boots, part of the appeal of having style words is to be able to narrow down choices; just because something is great doesn’t mean it belongs in our personal aesthetic.
Although it is a fun outfit and I like it, it’s not exactly the evocative of the descriptors of very colourful, Arty, eclectic and trendy. Or I may need to alter my descriptors a bit.

Jenni NZ: you could well be right in saying the term eclectic isn’t particularly helpful; it’s maybe just a word I am using because my look is unfocused really…. I am mulling it over now.

Approprio: thanks for your ideas. Buffalo kawaii sounds very interesting! The boots are Zara, they were pretty cool I must admit.

Suntiger: I agree, there’s a lot of Yang here. It’s the shacket I believe! And those powerful boots! Probably not a great outfit in terms of really the style I’m going for I guess. I did think it was trendy though. Which is something I’m trying to channel. I just think it need to do it in a way that’s more “me” and less cowboy/Yang…

jussie

Veteran

Bijou: thank you, you are very kind. I do rather like Cate Blanchettes style, she has some beautiful tailored trouser-and-blouse looks, with a romantic/Grace Kelly? Kind of vibe.

Indigoprint: thank you for the tip about Cutloose, flowing is always good! And I understand what you mean about friends being able to recognize things you would like, without being able to exactly describe or pinpoint how they know…. But they just know…

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Jussie, the thing about the friends… they can know, but part of my whole journey with reducing my wardrobe started in a shop with my best friend when I tried something on and she said “It just looks like one of your tops!” Which was so true and made me realise I had a lot of what I once read was called “clone clothing” (that is: different but not really).