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Please help with inspiration board

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

So, I'm doing Project 333 to figure out where I am stylewise = point A. I think it's going to turn out very classic but we'll see. At any rate, I would eventually like to get to point B, which is where I'd incorporate elements from my inspiration board (picture below).

This is where I need your help. When I look at it, the first words that come to my mind are "feminine glamour". What do you see? Anything jumping out at you?

Thank you!

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Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Alexandra

rute

Veteran

Old hollywood glamour, lady-like, classic!

lyn67

Veteran

I see lot of skirts and dresses, so classic, ladylike, feminine glamour is OK form my part. I see colors in accesories, rather then the clothing items, which are mainly neutral. And see a love of strappy, hot climate sandals which are a bit more structured and substantial, and not that dainty at all. And, I see you dreaming of beautiful, simple classic buns done from shinny long hair:-).

E

Veteran

Let's see...I noticed that quite a few of the dresses you've picked have some type draping in the bust area and are then more form fitting down below. Everything has a very defined waist. Lots of monochrome/column of colour looks too! Most of the outfits have a Grecian statue feel (to me) that's very beautiful and dramatic.

To add to feminine glamour then I'd add dramatic and statue-esque and maybe even some variation on proud (in a good way). A lot of the women you've selected are striding powerfully along and seem very striking and self confident; you'd make a definite entrance in these outfits and heels. Google suggested majestic as a possible synonym, and that struck me as possibly encompassing statue-esque and dramatic and proud all in one word. Your aspirational style if very queenly I think, as opposed to a princess or prince or knight.

Hope that helps!

viva

Veteran

I love the phrase feminine glamour. I'll add sophisticated drama. Both phrases have an inherent tension, which I also pick up in the images on your board -- tension in the best way. Although there are elements of classic Grace Kelly sophistication, there is none of her iciness. For me, the picture of Helen Mirren with the bare shoulder captures the essence of the mood. It's sexy without being trashy; classic without being boring; dramatic without being costumey.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I see elements of classic, retro, and ladylike. Beautiful board

Emily

Veteran

Definitely glamourous, feminine, and a bit retro - I would add in luxury.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Alexandra --

Lots of great suggestions to add to your starting point above...just wanted to add that I see a lot of textural mix in your choices.

From the folds of the cowls and the detailing on the leather to the shine of fabric or hair, there's an element where "dimension meets smooth."

Another adjective I'd throw in would be "bold." Keep us posted on your discoveries!

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

OMG, you all are amazing!

Thank you, rute, Transcona Shannon, and Emily, for confirming my first impression and for adding more words/phrases!

Thank you, lyn67, E, viva, and Vix, for the detailed analysis! That is so above and beyond what I was hoping to see when I posted the question. Super helpful!

I've copied everyone's comments to do more thinking offline but here's a recap of what you all said:
Old-hollywood glamour, retro, classic, ladylike/feminine, luxury, dramatic, statuesque, majestic, queenly, sophisticated drama, bold.
Sexy without being trashy; classic without being boring; dramatic without being costumey.
Neutral clothes, colorful accessories.
Structured strappy sandals with substance.
Defined waist. Draped above waist, fitted below.
Textural mix - "dimension meets smooth".

On the subject of long shiny hair in a bun: if I only get one wish in my next life, I would like it to be this.

MsMary

Veteran

I think "feminine glamour" is very apt. The first words that came to my mind were "retro chic!"

Either way, it's a fab look!

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, MaryK!

rachylou

Veteran

I see "romantic sleek."

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, romantic sleek - interesting. I like that. Thank you, rachylou!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Ladylike with a touch of retro is what I saw first

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love all the suggestions / associations you've been gifted with here. They all make sense to me and I'm not sure I have anything useful to add, except to elaborate a bit on Vix's textural point -- there's a fair bit of shine here (which contributes to drama and glamour, of course, and to a sense of luxury.) There is a great deal of consistency here, so that gives you an excellent place to begin.

Are these outfits realistic for the life you actually live? Could you wear heels like that on a regular basis? How about silk blouses? And so on. Those might be questions for later once you have identified the elements of the aspirational style. Then you could figure out how to achieve it, practically.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Joan, from Mad Men Or Dita von Teese (when she isn't in lingerie!) Film Noir, retro, bombshell, glamour.

I follow Project 33 quite zealously, although I haven't tried it myself. Would one of these dresses give you the versatility you need? A skirt and blouse in the same color/fabric can be paired off with other items.

E

Veteran

>>On the subject of long shiny hair in a bun: if I only get one wish in my next life, I would like it to be this.

Wearing my hair in a bun is the only thing I miss about long hair! So yeah, right there with you.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Caro, thank you!

Suz, thank you for elaborating on the shiny aspect. I usually wear 3" heels. Height is not an issue (although I don't care to go over 3 1/2"), it's finding shoes that won't come off my narrow heels. I think that may be why I have so many strappy shoes on that board - the straps would keep them on my feet.

I wouldn't wear the most dramatic/retro/bombshell outfits as they are on the board. But I would like to incorporate some of their elements. Maybe a cape over an otherwise classic outfit. Something like that.

La Belle Demimondaine, thank you! I love Joan's style and poise! That whole late 50's - early 60's thing. I'm thinking about making a daytime dress inspired by one of those pictures - something like the white or gray on the left side of the board. I think I could wear that.

E, sadly, I never mastered the bun. I grew out my hair and found it logistically impossible - I was scheduling my life around washing and letting it dry (I don't use heat tools). I did use a clip to put it up and get it off my neck. In the end, it wasn't worth the time or inconvenience so I took my old pictures to my hairdresser and had him chop it off so I could look like me again.

Recap:
Old-hollywood glamour, retro, classic, ladylike/feminine, luxury,
dramatic, statuesque, majestic, queenly, sophisticated drama, bold, romantic sleek, film noir, bombshell.
Sexy without being trashy; classic without being boring; dramatic without being costumey. Joan from Mad Men, Dita von Teese.
Neutral clothes, colorful accessories.
Structured strappy sandals with substance.
Defined waist. Draped above waist, fitted below.
Textural mix - "dimension meets smooth", shine.