Pondering my descriptor - LOTS of pictures - YouLookFab Forum

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Pondering my descriptor - LOTS of pictures

pil

Veteran

Recently I've been attempting to ponder my style, such as it is at the moment, and the recent UWP, Bombshell, Artistic Eclectic descriptors of late have prompted me to piggy back on Tarzy's LEUC - League of the Earthy Urban Chic.

In Tarzy's words:

- a little structured, but not severe
- a little luxurious, but not ostentatious
- approachable, but not ordinary
- soft, but not flimsy
- slouchy, but not sloppy
- pretty, but not girlie
- current, with a touch of timeless
- comfortable, without losing style

Comfortable, soft, approachable and timeless (I didn't come up with EXACTLY those words though) are some of the similar concepts bouncing around in my head.

The ideas she has articulated all *sound* like what I want, but am I even close to them in what I actually wear?

The first picture is my first WIW this summer. I've tried to add the others in kind of the order I wore them although #4 should be later in the continuum. Boy, the purple really stands out doesn't it?

I think I'm set for scarves for now, although I would like another belt for jeans. Maybe leopard or a leather with some studs. Surprisingly I wandered through J Crew, Sears Land's End, Macys and Eddie Bauer the other day and wasn't tempted by ANYTHING. I *think* that is a good thing : )

Thanks for bearing with me - and making it all the way through this. I would love to hear your thoughts!

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Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from pil

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Interesting thoughts pil #11 looks most like the style words imo.
Which ones do you see as being closest to your description?

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Classic all the way, at least to my eye.

#15 and #17 are more modern classic. Is that the way you see yourself going?

pil

Veteran

Caro, reflecting on what I *like* to wear on a regular day I'd say 15, 17, 18, 19 - which pretty much eliminates structured, eh? Ha.

CocoLion, thanks for that observation. I think classic is what I was thinking by referencing Tarzy's timeless. The funny thing is, these classic looks are rather "out there" compared to what I've worn (big yawn) in the past. The loden jacket with magenta skirt and boots would never have happened pre YLF. And the modern classic in 15 and 17 I like very much. These combinations are getting lots of wear these days.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

pil going on the looks you like I would say you lean somewhere between the earthy urban chic & the modern classic. I think these play nicely together but you may feel you want to refine it even more.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I see a "classic" with a great sense of style. It seems like your look is growing slightly more relaxed and easy, with great color (saturated, rich) and texture.

Its possible that your work and environment are highlighting the classic, and you have a desire for other elements to become more prominent. I don't see in these pics much of the "earthy," and, while I'd certainly say current, I wouldn't probably see urban.

Now, I also don't see the lack of anything in your look --- you are far from "yawn" territory and have really honed your style. Where do you want to "go" next? Or, do you want to stay and enjoy the "style home" you've designed so beautifully?

Day Vies

Veteran

I am a big fan of clean lines and I see them in all of the outfits including #6 (the shape is clean). I see good use of neutrals and texture, but every once in awhile you amp up the color and punctuate your outfit just right. Hmmm. I also love how you rock a faux wrap dress. (still thinking)...and yes the shades of purple definitely indicate that you like that color just a little bit.

#7 is my absolute favorite closely followed by #13. I see Active Modern Classic. Your outfits suggest that you have a full life, with lots of obligations and you want to look pulled together, competent, and controlled even if you have to respond at a moment's notice.

ManidipaM

Veteran

I also see more Modern Classic (hey, where is this all-important grouping thread?). Maybe with a side order of Artsy/Flair, given some of the patterns in your clothes or accessories and your colour palette, or Relaxed, because you have silhouettes and layers that aren't very strict (which I think is the more conservative Classic's repertoire, usually).

I'll also agree with Beth Ann that the Urban or Earthy don't seem as central to your current style, but it is possible that you would like to edge into one or both of them gradually, perhaps?

Anonymous

I also see modern, classic. It's the "out there" dimension that adds the modernity to the classic style. And I have to add, I love all these looks!! All.of.them.!

Perhaps the disconnect is your desire for softness and slouchiness, i don't see that in what you're wearing. But you can probably incorporate items without a complete overhaul. Maybe tops and sweaters that are less structured?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like Day Vie's addition of "active" to the modern classic. I know you have dogs, and I'll bet you need to get outside with them a bit for exercise. And there's a hint of the sporty natural in your look that "active" seems to reference. Then again, it might be best to wait a few months before applying a style name to what you are aiming towards. You have only been here a short time. Already your style has developed in leaps and bounds. It's possible you have a bit of experimenting to do before narrowing yourself down too much.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I think you are pretty classic, especially with the earlier outfits. Some of the ones with the python booties and sweaters are learning more towards the earthy side. But I don't see a strong influence of what I would call Urban here.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

You look sharp, classy and modern in all your photos. I love your color combos, and your polish of blazers, jackets, scarves. Everything fits well, you have PPL and nice structure, feminine look. Is there something about your style that makes you wish it were different? Are you uncomfortable, or do you feel like "you" most of the time.

Sometimes I've felt that it is harder to match my outfits to my "rubric" or "fashion words" than it is to just "dress happy", as some YLFers describe. The happiness factor ends up being more inspiring than the verbal descriptors.

pil

Veteran

How awesome are you all? Oh, how I wish I could articulate thoughts like you! Your comments are so helpful.

Speaking of inarticulate, I guess it wasn't so much that I aspire to earthy and urban but rather "felt" Tarzy's breakdown of how she sees it and for that reason thought it might apply to me. With your comments here maybe I can refine what does apply. Not so much to have a style "title" just for the sake of a title, but rather for direction when shopping.

Taking in observations made by Beth Ann, Day Vies and Manidipam:

Wardrobe objective:
pulled together, competent and controlled yet relaxed and comfortable

Attributes of pieces to meet objective:
Rich, saturated color
Texture
Relaxed layers
Clean line
Petit artsy/flair with bits of color, pattern or accessories

Along the lines of Suz's taupe revelation, I think an olive/loden is a good neutral for me.

Big surprise, I'm sure, but in no way have I ever been the one saying "look at me!!" My python booties are a real stretch, but can I say how much I love them?

I'm actually fairly content with my "style home" (as Beth Ann phrased) and don't have a desire to change direction, but as Caro said, maybe some fine tuning. So, how to go about that? Accessories are probably my best bet?

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I really like #3, 7 and 17 in particular - not sure if they fit that style descriptor or not but I think they look esp. great on you. I think #5 with the white denim jacket or maybe even the tan jacket in 7 would look great. I think the outfits that show more modern flair to me are the ones I like best (wish I could get the concept together in my own outfits more often).

The others are all really nice too, but are more classic so I'm looking for the modern or urban nod in those I guess. Like I think 13 is a great classic outfit but I can't help but wonder if the jacket in 7 would add more flair to it.

I don't know if you already shared it before but can I ask where you got that jacket in #7?

pil

Veteran

Ended up cross posting with some of you because I didn't refresh the page!
Suz, excellent point about sitting tight - I have a tendency to put the cart before the horse : ) I still have too much to try to learn! Especially since it appears I have misinterpreted some terms. For example, Henley mentioned softness and slouchiness. When I think soft it is in terms of touch/relaxed feel not necessarily structure. Jenava, thank you for taking the time to look at this thread and offer your thoughts. CJH, I do feel "me" most of the time. Thanks for bringing up that point. I guess I just lack the confidence to know if I'm selecting the right pieces. But, I'm in the right place to learn!

rute

Veteran

I would say modern classic! You have fab looks!

pil

Veteran

Texstyle, that jacket is a hand me down from a friend who just didn't wear it. I looked at the tag and it says LAL Live A Little. My guess is it came from someplace like Marshalls.

You know, I wouldn't have thought to pair the tan jacket with 13, that is good to keep in mind for down the road. The combination in 13 was for a party but you can't see the metallic of the sweater in the picture.

I do have a cute little cropped denim 3/4 sleeve jacket to wear with 5 but I don't think I've posted any pics of it yet.

Thanks also Rute!

Anonymous

Pil, that's great that you feel like yourself when you dress. That's so much more important than fitting into a set of labels. The descriptors are just ideas, but I fear we let them constrain us and make us feel that every ensemble needs to fit neatly into a "box." While I my style is modern, classic. It doesn't keep me from wearing moto boots with a black sheath.

I love what cjh said:
"Sometimes I've felt that it is harder to match my outfits to my "rubric" or "fashion words" than it is to just "dress happy", as some YLFers describe. The happiness factor ends up being more inspiring than the verbal descriptors."

pil

Veteran

Henley, one of my goals with the descriptors was to also help refine my shopping. I take back sooo many things.

Speaking of feeling like me, I recently took a nice sweater to consignment for that very reason. I got lots of compliments on it, but it just wasn't me.