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Pondering my style identity (so many words ahead)

AnnieMouse

Veteran

I keep wanting to hammer down my style identity. I love the idea of having a singular identity around which my wardrobe revolves: urban prince, boho preppie, psychedelic ladies who lunch, refined punk, corporate goth, steampunk hippie... They are all so evocative! It stirs something deep inside when I think about having that throughline, if you will, of a vision of yourself.

I've been working on it for several years, from the first time I read an online article about fine-tuning one's personal style. I've tried all the ideas:

I've polled friends on how they view me. (who've responded everything from "you're like if Betty Boop and Tank Girl had a baby" to "you're just ANNIE - whatever you wear works, because you MAKE it work" to "uh, well, you're kinda like a corporate punk rock hippie? With a dash of Sandra Dee?")(OK. Next option!)

I've taken note of what I wear. (What I reach for: skinny jeans. Bootcut jeans. Boyfriend jeans. Maxi skirts. Mini skirts. Midi skirts. A-lines and pencils. Solids, mostly. But also prints - especially leopard, stripes, and florals! Tweed. And Knits. Drapey shirts, but also hard-tailored. Turtlenecks and tee shirts. Ballet flats. But also smoking loafers. Stilletto heels, but also stacked heels or platforms. Riding boots. Engineer boots. Combat boots. Fryes, Docs, Birkenstocks, assorted sandals. Dresses. Seperates.)(Well, that wasn't very helpful at all. Next!)

I've considered my life and what I spend my time on. (Jeans-casual office environment with occasional executive meetings. Home with dogs. Motorcycles. Camping. Hoop dance! Music and other festivals. Running errands. Yoga and weight lifting and the occasional run. Nightclubs with friends. Themed events and conventions. Weddings. Traveling.)

I've done wardrobe purges and clothing diets where I restrict my choices (fun! Less stressful in the morning! Super glad when it's over, because a)I'm tired of my partner complaining about how boring my wardrobe is and b) I miss the variety), and asked friends to help me What Not To Wear my closet (they're less inclined to get rid of things than I am!)

And what I've come to the conclusion that I'm a closet schizophrenic. I want to have a consistant visual style, but I feel like I'm missing a crucial piece of the puzzle in bringing these myriad (and wildly disparate) pieces into a singular whole. I love restricting my wardrobe, but I'm thrilled when it's over and I get to play with the rest of my pieces. Juxtoposition is a driving force in my life; mixing femme and butch, hard and soft, hippie and punk. But I really want to bring them together.

I just don't know how. I keep reading fashion blogs, hoping I'll find the magic formula, but so far: no dice

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from AnnieMouse

Anonymous

Well, it sounds to me like you have some Eclectic in there, which encompasses many elements from different styles. Don't fight it, it is a completely valid choice.

Are you comfortable posting photos? Because posting some outfit shots of what you like and don't like and getting some feedback will help I think.

Kristin L

Veteran

I agree with Ciet. From your description, I'm seeing a good mix of Eclectic in you. Can you post some pics of what you like/what you wear? Even if it's from pinterest, I think that could be very helpful.

AnnieMouse

Veteran

I do have a Pinterest board from before joining YLF. I don't have pictures from costume-related or camping events, because I'm usually too busy doing things to take pictures (or, because I'm off the grid, I never turn on my phone), or when I'm being a bum at home (heh). It's at pinterest.com/pavegrrl/styling-my-closet/

I look forward to feedback! Thank you!

Periwinkle

One thing that helped me begin to figure out my "style identity" (still a work in progress) was to pay attention to what people said when they complimented me on my clothes--especially if it was a compliment on the whole look rather than a particular piece of clothing. I got a lot of comments/compliments on a retro/50s vibe to my clothes (completely unintentional on my part). I also tended to get compliments along the line of looking bright or fresh or colorful. Sometimes kicky or sassy. Sometimes put-together and professional. I don't get a lot of compliments along the lines of, say, sharp or fierce or edgy or hip or on-trend. You are always a better judge of what you like than other people will ever be, but it was helpful for me to think about what was working and what other people were perceiving in my more successful outfits.

JulieJohn

Veteran

Hi there! I spent some time getting lost on your Pinterest page and had a very good time. Your confidence and love of color and texture really shines through. I can't give advice as I am still very much in the learning phase about my various fashion personas. I really love the playfulness in your style. I encourage you to go on more long soul-searching posts with lots of words because it was highly enjoyable from my side!

MovingFashionForward

Just looking at your pinterest board I do not see many dresses or skirts but I do see much interesting footwear. What I see on your pinterest board is cool hipster, and consistently so too. Including the super-huge jeans look, which to me looks very current (if worn with attitude rather than sheepishly).

Sarah

AnnieMouse

Veteran

MFF, that's interesting - I see a lot of maxis in my board, though I definitely agree about my lack of dresses. I like the idea of them so much, but I just don't reach for them all that often, preferring seperates. Also, I haven't been photographing my bootleg jeans, since I feel comfortable in them (I tend to photograph outfits I'm not quite sure of, because they're different than my comfortable go-to looks. Is that weird?).

Also, I think I have a very different idea of hipster Ha!

AnnieMouse

Veteran

Also, that you for taking a look and providing feedback - I think it's really helpful to get the views of those who don't know me in person, because I think that can colour so much.

Last fall was my first foray into skinnies, having always felt I'm too hip-y for them - and my natural tendency is that if I'm going to do A Thing, I'm going to Do It All The Way. So I went headlong into all skinnies, all the time. Heh. Ah, the foibles of the mind!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Funky urbanite! That's one place to start, anyway -- I think you'll refine that further, because in your case, colour rather than black predominates.

You have a terrific, fun, playful style! Eclectic, yes -- to a degree -- but I wouldn't call that its primary identifier. Your closet reads youthful, fun-loving, risk-taking, lively, and also quite practical.

Love your looks!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I don't think there is a magic formula to this - we need to work it out for ourselves It is worth it though imo.

You have been eclectic for sure I think most young women are until they find what works for them.

Just some questions I found helpful to think about.

Could you post the outfit you feel best/most like you in & the one you wouldn't wear again (if any)?

What types of clothing make your wardrobe function? For me it would be pants/jeans & jackets without them I would have to rethink EVERYTHING.
What are you wearing when you feel at your best?
Do you have any style icons?
How would you like to look?

Deborah

Veteran

I agree with Caro. I aslo think that (and I am guilty of it) overthinking who we are stylistically. I agree that as young women we might incorporate many different ideas and styles into our wardrobe, but as we mature, shall we say, it can often be a matter of gently moving into 'our style' without to much agonising.

Caro's questions are very helpful. Probably my two biggest questions when I shop is "Do I look and feel like me?" and "Do I feel good".

You also don't need to feel you have to lock yourself into a style. I love avant garde stylings, but I also have a love of modern classic.... more recently I have realised it doesn't have to be one or the other, rather I can have fun seeing how I might blend the two.

AnnieMouse

Veteran

I kinda think at 39, I should be to a place where I've got it nailed down a bit more - I think that's part of what causes me to continue to analyse.

Thing without which my wardrobe wouldn't function:
- skinny jeans (a new development, but I find myself reaching for them much more frequently than my bootcuts - perhaps because my bootcuts typically require heels, and I've been in a protracted flats moment?)
- maxi skirts
- sweaters of all types, but especially
a) ribbed poor boy turtlenecks
b) chunky, slouchy sweaters

Style icons: Gidget, Tank Girl, and Bette from "The L Word"
with a whiff of Velma Kelly, Goldie Hawn (Laugh-In) and Drew Barrymore (circa early 90s). I like the structured severity of 40s suits and Garbo's vibe, but the loosy goosey anything goes of the hippie/ punk movements. I gravitate towards seperates and classic shapes, I think, with some sort of quirk.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Hi Annie, great post!

From what you have written about your style and your lifestyle it sounds as though you embrace the unconventional but also have a traditional streak so I feel as though rebelious ______ would encompass your 'don't box me in' spirit and yet not restrict your options. After all is it not as rebellious for a punk rocker to don a pencil skirt and blouse as it is for the public school girl to have her nose pierced or her hair dyed pink?

Marthe

(website)

This is a wonderful post!

Anonymous

Hmm, I have no idea what to label your style, but I think it's fabulous and you definitely have a point of view, whether you realize it or not. It's funky and fun, yet very approachable. I love how you use color.

My advice? Don't overanalyze or feel like you *must* box yourself into a certain style. Through your photos, I feel like I already have a glimpse into your personality.

AnnieMouse

Veteran

Funk rebel it is! ^__^

And thanks, everyone, for weighing in.
I'll just keep on keeping on, and when I can load pix, I will do. Is there a way to email images for posts?