Recent style insights - YouLookFab Forum

The new year so far has been a season of style introspection, fueled mainly by time spent reading here and on a handful of fashion blogs, along with some wardrobe culling, adjusting, and with the advent of my new job, a bit of (pretty budget) shopping. I reorganized my closet last night and I had a few insights. I have no idea if this will be of interest to anyone else but it's useful for me to write it down and have a record of it, I think.

I'm not romantic, girly or sweet. All the clothing items I have that fit that category never get worn because they feel wrong.

I'm not a tomboy, either (although I do like certain androgynous looks and, sometimes, a bit of a masculine twist). I don't think feminine is the right word for my style either, though.

I don't like anything fussy. As much as I like looking at layered looks a la J. Crew's jacket over cardi over button-down over button-down etc., I don't actually want to wear it. It bugs me. I feel a million times better in jeans, a pullover sweater, boots, and maybe a scarf. I like my clothes practical and streamlined and I lean more towards minimalism than maximalism most of the time.

I like a combo of sleek/polished and RATE. I rarely wear something that could be cleanly categorized as one or the other.

I no longer like the look of earrings, other than unobtrusive studs. This is shocking because I used to love large, funky earrings. For some reason they don't feel right to me anymore. I'm rarely wearing any jewelry at all.

I like slouchy looks, but not head to toe. I strongly favour a slouchy top and tailored or body-con bottom right now.

I'm not modern classic. Straight modern classic looks feel wrong for me.

Lots of "nots"!

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

These are great insights, Ariadne, and I feel as if I could say almost exactly the same, except I tend more to polish than RATE. Otherwise, we are definitely on the same page!

All these "nots" may feel negative, but in fact they add up. You are getting a much clearer sense of your style and what you are aiming for, and what works for you. Brava!!

Jaime

Agree with Suz! You do like minimalist outfits that are interesting without being fussy. I think if you post a few outfits here together you will get some very good suggestions for a label, if that would help, but your insights are very specific and concrete as it is.

Sarah A

Great insights. I think it is sonetimes easier to identify the do nots than the dos. Nonetheless, this is a great insight and will guide you well!

Adelfa

It makes me happy to see you zeroing in on what is truly you, because that is what I hope to do, too.

Ariadne

Wow, thanks for reading my ramblings! Suz, I think you're spot on, you're definitely more polished than I am and it suits you perfectly. Shevia, I hope I can get in the groove of posting outfits a little more often--we'll see. It's so helpful when I do.

Now I just need to get up the courage to find new homes and/or uses for most of my costume jewelry (maybe I should give it to my 3.5 year old for her jewlery box!), and some clothes that are just taking up closet space and making me feel guilty.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

It's a GREAT exercise to identify what your style is NOT. I wrote a post about that actually.

Ariadne, your style sounds UWP with a little more polish. Keep an eye on Kellygirl's style. She could be your inspiration. Fab insights

cheryl

I love reading about your insights. Figuring out what you don't like helps you zero in on what you do like. Way to go!

jayne

I love these posts..nothing like seeing inside another person's head ! thanks for sharing..

do you have a pinterest board where you post your likes?

rachylou

Very clear!

Anonymous

It's so helpful to have these insights. Angie's Team X or Team Y type questions are like that, helping to identify what I'm not. Like you, I'm not girly. Those things just look wrong on my angles. But not tomboy either. Like Suz, I try for more polish and less RATE.

Wow, are we the same person? Seriously, this describes me to a T. I'm still figuring out what that makes me. I'd like to get to a place where I better understand what I AM rather than what I'm NOT.

My recent insight is that I really love texture. Since I go for minimalist looks, at least one texture-y piece in an outfit keeps things from getting too boring.

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