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S/S Shopping has revealed a possible split style personality?

Staysfit

Veteran

Looking over my S/S purchases, I seem to have two types of clothing. The first category is loose, long, slightly boxy layers. This grouping, for example, includes my Eileen Fisher purchases. The second category are tailored/fitted but still what I would call a long lean look. This would include my pencil skirts, sheath dresses, Blazers, and button down shirts. I'm not sure why I ended up with what seem like two very different styles? In my mind they both feel and look like "me". (My current style adjectives are Calm, Soft, Fresh, Classic, Polished. I'm not sure these are classic looks by the way.)

I included two finds below to highlight the contrast. I currently have both of these items. Do they seem like they belong in the closet of two different people? Could they be in one persons closet, specifically mine?

Do I have a split fashion personality? I'm not sure how or if I should make this division cohesive?

Eileen Fisher Mandarin Collar Linen Shirtdress (Regular & Petite) (Online Only)

$248.00 $123.98

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Vince Ponte Sleeveless Dress

$325.00 $129.97

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2

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22 replies

Latest reply was from Staysfit

Peri

Veteran

This kind of thing has never bothered me! Don't we all have different moods, roles, jobs, days that vary from one to the next?

I like Chopin but I also like Bach. And Debussy. Sci-fi and chic-lit and kids books. Chocolate and potato chips and bok choy.

Why would anyone want to dress only one way? If you like both styles and both feel like you, I don't see a cause for concern.

lyn67

Veteran

I see both items here are of a calm neutral, softer then average. Both classic items but fresh in their cut. And surely both on the polished side.

Now, aren't they cohesive enough?:-)

AM

Veteran

This question has come up for me often over the years. I think it is very personal but I know I am happy with a very cohesive look and when I stray ... It makes me a little nuts. My control freak tendencies go into over drive trying to tighten everything into a very singular direction.

DonnaF

Veteran

I prefer loose, long, and slightly boxy when it's hot because tailored/fitted clothing like button down shirts and blazers are too hot! How about you?

Gaylene

Veteran

Well, if you're concerned about a cohesive style direction, my suggestion would be to drop the "classic" from your style descriptors: Calm, Soft, Fresh, Polished seem to describe both looks to a T.

But then I 've always been a bit dubious about the usefulness of "classic" as a style direction descriptor since there seems to be as many interpretations of the term as there are users.

ETA: After a bit more thought, maybe your question is more about silhouettes than style--as in, can a cohesive wardrobe contain more than one silhouette? My answer would be a resounding YES. It would be rather stifling to be limited to a single silhouette like long top/skinny crop, or tailored top/pencil skirt, for the entirety of one's wardrobe.

Staysfit

Veteran

Peri, I can see a place for variety in my closet as long as I'm not being random. I think randomness led to my closet becoming overly full and cumbersome in the past. I'm trying to find a way to keep my purchases focussed and centered so I don't over buy. I have impulsive "see it like it buy it tendencies".

One way I tried to keep things in check for S/S is to avoid multiples. I was mostly successful. I have a few repeats, but not as many as usual.

Lynn67, you have nicely justified my purchases! Thanks!

AM, I'm glad I'm not alone here in thinking this way!

DonnaF, I truly prefer wearing the loose layers and if I could always do that, I would, regardless of the weather. They are so comfortable, and I have to agree that they are better for hot, muggy summer days. My friends and my DH seem to prefer when I wear more tailored clothes. I'm not dressing to please them, but I do notice when I get compliments from them.

Staysfit

Veteran

Gaylene, I just saw your suggestion. I have been thinking about that. I'm not sure what the word classic adds to my shopping experience. When I was shopping, I experimentally used the word Architectural in addition to my style descriptors. I liked it and have been thinking about substituting either classic or polished with Architectural.

Sal

Veteran

I think the whole look is cohesive with variety. You look amazing in fitted sheaths but they are not always what you want to wear - sometimes a looser layered look is more comfortable or appropriate.

Joyce B

Veteran

If everything you buy is taylored, for example, it becomes a uniform. The drapey top looks like a fun piece for weekend or leisure time. You can have different capsules. I know I get bored if what I have becomes a uniform which happens to me with some of the things I buy.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Staysfit, I commented on this in one of the shopping posts. You have an almost chameleon like look where you can wear the more angular pieces and emphasize the straight lines and angles of your body or you can wear the more fitted pieces that really showcase your curves. I suspect it is because you are a very slender hourglass shape. You should celebrate the versatility this gives you in your wardrobe choices. Many of us have trouble looking fab in one style and you have defined two and both work equally well.

unfrumped

Veteran

I think it's fine, and yet your concerns will help you keep it that way.
You are having some variety in silhouettes, but still complementing your shape.
Your idea of not having multiples is akin to working with tighter capsules, so you have variety but not a swollen wardrobe. Also a small capsule in one direction or another is the only way to try out new things from time to time.

rachylou

Veteran

Well, mixing things up keeps things interesting. But to be honest, I feel these do represent two unreconciled style directions for you... Do you wear both in the same contexts... Like to work?

Anonymous

Both items look like you. I noticed in one of your posts a couple of weeks ago how well you carry off both flowy and fitted. I say celebrate that diversity. For me, there are days I want to feel floaty and free and days I seek structure. I agree with Cheryle: It's wonderful to have choice.

Marley

Veteran

SF - how do you define Fresh? I think that I understand your other descriptors, but am not sure about that one.

catgirl

Veteran

I don't see a whole lot of distinction between these two styles - they partner up well and are very congruent. I'd say variety in your closet is as important as in your diet, as long as you enjoy what you're getting!

Staysfit

Veteran

Cheryle, I remember your comment now that you have reminded me. Maybe that's what made me think more about this in the first place?

Joyce B, I agree that wearing the same silhouette, or styles over and over again can become boring. I tried hard to keep my pieces different so I can have more interest. My winter wardrobe has too many long sleeve cashmere crews and turtlenecks. I try to break it up with some sweater dresses, and other shapes, but it's tough with our weather. Warmer weather makes for more flexibility in what I can wear because keeping warm is no longer a priority. I'm sure my excitement about being able to wear different silhouettes contributes to my style division.

Unfrumped, I agree that trying out small capsules is a great way to experiment with some new ideas. I think my Stella Carakasi pieces are a mini capsule. I still need to figure out how to dye them a nicer color.

Rachy, yours is a good question. I would wear both these styles in the same contexts, and that would include both at work or out and about in the community. Anything goes as long as I don't over dress because my goal is to keep my look genuine. I can easily intimidate and know I need to tone it down - this includes the way I dress

Marley, my DD picked the word Fresh. It means updated and fun but not necessarily trendy or edgy.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The two pieces you chose are very different in mood and silhouette, yes. But as Annagybe would remind us, it's all in the styling. You can wear the first in an edgy ...or you can marry it to more classic pieces. It will still come across as a bit arty, but not full on avant garde. Similarly with the sheath. With s simple pump, it is ladylike and quietly alluring. Worn with a denim jacket and cage sandals, it's something different.

I do understand your concerns, though. I think this all comes down to you. What you want and what feels right to you personally. Some people love to have a chameleon closet. Others like to wear what amounts to a uniform. Approprio linked to a great article in last week's Link Love, comparing the style sensibilities of two fashion bloggers, and what happened when they traded wardrobes for a few days. Fascinating.

I am someone who tends towards cohesion but who also likes to play with silhouette. I'm still looking for my own personal sweet spot.

Another way to unify, however, is through colour. And you have worked hard to do that. It is amazing how well classic and arty pieces will play together if they are in the same colour family or the same neutrals.

catgirl

Veteran

Suz's comment made me realize something I was trying to formulate. These are statement pieces, but quiet statements. Not loud, in your face, or one-trick wonders. They have grace and can be worn in a variety of ways, without being basics or essentials (as I understand those terms, which I possibly don't). Mix-and-matchable. Does that make sense? I too have been headed in this direction, which is why I'm finding the Era challenge a little hard - nothing really jumps out as of an era.

Summer

Veteran

I don't see it as a problem, Staysfit. If you are happy wearing both styles, I should just carry on. Maybe, further down the line, you may decide to drop one or other, or you might feel happy to carry on with both. Whatever makes you happy is the best way to go.

Staysfit

Veteran

Suz, I must have missed the article you are referring to when I was out of town. I need to go back and find it. It sounds interesting and potentially helpful as I am thinking about this. I agree that I have unified everything through my color palette. I was most diligent in sticking to that than any other aspect of my style parameters. Anything that didn't fit within my range of colors was returned even if I liked the item individually because I knew it would rarely be used.

Alaskagirl, I love how you have pulled this together. I feel like what you are saying makes a lot of sense and it rings true for me. Bravo! I think this is what I was searching for but couldn't come up with myself. I'm also very happy with the words you used to describe my clothing choices, "....quiet statements, not loud, in your face.... They have grace..." That's exactly the way I hope someone would describe my look. Perfect for what I do in life and my personality.

Summer, the happiness factor is very important! I'm glad you pointed it out. I try to only keep clothes I feel happy wearing. If I'm unhappy with my style, as you point out, I could most certainly eliminate and refresh.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Staysfit, here is that link. I found it really interesting: http://www.theguardian.com/fas.....ol-cordier

I'm definitely on the Valentine side....but I also love a few touches of Susie. How to reconcile the two? Not sure yet.

Staysfit

Veteran

Suz, thanks for the link to the article from Approprio! I love how they felt so uncomfortable wearing each other's clothes. I'm certain that would happen to any two people exchanging clothes. It speaks to how unique our clothing choices really are and how much they are an extension of our personality.

I think I fall more on the Valentine side as well, but I'm not certain I'm an "intellectual dresser" in the way she describes it. I don't think too carefully about proportion, or as in her example, if I change the point where a belt goes how that will change the shape of the look. To me, that was one of the more interesting things she said about herself and her style versus her understanding of Susie's style. I do however try to think about each item I purchase and how it will fit in with what I already own, and whether it adds anything of interest.

I am dubious of Susie's comment that the clothing style picked by Valentine is related to her physical characteristic of being model thin. I have seen comments somewhere on the YLF discussion board questioning whether our personality and personal style choices are influenced by our body shape. IMO there is too much variation to make that kind of generalization about people.