Style Beliefs, Values, and Personality (loooong)

Ok taking a shot at my style beliefs, values, and personality-a/k/a "lookit I wrote a novel. I resonated a lot with Angie as far as beliefs and values, but quite a bit different in personality!

Beliefs
Harmony-I don't want to look chaotic. I want my clothes to be in harmony with me and with each other. A lot of juxtaposition feels wrong, inauthentic, and trying too hard -on me. I'm ok with that making me "less current."
Grown up-relates to above. I have no gamine or ingenue in my style DNA. Super casual combinations, novelty prints, and lots of ruffles and bows don't enter my closet.
Dressy-yup 100%! I'm not "the girl next door" who looks right in a t and jeans. I may have toned it down a bit for the pandemic, but I'll still wear (low) heels even on the weekends.
Enclothed cognition-yes, when I go out. I dress to face the world, like an actor in various costumes At home, I'm the stagehand in my catburglar black!
Balance-I like to be as minimalist as I can, but also enjoy about a kazillion hobbies. I have to balance my competing priorities of simplicity and variety.
Sustainability-while I do go cheap for my at home wear due to kitty claws, I also like to support ethical and local businesses. I donate instead of discard, and try to make the best decisions I can to avoid consuming more than I need to in the first place.
I'm worth it-my budget is very small, likely one of the smallest here, but I do spend on the things that are important and bring joy. Often my splurges are on hobby supplies, like my SUP, rather than clothes.

Values
Modesty-yes! I always wear a bra, even for sleep. It fees creepy to go without. I also am careful to avoid things that are not fully opaque, too bare on top or too short.
Practicality-for me it's dark colors. Black pants can be worn all 4 weeks of the year folks-KIR. Also keeping most of my wardrobe mid range of refinement, so I can wear it to work or on weekends is practical. Nothing fussy, nothing itchy, and mostly wash and wear. Long hair is low maintenance to me!
Hi low-low for at home wear, higher for out in the world. Investing in good gear pays off. My food is simple stapes with nice produce and exotic sauces. I happily spend more for fair trade coffee and chocolate!

Personality
I'm an INFP so quite different from Angie here!
Quiet-I can talk to anyone about anything, one on one. Crowds and parties quickly tire me. I can be "on" but so long. I need a lot of downtime. In the woods or on the river, I'm at peace.
Energetic-I don't like to sit still. I like to do all the things, at least in warm weather. My motto is "that looks like fun I should try that!"
Bold-I was a performer for many years, and still love theatre, dance, and music. Sometimes I dress like it!
Simple/tidy-I like to keep my house and closet organized and tidy because I find clutter very distracting. RATE is not for me-not intentionally in any case.
Laid back-I'm not a formal person at all! I can be irreverent, am not afraid to get my hands dirty, and like my time unstructured. I have a background in Zen, so I try to have all my interactions with patience and lovingkindness. I also like to be open to serendipity. Life is a river, not an arrow.
Big picture-I like to see my wardrobe, and my capsules as a whole. I'm much more interested in overall harmony than details.
Authentic-It's important for me to be real with people. I'm not trying to be something I'm not, or impress people with what I have. I treat people the same whether they're the CEO or the janitor. I'm not afraid to take accountability for my mistakes.
Multifaceted-my definition of self is always expanding. I embrace change and new things. It may make me seem contradictory or chaotic, but I rarely get bored!

5 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Isn't it interesting how many variations our personalities can take while still sharing the same values and beliefs? Your description gives me a fuller sense of your presence, and how your style reflects that.

rachylou

I love these. I’m trying to work on mine.

Firecracker (Sharan)

What an interesting read! I am intrigued by what I read as a tension between "dressy" style and "not a formal person" and facing the world in "various costumes" and at home being the "stagehand" in your "catburglar black" (those descriptions are so well-put).

Carla

Well done! I can totally see the ‘zen’ aspect of your nature in the harmony of your colour schemes and your openness to new things. You ‘go with the flow’ without being hippy dippy or bohemian. You don’t post WIW, but from your sets and Finds, I figure you project casual elegance on the regular.

Stagiaire Fash

I love your energetic elegance and how you blend your principals so easily into your wardrobe. The way you apply your knowledge from the performing arts world to your own appearance and the impact you want to make has always fascinated me. I’ve especially appreciated what you’ve shared about your growth in new directions this past year. This chapter continues that.

You and I look very different physically, but we share the traits of being high energy, eager to give new things a try and also being deeper than a person might think at first glance. We also both find our informal personalities well expressed in dressy items. Lo and behold, you’re an INFP and I’m IN and then right at the borders of T/F and J/P. I fall right on the opposite side of those lines from you, but every time I’ve taken the test “for real” I’ve been told it’s too close to call.

It’s interesting to me that youthful stylings don’t enter your closet, because curiosity and vitality, which you have in abundance, are frequently associated with kids. But I hear you that such items would be inauthentic to you and believe you do a great job expressing those parts of yourself in ways that aren’t juvenile.

Bijou

Suntiger, you have great style that embodies your beliefs and personality. I love how you combine a dressy aesthetic with being practical and dressing for the life you live.

Mainelady

Your words and your style remind me of gently flowing waters. Smooth, steady, always constant, yet calm. Gorgeous, changing with wind and light. Always inviting, always interesting. Lyrical.

LaPed

Oh yeah, all of this resonates and I can see how it fits in with your streamlined, casually elegant capsules. Another introvert with a performance background here, and I know exactly what you mean about choosing a costume when you go out in the world. Nodding along with your priorities as well -- "have the things that help you do the things" is something I say a lot.

nemosmom

I see all of these in you, ST! I admire how you can switch from heels to tavern wench without a second thought - AND - it's authentic! You strike me as a very zen, chill person with an adventurous streak!

Anonymous

Thanks all! And nm I've been known to sing many a shanty in many a tavern- long before it was a trend
Sigh...back to work :/

Minaminu

Well written and great post! I think you described your style very well!

Sal

Another great read. Thanks for sharing this - I can definitely relate to many aspects of this. You don't mention your humour though (and I don't personally think dressing in a humorous way is necessarily a good thing) but your good sense of a joke is one thing I really enjoy about your forum posts.

Kaelyn

INFPs are some of the most wonderfully self-aware people, I swear.

Loved reading this, and always love seeing someone who knows herself so well. I like your on-stage vs stagehand analogy, too, as a fellow theatre person. Dressing to go out into the world does feel like putting on a costume, IMO. At the same time, some costumes fit us better than others.

I like being funny, though not dressing it! I laugh a lot with DH and my parents

Lots of costumes fit me, cause of all my facets! The only times I've worn things that felt all wrong were jobs I had to wear a uniform (restaurants, medical office), and following unsuitable trends- mostly as a preteen. Even though I may outgrow styles now, at least I can say that they suited me at the time and I bought them intentionally.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Well done! Fun read.

I'm soooo glad you started with the word HARMONY! What a great word to describe you, and what I have seen of your style! It makes me include all the animals you live with, and how you ALL live in harmony ......doing a billion chaotic hobbies.....but with a happy, calm and peaceful heart. Sometimes in heels, and sometimes in Birkies, It works

YES, Suntiger!!!

Thanks Angie Admittedly the =^-^= are not always in harmony with each other!

Jenn

This really resonated with me:
Big picture-I like to see my wardrobe, and my capsules as a whole. I'm much more interested in overall harmony than details.

I'm this way too, not only with my wardrobe, but in work, as well.

I can see that Jenn! You seem very holistic to me!

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