BVP...the style equivalent of DNA?
I'm a little late on this, but I've enjoyed all the posts so far (even those I haven’t yet responded to!) and am just getting time to sit down and write mine all out. I have some of the same characteristics as in Angie's list, but I put some of them in different categories, just because that's how my mind works.
BELIEFS
- No rules: I believe anyone can wear anything they want, regardless of size, age, color, social status, gender, etc.
- Quality shows: I mean quality of garments--not quality of people, which isn't a thing. Quality shows up not just in longevity, but in the way fabric feels on the skin and the way clothing hangs on the body. I really believe that seeking out quality (which isn't always apparent by price) makes a difference in the relationship I have with my wardrobe.
- Joy in curation: Building a wardrobe can be fun experience that helps us illuminate the traits we want to show the world.
- Sustainability: I value all the pillars of sustainability (environmental, social, economic, and human) and try to balance these with all my purchases. I'm especially sensitive to overproduction and won't shop from manufacturers who flood the market with massive amounts of cheaply-produced clothing.
- Style for all: I don't think style should be limited to one body type, and prioritize shopping from companies that make an effort to clothe real people of all sizes.
- Life before clothes: I hate the feeling of having to be precious about my clothing. I want my clothes to support my lifestyle, rather than the other way around. it's possible to make silk and lace that stand up fine to everyday life, and I don't have a lot of patience for garments that don't.
- Mindfulness: I want to be cognizant of my consumption and aware of my possessions. It's important to me not to consume thoughtlessly or to have so much I'm not longer even aware of what I own.
PERSONALITY
- Introverted and take-charge: I'm an introvert (INFJ), but I will always step up to the plate when I see a leadership vacuum. I'm good in a crisis, but also happy to step back if someone else capable wants to be in charge. Sometimes, I come across as a bossy, know-it-all because I'm not naturally warm and gregarious, even though I'm incredibly supportive of those close to me. Many of my current friends have told me they found me intimidating when they first met me. I don't try to soften this image with my clothing, because that would be misleading. I'm confident in my leadership abilities and would just as soon not take on that sort of responsibility. Maybe this is why I tend to feel most comfortable in a lot of black, but with bold and simple shapes.
- Upholder: In Gretchen Rubin's "4 Tendencies," I'm an Upholder. I'm good at meeting both external and internal expectations. That means even though I really believe in "no rules" as I said above, I usually follow the rules, dressing appropriately for any given occasion. I also heed my inner voice that says if a "fashion rule" doesn't make sense to me, I'm not going to heed it.
- Poetic and analytical: I think I'm a pretty equal mix of poetic (English major) and analytical. I like swishy skirts and dark florals and straw bags. I know exactly how many of those I have and keep the number in check.
- Novelty-seeking: I rejuvenate by seeking out new places. I don't like going on vacation to the same place over and over again. I like trying new foods. I would go crazy hiking the same trail every day. I'm not a uniform dresser.
- Big picture thinking. Just out of college, I was an editorial assistant. When it came time to move to the next phase of my career, my boss was honest with me that she thought I'd make a bad assistant editor (who did a lot of detail-oriented, sentence-level work) and a much better developmental editor (who tended to focus on the larger structure of book projects). I ended up switching careers entirely, but that assessment has always stuck with me. I have a lot more fun curating a wardrobe or putting together a capsule than creating individual outfits.
- Grown-up. My mom used to tell the story that, on my first day of kindergarten, the bus pulled up in the afternoon and she asked the driver how I'd done. He said, "I don't think Jennie's a child. She's a little adult." Growing up, I always took on more responsibility than my age would indicate and, while I think my inner child is pretty okay, she's not really squealing for novelty prints or Peter Pan collars, and I'm okay with that.
