Style BVP

Sal

Veteran

I have enjoyed reading other people's views so will share a bit more about what makes me tick.

I don't do a lot of analysis of myself - and I have focused on the aspects of myself relating to style and personality.

Beliefs

We all have to get dressed so let's look wonderful and make it a joy! Putting on a fab outfit doesn't take much longer than putting on a drab one!
Looking great is about flair and attitude more than money or gender or size or culture.
Don't take it too seriously! Clothes can be taken off at the end of the day and for me are a fun part of life.
I strongly dislike looking the same as others. I love my sisters but always have a different haircut and avoid the clothing labels and styles that they gravitate to. I am not especially creative or original in my clothing choices but I don't want to look like a clone or cliche.
I love being part of communities (family/whanau, neighbourhood, sporting, old friends and of course YLF).

Values

The most sustainable wardrobe is the one you already own. My goal is to wear out my clothes as I tire of them.
When I make mistakes - try to recognise this quickly and either return the piece, or sell or donate whilst it is still desirable.
Some of my favourite people in the world have little interest in clothing, or can't afford new pieces, or find sizing a challenge. I love style and fashion, but I don't expect everyone to do so.

Personality

I am an extrovert, and I believe I am an ENFJ or a Protagonist. (The E and I and the P and J are pretty close though - whereas I am strongly an NF).
I am very tolerant and good at reading a room and understanding how to approach matters to get the outcome I want, and what is best for others.
I am a natural leader and often end up in this role without seeking it.
I am reliable and if I say I will do something I will follow through.
The downside is that I can struggle to make tough decisions (I am facing this right now) as I can empathise with others point of view sometimes too much
I am also a little unpractical and clumsy - still cannot change a bike tyre and always struggle to open cans with our can opener. I lose my car keys all the time (and sunglasses too....)
I am not a perfectionist (boy do I know a lot of perfectionists though). My house is not always immaculate, my hair can be pretty casual, one day I wear fantastic make up - the next none!
I don't really like a routine - a bit like Jenn and La Ped I am a bit of a novelty seeker ( but living a pretty conservative life in a lot of ways - but I do rail against this)

Thanks for reading- I wonder if you can see aspects of this in my style choices.

3 years ago

General

20 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Joy

Veteran

Thank you for sharing. I think your musings opened my mind to better understanding your style.

3 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Oh gosh. You know what? I completely see all this in every aspect of your style, your presentation. It all makes so much sense. I feel like - don’t laugh - I need to look for signs of your style in job candidates. Follow through! Hello! Please, anybody?! Lol

(Friday-Saturday nights are a hard shift to staff!)

3 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Oh, yes, I see this in your style, especially the fun/refusal to take it all so seriously.
Your desire for variety shows up nicely too. Interesting to me that tension between not wanting to look like everyone else but definitely wanting to be part of groups. Also interesting that you group being tolerant together with reading a room well—I’m very much the first, but have little ability for the second, have a hard time seeing a connection. I very much agree with you on all 3 points under “values”, might borrow your phrasing about the most sustainable wardrobe being the one you already own.

3 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

Very good point about the most sustainable wardrobe is the one you have... it is lovely to read your style beliefs and values, they are so congruent with your style. You also give time to your friends here on YLF, as one of the most consistent and supportive forum members.

3 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Yep ... this is perfectly reflected in your style ... a confident and kind ease that is admirable and not a little enviable, too! Beautiful inside and out Sal. x

3 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sal, I definitely see all this in your incredibly warm, reliable, helpful, and often novel forum presence (starting great new threads!).

I love what you said at the very top -- looking good doesn't take much longer than looking drab! -- and also the balance of recognizing that not everybody cares about fashion, and that's okay, too.

Also, I totally agree -- the most sustainable wardrobe is the one you already own. Let's wear the heck out of our beautiful clothes (or donate them quickly if we've made an error) and enjoy that, rather than trying to form the "perfect" capsule wardrobe and dumping perfectly good clothing to do it!

3 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*APPLAUSE*

I loved reading this sweet Sal, and getting to know you better. From how I perceive you and your style on this forum, this is dead right! You nailed it, and I expected nothing less!

You are sensible, level-headed, unaffected, balanced, confident, down to earth......and spunky, a free spirit, and adventurous too! You are also a problem solver and talented at diffusing situations. You are extremely good at following through, like you have with ALL your wardrobe decisions and plans. Reliable and disciplined, despite your need for a varied routine.

Rest assured, your BVPs are well represented in your style. WELL DONE!

Chuckled @ the sister thing and losing your keys.

I'm an ENFJ too. Our personalities and styles are both much the same and very different, but our values and beliefs align very strongly. It makes sense that sartorially we like a lot of the same things. The '70s, pretty dresses and skirts, some colours, high contrast, white footwear....

3 years ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

You sound quite delightful!l would definitely pop in if ever I was in NZ(only if l was invited of course)

3 years ago

Minaminu

Veteran

This description made me smile, I recognised your style in the description

3 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Joy - it is an interesting overlap.

Haha Rachy - I know what you mean - I interview people too and reliability is one that it is hard to pick. But I am not sure that this comes out in style or not? Maybe!!

Thanks Fashintern - I probably lumped two points under one bullet when I agree they are not correlated at all. And I agree there is a tension there between wanting to be in a community and wanting to be an individualist. I fought against my school uniform all the time, whereas my sons just get on with it an happily wear what is allowed.

What a lovely comment Bijou - thank you!

Thank you Helena - that is a very kind thing to say.

Suz - exactly!! I think we share that sentiment entirely - fashion and clothes can be a fun easy thing in difficult times as well.

Angie - I can see lots of similarities too around our views and beliefs and philosophy to life. You are a true fashion professional and your styling and love for the industry and what outfits and enclothed recognition is apparent in all your actions. I suspect your house is neater than mine and you don't lose your keys though.......

Cardiff girl - wouldn't that be fun! I would be embarrassed to show you around my garden right now though...but I would make you my favourite cake.

Minaminu - thanks! I can sort of see it - I can see why I don't have a super crisp, neat style given my personality.

3 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

A great read and rings true all the way through. I am fascinated by extroverted people that can read rooms but are still independent thinkers and like to be different. As an introverted person who can be painfully empathetic I usually turn my social blinders on in group settings, especially with strangers. Thus my boldness is actually willful ignorance. Sort of. But I love the image of you leading the pack while doing your own thing. (Sorry for the meander!)

3 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Shevia - I tried to be honest about my positives and negatives - I do think I have internal conflicts over these sorts of things (love dressing up but am a bit lazy about doing so, love being an individual but within a community etc). For a while I was dead set on avoiding the suburban Mum cliche in our area.

3 years ago

Anonymous

Love this, especially "the most sustainable wardrobe is the one I already own"!

3 years ago

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

This: Some of my favourite people in the world have little interest in clothing, or can't afford new pieces, or find sizing a challenge. I love style and fashion, but I don't expect everyone to do so.

I absolutely feel this, too, to the point where I often avoid talking about clothing outside this forum. I've been working on being truer to myself on the topic, though, especially because I feel like I have things to say about sustainable production and consumption these days.

It's so interesting that our personality profiles are only one letter (E vs I) apart. The "NF" part has been consistent for me through time, too. When I was much younger (college and before), I tested ENFP. Time has made me more cautious. Actually, except for the extrovert part, I could describe myself with every single one of your personality traits! No wonder I relate so well to the way you approach your style.

3 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Suntiger - I was inspired by Signe from Useless. She is a blogger and youtuber who has a sustainable approach. Last year her hashtag was #2020wehaveplenty

Jenn- I used to tend more to the P too!! I too have become more cautious. I am not a strong extrovert, but I do believe that people energise me in the most part, and I enjoy socialising with new and established friends.

My Mum lost interest in clothes over her 30 year illness. Buttons were too hard to do up. She had to wear very unattractive shoes or hospital shoes, and her fingers could not wear rings. And my oldest friend struggles to buy clothes due to being petite of height and in a larger number size. But for me they are important....and mostly enjoyable. I have had a $#%#^&! week at work with a really sad HR issue and getting dressed has been the best part of the day!

3 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

So much wisdom here, Sal, and so succinct! Your values section is spot-on.

3 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Thanks La Ped. I wrote it pretty quickly - and could have said more - but it is honest and true to myself.

3 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

I really enjoyed reading your gentle, tolerant, and easy going approach to style. I can sometimes fall into a trap of taking it all very seriously and get caught up in rules. (ISTJ :-D) Being able to discuss ‘fashion’ with a diverse group of folks who all enjoy it, but have different BVP’s opens my mind and heart. You are an asset to the forum, Sal.

3 years ago

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Loved reading this, thanks for posting! I esp. like the idea of wearing out my clothes as I tire of them. Brilliant!

I am an INFJ, borderline on the T/F. Very strong on the N. I love taking a theory and putting it into practice. (-:

3 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Carla - we are almost opposites but I think we would get on very well if we met in person. Thx for the lovely comments - I value your positive fun approach too.

Jenava - I am a strong N too..... I think often I get sick of clothes whether I wear them or not. Not always with the real gems of course. And then I can feel guilty if I quite like them but don’t want to wear them.

3 years ago

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