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Style descriptor - what do you see?

Astrid

Veteran

I've posted several threads about style descriptors and goals over the time I've been here, but they were build mostly around Pinterest pictures.

Almost a year ago Angie coined 'Bohemian Prairie Girl' to describe my style (aspirations) and it was nice to work with that for a while, but I'm not sure it quite fits anymore. I think the old descriptor needs some tweaking - I feel like I've had quite a big style shift this summer and especially this fall. In fact I'm loving all the fall outfits I've been wearing and posting lately, so I thought it might be good to search for a descriptor using my own pictures this time. I think I want to expand on what I'm wearing right now and transfer that look into my summer wardrobe too.

Any ideas? What would you call the style you see below?

Thanks for looking!

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41 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

kellygirl

Veteran

I think you have moved away from bohemian. I see a little more preppie in your style these days. I'm not very good at descriptors but I really LOVE where you are going! To me, here in CA, I think you look European, modern, preppie. These are all so gorgeous, Astrid. It's no wonder you love these outfits! They really suit you! I do think your shorter hair plays a strong part in the departure from bohemian, btw.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Kelly! I agree about moving away from the bohemian part, it was the thing that was the most obvious to me too. And you're right, the long hair did make a difference. It's interesting that you see more 'preppie' in my looks - I wouldn't describe my style that way, but then I only have a vague idea what the term means and am probably only thinking of the cliches.

carter

Veteran

I'll leave the style descriptors to the others, because I'm not very good at that. However, I did want to say that you have obviously done a fantastic job at putting together a cohesive wardrobe and look. You look happy, comfortable and like "you" in all of these.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

AcademiEuroChic? I definitely see a departure from the boho. I'm not sure I would use the term preppy but I understand what she means. Another thought I had was "Schoolgirl Eurochic" but that sounded a bit dismissive (which wasn't what I meant.) I see simplicity, too. An absence of artifice.

I love the way your shorter hair opens up your face, Astrid. It also makes you look taller and slimmer.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, I'd say straight up preppy. But not a Muffy (parties), Buffy (softball and field hockey), or Diana (typography and on the verge of being disowned by preppy-dom). You're a Lucy - the nice one. Lol. We expect to find you in the window seat on the stairwell with the cat and a book, and up for making custard with us. Lol.

Which is not to say you don't play field hockey

Anonymous

I see some preppy and classic elements in there. Definitely a shift away from boho!

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Carter! I am very comfortable in my outfits lately and I think it shows.

Thanks Suz! Interesting that you mention simplicity, I remember way back I played around with the term 'simple' to describe my style goals. And Eurochic - that's one of the terms I've never quite understood. I know Scarlet wears casual Eurochic and I love her style, but I can't get straight what exactly it means. Also as a European it sounds strange to me to describe my style as 'Euro...'. As for the hair, truly everybody IRL tells me shorter hair suits me more and I have to agree.

Thanks Rachylou! Glad I'm the nice version...

Thanks Ceit!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I have to agree that "classic" or "preppy" is the image I see - and that's not a bad thing. I think maybe it's due to the plaid and argyle and rich tones with classic shapes. I actually like a preppy sort of look as long as it doesn't involve polo shirts or varsity sweaters, both items I have a poison eye for I think. Reminds me of Ali McGraw in Love Story. I used to like to play the theme song on the piano. My dad loved to sing it.

http://www.glamamor.com/2010/1.....story.html

celia

Veteran

Preppy was also the first word that came to mind.And somehow classic because the cuts and the patterns you use are mostly classic ones.
Also in the way you construct your outfits I see always a element of happiness , always when piece that seems to be for your enjoyment like the scarf or the belt or semi-tuck.

catgirl

Veteran

I see some j crew preppy here - the old school j crew with clean lines and moneyed homes on Cape Cod behind it...

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Texstyle! Agree with you on the polo shirts and varsity sweaters, same as with boat shoes or chinos actually. I'm not a big fan of pleated skirts or the v-neck either. That's why I didn't think of my look as "preppy", but I can get behind some of the looks from your link.

Thanks Celia! Yes to that element of happiness. I love it when a part of my outfit has some special meaning or memory linked to it.

Thanks Una!

Alassë

Veteran

French chic + a tinge bohemian (wide belt, fringed scarf, floral button-down, etc.) = French bohemian? You're looking great & very cohesive, as the others have said!

Deborah

Veteran

Astrid, I love these outfits and you have certainly honed your look. The things I see here are simplicity, chic. I do kind of see preppy but it's a european version which is not as overt as what I might define as US preppy. If I was going to guess what you do for a living from seeing you in the street, I might think you were an academic. Your outfits are 'sensible' but youthful and with a much higher style quotient than many academics I have met IRL.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Your outfits made me think of Claire McCardell who took the casual American style & made it modern. She studied in Paris & loved Vionnet's clothes, who is one of my favourite designers. Vionnet was called "the architect among dressmakers".

http://www.pinterest.com/Histo.....mccardell/

So, I see a blending of modern classic with a retro casual American style which is not necessarily preppie imo.

I love all of these outfits Astrid, your style is very coherent even if you don't have a name for it yet. The jacket in #2 is a fabulous colour on you

Krista

Veteran

I agree that you've moved away from the bohemian side, Astrid! These outfits are very fab. I agree with the others in that there is a preppy vibe, I might also the term "gamine." However you term it, I would say it is working for you!

Helenedith

I can see the influence Caro showed with the link to Pinterest. Retro? Your hairstyle and your clothing style seems to be 'congruent' (there is probably a better word to use) I see the influence of English country, perhaps due to the use of plaids. But your use of scarves has the European nonchalance that I would love to achieve. I think simple is also part of your style. The colours you are using seem to be 'you' and work well with your colouring. I am not sure the word preppy translates - I always have a vision of Ralph Lauren when I think of preppy!!

E

Veteran

Before I read anyone else's comments, I saw simpler lines, less boho, as if you're moving from Country Mouse to City Mouse (a la the fable, not because you're rodent like, lol). With the exception of your pink/purple pattern shirt, the patterns are all quite geometric and linear.

Having read everyone else comments, I completely agree w Suz & Deborah that's there's an intellectual feel to your outfits, sort of old school collegiate (which I think is where the prep feel comes in). Not that you look immature, just that there's a freshness going on here with nods to tradition. Combined with the simple lines, it gives a kind of clean vibe, like a freshly scrubbed face in the morning.

I don't know if any of that helps you! I think I'm better at word pictures than catchy phrases (I don't have a phrase myself). Fresh, clean, traditional, geometric, smart (in both the sense of brain smart and smartly put together), a little bit urban (that's too strong...metropolitan maybe?), simple, straightforward...there are a few words in case one appeals.

K. Period.

Veteran

My first thought was prep-punk! Preppy, but with great '80s (not '70s or '90s) punk/new wave aesthetic: a little '50s retro glam touched up with pea coat and boot roughness, but still a core preppy-ness that is quite lovely and grounding. But I still see a little eclectic bohemian in there, which is something else that I associate with the late '80s, early '90s alterna-wave-punk movement.

Joy

Veteran

Whatever your evolving style is called, it is looking fabulous. I see a bit of tomboy, maybe Euro or French tomboy with your striped tops and great use of scarves but still keeping to simple lines. Your mischievous grin adds to the charm.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Alasse! I'm not sure "Bohemian" in any shape still works for my new description, although I agree that there are still touches of it there (mostly in my jewelry and accessoires).

Thanks Deborah! Interesting you mention simplicity (same as Suz) and also chic. I remember that quite a long while ago I came up with the phrase "simple chic", but it didn't stick. Also it makes sense to differentiate it from US preppy, seeing as that isn't a very common style over here. I think all the brands with preppy style are imported US ones. Maybe it's more the mindset going with the style than the look itself.

Thanks Caro! Great link. I think this fits into what I mentioned just now - not preppy style but an aspect of ease of movement, simplicity, practicality and wearability.

Thanks Krista!

Thanks Helenedith! Interesting that you mention "retro", I don't think of my style as retro at all and I don't wear vintage. I agree about the Ralph Lauren vision, it's similar for me and I don't think I can really get behind the term"preppy". But yes to the English country thing!

Thanks E! Loved the fable as a child, we have a great illustrated version somewhere. I think your right where that prep feel comes from - and I love your little collection of words! Especially smart, simple, straightforward.

Thanks K! I had to do a Google picture search because I had no idea what the punk/new wave asthetic looked like, I guess you can see my age here.

Thanks Joy! You're the first to mention tomboy, but I'm glad you did. I think that's where my roots are, when I look at the outfits I loved wearing most as a child and teen.

K. Period.

Veteran

Ooooh, now I'm worried. The key is that it isn't the early '80s aesthetic, which had much more costumey influence (seen Bladerunner lately?) or the '90s, which was much more grunge. But maybe I'm kidding myself. What I see is a lot of what I wore in the late '80s, early '90s. Pea coats, turtlenecks, plaid skirts, Docs, black ankle boots, black suede knee boots and vintage girly glamour clothing. Whatever your style descriptor is, you look gorgeous and looking at your outfits makes me happy.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I thought of Librarian Chic particularly for the looks in which you are wearing a skirt. I think it is the heritage plaids, the modest cuts, the look of intelligence but then you bring this real edge which is hard to describe.

Here's what google revealed when I typed in the term https://www.google.co.uk/searc.....h&tbo

Anonymous

Astrid, I can see why we Americans are all chiming in "preppy", but maybe I can clarify. This is the type of outfit I imagine girls at Oxford or Cambridge wearing to class. It looks very smart (in the intelligent sense), classic and yes, a little librarian chic. The plaids and argyle and that satchel you sport nail this look. I love it for you, and think this is a great new direction.

Sharon

Veteran

I thought "collegiate" too. And Librarian Chic. There is definitely a vibe of the interesting intellectual to my eye, but it looks young and fun enough to avoid "professor" and too smart and polished to earn "student".

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I just wanted to clarify that I view the term librarian as a compliment, in my eyes it is Velma in Scooby Doo and Ali McGraw in love story. A style with substance.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I love how Jules describes Librarian Chic. What Jules said.

lyn67

Veteran

I'm not good at descriptors at all, I neither can figure my very own ones, too!

BUT I see Young, Playful, Intellectual and BEAUTIFUL!

(oh, and very consisitent!:-))

Aubergine

Veteran

I'm bad at descriptors, but I can definitely see librarian chic!

What sticks out for me about these looks is the effortless way your clothes combine a grounded, classic feel (in the silhouettes, materials, and colors/patterns) with fun, playful touches. In particular, I'm noticing how your scarves (especially that adorable chunky rainbow one), the leather sneakers you have on in a few pics, the argyle tights in #4, and even the way you layered a 3/4-sleeved cardigan over a shirt with longer sleeves in #6 add that slightly unexpected note that makes things look more playful.

AJ

Veteran

I haven' t read the comments yet. I see classic preppy influences with stripes and plaids as major players. You happily dance in both the lady-like and men's wear looks.

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