Style moniker exploration - YouLookFab Forum

One of my 2018 goals is to come up with my style moniker for my wardrobe rebuild process. In the past few months I've learned that I love asymmetry and close-fitting draping, and that I am not at all classic or preppy or edgy. I am very much recently pulled towards Scandinavian Chic, but with color. It conveys a natural, sporty, outdoorsy, approachable elegance to me. Items have both drape and some structure. I fell in love with several COS (Swedish) items. My favorite patterns are from nature, with florals and swirls and no strong linear geometrics. I aim towards low to medium contrast, in medium to dark saturated colors with a bit of sheen (golden or bronze). Minimal adornment, a simple bronze watch and a necklace, sometimes a scarf. I like to include both a soft (drapy or assymetric) component and more structured (e.g., pointy shoes). My first WIWs have included adjectives given by YLFers of simple, elegant, polished, precise, classy. I suspect this will evolve through the year, and with suggestions from YLF, but here's my starting point:

Modern --> simple, streamlined, tending towards minimalist

Color-rich --> saturated, bronze, medium/deep colors, metallic in jewellry (think indigo, burgundy, rust, brick, teal, dark aqua, cream with a sheen, charcoal). Not earthy, pastel, or light.

Scandinavian --> mix of soft and architectural elements, minimal adornment, chic outdoorsy/sporty element, not classic; Is this the right word?

Your thoughts and suggestions?

6 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Toban, it sounds like you have a very clear direction on where you want to go, which is awesome! These are always tough because it depends on the individual's instinctive understanding on the word. For example, to me, Scandinavian makes me thing of black, somewhat undone or RATE, with sneakers ... whereas, in your WIW, your richly-colored burgundy sweater and jeans looks very polished and elegant - more France than Scandinavia, if that makes sense.

That said, I think if you are drawn to it, perhaps go with it for a while; as Angie says, it's never set in stone and can always change and evolve as you continue on your journey

Liz

You had a great phrase embedded in your description of why you're drawn to the Scandinavian designs: "Approachable Elegance." Does that capture what you're going for?

Toban

Thanks, Torontogirl and Liz, you’ve pinpointed some of the reasons Scandinavian is close but not quite right. It’s Northern European, not quite France chic but similar simplicity, not quite Scandinavian because of color choices. I appreciate the word elegance, but to me it denotes more formality then I intend. It could just be color-rich modern?

Katerina

Toban, I admire your structured, analytical way of thinking and describing your style. I most certainly can see your style as modern. I think that part of the Scandinavian style is just that it is modern. Another strong part is practical and pragmatic. Otherwise, I am not sure and I need to learn more about the various style descriptors to be able to make any remotely correct assessments. This is a very interesting thread and I will follow and learn.

Oh, and quality. Scandinavian style is a lot about quality - both aesthetical and functional.

Joy

Maybe natural modern? Thinking of your outdoorsy element and preference for nature patterns.

SarahD8

Toban, the phrase “approachable elegance” stuck out to me too as it did to Liz. I’ve noticed that the style monikers that I find most evocative are ones that are two words that contain a kind of contradiction: it’s as if the person's precise style is found in the tension between the two. As always ymmv!

To me, Scandinavian captures the elements of modernity and practicality as Katerina noted. I think it fits but as torontogirl says others may get a different mental picture from the term. The color palette you describe actually does seem earthy to me...maybe because a lot of those colors would be in the “autumn” palette according to seasonal color theory. Earthy Scandinavian?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I see Natural and Minimalist quite strongly. I also see Polish, Precision, Classic, Current, Simplicity, Refinement and Dark Colours,

How about Polished Natural Minimalist, Colour-Rich Minimalist, Simple Colour-Rich Chic, or Natural Simple Chic?

Katerina, Joy, SarahD8, thanks for the suggestions. Modern is coming out strongly. Thanks for the reminder about words can be contradictory and its the juxtaposition that makes it our own. Modern/Minimalist Natural = the elements of Scandinavian style that I appreciate the most. Polished = the refinement, structure and accessories I bring to the outfit. Never sloppy or very relaxed.

SarahD8, my colors fall within the dark autumn (bright, dark) palette and definitely are considered earthy. But 'earthy' also denotes the softer, muddier colors that I shy away from, so its not quite right.

Angie, you have an amazing talent for style descriptors. I am leaning towards Polished Natural Minimalist. I am going to keep thinking about this with each day’s outfits and see if I need to make further tweaks.

Toban, I get lots of practice - this is what I do! It's just a starting point. You can change things up at any time, or not have a moniker at all. It's all in good fun.

Lynn

Rich Natural Architectural?
Rich in the sense of both the colors but also the fabrications you choose.
Natural implies that outdoor sportiness. A looseness (flow) instead of structured (but that just might be my association)
Architectural -the silhouettes you choose tend to be clean, simple lines.

Anyway I love your style! And your colors!

rachylou

I see Natural Polish

Mainelady

Perhaps Natural Modern Elegance?

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