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Style Personas

Roxanna

Veteran

A thoughtful Fabber posted a link to the Blue Collar Red Lipstick blog in the forum a while ago and I have to say I am obsessed! Hey style direction feels exactly where I want to go right now (and she has gotten me back into thrifting )

But what has influenced me most is her discussion of style avatars:
https://bluecollarredlipstick......ear-later/

I like the idea of having a few dimensions/personas to your style that you bring it in different environments or with different moods. Under my moniker Urban Luxe, I have narrowed mine to be:

1) the Prince
- similar to Adina's articulation of the Prince in the blog
- androgynous, strong lines, architectural, monochrome
- this is about drama and refinement and a little bit of mystery
- can skew edgy as well

2) the Sophisticate
- my inspiration for this is Anh from 9 to 5 chic
- tonal, polished, sleek, often traditionally flattering
- but staying away from overly twee

3) the Artist
- still keeping an urban luxe feel, but adding in elements of design, pattern and handwork
- I love beautifully crafted wardrobe pieces, and this persona is about letting them shine
- but does not go into bohemian territory

See some examples below:
1-4: The sophisticate
5-6: the Prince (more edgy version)
7-8: the artist
9-10: the prince

What do you think? Do these personas work for my style? Have you tried style personas? Do they work for your style?

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Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Helena

Bijou

Veteran

Roxanna these work beautifully for your style. The different style personas are distinct and each provide a different dimension to your broader style moniker Urban Luxe.

Personally, I have not done this yet, although I have been considering it inspired by Brooklyn. If you have not seen her posts, she has two complimentary styles, Byzantine jewel inspired and Funky Town, inspired by the 70’s and another style as well. Brooklyn had been very articulate on what each style means to her and the key pieces and colours for her styles, which I think help in creating cohesive capsules.

Lesley

Veteran

I love all your looks!

I just figured this sort of thing last month, packing a "capsule" for a trip in another climate. I realized that I have two summer personas: Retro/pinup, and what I call avant guarde. Basically the former has tons of red, echoed all over the outfit, and red lips too, while the other is a more edgy and modern look. It has completely helped me focus on what I want and need for the upcoming season!

Runcarla

Veteran

I get it! I sometimes refer to myself as personas from the Spice Girls (though I was never a fan girl LOL!). Sporty Spice - when I'm in full on sports mode, Ginger Spice - most of the time when I'm in bright ROTG (retiree on the go), and Posh Spice - when I dress up for special occaisions. I think they fit within my overall Happy Tomboy moniker.

Great outfits above. Your new hairstyle really elevates your look, Roxanna.

SarahD8

Veteran

Yes yes yes!!! I just love this kind of thinking.

I can see the differences between each of these personas and they all really suit you. You are on really solid ground here.

I just have to call out outfit #1 as being exceptionally stunning. WOW!

For me, I think I have “minor personas” that come out in different seasons. Like: holiday — off-duty ballerina; deep winter — medieval Swedish fairy princess; summer — bohemian minimalist. Not that my style in those seasons reflects those personas exclusively, but more that these are certain facets of style that come out in specific seasons. Very similar to what Lesley was saying.

And similar to Runcarla, I think those minor personas can also be situational. As I’m typing this, I’m thinking that for my dressy capsule, I’m going to run with the idea of “Bloomsbury bohemian.” So like old-fashiony details but worn in a louche, arty way. (Gonna try to skip the cultural appropriation tho. :-/ )

The Cat

Veteran

You look gorgeous in all these outfits--whatever you call them.

I don't use style personas. I prefer style descriptions, focusing on adjectives. This works best for me. I've used style descriptions for decades, have changed them from time to time and might probably do it again in the future.

Do whatever works best for you. You have great style, and I am sure you are an inspiration to the forum.

Roxanna

Veteran

Thanks everyone!

Bijou yes I remember Brooklyn doing this - I'll check out her posts!

Lesley - I never thought about it helping me plan upcoming purchases. Good idea!

Runcarla LOL! How smart. And I LOVE that happy Tomboy moniker - perfectly you.And thank you for the hair compliment! It is making me feel more pulled together lately.

SarahD8 Your descriptions are SO evocative! I LOVE that. And yes, I think personas can be seasonal or situational. That's what makes them so handy.

ThCat what are your style descriptions?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

You look amazing in all these! I’m blown away by outfit 1 though, it looks like it’s an outfit from a fashion magazine. I’m not doing this, but I put a lot of thought into this year’s moniker Sassy Shoemaker’s Elf. That’s working much better than my previous moniker of Eclectic Matriarch.
Interestingly I was wondering if I was doing something different when dressing to go to dinner with friends last night- my outfit was much more luxe than sassy. So if you can make this work, it’s inspiring!

rachylou

Veteran

You know, I feel you’ve swung in a more artistic, edgier direction, Roxanna. That you were doing a more tailored, lady-like look and these personas fit that new direction. Do you feel this is true?

I really like the style persona. It’s easier for me remember, speaks to my emotional brain... which is always faster than the rational brain. I’m Quirky Waif, and then Quirky Waif does themes like Country Punk / West World, Alice in Wonderland, Night Circus... keeps me away from Preppy, which I am, but which style is frumpy on me.

The Cat

Veteran

My style description is: Casual Elegant Gamine Urban Polished. I want each item I buy and wear to fit at least 3 of these words.

My style moniker, suggested by Angie, is Playful Casual Elegance.

Both are listed under 'Style Statement" in my profile.

Roxanna

Veteran

Thanks The Cat! I like the style description, and I use mine quite a bit too. And a style moniker is handy, isn't it?

Sal

Veteran

Your outfits are stunning Roxanna - especially 1. And I can see the benefits of having a persona or avatar -or several. I guess having more than one does mean you can have distinct looks rather than trying to merge them all which can lead to compromise or mismatch.

I used to think I had four aspects to my style - classic, sporty, bohemian and bombshell - classic being the underlying theme but veering to sporty in the weekend, bohemian in the summer, and bombshell for occasion wear. I now try to always have an edge of boldness, a relaxed feel and an elegant overall look - and get a balance between these aspects.

Style Fan

Veteran

I think it is a great idea. I love outfit #1. Gorgeous. I have been thinking of doing something similar to what Toronto Girl did. She used Kate Middleton's outfits as ideas and worked from there. I would use Jennifer Aniston and try to dress like her. (Maybe Mr SF could be Brad Pitt )

Brooklyn

Veteran

Yes! I read this blog when SarahD8 posted it a couple of months ago and her thoughts resonated with me also. I find articulating a single style moniker or descriptor quite difficult. And I like having more than one style avenue to explore.

I don’t have style avatars, I have style themes. Fundamentally I think of all my looks as being just “me”. They are explorations of different styles and themes that I am attracted to but I don’t attach to them different personalities. I do think they reflect different moods, seasons and occasions. And they are helpful because they give me permission to try out different styles while still having an overall plan. I think avatars work the same way. Plus... fun!

You look fabulous. I can definitely see the different avatars coming through.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I think I missed the blog, but will certainly jump over now, and I love your outfits. My test with these things is to see if I honestly see the difference in persona - in your case the sophisticate and the artist are the biggest contrast and I am wondering if the difference is the silhouette. Anyway, I love all of these with the sophisticate being my favorites - although the artist's jacket is stunning. Oh and did I mention that I love your hair !

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Roxanna, these outfits are fantastic. I love your style, and you wear it so beautifully. I can see how these personas fit your style--nicely done! I am at a loss with this kind of thing for myself. But I love reading about styles and descriptors and seeing examples like yours.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I liked that post too. Your personas make a lot of sense to me and I especially like that they are cohesive with each other in some ways (instead of my fear with avatars- that I’ll just end up all over the place). With your outfits, there’s always something interesting going on- asymmetry or beautiful jewelry etc. And of course your hair adds so much to each.

I don’t do avatars really, but I do have different functional capsules with different moods. For example I keep a duffel bag full of my “Southeast Asia capsule”- summery clothes that are far more revealing and boho than what I would wear at home in hyper-urban Beijing, even in summer. But they feel just right when I head south a few times a year.

I would say I use one style descriptor at a time, and it seems to evolve with the seasons. Last fall/winter it was “cozy Keith Richards.” Now it’s spring, it’s become “Lyle Lovett does hanami.”

Anonymous

I like #1 the most but wow to all They all definitely work for you!
I think your Sophisticate theme has the same vibe as my Boss theme. Intentional black, other neutrals, reds. And my other 2, Sunset and Earthy Sophisticate are more Artist-with different color schemes
Overall-I use the keywords streamlined, feminine, exotic to stay on track. With Dark Autumn color scheme and Theatrical Romantic Kibbe (at least always the addition of the D or R).

nemosmom

Veteran

Wow, all of your looks are really fantastic! I loved the avatar post mentioning Adina's blog and have become a fan of hers I can see the avatars in your outfits and think they work really well for you! I have recently been playing with a similar idea, assigning three themes or personas to my wardrobe and it has been truly helpful on days when I feel stuck.

My themes/personas have varying degrees of dressiness and polish, and I can use many pieces across the themes. The colors are also slightly different for seasonal shifts (adding blush, daffodil, grass green in spring/summer; switching to rust, mustard, deep bottle green in fall/winter).

I can't wait to see where you take your avatars!

Nomad

I love your personas, and they suit you well! Adina's blog inspired me, too.

I like using style avatars as an extension of the style moniker... it's a concrete way to encapsulate a few different facets of the moniker, if that makes sense. All my avatars fit my moniker, but they represent it in different ways. That's been helping me shop more carefully. I think about which one (or ones) of my personas would wear a given thing, and if the answer is, "They wouldn't"... then it's not for me, no matter how cute or awesome a thing it is in itself.

Christina F.

Veteran

This is a very helpful, iscussion, thank you. I think I have different personas for different seasons and for weekend vs weekday. I just put it all under the banner of “Eclectic.” I could label the other personas if I wanted to.... hmm.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES, I think your avatars work. Nicely done.

My KILLER faves are: #5/6 and 7/8

Helena

Veteran

Beautiful Roxana, and I love how these avatars dovetail each other in your outfit ... it's like the percentages change but they are all present ... which makes them both unique and different, but very cohesive.