Styles you love that don't fit your lifestyle

Niki Lea

Do you ever covet pieces or styles that are completely outside your norm or don't fit into your current lifestyle at all? This is something I've been thinking about lately, as fall fashion is starting to appear in stores.

Normally I like to wear fairly understated and classic outfits, but a huge part of me LOVES surf and skateboard-inspired clothing - and I don't know how to do either! Isn't that bizarre? What's that about?

For example, I really love everything this local company designs and would dress like this every day, if I could: http://shop.sitka.ca/womens/?s.....omerreview

But it doesn't suit my lifestyle AT ALL. How do you reconcile what you love with what works for your life?

(I accidentally put this under sales and deals...oops)

10 years ago

Sales and Deals

12 replies

Latest reply was from Caro

Aziraphale

Veteran

Good question. I have the opposite problem -- casual school environment, casual weekend environment, but I like to wear fancy shoes and a blazer when I can. I solve it by wearing these things when going out.

Surf and skate wear is ultra-casual. Could you not just wear it on the weekends?

10 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

A good question. Does it not suit your life because it's too casual? In that case I'd still have lounge wear that fit with a shadow style persona.

For example my loungewear tends to be either more boho (green maxi dresses) or more RATE hard-edged tomboy than my daily style and I enjoy expressing my shadow styles during activities that match them. The boho loungewear is mostly worn in the garden messing around with vegetables, and the RATE/tomboy stuff (hoodies, beat up sneakers, gray cargo pants) is mostly worn in an art studio messing around with plaster and clay.

So are there any events or daily tasks where this look would work for you?

10 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Hmm there are two ways I reconcile those items. One way is to incorporate one or two of the actual type of item and mixing them with the rest of things; in the case of classic items, it's probably a bit easier than with other styles. The other way is to figure out what about the style is appealing and finding similar details in items that better fit my lifestyle.

The site you linked is ultra casual. Do you do any outdoorsy things on the weekends? Seems like it'd be a good fit there. Or do something like this tank underneath a blazer with a pencil skirt, or pair this dress with refined booties and jewelry.

10 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Oh yes. And I also get completely sidetracked by other styles. Personally, I'm trying to develop discipline, to stick to my guns.

So but, what gets in the way of your wearing surfer skater stuff like this? Is it too casual? Too *sloppy*?

10 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I think you should buy some of this stuff and try it out on the weekends, or whenever you have a day off. I discovered that following this kind of inspiration helped me learn about myself and also develop my style persona. You might go "whole hog" on it for a while but then later be content with incorporating just a little bit into your everyday outfits.

I can't really say that I have styles that I love that don't fit my lifestyle, because I do try to find ways to work in those styles. For instance, I hardly go out to nicer places, but I do get attracted to very nice clothing. So I just wait until I'm attracted to something very nice that will work for church, and then I can buy the item and have a place to wear it. And on days when I don't have any appointments and just stay home, I wear things that are ultracasual or maybe skewed very young, younger than I want to portray myself if I am out at an appointment.

10 years ago

Niki Lea

Veteran

These are great ideas.

Aziraphale, I love the way the clothes look cool and casual. But I'm scared they'll make me the Queen of Dumpy Land.

Rabbit, I'm a casual gal, for sure. This look is ultra casual, even for me. I could probably try this out on weekend outings.

Aida, I like your idea of mixing in some of the items with what I already wear.

Rachylou, I definitely worry about the too sloppy factor. And something about the muted colour palette enhances that worry for me. Yet, I still love the cool, casual style.

Gigi, I love that you try to find ways to make it all work.

As I've gotten older I've tried to look more put together. Ultra-casual sort of flies in the face of the way I've been dressing for the past two years.

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hmm. Your last point suggests that maybe you are longing a little bit for some of the "freedom" of the old you (or of being younger, generally). So maybe this style speaks a bit to that part of you. Sometimes it's not only about the clothes....On the other hand, summers bring out a craving for ultra casual even in people who are very happy with their less casual lives!

10 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

For a while, I would look at the St. John styles--super conservative, expensive stuff, including their signature knit suits worn by the likes of Madeleine Allbright during her days as U.S. Secretary of State--and long for a life in which I could wear them. It seemed odd to me even then, because I did kind of understand deep down, I think, that even if I had the life and money to wear those suits, I would probably choose something different for myself.
Nowadays, I occasionally wish I had a lifestyle that involved more dressing up. I love to dress up, but I don't even have a current evening-wear capsule at this point. Nothing too fancy, anyway. I'm more and more okay with that, though.

10 years ago

Active Member

I went through this phase where I identified with a preppy, classic, Euro chic style and tried to fit all my purchases in this model so they would work for my lifestyle. But I couldn't help get attracted to crop tops, palazzo pants, fit-flare dresses & sports luxe trend as well. I avoided buying them for a while thinking how it wouldn't work with my defined style etc etc.. until one day I tried on a pair of palazzo pants at the store & loved them!
Since then my response has been to use my style monikers to very loosely define my boundaries, yet if anything really appeals to me I try it & wear it for my own happiness & satisfaction.

10 years ago

Jeanie

Veteran

I love the surf & skateboard inspired clothing too! I think it speaks to my free-spirited boho side and love of adventure. I like rabbit's idea of wearing this as lounge wear or weekend wear. I think you could also embrace the sporty luxe trend by mixing these pieces with some dressier pieces. Those t-shirts would look great with a blazer.

10 years ago

Lucy

Veteran

I'm always overdressed, so I'm not sure if I can help. But why not try a couple of pieces out for play? Outside of work, my hubby dresses like a 15 year old boy. Skate wear all the way. But he tends to keep it to weekends, though he does seem to slip on his Vans for work more regularly than he should

10 years ago

Caro

Active Member

I hear you about the surf and skate stuff. I like it too, and also can do neither sport! Lately I have been really wanting to adopt a biker look. I don't mean a trendy biker-boots-this-season look, but like a hardcore harley chick kind of look, with a leather jacket on all occasions. Problem is, I am not a biker. I don't know how to drive a bike. My current bf has a motorcycle, but we just met... it would look so silly if I just started being a biker chick all of a sudden. But hey, you only live once. My plan is to slowly work certain pièces into my wardrobe, and then eventually, like in 5 years, it will be my Evolved personal style, a sort of biker-sophisticate hybrid with a nod boho. Wish me luck LOL

10 years ago

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