The "Quirky" "Unique" One - YouLookFab Forum

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The "Quirky" "Unique" One

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I have been called both of these the older and bolder I become in the way I choose to dress. I used to feel like I had to explain and I would give reasoning behind why I would wear a certain peice or wear my hair in a certain style. Now I own my look and my hair cut. I walk in the confidence that is uniquely me. Now over to you all.

Do you find yourself having to explain your uniqueness or choice in clothing fashion or style or taste altogether?
If so or not what has been your explanations?
Or have you given one?
Have you ever been called one or the other or anything?
Do people give there opinion the good the bad or the in between?
Or like me do you get the stares? LOL
Do you find yourself Owning your style or look?

Thanks in advance.

20 replies

Latest reply was from Ledonna N.

shedev

Veteran

I have never felt the need to explain my clothes beyond telling a very nice but girly coworker that there are all kinds of girls. Really life is too short to spend too much time trying to please others. The right mister will at least respect that what you wear makes you happy.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Shedev that is true true now when I see someone who is unique I will be sure to compliment them.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Sometimes I get compliments on my clothes or hair. I've never had a criticism. It might be that the way I dress isn't sufficiently "different" to elicit a surprised response, or perhaps it's that I'm very small, and I have an everyman (girl next door?) type of face, so I'm not that conspicuous to begin with.

If someone did make a negative comment, I guess I'd just shrug and laugh. It's disarming. People never know what to say next if you just chuckle.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I used to get criticisms about my short hair. (I have worn it short for most of my life, with some breaks to grow it out to shoulder length). When people would criticize it, I just smiled, and said, "Thanks for your opinion."

Of course, as a vulnerable teen who wanted acceptance and longed for a boyfriend, it sometimes hurt my feelings. But ultimately, I wanted to be myself even more than I wanted to be accepted. Or I wanted to be accepted by people who accepted me for who I was, not who I pretended to be.

For clothes -- sometimes I've been called too "corporate" or "starchy" because my look has always been crisp and polished.

Sometimes I've been called too ladylike or refined.

So mostly I just smile. What else can you do, really?

Diana

Veteran

Well I'm sure I get looks a lot but honestly most people don't seem to say anything. I do get compliments quite often from certain people but never feel the need to explain myself.

Although there is one guy at work who calls me a "fashionista." Not sure he thinks this is a compliment or not. (I also think this is a common misconception among the non-fashion savvy to conflate "fashionista/trendy" with "unique/quirky". Personally I think I'm much more the latter.). Anyway I think he just means " your clothes are weird and I don't get it." It's not said in a mean or nasty way at all. But I don't really respond at all, nor do I think he expects me to.

Haha, at this point most people I see regularly only comment if I wear something really casual or sloppy (like running shoes and a white tee or something) because apparently everyone thinks I dress up all the time. (Yes, academic science is *really* casual.)

Oh, and how could I forget the girl who asked me if I fell down/had an accident when I showed up at work wearing ripped up jeans?!? I actually found that really hilarious.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

ETA: Your style -- in clothing and hair and accessories -- and your character -- speak VOLUMES. Anybody who cannot see what a special lady you are is...(sorry to be rude)....THICK.

deb

Veteran

I have often been described as 'weird' or 'unique' but in regards to my personality no my clothing choices. My usual response is 'thank you'.

cciele

Veteran

I think the person who has commented the most on my clothes and hair ("constructive criticism") is my mom. The latest was that she wanted me to dye my hair back to brown. *shrug* But that's what moms do right?

Anyhow, I don't think I've ever explained my style choices, but I do get comments on my clothing and hair quite a bit. Before I colored my hair, the comments would be about my clothes -- I think positive, but usually exclaiming on the uniqueness of the piece. Once I wore a relatively normal jumper dress and a guy at work wondered why I was dressed so conservatively!

Now, my hair is the most noticeable thing about me, so I get comments about that, basically along the lines of people not remembering it being that shade of red or whatever.

To sum it up, I am totally owning my look. And I'm so glad you are too, ladywone!

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Aziraphale-I think that is the best response of all just to go ahead and laugh it off.

Suz-Again a beautiful smile gets them every time. Thank you for the kind words and encouragement,

Diana-Oh my that is to funny did you fall down. Different people see things so uniquely.

Deb-Yes, thank you and keep it moving.

Cciele-I think moms do that because they only want the best for us. And I am glad that you own your look.

Thank each and everyone of you all for taking the time to respond.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Ladywone I have been the square peg for so long that I really wouldn't know what to do with myself if I fit in too well. It actually suits me quite well to be an immigrant because a lot of my personality is excused that way. That said, generally speaking people who don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all to me.

rachylou

Veteran

So right. Now you have to let me tell one of my stories:

When I was in elementary school, my mum tried to turn me into a liberated woman. Practically begged me to wear pants. But I wouldn't have any of it. Conventional girl to the core. Dresses and mary janes every single day.

Thirty years later, I have only just come to realise I was the only conventional girl on the playground. You couldn't have paid any of the other girls to get into a dress.

Story of my life. Definitely quirky, definitely unique, downright off the wall. If I could explain myself, I would; but it's one of my idiosyncrasies that I can't tell where I'm not normal. As far as I know, I don't do anything no one else does.

Except, apparently they don't...

MsLuna

Veteran

Ohhhh ladywone, you have noooo idea how much I get "quirky" a lot! For the most part, it's in relation to my bubbly personality and my oddball sense of humour. now your questions...

1. Nope. Never really had to explain myself as far as style goes.

4. I've always been acknowledged for being "the fashion/style girl" but I never make it to the best dressed lists anywhere. I'm guessing it's because people still prefer conventionally modern classic type looks. Although I often get complimented for combining the ultra-feminine with the rough/tough/super hero/warrior style, it's still an unusual combination.

5. Often positive comments as far as I can remember.

6. Apparently I get checked out by girls... A LOT. Must be the unapologetically bright dresses.

7. I'm about 70% well into owning my look. I still have to refine my style a bit. Most of the time I get the right elements but I go nuts when my clothing items do not have the right proportions. I also still look disheveled as I can't do hair for the life of me! So yeah - just a few more minor tweaks!

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Shevia- I think that you are the best square peg I wouldn't change you one single bit. Do you get that side eye sometimes.

Rachylou-your normal is the coolest normal. Don't ever change I mean unless you want to :). I love your stories.

MskatieKat- superhero always rule I'm glad you are on this boar and I value you style.

And just for fun have you ever been checked out like this Also known as the side eye......

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T

Do you find yourself having to explain your uniqueness or choice in clothing fashion or style or taste altogether? - Ohh yes! I love black and like to wear it in summer as well. As well as ankle booties! I have had people make comments on it on YLF as well. There is a bit of hard edge / goth in me that doesn't really go away completely just coz it is summer & some rules dictate that lighter colors for summer & dark colors for fall and so on!
If so or not what has been your explanations? Sometimes I explain, that I choose fabrications that are natural & breathable. But I have realized that sometimes someone may have a poison eye towards something and no matter what I say it will just be ignored.
Or like me do you get the stares? - Ohh I get a lot of stares! Partly becoz of how I look and partly coz I wear a lot of skirts, loose crop tops & shorts as well. I also love wearing dresses which not a lot of women around me wear these days. Women check me out a lot!
Do you find yourself Owning your style or look? I completely own my look! I don't really care for people staring considering that I am probably never gonna see them again. I dress for my happiness & fun. I would rather stand out than blend in.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I love the attitude behind these questions ladywonne. I have to get back to them when I have a bit more time

Ledonna N.

Veteran

T- thank you for the thoughtful indent response. I concur I think a few of the other ladies said it is more women checking them out. I wonder if the either like the boldness or hate it I can never tell because I just get the side eye. I love your last answer because it took me 20+years to own my look.

Ornella- I look forward to your return and response.

Angela K

Veteran

Ladywone, great questions. The first thing that came to mind is a comment that I often get because I love to mix patterns. Nothing wild mind you, just maybe a stripe and a floral or a stripe and an animal print. They look me up and down and say: Wow! I would never have thought to put that together! But it looks nice on you"! .......What does that mean? I think that is the verbal equivalent of the side eye! Hehe. But I just smile and say," thank you"! Because I am comfortable (finally) being me! There's a lot to be said for owning your look and yourself. And that feels really great.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Angela K- It is the best feeling in the world to know yourself and to own your look.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I think it depends a lot on your environment and what other people are wearing. This is why I love to vacation in HK! I can wear whatever I want. I can wear my fanciest ball gown on the tram and someone else will be wearing a damn fancier dress than you!!! It's amazing!

I don't live there though :p

To answer your questions...

Do you find yourself having to explain your uniqueness or choice in clothing fashion or style or taste altogether? Sure, I love fit and flares and have to explain this a lot and how it actually works for my lifestyle. I also have to explain why I like fashion to people who think that it's just a waste of money and why can't I just wear pants like every other person.
If so or not what has been your explanations? "I don't like to wear pants because I like to feel the breeze around my shorts." - That usually shuts people up.
Or have you given one? "You must be overcompensating because you don't have a boyfriend so you need to be extra feminine, right?"
Have you ever been called one or the other or anything? I get Quirky more than Unique. I also get Bold once in awhile (usually a remark on my glasses dress).
Do people give there opinion the good the bad or the in between? My colleagues are always very vocal and give me opinions on everything!
Or like me do you get the stares? LOL I get the stares in public, but that's usually because I've tucked my skirt into my undies or something.
Do you find yourself Owning your style or look? *twirl* YES.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Oh Lyn- you and your dress twirl on with your pretty self. Thank you for such snow indent response I love each and every answer. :). Your kindness and compassion jump through the screen at me.