Urban Warrior Princess: What Exactly Is It? - YouLookFab Forum

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Urban Warrior Princess: What Exactly Is It?

MsLuna

Veteran

When I first saw the UWP style descriptor here in YLF, it resonated with me. At the time, however, I was uncertain about my style. I experimented a lot and didn't think I should add that as a style descriptor. Later on, I saw fab ladies like Una, Rae and Ceit identify themselves with this style. I wasn't sure if I could identify because they certainly dress a bit more RATE than I do, considering that I'm an avid dress wearer and I tend to wear very bold colour with my hardware and edgy/RATE footwear. I identified myself as Modern Classic/Romantic/Tough then.

When I posted my thread on my wardrobe update, I asked for style descriptors and Danskogirl suggested UWP!!! I was happy to see this yet I'm still uncertain! You can see the thread here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....heavy-long

I have to admit that I was happy to see UWP but I still hesitated. Maybe not quite. My "feminine", "flirty", "bombshell-esque" style came up and it was hard to pinpoint, especially combined with all the UWP-type elements.

Before starting this thread, I read through these threads to really try and get a feel for the UWP style.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ritor-here

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....incess-uwp

I seriously wish I had participated in these threads last year but I was lurking and severely uncertain and not confident about my style. Based on the threads, I'm still not super clear about what constitutes UWP. I've gathered that UWP's have a RATE and post-apocalyptic-inspired style. Then it got me thinking:

When I was younger, I went NUTS when I first saw the outfit that Milla Jovovich was wearing in the movie, Resident Evil (first photo with the red dress and tall boots). This, I found was my "warrior element" to the style since she's wearing a bold colour dress/tunic, boots she can run in. This is the most "warrior" essence I can get with my style, I guess.

http://www.zombiewatchnetwork......e-slaying/

So now my question: what constitutes the UWP style descriptor? I'd like to understand the breakdown of each of the words, if possible.

Thanks, and my apologies for bringing this up! Somehow my heart just really likes the "Warrior Princess" part so badly!

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from MsLuna

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I think of Rae ... and Una ... and like steampunk and buckles and leather and tall boots and awesomeness.

MsLuna

Veteran

Yeah, Rae and Una come to mind here too! And Ceit!

rachylou

Veteran

I can see you being UWP. Your dresses are the Princess part and your boots and hardware are the Urban Warrior part.

It's interesting because the exact same elements can lend themselves to a modern, romantic, arty eclectic moniker.

It's also interesting to me because, well, clearly the zombies are coming. But I'm not a warrior or a princess, nor am I totally signed up for the urban thing. Thus: Quirky Waif.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I totally think of Mikasa as well... from Attack on Titan ... (I'll show my geek side!) ... like tough and kick-ass, but also having feminine qualities as well...

Man, I wish I was more UWP.

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MsLuna

Veteran

Haha! And apparently I have some handy survival skills for the zombie apocalypse!

I remember in one of the threads I reviewed that Diana wondered if she had UWP tendencies as well given that she is drawn to RATE elements but has a more Victoriana style!

MsLuna

Veteran

Haha! I love geeky things lyn I'm unapologetically one Mikasa looks pretty cool

And yes, I've always wondered if I can fit UWP too. I guess my dress-loving side fits the "princess" part but the bold colours and graphic prints? Not so much.

danskogirl

MKK: Exhibit A in how a princess can wear bold colors and graphic prints. I give you Kate Middleton:

http://www.buttonnthreadboutiq.....-1075.html

http://thehipreport.com/wp-con.....ralia.jpeg

http://www.usmagazine.com/cele.....136//31142

http://www.express.co.uk/life-.....ed-outfits

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/fem.....-icon.html

Neel

Veteran

In my head MsK your style is very similar to mine. Feminine yet polished RATE. I have a more tomboy/sporty element in my dressing which might be the only difference.

I see you more as a *super heroine* (a term that Jeanie threw at me when I asked for help with my style descriptors!) than *warrior princess*! In the likes of wonder woman and super girl

danskogirl

FWIW, I agree with Neel's assessment of your style as more of a Wonder Woman-ish super heroine than UWP. Doesn't mean you don't have UWP influences.

rachylou

Veteran

Interesting about the super hero aspect. That's got to be the sway of the graphic/bold colour element.

Anonymous

I started identifying UWP but quickly changed to Urban Knight (with some Sci-fi) because the Princess thing wasn't working for me. Knights wear tabards and heraldic devices to stand out on the battlefield so that is where bold colours and designs fit into my aesthetic.

crutcher

Veteran

UWP...Una, Ceit and Rae...These ladies have worn and defined the concept of UWP for me until I can see a style and immediately hit the UWP button in my mind...

shedev

Veteran

I think the key is to make the moniker fit you, instead of you fitting the name. Like Ceit did with Urban Knight.

I started out with Urban Warrior Bombshell because princess felt too girly to me. Then bombshell felt like trying too hard. Rachy described an outfit I posted as Asphalt Angel and I adopted that title. I think it captures both my hard and soft sides.

A lot of people have adapted the concept of UWP and personalized it in a way that better represents their style. Ladyone also had a thread recently where she talks about it. Maybe you'd be most happy with a version of the title that represents your love of color.

cciele

Veteran

What shedev said. I was never a UWP (not being a P) but have taken on some aspects of that in my style.

I see in you Urban Romantic or some Noir aspects

catgirl

Veteran

You can own this style! Natalie adds her own spin on it, for example. Join our tribe! Really it's mostly about the boots... haha. At least for me. And studs. I try to incorporate one element of UWP-ness into my day to feel like myself, even if it's as subtle as jewelry.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Well, Una coined the term, so I'd look to her! I sometimes tread lightly into it. I think we joked it was Suburban Leuitenant Duchess or something UWP lite.
I think the warrior part is missing for many folks. The hardware, the 'back off man' vibe. Ya know?

catgirl

Veteran

Oh, don't discount hair - these days I feel like my RATE, purple ombre hair accounts for 99% of my feeling like I am still a UWP.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

It is ok to give yourself whatever descriptor you want. As for myself I dubbed myself the UNW. In part because I am an avid fan of Star Wars Cos-Play and Sci-Fi. Anyway they are just names. I love to dress a certain way and I try to be adventurous in what I wear. From my hair to my clothing to how I am feeling on the inside.

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MsLuna

Veteran

@Danskogirl: hmmm... Princess Kate seems to wear a lot of the same bold colours and graphic patterns as I do. Interesting! Thanks for the illustrated examples!

@Neel: I can see the tomboy/sporty element in your style. You actually do casual pants/jeans outfit very very well whereas I miserably fail at it (or I've never felt good or "me" about the outfit, even when it hits all the right aesthetic points). And OMG Supergirl was my hero when I was a kid!

Funny thing: whenever I wear tall boots, some coworkers call them the "superhero boots". I think you're on to something here!

@Ceit: I remember Angie calling you Urban Knight in your birthday post! Makes sense now from what I know of your style!

@Shedev: excellent point! I need to adapt the UWP to something that involves the feminine element of my style with the bold colour. Hmmm...

@cciele: I totally forgot about Noir. thanks for reminding me and thanks for the descriptor suggestion!

@Una: Awwww thanks for welcoming me! You mentioned boots - which I wear a lot of. I'm not a short obit person but almost every boot I own has some kind of metallic hardware. I feel like my style is empty without metal!
As for hair, my hair is quite RATE. Yes, I got bangs but I tend to wear my hair messy or in a sort of messy bun or ponytail with strategic hair tendrils falling. Sometimes I wear my hair curly, but it usually reads "romantic" than RATE.

@Mo: yeah the hardware does read "Back off" so I agree with you. So what constitutes the warrior vibe? The boots?

@ladywone: I will always remember you for outfit #6 you posted. And yay, a fellow geek! I don't cosplay though and if I did, I'd probably be more the fantasy/medieval type than sci-fi!

So again ladies, thanks for sharing your thoughts! Somehow, Neel's super heroine theme seems to resonate well with me though I need to not forget my romantic/noir tendencies. I'll see what I can come up with. a THANK YOU LADIES!