What are you trying to accomplish with your signature style? - YouLookFab Forum

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What are you trying to accomplish with your signature style?

rachylou

Veteran

So I'm going through my inbox, and one of these e-newletters talks about finding your signature style and one of the questions is, "what are you trying to accomplish with your signature style?"

Ok-ey do-key. Right. You got it. Not a clue. Yesterday, the boss said to me, "Whoa! You are bright today!" Now I was enjoying myself in my outfit, but I'm not sure that was what I was trying to accomplish.

Of course, I want to keep myself entertained (without disturbing others unduly). I want to communicate what you might expect from me. But these things don't seem like much of an achievement to me. They're sort of basic ground that clothes always have to cover.

What else can clothes do? I mean, like what do your clothes do for all y'all?

1

Dressing

33 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I like what you said about keeping oneself entertained! That is a big part of it for me, too. I'm not sure if I have a signature style, but I want my outfits to express confidence and a sense of harmony.

Anonymous

Absolutely nothing. I gave up on that self analysis.

bj1111

Veteran

well...i just like to look purty...and sometimes, (ready to) kick-ass.

Day Vies

Veteran

Self-entertainment is tops on my list. I also recently learned personal style can be therapeutic and empowering. But because I work in a client oriented field looking competent, successful and professional are key goals (read -- a sad distant second on my list of priorities). For my away from work look, I just want it to be more cohesive so that every piece I own is a favorite piece if that's even possible.

Ginkgo

Veteran

Look good.

Raisin

Veteran

They keep me happy and looking good I guess. I don't think I've thought about it that much yet, I'm still trying to find "my style"!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I think my clothes speak a lot about me, especially when I meet people I've never met before (often at work) - I think people who look sloppy say that they don't care about themselves. I try to make my clothes say that "I care" and also that "FUN TIMES HERE!" and I don't take myself too seriously.

rachylou

Veteran

Zap and bj, you guys are funny! K.I.S.S. right?

Ginko and Raisin, I never think about looking good. Rather tragic that. I should try. And also, harkening back to Una's thread, I don't ask my clothes to make feel a certain way (so long as it's not bad).

Ingunn, Day Vies, those sound like real accomplishments to me (and I think your outfits achieve them)... What a thought I've just had! What do I need the people around me to feel?

Very interesting, lyn! I think you also really achieve your goals. It comes across very clearly. I strangely find myself wondering, tho, if you would seem that way no matter what you wore!

hedgiehog

Veteran

I completely agree with Day Vies. I work in the financial field and see clients so my goal, at work, is to look professional and competent. Would you trust someone with your finances if she looked frumpy dumpy? Or would you prefer the woman in the smart suit who looks well put together? That's what I think about when getting dressed for work. Today, I was at a department heads meeting and I saw a younger female manager wearing a yellow cotton printed skirt, cream coloured tshirt and a brownish coloured blazer. She completed the outfit with a brown belt and brown wedges.
I wanted to run over to her and tell her it was a cute outfit (for the weekend) but not work, at least not where we work. Alas, I did not. I'm sure I made the same mistake when I was her age.
What I struggle with is dressing casually. I don't know what pieces go together so I'm slowly learning on YLF.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I assure you that when I am wearing a blue hair net and green surgical scrubs with white runners, I look like a mess and you shouldn't trust me to take out the trash. I am not fun. I want to melt into a puddle.

Molly L-R

I guess self entertainment is part of it. I want the colours that I'm wearing to be harmonious and I want to look feminine. I want to look as if I put thought into my outfit. Most people when they meet me think I'm posh (I'm really, really not), so I'd like my clothing to play up to that. Not posh in a rich sense, but posh in a learned, intellectual, sometimes serious and sometimes quirky way.

harmonica

Veteran

I'm not sure about this accomplish thing, but at work I'd like to look serious, pulled together and professional without ending up in the super-conservative-business-financial-style. I'm more aware of it when doing presentations than when I'm just working by myself in my office.

At home I want to look pulled together as well, but comfort, functionality, stains and messy fingers are part of MOTG. That means i.e lower heels, washable clothes (no dry cleaners) and outfits that allows room to jump and move around.

And I love to add a touch of vintage or second hand. I aim at adding more color both at home and work.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Rachy. I love you in those bright pants! You look '70s Disco Preppy. You always have a quirky side to your style - and you are a lateral and quirky thinker. I say your inside matches your outside pretty well.

Zap, you crack me up.

I strive to look Modern, Happy and Polished - because that's the way I approach life.

Gaylene

Veteran

Depends on the situation. Since I'm often in front of 40-100 younger students, I don't want my outfit to be a distraction, but I do want it to put the audience in a positive frame of mind so they can concentrate on my message. My style goal is to look confident and competent but also approachable. I'd also shoot for reasonably attractive and current, but definitely not trendy or fashion-forward; that I leave to my students because they do it so much better than an older woman.

As a prof, I very early learned that understanding how others perceived my outfits was hugely important, so my work outfits are all about creating an image. I'll go so far as to manipulate an outfit during the course of a day to create different moods. For example, if I'm giving a workshop to an audience who might be a bit difficult, I'll start with a suit jacket in the A.M. to reinforce my authority and competence and then switch to a cardigan in the P.M. when I want to set a more casual, interactive tone.

But, in my non-professional wear, it's entirely different. Then I dress for my own comfort, pleasure, and fun.

Diana

Veteran

#1 priority is to have fun. I love clothes and fashion and I want to dress in a way that pleases ME.

#2 priority is to SPEAK UP. By that, I mean that I use my clothes to counteract my natural shyness and tendency to be a wallflower. My greatest fear is to be forgettable/boring, but I am also quiet and shy. I like clothes that are unique, memorable, and a little loud so they can do the talking for me! ETA: Of course this means that I like my clothes to project confidence and competence as well.

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Exactly what Diana said. We could be twins.

Anonymous

Effortless and approachable.

I'm always trying to find the right pieces that I can throw together and look good without looking like I spend hours getting dressed (literally and figuratively). And if someone fancies how I dress, great ... I'd also like them to be able to break down my outfits and realize they're pretty simple, really.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

What do I want my signature style to accomplish? I had to write the question because I see we are easily veering into how we want to look as our answers.
I want my style to give people a hint of my personality before I even open my mouth. I want it to portray that I am not conservative, but not bad ass scary either. I want my style to let you know that I want to appear attractive, but not too pristine to get down and actually have fun (in the dirt or whatnot if need be).
I want my style to sort of be a small window into who I am inside. Hopefully it will also help people want to open the door and come inside to visit! And conversely, keep the solicitors out Ha Ha Ha.

EDIT: and I of course want it to play up my assets (in a not in your face, over the top, sexy way)

rachylou

Veteran

Oh you guys have really given me some things to think about.

Hedgie - "Financial dress" always has my attention. The issue of who'd you trust with your money. I've known several bankers. One of the most interesting things to me was their "no Rolex rule." They would say no one wants to feel like you'll go out and spend their money on frippery. Quiet was the by-word. I'm not what you'd call quiet, but now that you mention it, for me leadership involves spreading calm (as distinct from sleep). Being the panic antidote so everyone can have a clear head. I'll have to think about that in terms of my outfits...

Molly, Harmonica - Your "posh" and "vintage" spark my interest. These things speak to lifestyle, do they not? Haha, that may be a bigger question than I was prepared for: Am I pursuing a lifestyle I want?

Angie - I appreciate the pants approval It surprises me to hear that my outside may match my inside, but pleases me well! I was trying to correct that when I found YLF. You are definitely Modern, Happy, and Polished. I love that. I find it conducive to success and bringing out the best in everybody... a good way to go for "leadership" style if you ask me...

Gaylene - Now that is dressing-for-court-level sophistication! Should I read some history books? Talk about accomplishing things with one's wardrobe... courtiers were masters.

Diana, Linda - Actually, that's a brilliant use of clothes - to speak up, be seen and heard. No doubt I do use clothes in that way, to announce my presence. All through grammar school I got a lot of, well, I'd call it grief because my voice didn't have a lot of carrying power. It hasn't got that much stronger as I've gotten older.

Anne - You know, there was a time I thought everyone would want to be effortless and approachable, but I have learned it's not so. I'll never forget my hairstylist's daughter waking me up to the fact that some people want to you to know they've had a face-lift, etc. They want Alien face. I suppose in some ways that's a comfort, because I don't think I can achieve effortless. I tend to be overwrought, I suspect. I like gee-gaws and always need another place to put one on...

rachylou

Veteran

Mo... Yes! It *is* a tricky question for that reason. There's a gap between how an outfit looks and the effect it can have. Like the way over-the-top sexy is such a turn-off for so many people.

On the lighter side, personally, I'm still looking for a way to convey "unholy combination of liberal and conservative"... lol.

Greek Goddess

what I want my signature style to accomplish depends on what I am wearing when. I have eclectic tastes and dress as the mood takes me but suitable for the event. If I am at work dealing with clients I want to look professional but approachable, with a hint of looking more like a local than a tourist ( I deal with clients for luxury properties here in Greece). I also want to look cool and comfortable in the summer when its 120 in the shade and very humid (think much hotter and more humid than Florida at its worst!).

If I am out with my husband at an event I want to look smart, but colourful and fun. It is a bit like my alter ego as I used to be very shy, but have learned tricks to feel and appear confident. When I am at the gym I still want to be smart but don't want to look like a gym bunny.

overall, I want to look interesting , creative and colourful.

jayne

Veteran

That was a good question...I know I want to not be frumpy....that might be my main goal. But I would also like to communicate fun, aware (of fashion) but myself (unique)...guess I have poor self analysis skills as I cannot find anything else

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

To be interesting.

cciele

Veteran

Interesting question and food for thought! Recently, my external style (Rocker Warrior) has aligned with some of my main interests, namely:
Rocker: I'm a rock musician
Warrior: I practice MMA/sambo

So this didn't happen consciously, but I guess what I am trying to do with my signature style is to use it to give people a clue to my lifestyle. And it just happens to align with what I like stylistically.

AJ

Veteran

My style adjectives are casual, feminine, and fun. These three words help me when I'm indecisive about making a purchase. Will I be able to incorporate that piece into an outfit that fits my adjectives? It also helps to remind me what my style is not. Also, If I'm feeling blah about an outfit it's usually because I didn't add that feminine or fun factor.

Overall, my signature style has very little to do with how I want others to percieve me. It's just a way to jumpstart my styling and shopping process.

Marley

Veteran

This is a great question! One that I don't think I've ever asked myself before. I have pondered on what my style *is* - and have tried to come up with words to describe it - but not really on what I want it to accomplish.

I would say (without giving too much thought to it!) that I would like my style to empower others to express themselves - be themselves. I want them to look at me and my signature style and think to themselve "Oh wow - if she can do that, then maybe I could ?????? (fill in the blank!) I also would like my style to bring smiles to people's faces and make them feel happy.

For myself, I want my signature style to make me feel good about myself, comfortable with myself and who I am - and content - and calm - and special - and probably more, but I can't think of it right now!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Rachylou - this is a great thread. And I just have to say, you look AMAZING in the photo. LOVE your 70s style there. SO freakin' cool.

What a question. It got me scratching my head. What AM I trying to accomplish? Well, I want to feel good. But what does that mean? Elegant, authentic, witty (or at least not dull), modern, polished, and yet relaxed. And I'm hoping that if I feel that way, others will feel that way with me, too. Like their best selves.

qfbrenda

Veteran

Marley, I can totally identify with what you said. I've been reading this thread all day wondering if I would ever have anything to contribute... and you said it for me. I dress differently enough from my environment that I hope I influence others to be fearless... to shake things up... to not try to look like me, but to not be afraid to move outside of their own norm if they choose.

And trying to grow out my gray hair is part of my emerging style as well. I still might change my mind and color again but I want to be brave enough to go gray even with people giving me their opinions to the contrary. I want to be fearless about doing what I know to be right for me, regardless of the voices in the proverbial peanut gallery.

So I'm trying to accomplish looking good, being put together, and acting fearless and confident in spite of naysayers.

rachylou

Veteran

Greek Goddess - Would it be fair to say you want your look to show that you're "in the know"?

Jayne - It occurs to me not being frumpy is pretty meaningful goal. I mean, it's like what happens when a person is frumpy? They get overlooked and passed by.

Anna - I want to entertain myself, but you want to entertain others! (Tho to be sure, I doubt you want to bore yourself ;>)

cciele - I am with you on wanting to let people know what you're into. I think it's really important. Saves nasty surprises...

AJ - Simply a matter of self-expression then?

Marley, Suz, Brenda - All sorts of words and phrases come to mind: inspire, charge, pave the way. One's clothes can do for other people. Not just *to* them or for one's self. It's really something to think about. I find it a new thought and yet it happens all the time. Someone sees a movie star and says I want to go to Hollywood! Be a pilot! It's like, what lets people know you're there to help?

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