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What attributes do you bring to your style before you get dressed...

RoseandJoan

Veteran

in the morning? Does your body type, colouring, posture or personalty add a dimension to your style which you embrace or do you choose to rebel against it?

Are you a racy rectangle who enjoys dressing ones straight lines or do you long to be a bombshell? Are you an introvert who chooses to wear quiet clothing or do you express the depths of your personalty through bold clothing choices?

I am as curious as a kitten and would love to know.

TIA

General

21 replies

Latest reply was from Aziraphale

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Hmmm. I am very introverted but some of my clothing does garner attention. I dress to be warm, comfortable, protected from the sun, and prepared to walk a lot, and finally to suit my sense of what I want to look like. I don't have the makings of a bombshell and it never occurred to me to try!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Interesting!

I am an introverted person, but not necessarily shy (that depends on mood and situation). I do know that some days I dress "down" more to blend into the background, and others I may make choices that are more likely to draw attention or even initiate conversation -- certain pieces I have tend to get compliments, like my colored booties or bold jackets. But even on "shy" days, I need to wear something that bears my personal stamp that reflects my personality and artistic nature: a color I love like teal or cobalt, a moto jacket, even my Cons (one pair is grey with silver studs on the tongue, the other is purple with a pattern on the tongue). I never dress to truly disappear.

In general, I try to work with my body type and coloring rather than defy it. Depending on my mood and how much body confidence I have on any given morning when I get dressed, I'll either play it safe with simple tailored shapes that I know flatter me, or if I'm feeling good I might go a bit more body-con. If I'm feeling more like experimenting, I may try something a bit more out of my comfort zone, surrendering my waist or rolling my jeans to a crop length, etc. But I find it very difficult to defy my curvy body -- I like a defined shoulder and tailored straight lines, but I can't pull off straight up-and-down silhouettes without feeling very frumpy and dumpy.

Ah, posture. I so envy all of you who are able to have beautiful posture. Sadly, my spine will only go so far in that, so I do what I can to keep my shoulders back and down and hope for the best.

Anonymous

I am introverted but in a job that requires me to be extroverted (teaching undergrads). My job also has very different activities that range from mucky fieldwork, to lab work, to desk work. So I need to be able to span a large range of possible activities.

So, I do play with colour, but I don't often wear dresses, skirts, or restrictive clothing, or things I can't get dirty in.

I do dress a little differently on teaching days, it's my armour!

ManidipaM

Veteran

I am an introverted who deflects attention from herself with her 'distracting' clothes, wears them as armour or wears them as camouflage Can you tell I'm also moody? And I go into a variety of social situations requiring different strategies?

My posture and rounded rectangle shape do leave me yearning for straighter lines and height sometimes, as I realize that some of the formulas that I'm most comfortable in would look better that way. But I've made my peace with this piece of lovable (to me, at least!) flesh, and work with it rather than fight it. At most, I dress in what is comfy regardless of figure flattery.

Colouring and curls of course are my unchanging attributes, and those I do choose to work with rather than against.

Phoebe

Veteran

It depends. On sad or blue days I dress very modestly and don´t want to be seen. On a regular day, I choose whatever feels right and comfortable - depending on the people I´ll meet.

Thistle

Veteran

Does temperature count? My clothes are very determined by how warm or cold it is outside.

Anonymous

I simply wear what I find comfortable, for the environment I'm in.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Fun read! Jules, which attributes do YOU bring to your style before you get dressed?

I bring equal parts Boyish and Ladylike and lots of energy, most of which is happy. Getting dressed is the fun part of the day.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Shevia, I also dress to suit how I feel on a particular day.

Janet, I always think you look warm, artistic and intelligent regardless of what you happen to be wearing.

Ceit, I can understand the need for armour given your profession.

Mandipa, I love that you work with your shape and beautiful colouring and understand the sentiment of your clothing defecting attention.

Phoebe, it is interesting how our emotions affect our wardrobe choices.

Angie, you bring a huge amount of warmth and approachability to the table as well.

What do I bring to the table? Hmm my colouring is soft which lends itself to a pretty or romantic look. I have height and rectangular frame plus a quiet nature which I think brings a certain reserve to my style too.

rute

Veteran

I always bring my mood, I have phases I want to dress more confortable and go for flats, big chunky cardigans with no waist, looser dresses. This year I'm all about looser pieces.
Others I feel to dress more according to my body type (hourglass).

Aziraphale

Veteran

Well, my curious little kitten, I AM a racy rectangle who likes dressing on straight lines -- mostly. (Sometimes I girl it up). I'm comfortable with my shape, and I feel unnatural if I try to dress against it.

What do I bring to the dressing room? A certain amount of self-assurance, I think. I must, on some level at least, want to be noticed. I think I always have. One of the disadvantages of being small is that you have to work harder to be seen and taken seriously, and I've got a massive ego that doesn't like being ignored. So I stand up straight and look people in the eye. I smile a lot. I try to make sure my clothes fit me well, so it looks like I'm wearing them and not the other way around.

Oh, and apparently, I have a "walk". My dad calls it a saunter. He says I've walked that way since I was a little girl. Hehe.

Diana

Veteran

Well, I am a shy introvert so I like to let my clothes do the talking. I'm also pretty eccentric and creatively inclined and I think that reflects on my clothing choices.

My pear/hourglass body shape (and myriad modifiers such as a short waist, sloping shoulders, short neck, long legs) obviously affects what I can and cannot wear, but I admit that I fight it on occasion. I like things that *fit* my body, but I hate things that emphasize it. Bombshell looks make me super uncomfortable even though I have a typical bombshell body.

I also have developed a peculiar sensitivity to pressure on my rib cage, so I no longer wear things like high, wide belts or things with tight elastic under the bust. (A corset would probably look great on me but I would DIE.)

Gaylene

Veteran

Wow, Elizabeth, I could have written what you've said for my comment, if I just substituted "tall" for "short" and IT for racy rectangle!

I definitely dress for my body shape, posture, and personality. I like to emphasize my shoulders since they minimize my rectangular tendencies in my mid-section, my mother was a bear when it came to posture (she hated seeing anyone slumped over) so I've always stood up straight, and I like to project an image of competence and authority so straight lines and tailored outfits with a minimum of fuss help me accomplish that goal.

It's really hard for me to dress against my body shape and personality. The soft, floaty, pastel, feminine styles just look wrong on me--even to point where sales staff can start laughing despite themselves. But I can pull off a Dramatic Diva look in the evening without any effort. On my body, decolletage looks more dramatic rather than sexy.

I can wear some fairly edgy looks without feeling overpowered by them, but, I think, for me, the opposite is also true--my body shape and personality overpower the ruffles and pastels making those feminine and bombshell styles look quite odd on me.

ETA: And I get what you mean by having a "walk", Elizabeth. I once had a police officer in my class who told me I had the "don't mess with me" stride that they try to teach in a self-defense class. Accompany that stride with the "death stare" that I use when someone is being rude or obnoxious (behavior I won't tolerate in my classes), his assessment was that I'd intimidate most would-be muggers--something that I really don't want to check out! LOL

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh -- I love this question! I don't have time to give it a full answer right now but I hope to come back. In the meantime, I was going to say I bring energy, appreciation of colour, and acceptance of who and what I am. Having lost weight I am more or less a rectangle -- this is new to me, but I am embracing it. It feels right -- in fact, it is allowing me to dress more easily in ways that feel right than I was ever able to in my more pear/hourglass past. So this is an interesting discovery.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Rute, you bring glamour to even the most casual of looks!

Elisabeth, confidence and a walk, although I have never seen you I could probably spot you in your home town!

Gaylene, I love how your height and body shape is dramatic and how you embrace this.

Suz, it is interesting to hear how your body shape has changed and the effect on your style.

Diane, I think you do wonderfully in dressing your curves.

Tina.b

Veteran

This is a fabulous question and I too need to give it more thought. I have have a fairly positive, confident and easy going personality and I feel my clothes are a reflection of this. I enjoy standing out, though I rarely go over the top. I'm simple in my style, but I love a statement piece. I'm tallish, and I don't mind embracing it at all. I love to wear 5" heels.

I'm a fairly rectangular shape as well, have a bit of hip and broad shoulders, but not a super defined waist. I do enjoy a body con look on occasion to accentuate the curves I do have.

rachylou

Veteran

Interesting question! Hmm.

Well, I suppose first of all I'm an introvert who cannot lie low... and that inability to lie low kinda takes over. I cannot even tell you what's whackadoodle about my combo today, but I know there IS something whackadoodle about it. It could be the skirt. Maybe, maybe not. I'm wearing a sweater skirt - which isn't exciting - but you know what? I'm the only person with a job that I've ever seen wear a sweater skirt in the flesh. It's received comment already today.

Next comes the inability to maintain my own body temperature. I'm actually head to toe in sweater - sweater skirt, sweater stockings, actual sweater - and over that is my shiny navy puffy. And, I might add, coming in from the parking lot I had an ankle length white puffer over it all. ROFL. That makes me laugh!

I'm vaguely aware that I've got a short torso and that my health situation might be better if I had a narrower waist. I don't do anything about the width of my waist, but I give 1/16th of my attention to making sure it doesn't look like it's right below my chin.

Oh, and I'm a preppy. So zero sex appeal to my outfits. That's very important!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I don't think I give it much thought . . . mostly I dress with a bit of ease in mind. I don't want to be restrained by my clothes from any activity that might crop up! (climbing roadside dinosaurs, impromptu bowling, etc) Beyond that, I think mostly climate and color come to mind first.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Julie, I just re-read my post and I realize it sounds like I have a giant swollen head. I don't think I do! Just confidence. I don't think I'm the only woman in Vancouver who is confident. (But you still might recognize me, because I might be the only one wearing burgundy Keith Richards boots).

Gaylene, if we met in real life, we'd probably hit it off. Whether reserved or outgoing, I find confident people very appealing. (I have a "stare", too. Despite my stature, I've never been the target of unwanted sexual attention in public).

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Oh no sorry Elisabeth, I would recognise you for being petite, curly haired, no handbag, Keith Richards boots and the biggest telltale sign, a Sherlock box set tucked neatly under your arm.

Mo you bring athleticism and your hair adds both romance and drama.

Rachylou, two puffers! Now that is a great image.

Tina B, I love that you bring your positive attitude.

Aziraphale

Veteran

HAHAHAHAHAAAA! Julie you are awesome. You're quite right; I need to get a Sherlock box set. I've been watching them on Netflix.