What is it about solids that I'm not getting? - YouLookFab Forum

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What is it about solids that I'm not getting?

Anonymous

Dear YLF,
Perhaps you can all be my collective fashion psychiatrist. I need to figure out why I am continually (against my better judgement) drawn to prints. Well I guess I know why, on the surface, because I have been defending my choice for years.
I have muted coloring, and a print softens and mutes the colors it contains by cutting them and mixing them with other colors or neutrals. Instead of "clarifying" it "complexifies" (ok, well that's a nicer term than "muddies"). Prints make great camouflage for lumps and bumps. (Oops, I forgot to say, for the purpose of this discussion, we are talking about prints in a top or dress, next to the face.) And last but not least, prints add an interesting detail to the garment, making it less boring to me when I look at it.

Ahh, you say, but there's the rub! A printed garment is not seen in a vacuum. It's perceived on its wearer. I know, I know, I know! With my head I know, but with my heart, I'm still drawn to the printed garment over the solid one every time. Why is this even a problem, you ask? Why not just indulge your love of prints and be happy? Well, my years here at YLF have taught me a few things about style and one of those things is that a plainer, solid garment allows the wearer to shine. Making it all about her, and not about the dress or top. Angie and some of the most stylish women I know prefer solids (that includes many of you). When I watch a movie, the heroine is often in simple lines and chic, solid fabrics. Same with celebs and a lot of street style fashion I've seen.

So here's a question for you. Assuming that everyone has their own unique kind of God-given beauty, is there a certain kind of beauty that is better suited to solids? I feel like certain people just glow in a simple, solid outfit. And maybe I'm not one of them. No matter how hard I try, I feel like I look duller than dirt in a solid shirt or blouse. Maybe it's because I can't find a color that is really earth shattering on me. Maybe these solid outfits are a lot harder to put together than it seems. You'd think with three different tones in my hair, plus the wavy texture, plus specs that I'd already have enough going on and I would be more drawn to solids, but nope!

I went to the mall the other day to return a solid sweater that I had bought online and came home with--you guessed it! A printed sweater instead. What gives? I'd love to hear your take on this solid/printed debate. I would let this go, except I feel like I've got too many prints in my wardrobe, and somehow I'm using them as a crutch. Help me have an aha moment here! Sorry I don't have any pictures to illustrate. It's late, and I just wanted to get this off my chest before I went to bed. Thanks in advance.

Dressing

55 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I read "The Triumph of Individual Style" many moons ago & the images that stayed with me were the ones where she talked about smoothness & texture. I think pattern is a "texture" of sorts, in that it creates movement. So with your wavy hair the movement or pattern may feel more harmonious

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Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Interesting question and I seem to be falling into camp print as well. But that is likely just my inexperience talking.

That said, colour is a very trendy thing--and if you don't happen to like the current colours, are not comfy in them, don't like them and/or don't think they look good on you--what are you to do?

Adelfa

Veteran

With three different colors in your hair, YOU are a print! So prints harmonize. I've seen you in your prints and they absolutely do not dominate you. You pick them really well to flatter you. In fact I distinctly remember being kind of envious of how you looked in prints. I am totally a solid girl. Sometimes gals with freckles look really good in prints. I don't remember you having freckles, but did you use to?

I think of Angelina Jolie or Jaclyn Smith as being prototypical solids girls. Clear bright complexions, high contrast dark hair. Not that you can't be blonde, I'm just trying to make a point.

Anyway I think your style is amazing the way it is. I think you're right that a print softens the impact of colors, especially a small print, and that goes with your own softer coloring.

You don't have to change!

Deborah

Veteran

Interesting question Claire. Maybe it's as simple as prints are 'you', you like them and they suit you:) I am the opposite. I really do not enjoy wearing prints. I like the look of them on others but put them on me and I feel weird:) A patterned dress will make me feel (and look) huge. I still have a couple of animal print garments that I wear very occasionally when I feel like a change but I suspect they too are on their way out for me. I would agree that IMHO solids, generally speaking, read as elegant, stylish and sophisticated BUT I think your outfits read as elegant, stylish and sophisticated and they usually incorporate pattern. So think how the outfit is perceived, solid or print, has a lot to do with the wearer.

lyn67

Veteran

OMG, Claire! "I feel like I've got too many prints in my wardrobe" put a big smile on my face!!!! how can it be TOO MANY, when your wardrobe is 10 items, all!!!!

BTW I love you in your prints and solids as well, as Adelfa said, for the God's sake, you don't have to change!!!

That been said, as you are, I am also very very picky on my prints/patterns. and only have a few AS I KNOW I always look/feel better in solids. As Deb said, I sometimes feel they make me huge! I have serious curves and mabe prints like to shine on their own, on some smoother surfaces:-((. Or it's a question of harmony, as you said. No contrast face, no texture hair are picky to make harmony with more than a few prints.

Plus prints have not only colors and shape, but scale, too. I do love my prints to be big and bold on my lower half(say like a bordure in a flare skirt). But if it's a top it has to be smaller scale for sure.

Now, that's turning the question inside out. Maybe the celebs and others would wear some prints as well but prints don't suit them, like they suit for ex. You!

Also, we all know solids are photographing much better than a print in all the random environments they are cought in (even by papparazzi) so I think this is also a very conscious choice of those celebrities, as well.

Now, I want a pictie with that new sweater!!!:-))

deb

Veteran

When you say 'prints' what type of print are you talking about? I consider stripes, window pane, polka dots prints but consider them classy and subdued.

Jeanie

Veteran

I think you look quite lovely in solids. You look great in prints too. You are lucky! Are you just attracted to the fabric more? I love fabric and find myself picking out prints all the time despite the fact that they don't look great on me.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Dear Claire, this is a flying visit to YLF and such a great question, and I worry I will scratch the surface only. But, I must take time to share my thoughts as they'll bounce in my head the whole day if I don't release them, because I've been thinking about this a lot recently

I could have written the exact opposite of your post and dilemma. Besides the fact I am packing for the move and wondering when on Earth will I ever wear all I have and how can I let go of all that too-muchness, I am categorising my clothes (so-sos go to the boxes first as I know I won't miss them for a while) and I'm noticing there is clear line between colours and patterns. Why I love solids so??

For me it's actually all about the colour. Why? Besides filtering out over time which ones I like and which suit and flatter me, it's even more about which ones I have strong emotional reaction(*) to. I can not predict which of my WIWs may be a candidate for K-rating, but I can bet with 100% certainty that at least one fabber will have a very positive comment to certain colour or combinations in my outfits.

After emotional reaction (i.e. happiness factor), comes what I also identified as important element to me - contrast, in my case high contrast(**). I am drawn to it on others, on myself, in my surroundings. This does not mean I don't like low contrast, I love it just the same but there must be harmony for my senses and perception. Over time I had figured out high contrast in clothing is actually natural extension of my own colouring and type, dark hair and fair skin make a good base to replicate that in the clothing. To those who are better with visual clues this may be obvious from the beginning, but I had to learn and understand why some things work for me. Give me black and white (more often than not I treat those as colours, rather than neutrals) any time and I'll have an outfit. I have pretty clothes in other colours I wear, but pairing them with something that creates strongest contrast enhances them on me the way I like them best on myself.

The first two are probably obvious from what I wore so far, the last element is something I hope to shift towards over time. I love strong lines(***) in clothing garments - solids make those prominent more than patterns. I love watching the shapes and silhouettes, and structured ones make me happy. You can't see those that well when wearing patterns. My aesthetic preferences, for me, are not whimsical or soft, I've shifted away from anything ruffly (hanging on to a piece or to hoping to wear them one last time before I get those out of the system) or overly sweet, and I also want that to reflect in my clothing. I am working on the FFBSilhouettes for me, which is a step before defining my FFBOs.

So, that's it. Sorry for making the post about me and not answering your question directly, it just conceded beautifully with my recent thinking, but I still hope it makes some sense to you. I'm hearting the thread to return to it sometimes later, I'm sure the discussion will be revealing for Team Pattern and Team Solids equally.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have also been thinking about this Claire! Packing for our trip made me realize that all the tops I pulled as versatile and favorites are solid. My other reaction is like Caro's to think of The Triumph of Individual Style that really made me think about ideas of repetition and harmony is a new way. Since you seem to understand your reasons for pattern love and they clearly work for you, why change?

gryffin

Veteran

Claire - I'm sorry, I haven't had time to read all the responses, but I just wanted to tell you how much I admire your style. I've never seen you look anything less than elegant but fun, refined but relaxed and unfussy. You just look terrific in every outfit you wear and you glow. I know how it feels not always be swimming in the YLF mainstream. I am a princess of darkness and my wardrobe is based on black and gray. Not a lot of love always from the forum at times, but I am fine with that. The amazing thing about the forum is everyone respects it's about helping each of us find what works and makes our hearts sing. That's authentic style. You love prints and they love you back!! You are unique so why should your wardrobe not reflect that!! If you feel lonely you can come sit by me!! I'll take your black tee's and give you all my prints!! Hugs but know you always look fantastic!!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Claire, I get it! Interestingly, I've been more drawn to solids lately, but in general, I am a print lover. I think I'm just getting pickier about my prints.

I'm not sure I agree with the adage that a print will get noticed before the wearer. I think that mainly happens when it's an all-over print on something full-coverage like a dress or a suit, or the print is overwhelming to the viewer. But I personally feel like the rest of me is plenty visible when I'm wearing something printed, even a bold one like my DVF dress or that abstract mirror-print dress (pics below). Perhaps my eye is acclimated to prints, and to another person, those prints overwhelm me? I don't think so, but I do think we all have varying tolerances for prints (as wearers and as viewers -- hence my inability to really enjoy hectic pattern mixing, even as a viewer).

I think prints work on a wearer dependent on such a variety of factors -- coloring, build, height, body frame, print scale, colors, print style, etc. It's hard to pin down to a formula, if you ask me, even though I know there are guidelines. I think some of it comes down to personality and comfort level. And I believe that if you feel great in a print rather than a solid, you should go for it!

Now here's where I think it might be a sticking point for you: your dedication to a very small wardrobe. I embrace a variety of prints in my closet, but I am a big more, um, indulgent. When you are as disciplined as you are to keep your wardrobe streamlined, patterns can be more limiting. They require solid pieces to ground them, they are more obvious when repeated, etc. So is it possible you would be compromising a bit toward a slightly larger wardrobe to accommodate your print preference?

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Claire, what a great question and interesting discussion. Of course I agree 100% with gryffin and Jody and Lyn - the prints you choose are invariably sophisticated and harmonious on you and you never fail to look wonderful, classy, and smart. Sure, maybe solids do that for some people -- but if prints do it for you -- and they do -- then enjoy!

Also -- on one level it might seem counter intuitive to include prints in a very small wardrobe, because they draw more attention to themselves and might be harder to mix and match. But in another way, they tend to feel more "different" one from the other (at least to my eye) so when you reach for a new print, you really have the feeling of wearing something unique. Which, in a compact wardrobe is crucial to preventing boredom! Not only that, but with mostly neutral bottoms, you don't really face the mix and match "problem." So no wonder they are your preferred choice!

Still, let's take a deeper look at the question: Are there some kinds of beauty that solids simply flatter more? I do think Ornella and Jody are onto something -- high contrast colouring may be flattered more by high contrast colour blocked outfits. And you might feel that is too dramatic for your colouring -- although, to be honest, I've always wondered a bit when you describe your colouring as "muted." Yes, your hair has muted, variegated tones. But your eyes are sparkling bright and your eyebrows are very clearly marked. Your skin seems medium toned. So...lower contrast than someone like Ornella, say....but never, never mousy.

Anyway, leaving that aside -- high contrast that is not the only possible way to wear a solid -- a monochromatic or ton-sur-ton look is another way to go solid. And you don't have to wear screaming neon. You can also wear solid mid-tones that harmonize with your mid-tone colouring. You can combine mid-tones. You can combine with white, denim, black, ink, or other neutrals.

What keeps them from looking (or feeling) boring? Well....I do think for me it has to do with cut and fabrication. If the cut is not modern enough, they do feel dull (to me). And if the fabric doesn't make me want to dance with joy, I will tire of solid items. And if the footwear isn't up to date, I'll also feel bleah. And if I don't consciously create an OUTFIT with them -- well, that for me is disaster.

Of course, I am the wrong one to be talking. Apart from stripes (which I love), and details like tipping or framing (triple, quadruple love!!), and a few other geometrics, I am a teensy bit shy of patterns.

I DO own a few florals (for summer, mostly) and I DO love the LOOK of a pattern (on somebody else) -- it's just that I have trouble wearing them happily and not tiring of them really, really fast.

For myself, I've found the ones that tend to work best are two colours only, preferably strongly favoured colours (or three calm neutrals), somewhat abstract but include diagonal lines or diagonal direction of movement, pattern about the size of my features...and oh -- they all work better in summer. Or under a sweater.

I can't wait to hear what others say about this.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I love prints, so I'm not the one to talk you out of them. I often feel that my outfit is incomplete if it doesn't include a print, but I can get past that sometimes if I have a good mix of textures. I agree with most of what Janet said, except that I will add that it's good for prints to pick up on an element of your coloring, and good to pick a print scale that suits your body.

Anonymous

An interesting question and something I've finally come to realize is that although I love prints I don't look good with prints close to my face. I am 5'7, a rectangle and have dark hair and fair skin. I am definitely a person who looks better in solids, or large high contrast color blocking. On the other hand, my sister is 5'3, has light brown varied color hair, tans easily, tends to be a bit curvier and less angular, and looks great in the muted prints that you describe. Either of us would look terrible in what the other person looks good in.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I love Jaime's (and everyone's`) comment "it works, why change". For me, understanding why it works makes it even sweeter to wear some things.

Classically Casual

Veteran

The prints that I'm really drawn to feel like fine art to me. They take color to another level. But I'm never drawn to printed bottoms. Although certainly a dress on occasion. I tend to think less about how I look in the print, it's more about my aesthetic enjoyment of it.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I agree that in all the pictures I've seen you in wearing prints, you've looked good, Claire. You seem to pick prints that suit your coloring and your scale and they work really well. I think everyone's thoughts on contrast and texture are right on.

I had a similar realization when I started sewing: I bought all these fabulous print fabrics - great colors and patterns - and then when I made them up into garments, I found that there was way too much going on. I liked the fabrics as fabrics, but made into clothes they were just too much for me. I've learned this lesson, if slowly - really, a fabric has to be pretty boring as a fabric for it to work as a garment, because as a garment it's got a lot more details going on.

Take Angie - she almost never wears prints in the pictures I've seen; maybe occasionally a lace or a mariner stripe or something colorblocked. That works well for both her style descriptors and her personality as well as her body type, not to mention photographs well. But I don't think it's the only way to go - especially if you have a very small wardrobe. There's something about mix and match 'basics' in solid colors that works better when you have variety, and like to wear accessories and/or bold shoes and bags. When you're limiting your pieces so much like you are currently doing, I think a print can add to the specialness and personality of a piece.

gardenchick

Veteran

Don't overthink this
What I hear you saying is that your coloring is somewhat muted, and you use prints to add drama. Makes sense!
One more thing--it does seem to me that rectangles have more versatility with prints.
I have a different strategy, which is that I use brighter colors next to my face to add drama, and wear neutrals when I'm feeling calmer.
As a curvy hourglass, I need to choose my prints carefully. For example, every time I try on something with horizontal stripes, I look in the mirror and take it off...not flattering.
You have found a number of items with a high happiness factor Good for you and enjoy!

Anonymous

Thank you all so much for indulging me!

Caro, those museum pictures were very enlightening. I was thinking completely opposite, that I already had ALGO and that I might need to tone it down. Thanks to all the other posters who confirmed the theory that a print might harmonize better with my face and hair.

Alana, from your potential wedding outfit photos, it looks like you might have some of the same aspects in your complexion and hair as I do. When I don't like the colors of the season, I go neutral. In fact, my wardrobe is all neutral right now + indigo blue.

Jody(Adelpha), you're a peach! I love you in solids. And thanks for the sweet things you said. I have lately felt that solids are just so much chic-er than prints, and I'm always trying to up my game a bit. I thought there was a magic key to pulling off solids that I might be missing. However, as it is more likely a magic gene, I'll quit worrying about it!

Debs, you and Jody do look fabulous in your solids. You have just the faces for them. I'm going to try not to be jealous. I think it's interesting that you are naturally drawn to solids, which suit you, and I'm naturally drawn to prints. I have just heard so many stylish women say, "Ugh, it's a print!" and then I thought, "OH NO! I am one big walking fashion faux pas."

Lyn, thank you for that. I had never thought about celebs being photographed and how they must plan for busy looking backgrounds, etc.

deb, I have a little of everything, splotch prints, stripes, animal prints, dots, and a floral (she says sheepishly).

Jeanie, I prefer to pick out prints too, even in the fabric store. A solid has to be an amazingly flattering color on me for me to even consider it.

Ornella, thank you for your comment, and the time you took to write it. I know you're crazy busy right now. Yes, you are another one of those quintessentially (thank God for spell check!) solids girls. You have such clear, bright coloring and I envy you the high contrast. I think I might just have a case of wanting the greener grass I see on your side of the fence. I love you in bright, clear color. You absolutely rock it. And I agree that simple, clean lines are exquisite on you too. Interestingly enough, Most of my clothes have very clean lines and minimal details. You just can't tell as easily because of the print. And I always, always learn from someone telling me about what works for them, regardless of whether they talk about me or not! Thanks for the aha!

Jaime(Shevia), right! Why change? I guess I spent too much of the weekend gazing at street style photos of certain European style editors. I was wondering if I would ever graduate to the next level of style if I didn't let go of my beloved (if bourgeois) prints, lol! There are so many style books and blogs that give the blanket advice to "stick to solids" as they are more sophisticated. I really want to read The Triumph of Individual Style now!

gryffin, thanks for making room for me on the bench! I really am going for authentic style, so thanks so much for that validation. I saw a quote somewhere online the other day, "Fashion says, 'me too'! Style says, 'only me'." I liked that!

Janet, You look amazing in solids, but you also know how to pick out the the most flattering and sophisticated prints! That DVF is killing me! And the Rockstuds. I die. I think when it comes to choosing prints, I just get this feeling, and sometimes I'm right and other times I live with the item a little bit and wear it think, what was I thinking?! I have two offending summer dresses that I'm living with and that's why this was on my mind. Lisa Pippus has some really good info about choosing a harmonizing print, but darned if I can't find a search box on her blog to link directly to it.

Suz, I think you were one of the first people on YLF that expressed a concern about "prints wearing you" and I sat up and took notice, because I admire your style so much! You and Janet both mentioned the problem prints might present in a small wardrobe, but as long as I stick to my somewhat plebeian WNTW formula of keeping most of my prints on my tops and dresses, I find that it works out just fine. The minute I add in a printed bag, blazer or bottom, I'm in trouble! Re: "mousey", you say that like it's a bad thing! Seriously though, I am just adjusting to the change in my coloring. I used to have brighter eyes, lighter skin and much darker hair. So my coloring might not look muted to you, but it's muted compared to what it used to be. However, I don't think my contrast level was ever really "clear and bright" --see the 12 Blueprints blog. I'm a Soft Summer all the way.
I know that some prints date, but then so do the design details on some solids. Even texture dates. I can walk into a thrift store and tell you what half-decade each knitwear piece is from depending on the texture of the knit and the stitch and fabric used. Remember those smooth looking but gross-feeling nylon knits from the early aughties? Yuck! So anyway, I guess I shouldn't be overly concerned with a print becoming dated, especially since I will likely wear my printed items out (especially with a small selection of them) before that ever happens. It's not like I'm going to buy a printed trench coat again, I learned my lesson on that one!

Ummlila, yes, I'm the same way! I don't feel complete without a print. If my outfit is solid, I have to add a printed sandal. Luckily I have two pairs.

merwoman

Veteran

Fascinating read!
I'm having a somewhat similar epiphany Claire - but I'm coming to it from a different angle.
Have spent the last two weekend purging my closet, causing me to reflect on what items work for me and merit a place in my wardrobe.
Although I am drawn to solids, the most flattering ensembles involve a printed top, textured sweaters (think cable knits) or linen shirt( those wrinkles). In thinking about my body type - I'm very angular. Kind of rectangular IT with defined waist, long torso, no hips. A solid 'plain' expanse of material on my upper body looks somewhat 'artistic' but very blah. A semi-tuck helps. The patterns and textures (scarves also help) I wear on top soften my look and make it less severe. Layers also help - this will be easier to accomplish in fall/winter than it is during our summer heat.

Gaylene

Veteran

If I read your comments correctly, Claire, it isn't that you are questioning whether or not your wardrobe should include prints but more that you are wondering why you'll always grab a print as opposed to a solid. You know that prints work for you but every now and again you wonder if you are missing out by always choosing them.

My own theory is that sometimes we are lucky enough to discover a fashion sweet spot and we get habituated into always choosing to go in that direction. Call it a comfort zone, or a signature style, or a uniform, or whatever--but we find ourselves constantly gravitating towards that element because we know it serves us well. The question is whether or not you want to keep, or break, the habit. Sometimes just knowing something has become a habit is enough to weaken its hold; if nothing else, you start making choices more deliberately than reflexively. Changing an ingrained habit isn't easy, especially if it works well, so only you know if you think the resultant pay off would be worth the effort.

Anonymous

Okay! You guys just blew my mind. Sorry if I take off on a ramble and don't address you each personally, but I've got to get this thought down on paper.

gardenchick, "...it does seem to me that rectangles have more versatility with prints." AHA! Add to that the fact that you "need to choose your prints more carefully" because you're a curvy hourglass. So you have built in "interest" on your top half, while I do not. I look like, well, a big ole rectangle in a plain, solid top, while your curves give you some figure definition. Oh, wow. I need to think about this.

merwoman, your comment builds on this thought. You and I have similar figures, well we are similar in the angularity anyway. Yes, yes, yes, I'm finally starting to get why I don't like "plain" and "solid" on me. I'm really not an arty person, so I don't see the charm of a shirt that just sort of hangs there on me. (Although a lot of people love that look, I just doesn't go with my style personality). I feel like a print keeps the eye moving and provides some interest. I also like things going on, like a cross body strap, a scarf or other design details to break up my midsection. I definitely can ignore stock style advice to "wear a V-neck, it helps elongate the neck and torso, lol!

So maybe my love of prints has something to do with my body shape, and not just my complexion/hair texture..... *sound of mind blowing* I need to go clean my house so I can think about all of this. Thank you YLF I just knew you all could help me figure this out! I love you all! <<>>

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Claire, I relate to this so much: "I think when it comes to choosing prints, I just get this feeling, and sometimes I'm right and other times I live with the item a little bit and wear it think, what was I thinking?!"

I do this too. I have to watch the sizzle-fizzle effect prints have on me (and full disclosure, I borrowed that phrase from a well-known photographer who has helped me watch for the same effect in my work). What I mean by sizzle-fizzle is that something makes a wow of a first impression, but for some reason does not stand up to repeated viewing. It's not always easy to predict what fizzles for me, but I have realized I should approach with caution when: 1) the colors are outside of my usual palette, 2) the pattern is random and there are potential placement issues, 3) it's a type of pattern I'm seeing all over the place, which often means that it's trending hard and will look really dated to my eye in a year or two, or 4) the pattern is of a very small or very large scale.

So I'm right there with you -- I've had some definite hits and misses in the print department, and some of them seem like they should have staying power, but I tire of them for one reason or another. I have learned that I can't let a great print sway me into buying a garment that is otherwise not great on me.

I suppose all these things should, in theory, mean that solids are easier, but that's not necessarily so. I think solid garments tend to show every detail and possible flaw in workmanship more, so unless they are a high quality, they can look less than amazing.

Anonymous

Galyene, yes. It all started when I bought a few items and was looking to see what i wanted to cull. Well all of the tops that I hadn't been wearing, and wanted to get rid of, were all solid. There would have been no solid tops left in my wardrobe, and the remaining printed tops looked awfully busy hanging there all together. Not that I would be wearing more than one at a time, but it did give me pause. I wanted to try to figure out why I prefer the prints. And was there a magic key to wearing solids that I was just somehow missing?

rachylou

Veteran

Maybe low contrast prints are the answer...

Gaylene

Veteran

And here I've always thought that the magic key applied to prints! Prints get culled from my closet at a rapid rate to make way for new solids. Maybe we ought to just leave it alone and call it "personal style".

Anonymous

Janet, sizzle-fizzle! I love that! I really have to go clean my house, but you guys just keep knocking my socks off. So much good food for thought. That early infatuation with a print needs some time to settle so the eye can tell if it's the real thing? Usually I need some time in a mirror with the print on me to really tell for sure. Another thing I've noticed that you might relate to, since your hair also gets curly in the humidity, is that a print that looks too busy with my waves can be "fixed" by pulling my hair back (it's finally long enough to get into a clip).

I just remembered another couple of reasons I love prints. a print makes a silk blouse look less sheer, and it hides small spots or stains (or even snags) much more easily than a solid does. I'm certainly not talking myself into solids here folks.

Gaylene, bingo.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Fascinating! What gardenchick and merwoman say makes a lot of sense, and I can see it.

Um....so where does that leave the likes of me and Angie?

Just joking, obviously, but yeah...we are also fairly rectangular shaped. And though we both wear prints (even if they make me a little nervous, ha ha), we tend towards more solids.

Claire, what you said about the change in your own colouring also makes TOTAL sense to me. Now I get it. You used to be much higher contrast, not exactly like Ornella, but more like Ornella.

It's different for me. For years and years and years I got told that I was "mousey" as an insult....and so can't help but hear that word as a kind of curse, drat... I much prefer E's way of embracing the "mouse," but I can't seem (quite) to do that. Though I can and do (I hope!) wear colours that harmonize. As well as those that offer a bit of drama, when I am in that mood. There's "True Summer" for you.

I absolutely, 100% agree that solids and textures date just as surely as prints, and shapes, as well -- which is why I feel as if the cuts have to be very current in a solid or else it will feel frumpy really fast. If anything, I think it can feel frumpy faster than some patterns! A really classic pattern like a stripe is not going to date very quickly. Whereas last season's fitted top? So NOT 2014.

Anyway, I think you look great in prints AND in solids....But...here's a thought. Maybe solids need to be either more crisply tailored or at least more clearly constructed?

For me, drapey on top is just not going to cut it -- fights with my rectangular lines too much. Angie has said the same. So maybe we use construction the way you use pattern (as well as construction -- since I know you do go for simple, clean lines as well).

Anonymous

Suz, you are so right! What about you and Angie? Back to the drawing board! Then again, maybe it's a personality thing. Maybe I am keenly aware that a solid shirt or blouse or pullover--what have you--needs to be really fine and special to sing. You and Angie pretty much have that all figured out. I have a Theory man-tailored white button front that I need to have you guys help me style. It's long and boxy (so it has the crisp quotient) but I think it might need a little tweaking to work for me. But it's not really special looking. It comes off rather plain and masculine on me, which is not what I'm going for. But I'll take a crack at it before I give up on it. It does fit me really well.

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