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What is my style? Help Needed. ETA is colour a part of it?

ElleH

Veteran

I'm not sure what my style is anymore. It makes it hard for me to shop or edit my wardrobe. You could see my WIWs but to help myself & you could look too I have created a Pinterest board of fashions I like without considering weather, lifestyle or location. Once I know my style I can take those factors into account. I do have a casual lifestyle & that is reflected in my board but there are a few dressy pieces. I see rock chick & boho rocker & I tend to wear boho in Summer & rock chick in Autumn/Winter & also in cities, whatever the weather. My style icons are Emmanuel Alt & Kate Moss. A little bit of Anita Pallenberg in the 60s & 70s but she was young then & I am not young now. Kate Moss & perhaps Emmanuel Alt are younger than me (I'm 46 but don't look it) & some of Kate Moss' outfits might steer too young for me. I think Emmanuelle Alt's outfits are ok for my age. I don't see EA as boho, though I've seen her in a fringe jacket. KM sometimes is but is more rocker. I see myself more boho rocker than hippy. I don't wear tie dye. I also like mod styles, retro rocker, retro boho.
http://pinterest.com/lovlealea.....eal-to-me/

I had to remove pic of DH & add one of me because I wasn't getting any responses. My question about my style is not based on this pic alone though.

ETA: I think the pastel & white trend this Spring Summer is throwing me too, because I don't look as good in it. I can mix it with darks & brights but I don't think it suits me from head to toe. I couldn't decide between a white or sand leather jacket for this Spring/Summer. I think it is because neither are what I'm used to & maybe neither are me when I'm light coloured head to toe. I think I can wear them with darker bottoms though. I'm thinking my black & dark brown leather jackets are too wintery with dark jeans but I could wear a white or sand leather jacket. I have a white denim jacket & like EA in her white blazers, which wouldn't be as hot as leather. Maybe I should get a white blazer instead of a light coloured leather jacket.

ETA: I think I'm a little, farm, country, prairie too & I love to wear cowboy boots with dresses but after YLF advice I purged all the dresses I wore them with. I'm not sure if there are any dresses I could do this with anymore. I'm not a fan of casual maxis but bought some in the Summer in Australia because it was maxi or mini. It was hard to find knee length or midi, though I did buy 2 from Life With Bird which I am yet to show on YLF.

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22 replies

Latest reply was from ElleH

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I feel your frustration as I too have trouble defining my look. I am 47 so similar age.. I also think I switch to a more feminine style in warmer months and less edgy. I wonder if others feel warm weather changes their style???? I definitely see all the elements in your board of rocker or edgy boho. Although I have not totally defined mine I do know that my favorite looks to wear are those that combine femininity with twist of edginess. For me that means dresses and skirts with boots or moto jackets.. Do you have an outfit formula that you wear repeatedly and always think, "That's it, I've nailed me?"

rachylou

Veteran

The pic of DH wasn't coming up for some reason; only the thumbnail showed.

Anyways, I actually had to do some work or I would have replied sooner, hehe. I really like the moniker of "Boho Rocker" for you. I think your touch of Mod can ride in on the coat tails of Rocker (or if you do a parka, the Boho side of things). I would tend to let the Rocker be the bones and the Boho the embellishment. Like the way you did your tunic outfit today... those were leather-like skinnies weren't they? Maybe I should go back and check. But they seemed like rocker pants to me with a Boho tunic.

If you did a super geometric, graphic Mod dress, you know what I think would be cool? A pair of dangling gypsy earrings to go with (ok and my genuine gypsy neighbor would probably hate me calling them gypsy... or she'd laugh her head off, haha!).

ElleH

Veteran

No rush to get back to me RachyLou. I appreciate anytime anyone can give. I don't always have time to help out here. I've been on here a lot the last couple of days because I don't want to do my taxes & because I don't know what to do about my white or sand or neither leather jacket decision.

Yes the jeans are shiny or leather look.

I don't wear earrings but a dress stands can stand alone, though I still think the shoes, purse & jacket need to go with it. Perhaps a clutch & shoes I dunno. I want a pair of kitten heeled, pointy toed, ankle strap shoes if I can find some under $200 preferably $150 instead of the $400 - $900 I'm seeing. A moto over it would work in a pinch.

I don't have an olive parka, DH does but even with the oversized trend it looks wrong on me, but anyway the mods wore them as part of their uniform in the 60s. It was the guys though. I think for me it goes with my grungier, country side. Oh yeah I think I'm a little, farm, country, prairie too.

rachylou

Veteran

Perhaps a boho necklace then? I agree about the kitten heels. Would be totally awesome. I thought about them while writing the above post and then thought that's just too much now, lol.

Anyways, mods live on and the girls wear parkas now too. Ya. Well, like today's punk isn't the punk of my youth... which was post punk anyways... ya ya. Still going on about that...

I can see the prairie side. Your long white maxi is prairie, or boho adapted prairie.

ElleH

Veteran

I'm wondering what I would wear those shoes with. I just like them. I will have to see if they fit with my wardrobe, apart from a nonexistent mod dress. Actually I have a mod dress that borders on boho because it is white lace. Maybe I'm better off with a flat pointy shoe to wear with skinnies, but then I have booties & chucks for that. Hmmm the kitten heel could dress up skinnies for a different look & go with some dresses. Not my maxi dresses though. I have a Theory shift which is classic 60s Breakfast at Tiffanys or Jackie O dress. I think I don't wear it often because I am more casual but also because I have to dry clean it every time I wear it. Doesn't matter what deodorant I wear or how many times I shower, I can only wear things that touch my armpit once.

Aida

Veteran

Elle I also see "Boho Rocker" as fitting for you (my pin board is quite similar to yours, and we actually have a lot of overlapping pins!). I also tend to skew more urban/rocker in winter and let my boho out in summer, the weather just naturally suits that. If you are happy in dark colors, then by all means wear them. It's just a matter of choosing lighter weight fabrics for warmer weather, OR just let your boho side out and go with more muted shades. I have noticed that many of my pins are heavily neutral, but I do wear plenty of color (more than most urbanites I think); it feels like it's just a matter of the types of outfits that are out there.

(Rachy, we need to meet up in Portland and flesh that all out )

cciele

Veteran

Boho rocker suits you. BTW, I think our styles are fairly convergent, so I can relate! We both have a rocker side, and I do have some boho left over from before; I've transitioned more into warrior-mode I'm also a big fan of EA!

I think quite a few people here express different sides of their style depending on the season, so I can totally see you skew urban rocker in fall/winter and boho in the spring/summer.

As far as incorporating lightness into your wardrobe, have you considered a light denim version of a moto jacket? Here's a mixed-media one, with black pleather sleeves:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/st.....wordsearch...

I would also recommend the Sanctuary one I ended up getting (see pic), but I think it's sold out :/ I have a white denim jacket but never wore it. Then I got the moto-style denim jacket and realized why I never wore the white denim one.

I don't think you need to wear light colors head to toe. Touches here and there as accents, as well as lightweight fabrics, would work.

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rute

Veteran

I don't see boho in your inspirations, i see a Classic trendy with a bit of rocker!

ElleH

Veteran

Hi Cciele, perhaps your jacket suggestion is a good one. I like the jacket in Angie's latest outfit too, though it is dark again lol. I have plenty of cropped denim jackets but I think I need a hip length one too. Then I could add a white blazer as well. I should keep all leather as a dark coloured item for me perhaps. The velvety leather in the light ones I am considering might be hard to clean.

I used to be more urban warrior & punk & now feel a little urban warrior coming back in but I don't want it all the time. I prefer less clunky boots than true UWP boots these days. So I feel like I'm an Urban Warrior Rocker Boho Prairie Country Mod. Hmmm

The UWP I am liking these days is like this http://shop.etal-melbourne.com

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I think you have done a good job defining your style and your pins reflect your Boho-Rocker style aesthetic. When it comes to shopping for new styles, I am finding it more useful to inspect the new trends and then decide what does NOT work for me (either because of lifestyle, age, or the actual style direction). Rather than trying to re-define my style each season. For example, each season I rule out cut-off shorts, because I am 54. In the past I've also ruled out a lot of ruffled designs because they also don't feel like me.

As for this year's trends, here's what else I've ruled out:
- Florals, they feel a little too young or just too fussy for my style
- Lace, although I might do a bit of it. It's too fancy for my lifestyle
- Wedge sneakers. I wear jeans all the time, and wearing more refined leather booties is my way to dress up my look. I don't need any more dressing down. Besides, I feel I've joined the movement too late for my comfort level.
- The color mint. Not quite flattering on me
- Treading lightly with pastels, although cream, blush and blue are good colors for me.
- I'm done with colored skinnies except for black, white and grey, I over-saturated myself with the look last year unfortunately.

The result is pieces I love, and they come together to make me happy and then I feel stylish.

catgirl

Veteran

I think you're an Urban Boho Rocker Princess. That could be shortened to BURP! I see a real consistency in your pinterest board. There's more pattern than color, and a strong minimal look.

ElleH

Veteran

Wow Denise this is really helpful. I am kind of doing a similar thing. I decided - no florals
- no coloured skinnies, they stand out too much, just denim, black & white, grey is something I would buy but not shopping for more right now. White stands out but I wanted something summery.
- Mint & most pastels don't work on me except for peach. I bought a peach dress in Australia which I need to post for comments. I can wear white or cream if I add colour or black near my face.
- I have way too many sneakers to add more, even though none are wedged or high-top they will do. I too prefer to use booties to slightly dress up my jeans & I have way too many of those as well.
- I don't like ruffles on me, might be to do with my bust size.
- I have one lace top that was given to me & is the only top that works with my pencil skirt so I keep it for that. I also have a lace trapeze dress that appeals to my boho & mod side at the same time. I probably wont buy any more lace.
- I don't wear clam diggers or bermudas but would try some on & see how I feel in them. This is why I need Summer dresses for when it is too hot for jeans. Boho or casual dresses tend to be cooler & breezier than smarter, dressier more polished & tailored dresses.

ElleH

Veteran

hahaha Una I'm a BURP! I'm glad I'm not a FART. What would that be? Fashionable Artistic Rate Trendy? I changed it teehee.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Bohemian rocker sounds good! I just kept thinking Kate Moss... she can be boho or mod or whatever, but it is always grounded in good old rock n' roll. Sometimes that may manifest itself as more Hendrix or more Slash or more Bowie at any given time, but it seems like the free-spirited rock element ties it together.

ElleH

Veteran

Yes Rae I always felt like I lean towards KM. Can that be my persona? Kate Moss, rockstar wife! I know she was a model before she was a rockstar wife but I have always dated, married musicians & don't consider myself a model. I think KM on my RATE days & EA when the occasion calls for more polish, although KM looks like EA when she adds polish. Maybe EA is one of her style icons. I don't know who did it first.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

It's so interesting how we all see different things. Here's my 2 cents worth.

I don't see very much "rocker" in your board either - most of your pins seem to have a much lighter mood than pins I see from Una for example. I see modern boho - you have modern/minimal cuts with some boho touches - lace,fringing etc. Maybe you need to stick to one or two boho elements in an outfit & keep the rest modern/minimal?

Agnes

I really like your board Elle. I'm also 46 and I dont think EA is to young at all to use as a muse. I like the mix of Boho, [which i do in summer] and what I think of as Elegant rocker. I like Coco lions round up of her likes for the season and I tend to try to do that too. I notice that apart from pops of red you have posted almost all neutral outfits. I like them too although I have trouble not being swayed to think I need to wear colours. But when I buy lots of colour i just dont wear it.
I have a white blazer that I have found super wearable as it lightnes things up emotionally from regular rocker to elegant rocker, so I would definitely recommend it.. And for a moto I bought a very dark blue, which looks good with all my neutrals.
Another thing I have been doing is asking myself, would my muse wear this? so I stay on the path I am aiming for when I am shopping. Its ceratinly saved me money.
Your pinterest board is actually very consistent, so trust yourself I reckon.

ElleH

Veteran

You are all really helping me. Really:) I wear colour in dresses in Summer & tees too. I just didn't see any to pin. I wasn't looking for anything specific to pin, I just pinned anything I liked. If you see some of my posts on the forum you will see colour, but I do prefer to keep it to dresses which stand alone, or tops so that the other pieces mix & match more easily. If I could make a private board that only you guys could see I would do one of my outfits but you could see them, if interested, by going to my forum posts & clicking on WIW. I don't think there is a lot of colour there either because I joined YLF not so long ago & haven't been through a full Summer of posting.

I guess what I meant by "is colour part of it" is that part of one's persona as in the way EA's persona isn't just androgynous or pants & jeans, never dresses or skirts. I also see her persona as a person who wears black even though she adds the occasional, blue in all it's shades, grey & white.

Agnes

Yes I do know what you mean Elle. We all have several personas that come to the front at different times. I guess for me the tricky part is to figure out the point where, what I like meets the point of what suits me and what works with my lifestyle. And I guess when I say neautrals that still does include colours, just very specific ones. I wear black,white,camel,tan, gold, silver and blue. and for some wacky reason I have lots of party dresses that are bright green. my party persona coming out I guess.

Gaylene

Veteran

Actually, Elle, your board really surprised me because it totally didn't fit what I was expecting from your description of your style goals. If the board is any reflection of how you'd like to dress, I'd say your pins show quite a cohesive modern, edgy Emmanuelle-Alt-style preference, although you do like to throw in the odd boho, mod, prairie, and RATE touches. While I can see why some might see a rocker chick vibe in EA, I think her look is much more cosmopolitan and polished than most people who aim for the rocker chick label.

Do you think that you might be in a style transition phase where your aspirational style is getting stronger but you aren't quite finished with some your previous style preferences?

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Re: color. This Spring I am really drawn to greyscale dressing: white, black, grey. And a good dose of cream plus different denim shades. I did fall off the wagon and got some orangey things at Zara though. I think orange transitions well into fall. My main reason for going greyscale is that, after all of the color of 2011-12, I felt a need to quiet down starting this past fall. Also, dressing and suitcase dressing are so much easier with a limited color palette. My urge to go neutral could also be a desire to go more minimal and clean as I get older.

There is a new silhouette of jacket and sleeve I saw in the A/W 2013 shows and I am very attracted to it. This silhouette is shaping where I want to go.
http://pinterest.com/pin/145170787960820457/

ElleH

Veteran

Gaylene you hit the nail on the head I think. I am definitely transitioning . That is why I'm so confused & unsure what to buy when I shop. I don't want to buy orphans or pieces that only work with something I'm not going to wear anymore. I'm changing & getting older, & to add to it fashion is making drastic changes right now. I don't have to jump on every trend but I am influenced by it now that I'm looking. If I stayed in my bubble here in my beachside, but in the mountains, hippy artist village part of LA, I think I'd be still more boho & the rocker has always been there, especially in Winter but YLF has opened my eyes & taught me so much. It is interesting that a couple of others have posted about being unsure about their style goals lately.