cjh - I luv #7 on you! That is a FAB fall outfit!

Great blog post, Sylvia. Sorry I rambled on so and didn't even realize your research had been completed!! Well, it helps me to put my thoughts on paper, so hope it wasn't a burden to add my response here.

This thread is great. It should keep going (!)

Sylvia, it looks great! So happy to be a part of it, no matter how small!

This was great ! And CJH, I LOVED your "rambling" and the pictures. I love how you incorporate color and different silhouettes.

I am so proud of the posse !

Thank you all girls for your wonderful feedback on my article.

To CJH: My 'research' is far from complete! I only incorporated one little part of my 'research' and feedback I received on style in the article, but I plan on writing an article on style every week. I will incorporate everything I learn here at YLF, from the books I tread and from trying out my own things into the articles. So I love reading about how you all found your style. Would love to hear from many more of you!

Answering my question how did you find your signature style, you write: "Not surprisingly, by sometimes, or often in the past, wearing what makes me uncomfortable!" I found that very interesting. Usually I would think it's the opposite. That you discover what is your style or your signature by noticing what feels comfortable. Very interesting to read that for you it was the other way around.

You have great style! Thanks for contributing.

cjh, love your pictures especially outfit #2!

I love how everyone here has such a distinct style and knows how to articulate it!

Sylvia--thanks again for including me! You may want to fix your link to the article in your earlier post--I just realized it links to the wrong article. Here is the correct link:
http://40plusstyle.com/describ.....statement/
Love your blog!

Thanks for pointing that out Natalie. Am I able to edit it? Can't find an edit link anywhere even though I'm logged in....

Great article Sylvia!!! with our famous faces and figures!

@CJH: thank you for rambling! and I agree that part of how I found my style was finding out what was "uncomfortable" and trying not to repeat it.

@MaryK: I see on the blog post the pic with the Emerson Made blouse ("Queen bee") -- You rock it, sistah!

My own style journey is still proceeding but I have had definite likes and dislikes for a long time. I've also learned that some of my likes are better suited to other people (and I can like vicariously through them) than in my own wardrobe. I'm going through a big transition right now style-wise and weight-wise so I figure I'll have better results in about a year from now.

According to Style Statement, I got "Organic Essential" (for my overall style, not just clothes) but what does that mean? In my thinking, I prefer natural materials and textures (though I do wear travel-ready synthetics), mostly neutral and softer-toned deep colors that you could find in nature, simple (mostly clean) lines, a little bit RATE, vintage and retro influences ( I like to recycle), and the French Gamine vibe. I'm too heavy to wear Gamine style clothes now, but did often when I was much slimmer -- I like the easiness of the clothes, somewhat polished but somewhat RATE. A very, very slight boho influence too but "cleaner boho" if that exists.

"Do you have a signature style? If yes, what is it?
How do you add your signature to almost every outfit?
What are the style essentials for your style?"

Item wise: flared skirts (to the knee or lower), bootcut or wider-leg pants (I'm a pear), 3/4-sleeve tops, cardigans and jackets, retro-looking shoes and boots, scarves, vintage-looking earrings, messenger-style bags and totes

Color-wise: grey, brown(chocolate and taupe), blue (navy and indigo) with strong touches of white, red and plum

Smart casual, but I have to be able to move freely in my clothes (like chase a bus or a child if needed). I don't like constricting clothes most times.

"And how did you find your signature style?"

I'm a very visual person and I have strong likes and dislikes -- some images have remained in my head since my teen years (I'm 42 now). I'm also very tactile, so things must feel good to the touch (I can't do acrylics b/c they literally rub me the wrong way). I must be comfortable and be able to DO things, my clothes must allow for that. Like CJH, figuring out what not to wear was as important as figuring out what to wear

And that's my 2 cents...

Do you have a clear idea about your own style?

Yes, pretty much. It is shaped by preference but also by body reality and age appropriateness.

Do you have a signature style?
If yes, what is it?

I would call it Boho Bombshell. The bombshell part comes from when I used to have an hourglass figure (before babies,menopause and a recalcitrant thyroid performed their magic). I still tend towards waist definition and avoid volume in the midsection, because it makes me look heavier and shorter than I am. The boho comes from my childhood as a California girl - flowy skirts, blouses with billowy sleeves, lots of jewelry in silver and semi-precious stones, handmade things.

How do you add your signature to almost every outfit?

I add waist definition if it isn't already there. Jewelry is a big component - either big earrings and a significant belt, or an obvious necklace and a cuff. Shoes and bag are what make the outfit look polished to my eye, and that involves both color and shape/style.

And how did you find your signature style?

It had to appeal to my senses. First color: autumn colors, ocean colors, never red. Then tactile: soft, smooth, fluffy, stretchy, silky, cool. Then interest: color combinations, embellishments, details. The fit had to flatter, but the more interesting an item was to me, the less I cared about flattery. And last, how did it make me feel? Did it make me happy, when I caught glimpses of myself? Did I get pleasure from having it on my body? Did I feel like the star of my own life? Then it was a keeper.

What are the style essentials for your style?

Curve-celebrating, ocean or autumn colors, significant jewelry, complementary shoes & bag.

Rosee. Thank you for your contribution. Very interesting to read about your style journey!

Tessera. Thank you for your contribution. Very well thought through and interesting how you're describing your style.

I'm looking forward to start reading the style statement book and get working on my own style statement.

I hope I will get you all involved!