What reads as "sophisticated" in your area? - YouLookFab Forum

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What reads as "sophisticated" in your area?

Peri

Veteran

This question is inspired by Lisa's thread about color. I was intrigued by some of the thoughts expressed, and I've become even more so the more I think about it. Specifically, the idea that black and grey reads as sophisticated and color does not.

Given that everything is opinion and what is sophisticated...or polished, or well dressed, or classy, choose your word...is never black and white (yes, I worked hard on that pun) I started wondering how much these opinions are shaped by where we live. In the mid-South US, color is a given and is quite celebrated. I really am not aware of any broad opinion here that color choice is related to sophistication. A bold colored suit would read just fine in a boardroom...it's the suit, not the color, that is judged on appropriateness. I think maybe certain types of colorful prints are are judged in an occasion context, but there is no broad feeling of "never" attached to them.

I really am not asking to start a right and wrong discussion on colors! Please don't take it that way. I'm not even checking to see what each person is comfortable wearing. I'm more curious about what you think the general feeling is where you live. Let's build a color emotion map of the world.

General

33 replies

Latest reply was from Peri

April

Veteran

My adult son (who lives in New York City and tracks such things) says that conventionally flattering fits are not the sophisticated thing at the moment. More sophisticated to go with a big - or an unusual - silhouette.

And of course, black still rules in Manhattan.

Bijou

Veteran

I don't necessarily consider black and grey to be sophisticated - but when done well it is. Where I live, wearing black and grey is such a default look for office workers and often it can look sooo boring and not suit the wearer. People with high contract look spectacular in these shades, but most people are lower contrast. Also the quality and fit of neutrals is important and so many people think they can get away with ill fitting garments.

Two pictures I had pinned as examples of looks I would love to emulate are attached - and both embrace colour! I think of Anna Wintour as being the epitome of sophistication and she rarely wears sold black. Her use of colour is inspired.

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Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Wow, this is some food for thought! I had to sort through my own ideas on the definition of ‘sophisticated’ and I wound up googling to see what interpretations are out there.

I think the closest definition to my own, is from Merriam-Webster:

1. having, revealing, or proceeding from a great deal of worldly experience and knowledge of fashion and culture.
"a chic, sophisticated woman"

Similar: worldly, worldly-wise, experienced, enlightened, cosmopolitan, knowledgeable, suave, urbane, cultured, cultivated, civilized, polished, smooth, refined, elegant, stylish, media-savvy, cool

2. (of a machine, system, or technique) developed to a high degree of complexity.
"highly sophisticated computer systems"

Similar: advanced, highly developed, innovatory, trailblazing, revolutionary, modern

***********

I included the second definition, because of the term “complexity”, which, in turn, I translate to “carefully planned or thought out”, because you can have a sophisticated outfit which is minimalist and simple at a glance.

Atlanta is such a melting pot, hodge-podge, pastiche... I think what reads “sophisticated” in Atlanta is the level of planning and artistry, combined with an elevated level of being well-groomed, and deliberate. And a look of richness, quiet affluence. Those strapless minidresses that I refer to as “lampshades” never look sophisticated to my eye, but they sure are popular here.

All very vague, simply, I know it when I see it.

ETA: I think color, or neutral, there is an air of exclusivity in Atlanta sophistication: you can wear color and be sophisticated - but it can’t be the same color everyone else is wearing, unless you’re wearing it better than everybody else in the room.

Christina F.

Veteran

April - your son is 100% correct. It’s probably why I’ve embraced JFE for myself. I’ve never embraced black as much as others in NYC though it’s certainly a staple color for me. I just don’t wear much unrelieved black.

Anonymous

Artsy and lux fabrics. Recognizable high end brands.

Peri

Veteran

Interesting! So far we are where I would have assumed or generalized (or stereotyped?)...Manhattan goes more often for black, further south goes more often for color. And with Lisa and Torontogirl from Lisa's thread feeling the black/grey idea, and both are Canadian...

Further north more black, further south more color? I'm sure I'm being too over-simplified and that really anything goes anywhere. I'm just thinking majority, not individual. In thinking North-South, I'm wondering about the impact of weather. Longer warm season, more color?

I'm sure such a concept has been researched in a much more "sophisticated" way!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Peri. And nice to see you post! Missed you.

YES, this is a very subjective topic, and an emotive one. No right and wrong. It is what it is....

Personally, wrt: "Specifically, the idea that black and grey reads as sophisticated and color does not". I disagree with all my fashion and style heart

I relate to what Bijou said.

I think people default to black and grey because they think it's sophisticated, chic, practical and easy. Hence we see a lot of it. It absolutely can be all those fab things! But black and grey has to suit you. That's the point. Few people to my eye look KILLER in black. Things vastly improve when the wearer adds warmer neutrals, earth tones, dark blue or whites to the mix WITH the black.

Here in Seattle - I live downtown where I see it all - lots of people wear black and grey. It's a hard edged grunge thing in this very grungy city. Wearing black makes rainbow hair and tattoos stick out - which is very common here. But I see a lot of black and dark blue worn with other colours and neutrals too. I'm the only one in a column of red, mustard, pink, white or citron.

In Salt Lake City, I see less black and grey. I see all sorts of neutrals and pastels. Some brights.

In Velp & Arnhem in the Netherlands, people do not wear a lot of black at all. They wear a LOT of dark blue and light blue, with shades of grey or shades of white. And throw in pastel pink, orange, red, yellow or green. Men are very colourful in the NL, in-particular.

When we lived in France, there was busloads of dark blue, white, light blue, black and grey on the streets. If there was any colour - it was a shade of red.

In Hong Kong and Tokyo, you see it all! But a lot of black and grey too. Lots of people in dark suits which makes the black and grey dominant.

SarahD8

Veteran

It will be interesting to see if Angie weighs in on this question since she is in the same city as I am.

But my perception is that because Seattle is such a tech hub what's seen as "sophisticated" is basically being above fashion, and dressing in a very nondescript way.

In my own social world, which admittedly is very narrow, I am not even sure being (seen as) "sophisticated" is a thing that motivates people?

SarahD8

Veteran

Oh, haha I cross-posted with Angie. I spend very little time downtown, which may account for our different perceptions.

Although I think the question of what people in a particular city tend to wear is a little bit different from what people in a particular city perceive as sophisticated.

Like, on the one hand people might adopt the "uniform" of a particular place because that uniform is what is perceived as sophisticated. But on the other hand is "wearing what everyone else is wearing" really the height of sophistication?

Hm. Very thought-provoking post!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

SarahD8, I didn't comment on the sophistication part - JUST the colours. I agree with your Tech Hub perceptions and dress code!

SarahD8

Veteran

Yes, after thinking a bit more and editing my post I think our thoughts are quite in line, Angie!

Anonymous

I absolutely agree that black is not the way to go for many, many people. And nor does it guarantee sophistication . Not at all.

Without veering off Peri's intended topic of conversation, I would say that it's common knowledge (or is it a stereotype??) that the big cities in the Southern US - Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Miami etc - are hotbeds of colour. I take it as weather/climate related, and also the colour of the light.

The city I live in : Winnipeg, in the dead centre of the country and right close to the US border, is quite conservative in terms of how professional women dress. Bright suits just aren't worn . Dark colours prevail, but in the summer, all common sense and fear evaporate and people wear everything and anything Black tie galas pretty much guarantee a sea of black - with the odd metallic thrown in there. We are not the most interesting city for fashion .

Anonymous

Further to all of this - maybe a lot of women don't even have *sophistication* on their fashion goal list!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So interesting!

To me, the idea that black and grey are inherently more sophisticated just plain doesn't make sense. I get where it is coming from—there is a history here, of "arty" urban style -- from the beats to the punks and onwards—and black dominates, for sure. So maybe it's a kind of shorthand.

It's true that in the big metropolitan centres you do see a lot of black (especially puffer coats in winter!) but I'm not sure that's because the wearers see black and grey as sophisticated so much as because that is what retailers make available, by and large! Or because of practical concerns. It is hard to keep light colours clean in yucky slush. Still, in the last few years there have been puffers in more colours at retail and people are snapping them up in Vancouver and Toronto and to some extent in Montreal.

Anyway...judging from what I see around me most days in Vancouver, (an admittedly not terribly sophisticated city, perhaps...) what reads as sophisticated right now are clothes in interesting cuts (e.g. out of the ordinary, avante garde, JFE), luxe fabrics, pattern combinations, lots of neutrals (not necessarily black or grey), or neutrals with a pop of bright colour.

I do think this perception varies a little bit by geography and region. The light does affect what looks good and what pleases the eye. I definitely wear brighter and lighter colours in our summer and feel better in those tones then. But as Angie's Netherlands example illustrates, it's not as simple as a north/ south divide.

Peri

Veteran

So interesting! And Lisa, I was thinking heat, but wow...didn't even consider the quality of the light. On sunny days where I live the sky is so blue and the light is bright. Of course...sunny...but I've traveled places where the sun being out doesn't equate with such blue skies. It's a friend's funny story that on a trip further north, her little girl asked where the sky went.

And yes, I'm quite sure all of this is stereotyping. There is no universal.

And true, I think my most friends would not put sophistication at the top of their list. If I asked their style goals in such a way I think friendly, approachable, pretty and comfortable would be words that came up more often than sophisticated. Something else for the poll. And as the one doing the poll, I guess sophisticated is not my aspiration either! I don't have a sophisticated job.

Angie, thanks for the world view! Europe is not reinforcing the north-south color assumption we started with. And Hong Kong being black grey dominant is not matching with color and hot weather. I'm actually really glad it isn't so simple.

kkards

Veteran

interesting....and i'm going to think about this some more...but my 1st thoughts...
black & grey are not necessary more sophisticated, but to me, pastels and brights are very hard to get right if you are aiming for a sophisticated look, which i think is why so many people gravitate to dark neutrals.

Helena

Veteran

Hmmm, I'm going to have to give this some thought, but I think my perspective is similar to kkards ... it's not that, say, black is inherently more sophisticated so much as it's less risky ergo easier to get right (or at least fly under the radar in).

I say this with great love since I am a proper Toronto girl, born and raised, but I don't think of Toronto as being a particularly sophisticated city, so I'm not sure I know much about sophisticated style! I do know what people in the wealthy areas tend to wear, and that is a lot of black and other neutrals, as far as I can tell. But, of course, wealth does not equal sophistication (nor, these days, does living in a wealthy area even equal wealth necessarily!).

So, to make a long story short (too late!) I have no idea where my preferential treatment of black comes from *shrugs*

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Back to add....what looks sophisticated to my eye has very little to do with colour. It's more what LaBelleD said...outfits that look intentional. Outfits that are stylish are inherently more sophisticated. That might mean a column of black (or navy, or taupe) or it might mean an unusual, colourful pattern mix.

For me (personally) sophistication comes down more to finish and details. But nothing is etched in stone. A midi is more sophisticated than a mini—except when it isn't, LOL. Little frills are less sophisticated than clean lines—except when they aren't. Drama can be sophisticated...or it can be a bit kooky. SO MUCH is about the wearer and the wearer's attitude!

anchie

Veteran

Sophistication to me is less about the color and more about luxe fabrics, perfect fits, attention to details and grooming.

Sal

Veteran

For a dressy event or for more formal jobs here people gravitate to black, navy and grey. There are smatterings of other colours too. And NZ designers typically lean to the dark moody aesthetic rather than the cheerful colourful one.

Some of it is availability, practicality, the slimming nature of black, viewed as a classic - and it is our national colour!!

LaPed

Veteran

As with tech hubs, so with New England. I think what is perceived as sophisticated here in the northeast is a certain old-money timelessness: a sense of being above fashion and unconcerned with what's trending. Deep-seated suspicion of the nouveau riche and all that. The antique clawfoot tub holds a lot more cachet than shiny new subway tiling. And yes, dark colours, because we are not in Miami. Lilly Pulitzer is for vacations.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Sally said it for me. Black is our national colour and more of our designers lean that way than towards colour.
Whatever sophistication is, I feel it is something I have never/will never achieve. But I am not bothered by that.

Dreika

Where I live - Bulgaria, Europe - the stereotype is that black and stilettos are the ultimate elegance and sophistication. It’s seen in the local fashion brands - the occasion dresses are 95% black, rest is red, the business suits are all black and dark grey even now with the color suits trend. Local shoe retailers divide their sites by everyday and elegant shoes. Everything in the elegant category is above 6-7 cm heel height. At actual occasions - parties, weddings, etc. - most of the women are wearing... black with high heels. On everyday use black is not so prevalent but it’s still very used, especially during the cold months.
My own opinion is that sophistication is beyond color and particular shape. It’s more complex than that. It is the combination of colors, shapes and accessories as a whole and its ability to send a particular message to the others.

rachylou

Veteran

What a yummy question! I don’t suppose I treat sophistication as basically being ‘worldly.’ I don’t think you can just put on some black and be sophisticated, but I do think colour can take a sophisticated outfit and make another characteristic, like cheerfulness, more dominant... so that you’d say ‘how cheery you look today’ over ‘sophisticated!’

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Exciting and soothing at the same time. You can easily comprehend the whole, but keep finding delights in the parts and how they fit together. This might refer to shape, color, embellishment, all of the above, &/or more. But something that makes me catch my breath and then sigh contentedly is sophisticated to me.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Here in Australia the city of Melbourne is famous for being a city of black wearers. In Sydney, which is further north and warmer, the dress code is less black, but black would still be the most popular colour. In Brisbane, which is further north (and warmer still) colours are more popular. You also see more prints eg tropical prints and looser clothing for the heat. So it’s a classic case of the warmer the climate the more popular it is to wear colour. But it is also the warmer the climate, the more casual the dress standard becomes. Maybe that’s part of the reason why black is seen as more sophisticated - it’s associated with more formal looks. (I’m not saying it is by the way, but I think there is that connection.)

nuancedream

Veteran

Living in Seattle, I observe people wearing very subdued colors with lots of grey, black, dark blue, etc. I guess that's why I make a very deliberate effort to wear vibrant colors and patterns, especially in the fall and winter months. A black winter coat on me...Never!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Hmm. Well in my small city in the center of Israel, I would say that black is a common default, but with Lisa I am not sure looking sophisticated is a common fashion goal. There are so many sub-cultural groups (Russian, North African, South American, French, Anglo, Iraqi just in my little neighborhood), and then there is the divide between people signalling their religious beliefs and those signalling their secular stance. In what is probably a gross generalization, I would say women tend to put more energy into their hair than their clothes.

Anonymous

I live in a city where individuality is stressed more than sophistication. Trendiness is prized, and cool shoes are de rigueur. We have a lot of hot weather, so light and breezy looks usually carry the day. Evening and nighttime looks are usually simple and casual. So, we're not real sophisticated in the traditional sense, but quite willing to embrace new trends and silhouettes. Maybe it's our own version of sophistication.

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