When is it personal style and when is it just repeats? - YouLookFab Forum

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When is it personal style and when is it just repeats?

Peri

Veteran

I've been mulling this over while contemplating buying this top:

https://www.nordstrom.com/s/fl.....ort&b

(sorry, Finds is not working for me!)

I like this very much. It fits my style and my colors and I believe I'd enjoy wearing it. But I'm hesitating because I already own several similar tops. One even in Navy floral from the same brand, although the flowers aren't pink like this one. So really, am I just buying the same things over and over again? Is that style or is that a rut?

Does having your own identifiable style usually mean that your clothes are similar to each other? Or if you buy things intentionally because of not having anything else like it, that doesn't seem like a "style" either. I'm curious about the balance here! And also curious about when to stop buying marginally different repeats. In other words, buy the top or show some restraint?!

General

20 replies

Latest reply was from LJP

Sal

Veteran

Good question...

I think partly it is framing - personal style is positive and repeating is - well is it positive, neutral or negative - depends on your view.

But...I think personal style implies a level of decision making, thought or finesse that goes into the choice, rather than comfort or fatigue or being in a rut. But it can be semantics - to some people personal style could be seen as being in a rut.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Great question. Signature look or decision fatigue? A lot is your attitude as Sal suggests. I definitely have and wear variations on a theme tops. In this case if the floral pattern is a different color scheme and would work with different bottoms I would go for it. If you would be wearing it with the same bottoms I would then ask myself what is it adding - relieving laundry bottlenecks is a legitimate consideration too. On the other hand, it would be instead of something you would find more exciting, I might hesitate.

Carol

(website)

Veteran

First of all, gorgeous shirt--perfect for spring. I would be getting the white with larger floral print.

I have heard two things. First, I heard an expert say "don't buy the same shirt/pants you like in 2 or more colors just to have it--you will find you don't use the other as often."

I have also heard that many fashionable people have tried and true "uniforms" with similar pieces every day. Some people look great this way. I would actually try this--like if I had a good midi skirt in 4 colors, I would try the uniform look.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Early on my time on YLF, so near 9 years ago, I read an article that talked about “clone clothing” (not a YLF article)- or as they said, “Different but not really.” This gave me pause at a time when I needed help to figure out my wardrobe issues. I remembered a time shopping with my best friend not that long before that when I had tried something on and she said “That just looks like one of your tops!” I think that was probably true, a lot of my tops (probably mainly tunics at that time, around 2016/17) were very similar. It was helpful to me to recognise this and I have borne it in mind since. It doesn’t always make me not buy the similar thing, just to be aware that I might have legitimate reasons to get something similar but if I am not likely to get a chance to wear all the same-same but different items then it might be just acknowledge I like it but not necessarily buy.
I don’t have an answer for you but it’s definitely worth pondering.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Here is the FIND, Peri:

If the SAME/SIMILAR items continue to please you, and you enjoy wearing them = SIGNATURE.

If they begin to feel boring and you're tired of them = RUT

Sal put it a lot more eloquently than me

Treasure&Bond Floral Button-Up Top

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Jenni NZ

Veteran

I hunted and just found the article. I don't think it's quite as good as I remembered, and they didn't say "Different but not really"... still, it helped at the time. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/s.....ge-how-to/

Irina

Veteran

I think following one’s personal style is not necessarily wearing the same things but rather being consistent in colors, cuts and overall appearance.

I do wear a “uniform “ most of the days. Sometimes I buy a same item in different colors, sometimes a variation of the same. It fits my minimal aesthetic and makes dressing efficient. Also, my goal is for the new additions to fit effortlessly into my wardrobe. But I tread carefully not to buy too much of the same, it’s too repetitive.

So, if I have 4 same style jeans in different washes, I’m sure to add 2-3 different cuts for variety.

Another example - I wear button down shirts in the warm months. But they are all slightly different in color or fabric and details like length, collars and sleeves.

In case of your top, buy if there is more difference than a color of the flowers, I think.

JAileen

Veteran

I have a bunch of Tommy Hilfiger button up cotton shirts. I like the fit, the fabric and the construction. I have them in solid colors, polka dots, stripes, and paisley. Do I have too many? Maybe. Am I going to thin them out? Very unlikely. Are they my signature? No. People are more likely to guess charcoal long sleeve tee or clogs or nylon hiking pants. As long as I like wearing them, though, I’ll keep them. I wore one this weekend.

slim cat

Veteran

It's a pretty top in my favorite fabrication - natural, breathable, washable ( delicately ). I'd buy it and try with other pieces in your wardrobe - to see if it's gives somewhat different color combinations and works well with your bottoms/toppers. Like it was already said " if it doesn't make you feel bored" .

Star (Lise)

Veteran

Good question that has given me pause for thought. Yesterday I saw a navy and white striped zippered knit that I decided to think about adding to my wardrobe. This morning I realised I have a navy and white striped zippered top. Although it is not knitted I realised I will be duplicating. It will have the same role as the old one. I have many navy and white striped items. I don't feel like I am in a rut because I love these type of pieces, but these two are just too similar in their role. ANGIE and SAL explained rut vs signature perfectly. Is this top going to bring something different to your wardrobe?

RobinF

Veteran

That is a great question and I love all the thoughtful responses. It reminds me of shopping with someone and picking out an item and them saying "that looks just like you" - is that good or bad? I agree that a lot of it is our attitude toward the purchase.

Lisa

Veteran

I like the explanations here already. For myself I've worn the signature style of jeans + blazer + boots for years. I still wear this signature style, but over time the jeans have varied from bootcut, to straight, to skinny, to wide, while the boots have changed from low heel to knee high to square heel and the blazers have shifted from more suit type fabrics to chino/twill to knit to linen. I've kept the same core element of the formula making it a signature style for me, but the cuts and shapes have varied over time updating it so I'm not in a rut.

Beautiful printed top for spring!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

For me, I would ask myself "WHY do I like this particular style on me?" and that would likely head me towards the "Is this my personal style?" answer. If you are drawn to florals and navy in general, maybe that indicates you go for a kind of feminine classic style?

LJP

Veteran

I think if you have determined you need a new top, and this fits your style criteria, then it's not really being in a rut. If you don't need it/have a place for it and you're buying it because it's safe and like everything other top you own, then that might be style laziness :). I do like texstyle's comments.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

“I'm hesitating because I already own several similar tops”

I always have to pay attention to this too. Sometimes I do think it’s a fine line between a signature style item and collecting more of what is already in our comfort zone. I always try to evaluate:

Does this version provide styling options that my others do not? Is the color palette, neckline, sleeve length, silhouette, etc different enough to give me something I don’t already have? Does it layer well? Does this replace something already in my closet that doesn’t truly work for me, and will I let that other item go? Would this help prevent laundry bottlenecks because my other similar item is so often used? Is my existing item getting worn out?

Yesterday I pondered a new top — gauzy summer fabric, cropped length, button front, cobalt blue. I already have a cobalt-ish button front cotton shirt, but it’s long and I’ve always had to wear it tied at the waist (a look I’m getting away from). I decided that the new top is distinctly different enough from what I have to justify the purchase, since it’s one of my absolute favorite colors and will definitely be welcome this summer. I may let go of the old shirt if I can’t figure out how to style it in a way that works for me now.

Oh! Maybe a better example: I picked up these two cropped shirts at the Rack last week. This style is a slam dunk for me, they fit great, and I’m really feeling stripes right now. I have not yet decided if I’m going to keep both. I like the thicker stripe of the taupe, but also the way the thin navy stripe integrates into my color palette. I suppose it may come down to, which do I cut the tags on first? I don’t think it’s a rut to get more of these cropped styles while they are trending because they work so well for me and I’ll continue to wear them after hems lengthen again.

Rag & Bone Mina Multistripe Button-Up Shirt

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Rag & Bone Mina Stripe Crop Cotton Shirt

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Interesting question and interesting answers! I'm curious what you've decided.

I like what texstyle said -- asking "why" this type of top appeals brings. you to deeper questions of your personal style and on to the decision of whether it's "signature" or a sign of being in a rut. Also, what Angie said -- it it makes you happy, probably signature. If it feels like same old, same old, possibly rut.

I also like what Irina and Lisa said. For me, varying silhouettes is a way to evolve my style while keeping some elements "signature." For me, those signature elements are blues/greys/whites and certain repeating items, e.g. jeans and trousers, button front shirts, certain prints (stripes/ tartan), silver accessories and footwear, most of all my hair.

Others might retain the same (or very similar) silhouettes and even the same pattern preferences and colours but chang subtle details over time-- think Anna Wintour.

Peri

Veteran

I love the thoughtful answers to this question! I really did mean it kind of philosophically, using the top mainly to frame the question, and you all answered philosophically too.

I particularly liked Sal and Angie defining so clearly the difference between style and rut. I feel in kind of a rut over my colder weather wardrobe, but haven't felt that way about my hotter weather wardrobe. It's the boredom vs happiness factor that makes the difference I think.

It's interesting too with the difference of phrasing friends of JenniNZ and RobinF used. "That's looks just like one of your tops" is maybe not very friendly whereas "that looks just like you" is encouraging and uplifting. Maybe they both meant to be encouraging and to honor their friend's style, but it's interesting (and a cautionary tale) to remind us to speak with care. On that note, I feel like objecting to the term style laziness! It implies that everyone should care with equal levels of intensity about fashion. That hits me I guess because I know I don't care as much as a person who reads a fashion board should probably care!

I enjoyed how many of you talked through your own decision making and gave me points to think about for that particular top. With all that advice, I'll probably buy it, because all last summer, every time I put on its brand twin I wished I had another in a different print. I liked it because it was light, flowy and very cool, easy to take care of, and very much hit my flattery wishes by somehow minimizing my shoulders and bust. That answers texstyle's list of questions and helped remind me of how I felt last summer. So I think it's a go. No, it doesn't present different outfit ideas but I don't really have to have that. Many of you do sound like you have something similar in mind when you shop..."just different enough" to make a thing worth adding, without each item having to be unique on its own.

Maybe the flip side of my question should be: If this thing is completely different from anything else I own, what is the reason for that? Maybe there is a reason I don't buy or wear things like this, and maybe I don't need it at all. Maybe buying things I know I like is just fine.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Great thoughts! I am about to do a post because I have just bought a patterned top which I saw on a good sale yesterday. I was thinking about it before I went back today (wearing some items I would wear with it), that it’s at least the third top with similar colours since about 2009. I remember wearing the first one on an overseas trip in 2010 so I probably bought it say a year before. I know I wore it a lot. The second one I posted early in my time on YLF so maybe 8-9 years ago, the neck became floppy. Buying a third one in a 15 year period probably makes it more signature than rut!
Regarding my friend’s comment back in the day, I think she did intend to be encouraging on that occasion but she hasn’t always been the most supportive. She is tall and beautiful and was once a model in the 80s, all of which are rather a contrast to me. I mean I feel beautiful occasionally but not usually! We have such fun together otherwise that I have forgiven her the occasional tactless remark. If we go shoe shopping at least we always look at different items as I am size 36 EU and she is size 41 EU

judy

Veteran

It's easy to get into a comfort groove of what is easiest to buy for us, isn't it? And I think it's okay! I have given myself permission to own many striped shirts, for example. I recently bought another one from The Real Real, my first time shopping there. When I was contemplating the purchase...which was very reasonable priced for a brand I love...I thought, but you already have one so similar! In fact, when it arrived there are, of course, differences in color, fabric, drape, maybe only apparent to me. So I say yes!

LJP

Veteran

I can see how my use of the word *laziness* could be perceived as harsh or critical . For that, I apologize as it wasn't my intent. I own my own laziness :).