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

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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?!

3 hours ago

General

9 replies

Latest reply was from slim cat

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.

2 hours ago

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.

2 hours ago

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.

2 hours ago

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.

1 hour ago

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

Nordstrom

Treasure&Bond Floral Button-Up Top

View Info

Top Pick

1 hour ago

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/

1 hour ago

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.

1 hour ago

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, I’ll keep them, though. I wore one this weekend.

19 minutes ago

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" .

17 minutes ago

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