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WIW - I contain multiples

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Given the thought provoking conversations on the forum, I am feeling a strong urge to post two outfits I wore this past weekend, both to see (different) friends along with a bit of a poem. I am *not* a poetry person, but this one is so well known that it has even entered my consciousness (of course I looked it up to get it right).

Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself;
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Walt Whitman

Rather than going on and on, I am just offering this as a touchstone to consider the need for consistency in style. Does it convince you to hone or relax your style definition? (I am not even sure what my answer to that is.)

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31 replies

Latest reply was from Jenni NZ

Joy

Veteran

It makes me want to expand and experiment. Both your outfits are very you but show different sides of your personality ..the fun and the intelligence.

Runcarla

Veteran

Ha! Having Big Fun with fashion!

Roxanna

Veteran

I will just add that:
"Consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." and -
"Trust thyself - every heart vibrates to that iron string." - Emerson
Just as true on wardrobe philosophy as in American Transcendentalism

I love both these iterations of you, by the way, That first shirt is exuberant! And I love the draping of the blouse in #2.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I have plans to work on my different personas ( Leatrice Joy, Jean Shrimpton, Farrah Fawcett, Annie Lennox and Jamie Lee Curtis), so I think you can tell what my answer is

rachylou

Veteran

There is tho an underlying something modern... both are fab!

Sal

Veteran

I like both of these and see no reason why you can't wear both and they both can't be true to you.....

And while in some ways they are very different - they both have a confident ease, and a practical " I can do anything" insouciance.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Ha ha! That’s why I have more than one theme! I love both.

Bijou

Veteran

The perfect Yin and Yang.

Jane

Veteran

Gorgeous outfits. I love the white top one especially.

Cee

Veteran

Great fashion, but just to say, Shevie... if you were taken to the levy, it would most likely be dry.

...Apologies to Don McLean

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

My closet certainly contains multitudes. Multitudes of items, anyway! I’m just so glad my husband has never asked “why do you need so MANY shirts?”

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Love that shirt!and love that you have used poetry to illustrate your point.

Kathie

Veteran

Perfect quote, and one that encourages me to continue with a relaxed style definition. I’ve not ever done the style moniker exercises, but, the style persona posts are resonating with me. Between the variation in my climate, activities, and work, I do contain multiples!

Your outfits are a perfect illustration of this- both with graphic integrity, but exhibiting very different moods and function.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I can relate!

I find your style very consistent — it has an ease and a sense of grown-up playfulness that really works well. I would get bored wearing the same silhouette or uniform all the time (I know because I’ve done it). I think it’s beautiful and empowering to be able to dress for one’s moods and whims each day.

RobinF

Veteran

Both of these are great on you. I think it's fun to dress in different ways depending on the activity or vibe we are feeling.

ChristelJ

Veteran

I think what people choose usually has innate consistency, no matter how broad the range. The two outfits both strike me as beautifully Shevia.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You look amazing in both outfits! I love the shirt -- so much fun AND sophistication rolled into one happy package. The other outfit is relaxed elegant. You contradict yourself, maybe, but always look inimitably like yourself.

Anonymous

There are no contradictions , just expansions of ideas Two completely different looks, yet still yours - which is the marker of true style. Plus - here's something - you are not *posed*, don't look self-conscious and seem to be having a wonderful time.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Wow thank you all. I wore the vintage colorful top out Friday for brunch with friends before I read any of the powerful threads that have popped up on the forum and sort of laughed at myself for being so contrary to the desire to pare down and focus on one's core style - something I actually am always striving to do in my way!
Joy - fun and intelligent sounds wonderful. Glad to hit a positive chord with you - you constantly inspire me.
Carla you betcha!
Roxanna - love the quotes you added. Yes, we are what we are.
Jenni - your list of personas is delightful in their juxtaposition!
Rachy - Modern, interesting I'll have to think about that.
Sal - the benefit and wisdom of age, no doubt.
Brooklyn - I am in excellent company then!
Bijou - Yup!
Jane - Thank you!
Cee -
Jessikams - He is a good man !
Cardiff girl - Thank you, I do love those lines.
Kathie - The integrity despite the inconsistency is what really fascinates me.
Janet - Wow, thank you! I know there has to be a consistency there and it is that I like the outfits I wear. Perhaps that is personal style - the sum of outfits we like on ourselves?
RobinF - I am nothing if not moody and do dress for it.
ChristelJ - Thank you! Perhaps it is easier to induce ones style from one's favorites outfits than deduce outfits from style principles. Or maybe it is a dialogue. Or maybe we just know it when we see it!
Lisa - I was probably quite amused when I forced my son to take a picture of me in the first outfit. Not sure about what I was thinking about for the mirror selfie, but perhaps looking forward to a glass of wine and snacks my husband prepared for our guests. But thank you, your comment is very appreciated and your post in many ways inspired this one.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I see well dressed, at ease, confident and fabulous Jaime in both outfits. The same theme although visually different. Both are ready for action and work with your life, head and emotions.

No poems from me I’m afraid since I’m not into words. Hope a big fat rock on from the heart will do.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

These are both such chic outfits, and both fun. They look great on you. To me, they look like town and city style, respectively.

Anonymous

Love that quote and both outfits We're all multifaceted- like gemstones!

SarahD8

Veteran

I love that quote and use it often.

Believe it or not, I see a lot of similarities between those two outfits: funky/interesting sandals (I think of sandals as Israelis' fashion superpower), tapered neutral pants, and a shirt that packs a punch of crisp brightness. Oh and YOUR HAIR!!!!!

Leslie

I love color, and I love black and white together. Capris in the summer, wide-leg trousers in the other months. Different moods, different days. I see no issue here.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Angie your rock on from the heart is worth a thousand words to me.
Firecracker - More like town and home style for me !
suntiger - I like the gemstone image!
SarahD8 - as my father would say, it's an oldie but a goodie! Thank you for the sandal notice!
Leslie - Or shorts going out, longer pants for air conditioning, as my case may be.
Thank you all again for your encouraging and thoughtful comments!

ETA:

Love that quote Sheila!
Thank you Jaileen!

Sheila

Veteran

‘Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative’ — Oscar Wilde.

JAileen

Veteran

I don’t see any contradiction. You look great in both outfits.

Mainelady

Veteran

I see effortless ease and elegance. While different, YOU shine in both outfits. That is a hallmark of individual style. YLF. YLF. YLF!

cindysmith

Veteran

First: you are gorgeous in both of these outfits!

Second:
Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself;
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Walt Whitman
This. Very much this. I think the reason I had so many style shifts is because I couldn't figure out how to reconcile a dippin dots color palette with shredded grey sweaters. Both feel like me, but they didn't feel consistent with each other. Then we had the zombie apocalypse discussion, and Avenging Angel came to me as a sort of style personality/moniker; both dippin dots AND shredded sweaters feel like they belong together when viewed that way.

As human beings, we are (by definition) big bundles of contradictions. As women, we are expected to be all the things to all the people: taxi drivers and short order cooks for the kids, career women while being moms, wives who support their significant others while still calling them on their horse puckey when they need it..... And it's hard to wrap our minds around being all those things yet staying true to our selves, the selves we were before we embarked on a career path and got married and had kids and and and...

Thank you for bringing this quote to me this morning. I needed it.

Also? If you ever get tired of that brightly colored shirt, I will totally buy it from you because I can find a way to make that work for my style moniker

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