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WIW...working with a shadow style

Runcarla

Veteran

Sooooo hot and humid. Some radio know-it-all commenter announced it is the end of summer! Not!

Top - YEST (2018)
White jeans - Calvin Klein (2018)
Sandals - Spring Step/L'Artiste (2019)

I have a teeny tiny collection of boho elements, and scratch my head sometimes, and think - WHY did I buy this? I used to purge these items, after one season, but now I am going to let them hibernate in my closet (they are so few, really) and endorse adding ONE new piece each summer.

Do you have a shadow style persona that puzzles you? Do you work with or against it?

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17 replies

Latest reply was from Style Fan

Sal

Veteran

I support a bit of a boho style in summer! I also like a few pieces- usually a blouse or two, maybe a dress or some genie pants. Light loose woven fabrics with long sleeves or lengths make sense in high summer don’t they. I agree adding a piece every now and then keeps it fresh.

I also have a shadow bombshell style. I have two or three more body con sheath dresses that I wear on nights out. I used to keen more retro with it but not so much lately. I think my shape leans well into this style but it doesn’t work for an aircraft environment or working from home.

I see you sometimes leaning to the sporty Carla and sometimes to the more refined/ gentlewoman/ land girl. And some cross over too.

Anonymous

Love your outfit! I've been looking at some of the L'Artiste shoes too, though the ones I tried so far didn't work

I wouldn't say a shadow style as much as different modes: streamlined and black (lbds + at home wear), boho/theatrical/artistic (dancewear, Fairewear, dark tie dye, strong colors), and daily mode that combines the two.

SarahD8

Veteran

Great outfit! It’s a little different from your norm but you still look like you.

I love the idea of a shadow style. That’s a great way to conceptualize it. I do lean more boho in summer like a lot of folks do I suspect but mostly that feels of a piece with my usual style (there’s only a couple degrees difference between a Liberty print and an Indian block print; actually I’d be shocked if the former wasn’t influenced by the latter). But I do have a summer shadow style that I think of as “Georgia o’keeffe/minimalist boho” that is all solids and a palette of black, white, and cobalt blue. I think there’s a winter version of that lurking around somewhere that’s about black, dark gray, extremely dusky purples and blues, and oversized knits. Not sure what to name it. Goth Girl on the Moors? Georgia O’Keeffe Goes to Paris?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You look great and yes! I alternate between admiring elegant neutrals and wacko vintage - sometimes in the same outfit.

rachylou

Veteran

That little bit of restrained boho is really fab on you, that’s why! It adds a little pretty to the mix.

Preppy must be my shadow style. The clothes don’t suit me, but it’s my life. (Hilariously, that consultant I hired... turns out all his friends are alums of my school.)

In summer, I travel back in time to 1950s Italy: it’s all big skirt sundresses.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think I am more in several themes. Actually I’ve been like that since my 20s! I have a funny story about a summer job I did in 1983 when I was 22, helping in an engineering workshop. My boss said he thought I was funny because I would wear Adidas track pants one day and a pretty dress the next. I was slightly offended at the time because to me it all felt like my style and what I liked wearing. But now I think I understand his confusion.
I like boho a lot ( more than you do) but certainly find it easier in summer. For me it integrates my liking for 1920s and 1970s styles- the fringing and so on can fit with both. I think you like 1920s style as well? - I remember you liked Queenie from Fantastic Beasts? Could you incorporate both into this small capsule?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Hot and humid, you say? That’s a fall outfit for me! LOL Still, you look great, and it’s not a big departure from your style. The white pants are crisp, and the top is boho lite, not too overt.

I have a few shadow styles — a little sporty, a little preppy, a little glam. They come out for different occasions. My little boho streak shows up in summer. I think these things make dressing more interesting and reflect my moods and the varying roles I play in my life. It’s fun.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It really *is* hot and humid, Janet, I promise you! Carla's just showing off her ability to keep cool as a cucumber even in jeans!

As for me, I was in the loosest pants and top I could find today...

Carla, you look great! The crisp bottoms balance out the softer top and you still look like yourself.

I don't think I have a shadow style any more. Could be wrong about that, though. I used to love (and try) boho but even boho lite rarely works on me and I finally recognized that and stopped buying it.

Anonymous

My inner hippie is always threatening to come out in the summer. I was seriously born a decade too late . On a more serious note: the idea of embracing it instead of weeding it out (me) is a good one - and so is carefully adding in a piece or two each year.

Joy

Veteran

I also suspect that I have a shadow boho style. It shows itself mostly in ethnic or earthy accessories or fabrics. The clothing does not work well for me accept maybe some peasant style blouses. I mostly work against mine or ignore it. Your outfit suits you.

cindysmith

Veteran

I don't know if it's a proper shadow style, but I find myself drawn to bright colors and prints that pop; yet I have learned not to buy them because I struggle with actually WEARING them. I now only bring the bright colors and prints that pop for my pajamas and lounge wear (or summer tops, because I go through a LOT of those with my lifestyle)

Liesbeth

Veteran

I think I have a vintage bombshell (or vintage housewife?) lurking in the shadows :). Not too overt though. I keep a few pieces around that I would categorize as such and that I wear when I feel like upping the feminine. I would only add more if I stumbled upon a truly fab item. Let's face it: vintage bombshell does not typically favor the small-busted :).

Ps: your boho lite works seamlessly with your wardrobe so do indulge ;).

The Cat

Veteran

The tyle of this top somehow matches your curly hair in a stunning way, and the orangey flowers are lovely with your colouring!

By the way, I think a bottom in a peachy shade (pants or skirt) would look great with this blouse. I've seen you mostly in cool colours, so I guess you love them, but with your colouring I imagine warm colours would look beautifully harmonious.

Bonnie

Veteran

Boho is perfect for summer and I have a few things in this style, too. Your outfit is perfect for hot summer days. My shadow style is Edgy which I wear out and about with dh. My main style could be called Casual Classic, I guess.

Bijou

Veteran

I have some boho elements in my wardrobe because boho works soo well for my endless summer that lasts 6 months. However my boho lite pieces have to be polished and pretty. As soon as the boho veers into 'earthy' it does not work on me at all.

My most distinctive shadow style is tending towards gothic and Japanese Lolita elements - black lace, black leather and McQueen skulls. Definitely a throw back to my clubbing days in my teens and early 20's. For the nostalgia, I enjoy wearing this style in small doses.

I love how you have expanded your style into new territory and make it work. This top is beautiful on you.

Katerina

Veteran

This is great, Carla! The top looks beautiful on you and perfect with the sandals. The white jeans keep the outfit crisp and balance the boho element. Love it!

I think my shadow style is avant-garde, architectural. My main style is dressy dramatic meets modern classic. Boho comes a little in the summer too. I don’t work against it, but it does puzzle me sometimes.

Style Fan

Veteran

This looks lovely on you. Your hair suits the flowy top. My inner flower child is always trying to break out. I was full on flower child at one time but now I have moved to a more minimalist style. But it is a battle. I crave flowy, embroidered tops in the summer.