WIW: Day 6 & 7 and thoughts on the Pinterest challenge

SarahD8

Catching up and wrapping up my Pinterest challenge with two outfits from this weekend.

Photo 1: inspiration image:
-textured pullover
-relaxed jeans
-layered outerwear (I have been intrigued by layered outerwear for a while)
-tote bag

My version, photos 3-5:
-I'm neither a denim jacket nor a trench coat kind of girl, so I used a pale pink lightweight puffer vest (interestingly, I bought this vest because I have a Liberty-print puffer vest and thought a solid color vest would be useful -- but I hardly ever wear the solid one!) and my long vintage velvet coat (which I've owned for a good 35 years and have been wanting to wear more often).
-I liked the tonal mix of the sweater and puffer vest so I decided to stay in that color family with footwear, adding my burgundy stompy boots.
-But I introduced some contrast with the tote bag -- one with a green print. I wore this to a reading/book launch -- tote bag was very useful for carrying multiple copies of the book that I bought!

Photo 6: inspiration image:
-printed midi skirt
-big sweater
-tall boots

My version, photos 7-9:
-Pretty self explanatory!
-wore to my niece's choir concert
-I don't think I would have put together this combination without the challenge but I really like it!

Sorry this round of photos are so dark & the colors are not great -- these are the challenges of Seattle winter afternoons.

Overall, I'm really glad I did this challenge, as it has indeed got my creative juices flowing a bit again after a period of being really head-down at work and kind of losing track of style. I really appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions, you have helped me feel more confident and also provided some new directions and experiments to explore.

A few overall thoughts:
-I wanted to avoid feeling like I had to copy inspiration outfits exactly, and I think I accomplished that, BUT I would like to be even less literal still. A couple of folks gave me some ideas in their comments and I'll be thinking about how to abstract what I like about an outfit a little bit more.
-Maybe that will be easier if I use as inspiration not single images but several similar images?
-I also want to experiment with taking inspiration from landscape or other non-outfit images, as Brooklyn does so well.
-I've been thinking about Pinterest and how algorithms shape one's inspiration and sense of style. I think that by showing you more of what you like (I repinned one outfit with loafers and bare ankles and somehow ended up with a dozen variations on that theme), Pinterest's algorithm can tend to narrow your style possibilities.
-Also if your style is offbeat and not easily summarized in some kind of subculture or "core," it can be hard to avoid getting steered in a more mainstream direction. That is, I notice that a lot of the outfits that I have pinned are rather neutral and minimalistic -- that's been quite popular recently, AND plays well as a thumbnail sized image. And, yes, I like those images. But I don't think they quite represent "my style."

OK, it's late and I'm kinda fading here so I'll leave it at that. As always, grateful for any thoughts you care to share!

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6 months ago

What I Wore

19 replies

Latest reply was from SarahD8

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This has been an amazing challenge for you. I love the new combinations you've come up with and I can definitely see how it has worked to get you out of that mood we can so easily fall into (ummm, like the one I've been in myself, lately) where we just wear the same things on repeat. Today's outfits do evoke the proportions and some of the details of the originals and I don't think your interpretations are too literal at all.

Very interesting what you say about Pinterest. I haven't even looked at it in a couple of years because the last time I did, I got so annoyed by the ads and the fashion images I was getting seems all of a sameness. I'm thinking I might also take a leaf from Brooklyn's book and look to inspiration in decor or nature.

I don't see your style as minimalist or neutral -- although you do wear neutrals, of course, I think you use colour well and you seem to like to blend soft, natural colours together -- I might even call it "natural dyed literati goes on an urban adventure" which sounds ridiculous but I don't mean it that way...I could see you hiking the moors as well as the urban canyons but always with a book (or three) in the bag.

I hope the reading/ launch was good and you enjoyed it!

6 months ago

Mirjana

Veteran

Both outfits are very interesting, love color combinations especially #6, skirt with sweater. I'm not also a denim jacket kind of girl and understand you.

6 months ago

rachylou

Veteran

Playing a little catch up here. Fun and interesting challenge! I’m just thinking that the outfits you tried seemed very different from one another and what I think of as your style - you have a personal, whimsical signature that I do like a lot. I am Team Same as confirmed by Angie, lol, so I’m wondering if you liked… so much change. Lol!

6 months ago

kkards

Veteran

And, yes, I like those images. But I don't think they quite represent "my style."
lol there are a lot of images I like, but are NOT my style, or are not my lifestyle or climate. It’s so easy to go down a rabbit hole on Pinterest and end up with a mishmash of things. Sorry end of rant and back to the topic on hand

Long velvet coat, paisley skirt.

Both of these outfits are really good, but I keep repeating long velvet count and paisley skirt….and I really want them to be together.

6 months ago

Dee

Veteran

I thought you did really well adapting these pins to suit your own style. Although the pin inspirations may have had a certain minimalist style, your versions seemed a more eclectic mix of cuts, prints and textures that came together creating a more urban boho chic vibe.

6 months ago

lyn67

Veteran

Please forgive me, but I like your rendition much much better than the inspiration pictie which is a little blah for me. But yours is so lively from all points of view colors textures and layers. Good job, once again!

6 months ago

RobinF

Veteran

These are my favorites! Love the velvet coat - wow! I like the skirt with that sweater, looks better than I would have imagined. I'm with Suz on why I gave up on Pinterest but maybe I should give it another shot.

6 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Maybe you need tall burgundy boots!

You are neither a neutral nor minimalist dresser - high five! Neither am I.

How lovely to see you in a skirt, SarahD8! Such a fun '90s Grunge - yet PRETTY outfit. Fab for Seattle, and my fave of this awesome challenge! Love how you made these looks your own, and did your own thing. Well done!

Like the twinset matching effect of vest and pullover too. Is that a black wool coat?

6 months ago

SarahD8

Veteran

Suz, yes, the reading was wonderful!! And, you know what, if "natural dyed literati goes on an urban adventure" is ridiculous I don't ever want to be unridiculous again. I actually love that narrative, and I think I might adopt it to guide my dressing for at least the next several weeks, and see where it leads me. Thank you thank you for the excellent suggestion!

Mirjana, thank you -- and I am in good company saying no thank you to the denim jackets. More for others and we'll sit on the bench enjoying a fancy cake (I just made that up but it sounds like a good idea!).

rachylou, you're quite right. I am on Team Same. So it was indeed a bit discombobulating to do something Different! I am grateful for your appreciation for my quirky signature style, makes me more confident about getting back to that!

kkards yes, rant away, I agree. I have to frame my Pinterest challenge as an exercise in training my analytical eye rather than honing my individual style -- then it is clearly a success! And I like the idea of paisley skirt and long velvet coat, I'll definitely look for an opportunity to try that combination sometime during the festive season!

Thank you Dee and RobinF!

lyn67 you are CERTAINLY forgiven for saying that I did it better!

Angie, thank you! And yeah, I can see the 90s grunge now that you mention it. I *definitely* need a pair of burgundy tall boots. And Iove the idea of a cabled sweater and a quilted vest as "my version of" a twinset!! Never would have thought of that but it's genius. I'll definitely be repeating the combination...perhaps with my fair isle skirt?? Re: the long black coat -- it's not wool but velvet, absolutely impeccable quality, was probably already vintage when I purchased it in the late 1980s. Thank you to the rich ladies of McLean and Langley, Virginia for their donations to local thrift shops. My goodness. Do you suppose my coat once belonged to Ethel Kennedy?

6 months ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You have really done an excellent job with this challenge, and analyzing the elements you wanted to test.
The nightmare of the internet, and especially social media, is that it keeps narrowing the circle of what you see until we are all left in boring echo chambers. Disruption is in order - seek out outfits that are the opposite of what you like!

6 months ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

I’m a bit late here because I’ve been away from home with poor internet. I like your outfits, especially the skirt outfit. Great work trying out some new combinations.

I agree with what you say about search algorithms. I don’t use Pinterest anymore but sometimes look at Insta. I tend to get thrown a lot of fairly generic, neutral, minimalist outfits. Not my style. I just revert to looking at dog videos

As far as taking inspiration from nature/architecture/decor, I find it helpful when I’ve settled on a silhouette and am looking for more inspiration in terms of colour combinations, pattern, texture, vibe. I think a lot of the focus of fashion is silhouette and that’s why it’s more common to take inspiration from actual outfit photos.

6 months ago

phoebe

Active Member

Very interesting thought process and I like how you caught the vibe of the inspiration pictures without ditto-ing the components.

I have found birds very inspiring for color combinations and just as importantly, ratio of color to neutral and placement.

6 months ago

SarahD8

Veteran

Thanks Jaime, Brooklyn, and phoebe! Brooklyn that’s very good advice about how to take inspiration from non-outfit images. And phoebe great idea to look at birds!!

5 months ago

Joy

Veteran

Lots of birds come to our feeders. I will look for inspiration. The magpies are big and beautiful with black and white and cobalt. Lots of grey in different shades from the pale grey of the bush tits to the deep grey of the juncos with black.

5 months ago

slim cat

Veteran

I like your versions very much - especially the first one ( fab layering! ).
The second look reminded me of my Seattle' days - sweet and tough at the same time .

5 months ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Well! I’m impressed! I can see the thread of your inspo pin in the outfit you created, but as lyn67 wrote - yours is better! You’re a master with textures by the way.

To keep the Pinterest feed lively, I have two dump boxes where I pin alternative looks - otherwise it’s all white button downs, blazers, straight leg jeans, and loafer. (Also recipes for crock pot soups, Christmas cookies, house plans, and English cottage gardens. )

5 months ago

Indigoprint

Veteran

Well done and extra points for your vintage velvet coat. Would like to see more of that!
To me it shows a consistent thread in your style ( which I admire...not reinventing yourself as trends change)

5 months ago

Joy

Veteran

This is a good time of year for a challenge. . Or.at least January into February . This month is still fall colors for me. December I plan to add a bit of holiday each day. Last year I played with black and brown or navy., colors I had not worn together much. This year I should tackle the greys in my closet. Maybe that would be a good project for January. Happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating.

5 months ago

SarahD8

Veteran

Following up late after being mostly offline during the holiday weekend here in the US...

Joy those are lovely birds for inspiration! I especially like magpies with their subtle iridescence...Exploring grays in the closet does indeed sound like a nice challenge for January.

slim cat, thank you! Seattle days, indeed (short as they may be at this time of year)

Runcarla, oh gosh! Thank you, that is such a nice compliment about my use of textures. I'm blushing! (And yes, my Pinterest boards are similarly themed -- no-knead breads, stuffed-full bookshelves, tall European windows looking out on teeny balcony gardens...)

Indigoprint, thanks for the velvet coat love! Definitely a piece I hope to wear more often going forward.

5 months ago

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