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WIW: working with contradictions

Adelfa

Veteran

I came across this shirt on sale at Old Navy when I was there to look for tees. I didn't need it and it didn't seem to fit my style, but I loved it. Then after I bought it I had lots of misgivings and it hung there unworn for a while.

Today I decided to try it for casual Friday. (My work doesn't actually have casual Friday, but it's not because we're formal all the time--it's because we're casual all the time! But I observe it anyway.) I was prepared to dislike it, and was quite surprised that I loved wearing it! The fabric was soft and breezy, and the style was just tailored enough for me--no gathers anywhere! I have a lot of trouble with white button front shirts so it was kind of fun to find a white placket shirt that worked!

Angie has pointed out that there is a huge casual element to my style. I also like things that are sleek and streamlined. I'm not sure I always think these go together! But for me they do. It makes me think of how Suz and Vicki today were talking about the yin-yang tension. It takes some care and thought to resolve these contradictions. Do you have contradictions in your style descriptors?

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Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Adelfa

Joy

Veteran

My Elegant Eclectic style descriptor is able to handle a wide variety of things, so I don't feel that there are any contradictions. If I wanted to do RATE I might find tension.

Joy

Veteran

Oh, and I really like your shirt and this outfit.

Adelfa

Veteran

Joy, I'm just smiling at your statement. How useful to have a style descriptor that covers so much territory! And yes, you are so elegant! Maybe the contradiction is part of why it's taking me so long to find mine

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That shirt is wonderful on you! It looks so summer fresh and breezy. In fact, I might just have to go check it out for myself.

If sleek and streamlined contradicts casual, then that's one of the contradictions of my own style, also. I'm not sure it is a contradiction, but I guess it can feel that way if casual is taken to mean "rugged" -- which it often is.

Others that come to mind....my style is quite androgynous...but also very feminine (to my mind, at least.)

My style is very practical...but also refined.

My style is elegant....but also casual.

Gosh, I could go on for a while like this! Great food for thought!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Casual? Yin/Yang? Of course, you're living in SoCal now, baby! Your outfits are still crisp and well articulated, but I do see a more casual, laid-back thread running through them.

This is current gauze, not gauze that smells of patchouli and other medicinal herbs. I love it with the cuff jeans and modern sandal. Wear it again!

Adelfa

Veteran

Suz, of course contradictions are great! I think I'm seeing that in my case they've been confusing! Maybe that's one important element of style: finding your own resolutions to your own contradictions.

Beth Ann, you and Rachy and Denise are saying that I'm SoCal influenced now. To that I would say, 1. I did grow up here in the 60s and 70s; 2. I'm super aware of style as a method of communication and I want to be mindful of what I'm saying; 3. I LOVE Southern California fashion! I'm shocking myself and everybody else, but I love it!

MsMary

Veteran

Love this! Your So Cal sister gives it a gigantic thumbs up!!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Jody, that's brilliant. I remember when I first joined YLF (and for a long time thereafter) the contradictions felt ... confusing and frustrating. Now they don't feel that way to me. I am not sure why. It's just easier to be both/ and rather than either/ or and still feel like myself. I have found a few juxtapositions that work for me, maybe.

kkards

Veteran

i really like this outfit, but i want to say i don't think its a contradiction, but an extension of your style.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

A great crisp, fresh look for Summer. Those contradictions are why coming up with style descriptions can be so difficult. Some of my favorite looks are when a ying/yang is represented like tennis shoes or Birkis with a dress for Summer. I talk about it so much DH bought me a necklace for Christmas of the ying/ yang symbol. I finally chose 5 adjectives for my style that seem to cover it : casual, colorful, feminine, maximal and boho - lite

MsLuna

Veteran

This outfit looks very polished! I haven't seen a lot of your WIW but I would totally agree with Angie on the casual elements. You beautifully combined sleek and streamlined with casual here!

Aubergine

Veteran

That shirt really is great on you! The fabric seems to hang just right.

I think one of the contradictions in my style might be kind of the opposite of yours and Suz's, in a way. I'm drawn to more conventionally "feminine" looks that read as dressier, but things also need to be a little RATE for it to feel like me.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Love, love, LOVE.

Please love it too, Jody. Very Euro.

And what Suz said. My style is as tomboy as it is ladylike. Both feel completely right, yet polar opposite.

OF COURSE, sleek goes with casual. And baggy can go with dressy. Your outfit here is sleek on the bottom. It's a fab juxtaposition. xo

Day Vies

Veteran

Oh what a find-- it is casual yet refined in just the perfect way. I love the semi tuck too.
As far as contradictions - I love really clean crisp lines and little to no fuss but I also love a whimsy print, lacy edge or bow. Trying to work those two extremes into a personal style lexicon was difficult. It's not often that I work both of these elements into the same outfit so I tend to go classic most of the time and the accents or accessories are either one or the other.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Love your outfit. You do look polished and casual all at once.

Like Joy, I've been dubbed "elegant eclectic." I also think of my style as casual and urban. I feel some tension between casual and urban and casual and elegant. My life is very casual; rarely do I "dress up" for anything. So I want to be relaxed and comfortable while also maintaining some sophistication. Oh, and my "eclectic" self has a pretty strong boho streak. Sometimes I feel all over the place with my style, thought it probably doesn't look like that to others.

Adelfa

Veteran

Thanks, Sis!

Suz, that's cool that you can do the both/and thing now!

kkards, I think once you figure it out the former contradiction becomes an extension.... but before then, you're saying to yourself, "This top looks boho and I don't do boho! I'll probably feel silly in it!"

Tracey, good for you... I hope to get my descriptors some day!

MsKK, thanks! I will keep trying to do this!

Aubergine, that's interesting about the opposite contradiction! You're right. For a long time I thought I was RATE but now I'm thinking no, I'm casual, but veering towards pretty or polished!

I do love it, Angie, thanks so much! And yes, sleek bottoms are a huge way I add that element to my outfits!

DV, that's a very interesting contradiction! And you *do* marry the two beautifully! That must be what comes from working with your contradictions for a while.

Firecracker, you're dealing with it too! Beautifully!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well first of all you look wonderful in this outfit. Whatever you call it! The contradiction is what makes fashion interesting rather than costumey, says the elegant tomboy (who is actually not a tomboy at all and quite RATE).

Adelfa

Veteran

Shevia, you're funny! So you're a RATE elegant not-tomboy tomboy!

Diana

Veteran

Great shirt! Remember when we were talking about things to wear for beach walks, and I said sheerish white floaty shirt + linen pants? Well, I think this shirt would be just perfect for a beach walking ensemble!

Adelfa

Veteran

What a great idea, Diana! Thanks!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

There's something about a white top and dark wash jeans that always looks good. Whether it's a crisp white shirt, a fitted white crew neck tee, or a loose high-low hemline top with angle sleeves. Therefore I have a big collection of dark wash jeans and white tops. IMO it's an excellent FFBO formula that looks good on many people, provided the right type of top and jeans are picked for your body type and style.

You can add a structured blazer or a leather moto, plus pick either classic or trendy footwear and there you go.

I think this works so well on you because you've picked perfectly flattering jeans and top to go with your physique. Even though you might have doubts about the style of the top, it is flattering on you.

Adelfa

Veteran

Denise, that's fascinating about the formula. I think I gave up on it a long time ago because white button-ups are so hard for me. I will have to work it as you describe!