this should be a link to Alyssa Beltempo regarding a similar concept. It sounds so achievable, but I struggle with it. I seem to like so many things!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb-BmiVqp-I

So many good ideas here and I will be back to the thread.

Synne - thanks - I think my "undone" hair skews a bit beachy. I love the beach and summer so I would be happy to incorporate this. I am in NZ (not Aussie but they are our Antipodean cousins)

The Cat - those words are perfect for you.

Oh Joy - aging can be so cruel and diabetes is quite unforgiving I know. I still like elegant eclectic - I think you wear such a range of colours from black to winter white to orange to red so beautifully.

Sally - thanks. I see your style as urban, practical, modern....and I agree it's grown up. But skirts with swagger has an attitude I like too.

StagF - I see pretty tough as good for you. I like the tension between them and the play on words. I think the pretty and tough incorporate your ditsy florals, brocade and boots - the only aspect that it doesn't include is your sporty active side (swimming, biking, weights etc).

Suntiger - I like earthy sophisticate too - it suits you!! And they are supposed to be aspirational.

Robin - I think it is a fun exercise - it helps me with additions and with edits too.

Will be back soon!

My style aspiration is Powerful Pretty - I use the words glamorous, playful and strong as also helping decide if something is right for me.

Glamorous and Pretty - my kibbe type is Theatrical Romantic. Whilst I may like minimal looks on others, I need some glamorous and pretty elements to shine in my clothing.

Playful - I love fun and playful details and colours.

Strong and Powerful - Pretty and Playful can get out of hand without being grounded. Stong and Powerful details, through sharp tailoring, shoes, boots and accessories help me feel feminine and yet also strong in what I wear.

I like the Rachel Zoe quote: "Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak."

Sal, I wish I could put a thumbs up on a number of posts that had suggestions for you!

Years ago I had as my descriptors Fun Arty Urban Prince. Not sure that they’re completely accurate any more.

I would still keep Fun or maybe substitute Playful. I don’t like to be too serious in what I wear; looking sophisticated is unattainable. Crazy is fine with me.

Arty? I think need to remove that descriptor as it doesn’t resonate with me.

Urban refers to all the black and gray that I wear. Not a New Yorker, but I don’t think my look is suburban.

Prince refers to androgyny. I am too small to pull off a masculine look. But Prince can also suggest a bit of luxe which is not me.

So these days I am leaning more classic with blazers (which can also be androgynous), skirts, bodycon tops which look better with high waists (vs cropped tops which make me uncomfortable) and more feminine tops like eyelet and puffed sleeves. What does it all mean?

At the same time, I am very aware that I am a smallish senior citizen female Asian so in a sense have a target on my back. I very much do not want to be the target of violence or even harassment for that matter. So a part of me feels I need to look fiercely Bad Ass in the most public places.

I’m not sure on this. I still quite like my 2019 persona of “Sassy Shoemaker’s Elf” but don’t know how that relates to 3 style words.
I do hope to have something interesting in each outfit ( interesting to me, that is), but also be comfortable. I wanted to make my work looks sort of “crisp” with the fabrics being soft, which feels a contradiction in terms.
Interesting crisp detailed?
Maybe this concept just doesn’t resonate over here!

Olive Green - I like those words and they resonate with you - which is the most important thing.

Gryffin - I like how you use your words and sayings to keep focus - and they have been long lived and constant - yet I am sure there has been evolution too.

Carla - I am going to put my thinking cap on. I agree with the practical and classic - maybe something aspirational like dramatic or gamine- I think there’s a bit of both these aspects in your style.

Lisa - you have nailed it. I can see that with the chill- and I think the idea is that a couple of the words represent your current style and one or two could be aspirational. And it’s the tension between the polish- that you always have - and the chill - that can be a bit harder - that makes it unique and personal.

Sarah - I can get that. Some people really have a persona that works for them. I still like Grown up Charlie’s Angel - it’s a bit polished, a bit practical, a bit sexy but for someone in their 50s in 2022 not their 20s in 1978.

Thanks Nikki- I am liking the breezy too. And pleased I could help.

Cat2 - embellished, detailed, intricate, finished, polished, luxe, tailored. Not sure I have quite got it but one may resonate?

Helena - that’s perfect for you and it obviously resonates strongly. I wonder if this has helped your confidence in your style that has grown too?

Angie - that’s good - going to think about that. Of course yours are perfect for you and they are a great mix. And urban oretty is a great combo with enough range to include your style.

Kkards - nice suggestions!

Suz - I see crispness and a certain sparkle/ gamine/ polished aspect. There’s a string modern classic theme and yes you are practical - but I would think of something aspirational to add in.

La Ped- I think it’s the messy hair and sunglasses often. And that I am happier in summer clothes so I probably post more WiW! For you I think woodsy garçonne is perfect. I don’t know if minimalist is quite right in terms of style although I think you live by the principles. You could add practical or casual but I think they might be superfluous.

Irina- I like urban minimalist - mature could be added in or elegant or even polished? I know what you mean - age does have an effect on how you feel and want to dress.

Chiara- I love it! And your old one is fascinatingly original although no longer quite right.

Will be back again!!

My style statement is “Genuine Composed”. It continues to feel correct.

SF — yes! I also like “creative pragmatic” — it very much fits my goals and my persona. I’m adding that to my style free-association word list.

I like the sounds of "creative pragmatic" too -- but I can see it SO many ways that it becomes a bit useless as a set of descriptors. For example -- it could fit the outfits in today's blog post. But just as easily, it could fit a simple uniform of jeans and boots and tee (the right tee), or an outfit with a boho vibe, or or or.... see what I am saying? Maybe that's why I find the personas more resonant.

Thanks, I like detailed for my third word. Putting this in my clothing notes now….

Rachy- I like urban waif and the riffs. And green hunter boots sound very nice.

Ginger- I agree Duchess next door is perfect but the adjectives are a big meaningless. Colourful, retro/playful, polished, glamourous. I think your hair plays a large part in your style and your fantastic up do’s. That adds a bit of glamour and polish. But then you tend to wear cottons and practical fabrics - not overly embellished. There an ease but I don’t think casual is the right word?

Janet - I like sophisticated rock and roll, and I think you could add in casual or chill or relaxed or sporty…..as with Ginger your hair plays a large part in your style so you have an edge there even if you wear a tee and jeans. Same with your accessories. I can see what the chill means- it doesn’t resonate with me for my style though.

Unfrumped- it’s that elusive balance that’s hard to get!! And I think we need to remember that models wearing oversized semi tucked sweaters may be using safety pins or bulldog clips for the photos. I am pleased you are dressing how you want for your body!

Nadja- I think practical or functional can be used. It depends if that goes without saying or drives your style. And I think four words is fine. Why not!!

NemosMum- yes sometimes they do change. I loved your inspo images from
A couple of years ago. And it can be hard to feel beachy inland or woodsy in a desert. Hope you are doing okay!

Jaime- I like undone unexpected elegant. And I think you achieve this. I think having one that’s more aspirational helps. I liked bold - but I wasn’t sure that my style is that courageous or original. But that could be me second guessing myself.

Indigo print- thanks! I love her videos and Alyssa put me onto Allison through that video. It’s helpful to see others words.

Bijou- I love your words. You have a super playful style- that’s also pretty and glamorous and powerful. And it’s such a good way of weeding out trends that are good - but not for you - or me.

Donna- playful urban warrior? Edge? There’s a bit of classic in there but I think urban probably covers blazers and boots. Not sure about prince akthough your last post with the glitz did show some embellished accents!!

Jenni- I think this works for some snd not others. For you I do think detailed or embellished rings true - and I see playful and colourful. There is a practical side too - professional- but they may go without saying. Does gamine resonate - I think gamine details suit you- detailed embroidery or shoes.

Staysfit - I think your current statement is better then creative pragmatic. It feels more unique to you. I think some might see chill in my style - I can be a bit rumpled- but the word itself doesn’t appeal to me. My sons have said “just chill Mum” when I was cross with them so it reminds me of that.

Cat2 - pleased it appeals.

For me I am thinking breezy bold elegance or breezy 1970s elegance. Or breezy natural elegance. Breezy appeals more than beachy- and maybe energetic is a bit vague. I don’t always dress in 1970s way - but I don't feel retro or modern or classic. Maybe I don’t need natural - but as my Kibbe type it does feel authentic. Going to think some more.

Thanks for all the wonderful thoughts and ideas.

I like your invitation to update! I knew I had chosen words years ago, and just looked them up on my phone: metallic/edgy retro prep. This was particularly interesting to find because I definitely noticed in the last year or so that I have cooled off on metallics.

I also loved "retro" when I was younger and could pull off that sort of ironic nod to the early 1960s thing. Now that I'm 46 it just looks too much like I'm genuinely dowdy if I do a full retro thing. Angie is one of the only women over 45 I have seen who can make pearls look fresh and modern rather than marmish!

But I am still drawn to what I call "old-school"--the classics that have been around since the 60s. Stripes, iconic jackets (leather, denim), classic fun sneakers. And my love of what I now call "geek-chic" is decades long--I gave up on floor-skimming pants in favor of high waters a long time ago.

These elements carry a whiff of punk, although you wouldn't ever classify my look as punk. Still, I think this means that my style goal words are now old-school geek-chic punk!

Don't worry @Suz, I feel like I'm probably long overdue for a style overhaul compared to my original style moniker (the 4 C's - Comfy Covered Colourful Chic)... I don't know why but I don't feel like my style is 'Chic' - too practical & unpolished (in my natural fibres & simple silhouettes) perhaps, lol?

I also still like colour but find myself 'grounding' it more with dark brown these days (rather than head-to-toe colour)...

What is happening?! Maybe it's the change in weather, lol...

@Suz, I think the term creative pragmatic is more applicable to the process of outfit creation than it is to describing the details of someone’s unique personal style. It does a great job of capturing that balance between the emotional/impulsive element and analytical elements that allow for a harmonious outfit.

Staysfit, that is a good observation. I think it applies to what I might look for in retailers as well, or a clue as to where I should be looking, or maybe it helps keep in mind what I might be looking for. . Maybe one reason I browse Uniqlo or Athleta, or have been looking for ways to re- interpret some of my dry- clean only favorites in washable fabrics, or look for some kind of hybrid footwear styles.

wow, it's fascinating to read all your style monikers! some of you nailed it with few words and it is interesting to read the reasoning for those descriptions! I have reviewing mine for quite some time but still haven't come up to a fitting description, the only thing that I have noticed is that there is a classic / romantic element that is constantly present. Lots os work to do!

Lesley- that’s fun! I like it. Things do change- and I hope continue to evolve.

Staysfit and Unfrumped- that makes sense.

Zaeobi - words I associate with your style are colourful, soft ( maybe soft edge). Whilst being covered and comfortable are important - they might almost not need to be included. You are going to go that way anyway? I do think your colour palette is an important part of your style- like Suntiger or Suz or Angie - I am a bit more scattered in my colours.

Minaminu- minimal romantic classic or soft classic? Whilst minimal and romantic are quite different - there’s space for both?

Suz articulates my troubles with just adjectives… I will, lol, wriggle and stretch them until they break. With creative pragmatic, out of the gate, I think of ‘architect’ style and ‘baker’ style, but I’m only one of those… altho I have a family full of the other… I can match my family, which is tempting but somewhat of a lie.

The adjectives vs substantive phrase discussion has me thinking about what these are for. Communicating to others is always a challenge, so some carefully chosen words could be helpful in talking about my style. But for ourselves…. I am not a perfect purchaser, especially when it comes to shoes, but am pretty sure I know what I like. Iow, I don’t see myself using the words to decide on purchases, as they come from looking at what I wear, aka past purchases. I generally ask myself if it looks “like me” and if I would wear it.

I have always found this a helpful exercise. I know my style, but it is hard to describe it. I am still trying to come up with three words.

I have been thinking of simple, minimalistic, a bit of an edge or creative twist.

Haha Rachy!! Know what you mean.

StagF - I think it's for yourself. We do use clothing to communicate with others but I don't know that a style statement or persona or three words would be how my friends or colleagues would describe my style. I think they would say smart or fashionable or colourful or "dresses nicely" or something like that. For me, the thing is that it helps me when I see forum members looking fantastic in a trench coat or oversized minimal clothes - looking wonderful. But I need to remember that I actually don't feel great in these things and they don't fit my style. Or when looking at my wardrobe. Maybe the reason I don't often wear this skirt is that it is a bit gamine or preppy. I actually am wanting to try it but the spring here has been so cold and my tops summery for the skirt.

Stylefan - I think earthy or natural is important. Maybe earthy minimalist edge or natural minimalist creative.....

Yes -- to SF's point, the set of clothing that I like or am drawn to in some way is larger than the set of clothing that I feel right in, helps me get dressed with ease, lets me feel confident in what I'm wearing etc. etc. The style statement words help me separate what I like from what I like for me.

SarahD8, I thoroughly agree that the style statement is just to keep my purchases right for me and not how I expect others to perceive me.

Sarah that’s an excellent point: There’s so much I like, but that’s also how I got so very many clothes. Don’t get me wrong, I can put my stamp on everything I have - and in fact my style is both not classic while heavy on classic items - but I feel a need for even more style consistency. Things that don’t need so much of my attention to make ‘me.’

rachylou- that! I like a lot of garments , even “ love” , as we say, and can even wear them pretty well, but some say “ me” with less effort or really, less thought or awareness, paradoxically.
Why can’t I separate those- wheat from caff or wheat from less- wheat—pare down and not add these other types?
Maybe there is a word or words in that concept that are part of a style persona that I am not paying attention to.

a good friend once described my style as "goth equestrian", which wasn't quite accurate but wasn't inaccurate, either; my style has changed a bit since then to be more casual (more sneakers!) and more gender-neutral. Picking a list of words today....hm

- goth-adjacent
- casual queer
- fun

my most recent new work top is a button-up with sparkly black cats all over it, which pretty much captures the aesthetic....

Jacquez - I love your shirt. It’s a really good gender neutral shirt with a fab print.

Goth and equestrian are an intriguing mix.