Dear friends. When Sue from Women Living Well After 50 set this month's Tell Us About challenge, I was thinking it would be easy. After all, I have often written about Personal Style.
I planned to write about how wonderful it is when you discover "your" style, and you dress in a way that pleases you. That's what my summary said, when I sent it out last week to the other bloggers.
But today I'm not feeling that way. On the one hand I've found the colours that suit me, thanks to colour analysis, and they make me happy.
On the other hand they also hinder me, because I can rarely find the colours I want in the styles I like.
I think of myself as fairly gamine in style personality. I like neat and fitted, Peter Pan collars, 60s style shift dresses, swing coats, patent boots, Mary Jane shoes. In fact, you could send me back to the 60s. But these things are hard to find in the shops, and even more so in my gorgeous spring colours.
Style Crisis!
As I pulled out my summer clothes today, I had a bit of an existential crisis. I have lots of pairs of cropped trousers and shorts in bright colours, no dresses, skirts which I feel I've done to death, and all my jeans and trousers are skinny when they really should be flared or bootcut. (I normally don't take notice of trends but this one is really sticking right now).
Alas, I don't know what to buy instead: I'm so particular about what what doesn't suit me. The list includes anything oversized, too long, frilly or fussy; anything low cut or so fitted it shows back fat or midriff bulge. Large scale patterns are also a no no.
At the top of the post is my little mood board of what I'd like to wear in terms of styles. I regularly scour vintage/charity shops, and stores like Mod Cloth, but rarely have any success in finding the right style in the right colour. Maybe I will need to compromise on colour?
It's a pity I can't sew as making my own clothes could have been the answer.
Here are the small number of outfits I've had, or have, that reflect the style I'd like to adopt.
So that's my style issue, and why I'm currently not in harmony with my personal style. Any suggestions?
Let's see how my style friends interpreted this prompt
🇦🇺 Sue from Women Living Well After 50, whose challenge this is, looks at the evolution of personal style, reflecting on changes over time. Can we change our style or is it inherent? Read her thoughts
🇦🇺 Debbie from Deb's World feels that she doesn't have a style as such and isn't much of a fashion plate, but she does like wearing certain colours - usually the brighter the better. Debbie's not usually one to talk about fashion so this is a fun post. Read more about Debbie's personal style
🇦🇺 Jill from Grownup Glamour looked at her personal style and its interpretation over time.
🇺🇸 Mary Katherine reflects on her personal style evolution and the influence of age and confidence, time available, and disposable income.
🇺🇸 Marsha, who professes to be a fashion blogger, struggled with pinning down her own personal style. She may or may not have been successful. Read her post.
🇵🇹 Yorkshire lass Suzy, who lives in Portugal, shares her journey in defining personal style, from admiring fashion icons like Stevie Nicks and Diane Keaton to embracing monthly challenges, while cherishing her love for Victorian Goth and celebrating the freedom of self-expression in fashion. Find her post
🇬🇧 Penny from Frugal Fashion Shopper says she struggles with the concept of a personal style. There's one style she would love to own, but in reality she wears altogether a different set of clothing. But just maybe you could have several personal styles? Find out more
Interesting to read about your new season challenges Gail. I know you are set on your colours and I remember from working in retail how this can complicate your choices. Some years there are lots of our colours and preferred styles some not so much . Hope you find your choices . I have scheduled my post as I am travelling but fear I have made a date error !
ReplyDeleteYou have a great sense of style! It's hard to find cute clothing as trends are constantly evolving. Second hand stores sometimes have unique clothing you might like.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can use loose collars in Peter Pan style tot style up sweaters and
ReplyDeletet- shirts?
I have had the existential crisis too. I chose to go the other way: arty, edgy and modern. But as I committed myself to the challenge not to buy more than 10 clothes this year, I have to achieve that with the stuff alreayd in my wardrobe 😱.
ReplyDeleteSuccess with your challenge.
Greetje