personal style
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Yikes! I’m sorry I haven’t posted much this week. It’s been quite crazy around here, and now my comptuer is acting up. Hopefully next week will be a little more post-productive! lol.
I have so enjoyed reading about your favorite and least favorite fashion decades on Monday’s post. I am especially amused that so many seem to dislike the 90s too (probably my least favorite decade)! hehe! I think a large part of my feelings about the 90s is that so much of it is coming back, and I think it would be a bit weird to wear trends again that I wore the first time around! (Plaid shirts, anyone?) Sailor Husband and I were at the mall doing some shopping this past weekend, and we both kept remarking “I remember those when we were kids!” or “I wore something just like that!”. I feel old already! haha!
All the comments got me thinking about personal style, and what inspires you. Are you eclectic? Up-to-the-minute? Modern or classic? Artsy? Period correct? I definitely fall into the eclectic category. Even though my current preoccupation with the 40s seems to be taking over a lot of my closet, I still enjoy donning vintage pieces from other eras, mixing new with old, and trying out different things. I find that if I pigeonhole myself too narrowly into one look, I get bored far too easily! Personal style, for me, is about exploring different looks and silhouettes. I pulled out a couple of my favorite looks for the collage above, just to give a smattering of my flights of fashion fancy. I’ve explored looks from flapper inspired to hippie girl! A few things stay constant though: vintage pieces, red lipstick, lady-like looks, and wearing my hair long. I think having that common “thread” through the years has helped keep things interchangeable.
How do you define your personal style? (I hope you aren’t all bored with all these thoughtful/question posts this lately!)
Posted on August 20th, 2009 to fashion.
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inspiration week #92 »32 lovely thoughts to “personal style”
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Becky says:
I definitely fall into the eclectic category, but even tend to style trends in a more classic way (if that makes sense). I’m ALWAYS changing my hair, though. Right now I’m in the middle of growing it out long again, but I keep changing my bang length. High-heels are a constant “constant”!
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Rodellee says:
I am in the same boat style wise, I tend to flit between different eras, mixing old and new, and just wear whatever strikes my fancy that month. And the same staples remain throughtout, long hair and feminine with just a bit of a bohemian touch.
Lovely looks by the way, the yellow dress with blue bow is gorgeous!
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Karen says:
I’ve been reading your great blog for awhile now, but this is my first comment.
I’m with you, I consider my personal style “eclectic.” I wear as much vintage as possible, and though my favorite styles come from the 1940s, 1950s, and early 1960s, I don’t usually dress head-to-toe in one period. I would love to be able to pull off elegant and put together, but that just ain’t me. My constant–aside from red lipstick, which I am *totally* with you on!–is quirkiness, whether it’s a print, color combination, or piece of jewelry.
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Sophie says:
Where did you get that gorgeous yellow and blue dress? I love the 50s and early 60s, it influences most of what I wear but I also like modern pieces mainly by Gap – the classic styles such as white shirt and chinos.
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Sarah says:
Oh my, I probably fall into what one would define as artsy eclectic. I have to constantly keep changing things up and trying new influences, usually historically inspired in some way. But like you, it always revolves around vintage pieces in some way, and no matter what, there are always ladylike influences and very long hair. I feel like my personal style is very seasonally reflective…in the winter, I usually tend towards Victorian/Edwardian influences and darker, earthier tones, whereas in the summer I like bright, happy 1940s inspired looks, and in the fall I always find myself drawing upon nostalgic Scottish influences like mixing and layering tartans. Typical flighty artist behaviour!
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Rosie says:
I definitely fall in the same category as you, but in a different way. I wear what I like, no matter what the current trends are.
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alicepleasance says:
Same for me, except my fave decade is obviously the 50s. I also have the same feelings for the 90s and I can’t say if this happens because I dislike the trends of the period (90s=black hole of style) or because those remind me about what I was wearing during some weird moments of my childhood/adolescence…!!
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Sal says:
How funny, I just cited you today as a great source for vintage-exclusive dressing!
http://www.alreadypretty.com/2009/08/reader-request-modern-vintage.html
But I totally see it now – you’ve got many different eras and style working throughout your wardrobe.
I think of my style as arty-eclectic with a broad streak of retro influence.
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catherine_sr says:
I was actually just thinking about that same thing
. I seem to be on two style wavelengths … a prim and proper vintage one that likes shirt dresses, white collars, ladylike pumps and little bags, and an upscale boho one that likes peasant blouses with cut outs, dangling strings of wooden beads and chunky, strappy platforms. I’ve noticed this since I started my blog and taking photos of what I wear — I think maybe they express two different sides of my personality, too! -
Corinna says:
it’s funny that my personal style is quite unique where i love, but every commenter before has said almost the same as i wanted to say
i like vintage(inspired) things mixed with “trendy” items and selfmade clothes and i like my outfits to look classy 
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Franca says:
I’ve actually written a couple of posts on my blog about this. The first one is about defining the cornerstones of my style:
http://orangesapples.blogspot.com/2009/06/defining-my-style-part-1-cornerstones.htmland the second, more ambitious one ,is about why I dress like I do:
http://orangesapples.blogspot.com/2009/06/definining-my-style-part-2-why-do-i.htmlSorry I didn’t manage to work out how to embed links!
Franca
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Hannah says:
Part of my constant personal style is “always wear a skirt/dress”; I like high-waist trousers on other ladies, but I cannot pull them off at 5’0″, and therefore haven’t put my legs into pants in 3 years! As I said in my comment on fashion eras, I wear anachronistic amalgams, and am guilty of altering vintage (usually raising hemlines, since I am so short!)
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jasmine says:
i could never ever do “hippie” which is weird because so many of my friends in high school were hippies.
my current personal style is all over the place. i like taking elements from the victorian era (i costumed a victorian play in high school), the roaring 20s, through the 30s and 40s. i’m about to make a deep purple, velvet mod dress that i’m super excited about.
i don’t often do authentic looks, but instead i like to make modern versions of old styles and mix them with some store bought or thrifted pieces.
my trademarks would have to be my long wavy hair and my thick (prescription) glasses in burgundy. -
eyeliah says:
Mine is definitely going through a girly feminine phase with lots of skirts and mixing patterns and florals.
I love the hippie boho looks though, the one you linked is a great way to still be girly while reflecting that style. -
Quincy says:
Oh wow, tough question!!! I would say I’m girly and funky. I always almost wear a dress. and I love so many different style decades…hummm….maybe that sums it up!? lol
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Michelle says:
I don’t know if I could define my style in a few words! It’s kitschy, whimsical, eclectic, bold and has a lot of vintage influences. I think that about covers it! I wear a lot of skirts, although I’m experimenting with finding more pants/shorts that match my style. And I love bright colors! My trademark would definitely be my funky hair (it’s purple and red right now).
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Mary says:
I tend to have the mindset of “period correct” but am finding myself more and more lately missing some modern trendy clothes and hairstyles. I’ve also loved every era 1960-back since I was a little girl. I almost can’t pick a favorite! But recently I’ve stuck with 50′s. I just love the full skirts (which are friendly to us fuller figured women) and feminine details!
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Paige says:
Oooh, this one’s hard! I guess I’d classify myself as “classic with a twist.” For clothes I tend to lean toward the late 50s/early 60s: skinny pants, lots of black, pencil skirts, Jackie O. dresses, etc. My jewelry skews earlier in the century, Edwardian and Art Deco styles, mainly. A few trends are tossed in (scarves, for instance), but not too many.
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jolene says:
LOL On my myspace I describe myself as a FOOFOO REDNECK HIPPI (with another colorful word in there as well.)I love simple looks. And usually do very pale make up unless I dawn the eye liner.
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Gina says:
I don’t own a pair of jeans, I wear skirts and dresses most all year round. I like 40′s, 50′s 60′s. Although, it’s like swimming upstream in a downstream world, most people ask why I am sooo dressed up. I love being a lady and dressing like one. I figure, I have about 80 years on the planet, I’ll dress to celebrate the day. Now, just need to find some comfortable shoes with all those dresses!
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Lizzy says:
Haha, I too am a little scared to see 90s styles coming back around. I embaressed myself enough the first time around
I’m not sure what I’d define my style as, though overall I’d say feminine. I love all shades of pink, eyelet details, and florals. I find that I often jump around eras as well. I love the 30s,40s,and 50s the most, but I jump around into other eras quite often and mix and match them. And my wardrobe is sadly far from being all vintage. Of course, I am always drawn to modern pieces with a vintage feel though -
Danielle says:
I like your question posts, and I really like your flapper outfit! My style would be mainly vintage things, and sometimes mixing them with modern things, but I like things that have history it’s fun to wonder who had it before you. :] I watch old movies a lot and I get a ton of inspiration from those!
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Alyssa says:
I don’t know what I’d be. My problem is I like almost every era, including the late ’90s…I was only like 11, so my mom was still mostly dressing me in awful stuff from the late 80s. I’ve been told I dress “artsy” by others. Common threads for me: dark brown hair (sadly not naturally), black converse all-stars, good eyeliner and the colors blue and brown. I always try to have one surprising thing in my outfit, like a really weird necklace.
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Layla says:
My style is probably best described; Random.
Not sure to be honest…I wear what I want to and am inspired by so many different styles & things when choosing an outfit lol -
ambika says:
As I’ve gotten older and moved into a slightly more professional sphere, I’d say my style has gotten a lot more classic with a dash of prep. However, I still adore vintage clothes and am always on the hunt for things that reflect that sensibility.
Love your collage!
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Catherine says:
I have no idea how to describe my personal style. I think probably eclectic, with an emphasis on layer (especially in the cooler months) and vintage pieces. But I guess that is part of the fun of personal style… it evolves and changes with you.
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Gordita says:
I’m not sure I can fall into any one sort of category. I love classic lines, sleek clothing, bright colors, neutrals, chunky jewelry, pearls, vintage-inspired clothing, feminine shapes, high heels… As the next hot thing is introduced, I will usually pick something I love about it and go with it. With the 80′s and 90′s in right now (which I don’t think I can bear to relive fully) I’ve enjoyed the basic tees, ruffles, and poofy sleeves. I love mixing unexpected things, like a sweet eyelet dress with sexy heels.
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Esz says:
I so agree on your thoughts about the 90s. Its quite annoying to see that most trendy or chain stores are all stocking things I find quite heinous. Plaid jackets, patterned leggings and clompy boots are not *quite* my style hehee.
As for what IS my style…hmm…I love the 50s silhouette the most. Anything with a flared skirt. Though I do like A-line cuts too because they are flattering also. The last year I’ve changed what I wear quite a bit. You wont find me in jeans or trousers unless absolutely necessary for practical reasons.
I like structure and simple fabrics like cotton. So I’m more about the cut than I am about the era. And I like ladylike but not too cutesy. Hmm. Thats pretty vague. Ha. -
Andi B. Goode says:
I aim to look as though I have stepped out of the past – sometimes I get lazy and mix eras but I would say only those with knowledge of vintage fashion would notice (hope that doesn’t sound conceited or something!). But throughout the eras I try to channel, I almost exclusively wear red lipstick and red nail polish – that doesn’t change. =]
-Andi x -
Peldyn says:
I love modern fashion as well as vintage so I am a mix of both. I guess that makes me eclectic
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Sara says:
I don’t think that I have much of a style these days. It’s pretty much basics, but I try to mix them up a little….
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eyeliah says:
Hey I did an outfit inspired by you! I hope you don’t mind. Here: http://stylesymmetry.com/2009/08/28/outfit-echoes-caseys-musings/
Thank you ever so much for taking time to share your comment! Although I try to answer questions, I am not always able to respond to each comment individually. But please know that I appreciate from the bottom of my heart every comment I receive!