Your Personal Style: What Just Isn’t “You”?
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Your personal style is made up of many preferences and habits — your work style vs. your off-the-clock style, how conservative or edgy your wardrobe is, the accessories you choose to complement your look, your opinions on what's office-friendly and what isn't, and the styles/colors/trends that you've decided you just don't wear, ever.
Many moons ago, I had a purple t-shirt with a teensy flower stuck on it, right at the base of the jewel neck. I was in college — and wearing primarily black — and one of my new best friends (ah, freshman year) took one look at me in the shirt and said, “WHAT ARE YOU WEARING? YOU DON'T WEAR FLOWERS!” At the time, the comment really irked me — I hated that it was such a blanket statement, and I hated feeling pigeon-holed. Like I was giving up my right to wear flowers simply because I primarily wore something else all the time.
It's been a looong time since then, but I found myself thinking back on that conversation recently when my mother was in town visiting and helping me sort my closet into things to give away and things to wear. Because you know what? My friend was right. I don't wear flowers. I sometimes really like floral patterns, but I just never wear them. I don't wear flowers.
Since then I've started thinking about how funny this is. With certain styles and cuts of clothes — and even with certain colors — the main reason I've avoided them has been because they weren't flattering on me, either because of some aspect of my figure, or my skin tone, or whatever. But with many prints, it just comes down to a personality thing — my personal style. Granted, some prints I won't wear because of color or scale (too big, too small), or because I don't like the way the pattern is laid out or stitched together or whatnot. But a blanket statement that I really just don't wear anything floral? No matter what color or size? That was a new one to me. I can't quite put my finger on why — it isn't that it's too girly, or because it's too patterny (of the patterns above, I would wear all but the stripes — apparently I also don't wear stripes). I just… don't wear flowers.
For our morning TPS reports, I've noticed similar things — I'll suggest a piece (such as, ahem, a leopard print), and there will be massive pushback from some commenters because they just don't wear that pattern. So I thought we'd discuss — which styles do you never wear? Which pieces stay in your closet, unworn, or always end up in your giveaway pile? What sorts of things do you find yourself buying over and over? (And how do you know when you're stuck in a fashion rut?) What do you WISH you could wear but feel like you just can't?
Pictured above, clockwise from the big image:
- Tory Burch ‘Lidia' Polo, $125 at Nordstrom
- Leaf-Print Blazer, $39.99 at Zara
- A.L.C. Leopard Print Genuine Calf Hair & Merino Wool Sweater, now $329, will be $495 after 8/4 (part of the Nordstom Anniversary Sale)
- Make + Model ‘Vintage Sleepy Time' Lounge Pants, now $20, will be $32 after 8/4 (part of the NAS) (regular and plus sizes)
- Selected Lilly Printed Jacket, was $238, now $142 (part of ASOS's big sales)
- Four-Button Collarless Jacket, now $129 at AnneKlein.com (preorder; ships 8/25)
I hate orange. It’s a horrible color on me. I look like a giant traffic cone. Therefore, I eliminated all orange from my wardrobe (I also don’t really own any yellow or brown either–except for brown leather shoes and bags). Warm colors just don’t look good on me, I don’t feel confident in them, so I just don’t wear them. I also won’t buy anything that had a shoulder embellishment (poofy or ruffles or anything that makes the shoulders look more pronounced). Makes me look like a linebacker.
I always feel weird in any type of pants that aren’t jeans. I’m just a skirt/dress girl.
Wish I could wear: menswear styles, including button down shirts and pants. I love Katharine Hepburn but those types of styles never flatter my figure.
I also hate any neckline that fits close and any long sleeves I own will invariably be pushed up to around 3/4 length.
Here are my no-ways
Big prints, especially if they are geometric or abstract
Animal prints
Bright reds, oranges or yellows
Skinny pants
White pants
“Statement” jewelry – like large stones or rocks, or heavy looking metal pieces
My go-tos
Plain black slacks
Solid or small print blouses
Muted florals
Simple A-line dresses
Basic jewelry – diamond studs, silver or gold hoops, pendant on a chain
I would like to be a little more adventurous, but I find myself drawn to things that feel too “girly” for office wear (lace, florals, fuller skirts), so I stick with the basics. Pretty boring, actually.
Never Wear –
sheaths… I’m an extreme hourglass
button front shirts/blouses — the gaping and tailoring to reduce the shirt volume for my waist
ankle strap shoes
flat dress shoes (yes to sneakers and flip flops at home) – I have virtually no arches and an injury caused bunion
plaid — too many many years in parochial schools
jumpsuits – see hourglass commentary
capri pants — cuts off my leg length
maxi skirts — DH would like to see my legs; from the knees down, one of my best assets
kitten heel shoes
tunics
skinny pants, jeans, shorts, anything skinny there
nude nail polish
platform shoes with >1/2 platform — too “clompy” when I walk
sling back shoes … they just flap flap flap when I walk
peep toes at work … I wear hosiery and the readers here frown heartily on that combination
wristlets, clutch purses … I run my own biz; need “stuff” in my purse, even just the office keys are like those for the Tower of London!
yellows, greens, oranges … clash with my skin
pastels — wash me out
Always –
silver
polka dots
red red red
primary and saturated/jewel tone colors
florals, medium scale
cardis/blazers in the office
skirts
belts
skirt suits
hoop/lever back earrings
frameless prescription glasses
red/pink nail polish
high heels (3-4 inches)
hosiery
full makeup
a smile …
no:
anything pink
anything with buttons (which basically means no cardigans, button down tops, decorative buttons on anything, etc.)
ruffles
hearts
anything especially girlie/super feminine
non-clean lines at neck or hem (no scalloped edges)
sheath dresses
white dresses/skirts
fitted skirts
heels over 2 inches
drop waist
yes:
jewel tones
classic small jewelry
comfortable pieces
classic/solid color tops/pants
This is fun!
Never wear:
Prints that are only one one side of the fabric
Florals, paisley, “abstract” prints (to steal from another poster), twee prints (like little watering cans or something silly)
Scoop necks, necklines with gathers (also stolen from Cat above), peter pan collars
Capri pants. Any length, any style, no no no no no no.
Bracelets (at least not to work)
Maxi dresses
Khakis
Polo shirts
Brown
Couldn’t dress myself without:
Ballet, v, and crew neck t-shirts
Pencil skirts
Blazers
Belts
Pins
Jeans
Stripes
Ponte dresses
Navy/black
Thinks I don’t wear but would like to
Animal prints
Polka dots
Tie front shirts
I have a short torso (and a high hip…so my waist is really high), so I never wear:
– Things that cinch at the waist (dresses are sometimes ok, but I never belt a cardigan or wear a shirt/dress that gathers at the waist)
– Blues (except for denim and navy)
– Dangly or hoop earrings (studs only!)
– Maxi dresses (I think they look sloppy and don’t like the feeling; evening dresses are ok)
– Bodycon anything/tight pencil skirts (my high hip makes them look really weird)
– Skirts w/elastic instead of a zipper/button (again, they just ride up my hip and look weird)
– Bootcut jeans
– Peter pan collars, babydoll dresses, anything that makes me look younger than I am
– Pleather
– Rompers (peeing is an issue)
– Sandals with just the one band going across the toes (my feet are too wide in the toebox for that)
– Silver
– Wrap dresses
I could go on and on.
I really love:
– Sheath dresses
– Tailored, yet blousy shirts (does that make sense?)
– Architectural detailing
– Drapey t-shirts, sweaters, etc.
– Flat ankle boots
– Corals, reds, fuschia…bright warm tones work best with my complexion
– Skinny or legging jeans
– Ankle pants (but finding ones that are long enough are sometimes a challenge)
– Loafers. Love me some loafers.
– Ballet flats
My college had a dress code: skirts/dresses for women, coat and tie for men. It was very helpful in a way, because you got used to “dressing for class” and learning the nuances: church, football games, formals, kegs and receptions all had their own unwritten dress code. When I started working in offices, I already had the background for dressing for work, and so there was very little difference in my shopping.
I’m preppy/conservative, with sweaters in fine wool or cashmere, plain blouses, wool or linen bottoms. I have a bit of an hourglass figure, so pencil skirts and sheaths don’t work at all. Shoes usually didn’t go over 3″, with 2″ being more normal (I’m 5’9″). Nowadays, with my foot problems, I wear flats or 1.5″. Also, if you start with needing to wear nylons, it all kind of falls in to place from there.
I will not wear:
Yellow or orange clothing (including orangey reds, coral, yellowy greens, and yellowy browns)
Shift dresses
V-necks
Crew necks
Polos
Ankle boots
Sandals
Non-jean pants
Denim or leather jackets
Belts
Red nail polish
Strapless dresses
Chunky jewelry
I really love wearing stripes, polka dots, lace, ballet flats, knee-length gathered skirts, blue and green (especially together), black and white (especially together), blazers, off-the-shoulder tops (never at work), and headbands (never at work).