STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

bloomie · Marc Jacobs

your style

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

I'm willing to try different styles as long as they aren't too off-base. I have many moods, so that helps, but I don't swing from one style to another. If I know a trend will work with my style, I'll try it. I won't do a trend just because it is a trend. If asked to describe my style, I guess I would say quite basic (little adornment and few prints), muted colors, modern (like Calvin Klein sleekness), and will sacrifice a little style for comfort.

Kelly · Hermes

I've been better about stepping out of my comfort zone lately, but even if I look good, I'll pass on an outfit if I know I'll feel out of place an uncomfortable all night. I try to warm up to new looks with cheapo accessories or by using one piece at a time until I feel confident enough to wear them as a "not-really-my-style" outfit.

atlgirl · Gucci

I don't think there's anything wrong with staying true to your own style, as long as you don't fall into a rut about it. Buying what I know looks good on me makes me happier with my closet when I'm picking out things to wear. Staying within certain color palettes means I know I feel great in the colors I choose, and that my wardrobe items really mix together easily.

I don't really worry about what's "in" at any given time because many, many things that are "in" don't flatter / suit me. For example, I am (im)patiently waiting for the return of a-line skirts, rather than the bigger skirts that have been around lately. I don't work in an office, so don't really have a need for the pencil skirts are trending right now. I'm busty so the whole "volume on top" trend (all those babydoll tops and the newer, voluminous jackets) doesn't work for me, either.

Classics work for me, too, Bloomie, so I know what you're saying. If you're a little bored with them, look for classic pieces with a details that give them some visual interest. I love tank tops but don't really own the basic "beater" style - instead I have a lot of tanks that have details, like ruching, pintucking, draping, etc. Plus, one of the best ways to spice up classics is with accessories. I love to play with jewelry, and add fun shoes or a great bag to my classic pieces. Or keep trying new colors. This summer I recently added yellow - a top and a skirt - into my closet. I'm thrilled at how well this particular shade works with my teals, browns, and reds, so I'll be looking for more of it. Emerald green seems to be more available lately than it has been in years, so I'm scarfing up green tops - it's a super-flattering color on me. There are always ways to have fun within your chosen "look" without having to worry about all the trends. :)

jj · Kate Spade

I stick to one style, which sounds just like yours - I love cardis and camis, pencil skirts and heels. This summer, I have been wearing lots of dresses and patterned blouses to mix things up a little.

Lately, I "force" myself to try a new style or cut of something when I'm out shopping. A perfect example is skinny jeans - I thought I would HATE them but found a pair that I adore. They are remarkably flattering and go with almost all the tops in my closet.

Drew · Gucci

I have never been trendy. I am also a classic dresser, but I like lots of interest in my clothes. Plus, I really like to wear clothes that are cut close to my body to show of my curvy figure. I seem to have always had a thing for wide leg pants since they balance out my thicker thighs, and for some reason I love a-line tops, always have. I don't know why I love a-line tops so much since I have a great stomach (ok, I don't really have a stomach anymore at 5.5+ months preggo), but they sure come in handy now!

I don't do accessories so much, jewelry or purses, but I have fallen in love with shoe shopping. Pretty much I invest most of my style-money on clothes, then the rest on shoes, leaving almost nothing for jewelry or purses.

I do know my style and stick to it. I love to dress for the occasion; like, if I'm going to the beach I wear a particular looking outfit, a particular type of outfit for flying, for a picnic, etc. I am all set to change outfits and do so sometimes several times a day, depending on what I am doing since I feel most comfortable in certain types of clothes for certain types of settings. Oh, and I have this weird thing about flip-flops or sandals that show lots of feet. I will not wear these types of shoes unless I am doing something super casual like going to the beach or walking the dog, or hanging out with friends at someones house (but not going anywhere else).

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Every Monday I force myself to wear a "new" outfit. We all have items that we know go together and wear together when we aren't in the mood to consider new uses. So, every Monday I put together a new combination. Some days I love the outcome, and other days I'm a little uncomfortable. I usually pick out the outfit Sunday night.

Otherwise, I mostly stick to my own personal style (which also it pretty classic in cut most of the time), but I do use a lot of color and patterns.

I have been having a hard time; feeling too regimented, so I've been trying to add a few funky pieces that are inexpensive so I can experiment with them.

-gd

littlebean · Kate Spade

I like to think that I have my own style and I think it's a good thing to have your own style. There are certain things I would never wear, and other things I gravitate towards. But I think it's important to stretch myself and wear things that don't seem just like "me" -- it lets me try out different styles and feel more adventurous when I wear things slightly out of my comfort zone.

erin · Chanel

i wish i could stick to a style because i think it looks very chic when women wear different things that are still distinctly their style.

kenzie · Chanel

Drew wrote:

I love to dress for the occasion; like, if I'm going to the beach I wear a particular looking outfit, a particular type of outfit for flying, for a picnic, etc. I am all set to change outfits and do so sometimes several times a day, depending on what I am doing since I feel most comfortable in certain types of clothes for certain types of settings.

I do this, too.

Lately, I've been ruthlessly editing my closet and even more ruthlessly sensoring new purchases. I'm just tired of having a closet full of clothes that I think are just 'ok' and wearing them only once or twice. I've definitely discovered that the things I'm most comfortable in are basics/classics with a kick, like JCrew with a little bit of Urban Outfitters thrown in. I'm tired of trendy things and no longer feel the need to have a closet-full of trends. I'd rather have a smaller collection of clothes that I love and wear than half the crap I have now.

sephorablue · Marc Jacobs

kenzie wrote:
I'd rather have a smaller collection of clothes that I love and wear than half the crap I have now.

I'm kind of in this zone, too. I've been looking at all of the "inspiration" images I have saved on my computer, and picking out my absolute favorites, and have resolved to listen to what those favorites are telling me. Which seems to be lots of skirts, lots of jackets, and lots of PERFECTLY fitted dresses. I've really realized lately that for someone who loves clothes, I've been quite slipshod about fit. Consequently instead of a to-buy wish list, I now have a to-tailor list!

NCshopper · Hermes

I tend to be pretty classic in terms of what shapes and styles I wear, but I tend to be more risky when it comes to mixing patterns and colors (especially considering that it is the south and people tend to dress a bit more conservatively here.) But I know what shapes and styles work for me, so I stick to that.

littlebean · Kate Spade

sephorablue wrote:

I've really realized lately that for someone who loves clothes, I've been quite slipshod about fit. Consequently instead of a to-buy wish list, I now have a to-tailor list!

This is SO true for me, too. I also think that I do a really bad job of taking care of my clothes. I notice that some people are careful with their designer denim, for example, and I just have never paid attention. One of my new style resolutions is to take better care of what I've got -- which means dry cleaning, ironing, hanging up more often (my clothes are always lying around in piles) and tailoring when necessary. I'm about to take two skirts in to be shortened that I've always wanted to be shorter and if that goes well I'm going to see about getting a trench coat hemmed, too. (It's going to be expensive, though! grr)

Suasoria · Chanel

I know my style. I'm old enough now that most "trends" make me laugh, since they're all rehashed versions of things I've already seen on and off for the last 20+ years. What's introduced each season equals fads, not trends.

That said, a fad often becomes a trend and a trend has influence over the long-term - things like heel heights, pantleg widths, hemlines and even colors are all subject to change with trends, so whether I like it or not, I figure I'll be affected by them at some point. Try finding skinny-heeled pumps when everything in stores is chunky-heeled. Try finding a full skirt when everyone's selling pencils. And so on.

AllieGurl · Marc Jacobs

I find that I get inspiration for whatever is new for the season, as well as from different people in the way they influence my life. so some days I might dress more casual, and some more girly , others more bohemian, sometimes a little goth , somtimes sexy. Depends on my mood.

If left to my own devices I think I would be a totally classic's girl. However I force myself to try and venture out of that by incorporating different styles in to come up with my own mix.

One thing is usually rather consistent for me however, I am somewhat modest and I rarely like to be seen in clothing that is too short or to tight.

Favorite things for me to wear though ... Long necklaces, Dresses & boots , or trouser pants/jeans and flats. Wardrobe staples for me that I wouldnt be able to live without!

kittenheels · Coach

I have been doing a lot of evolving style wise in the last few years. I've never really followed trends unless I like the trend anyway. Like NC, I try not to buy too many pieces that I can't wear both to work and on the weekend (skirts and dresses and tops - I won't wear suits on the weekend). Bottom line, I'm sort of a girly/preppy person with an emphasis on pretty colors.

I love - and actually have always loved:

pencil skirts (actually all skirts)
wrap dresses and wrap tops
sheath dresses
Lilly Pulitzer - but not all my dresses have cute little animals all over them smile

Trouser suits
flats.

My goals this year are to really keep and work with everything in my closet that I love, and do some serious thought about things that I'm hanging onto for sentimental reasons - maybe they can find a better home?