How to style outfits true to you
Happy Tuesday, ladies! Today, I am discussing how to style outfits true to you, after a couple of requests on clarification of style messages.
I discovered years ago that it is really easy to style outfits true to you, but does require consistency and commitment to what you want to tell the world about you with your clothing.
Many of you know that I decided to select five adjectives that I want my clothing to tell others about me.
If I were not to speak a word when seeing other people, what would they surmise about me from looking at what I wear.
Over the years I have tweaked the five slightly, and did tweak them once again when I left the professional business world during the pandemic.
Since that time, I style outfits true to me by making sure my outfits say that I am polished, current, creative, approachable, and joyful.
I have learned that if I ask myself every day before leaving the house if my outfit speaks these five adjectives and if I stay true to that, then I style outfits true to me.
I waste fewer dollars when I style outfits this way and when I shop this way…if a garment does not fit with these messages…then it does not go home with me.
Also, by remaining consistent with my adjectives there are no clothes in my closet that do not get worn…there are none that are regrets.
Of course, wearing my best colors are also a big part of how I style outfits unique to me. I am not going to discuss color today.
I have something special coming up for you on this topic.
For today, allow me to show you how I style outfits with my five adjectives…I love them, because I can interpret them several ways.
HOW TO STYLE OUTFITS TRUE TO YOU: STYLE ADJECTIVE SELECTION
It was important for me to understand what I like and don’t like.
So many style sites try to label us with one word…classic, bohemian, preppy, gamine, etc.
However most of us are multi-dimensional people and cannot be described in just one word.
I love classic style, but just being classic is a little boring for me (just talking me here).
What I love most about classic style is looking sharp, put together…and that is how I came up with the word polished.
I want others to get the message that I am polished and take time with how I style outfits.
Many classic ladies would not care for the jacket I am wearing here because of the funky pockets, and boxy design.
I love it though…found it at one of my favorite Abilene boutiques (Addie’s Boutique)…because it is current and creative.
It is important to me to communicate that I am approachable...come up and say Hi…kind of person. So, I always want to make certain my outfits say that.
And the overall look makes me smile and says I am joyful.
Again, once I dress, I look in the mirror and ask if the outfit says all five of these adjectives…if it does…I am good to go…if it doesn’t then I tweak until it does.
Note: This entire outfit includes the cashmere sleeveless turtleneck top from Talbots I bought before moving here, and my brown Chico’s Travelers pants.
I wore this to church.
HOW TO STYLE OUTFITS TRUE TO YOU: POLISHED & CREATIVE LIVE TOGETHER
I love color…and accessories…that is where I could easily live all of the time.
I decided though how I want to style outfits for my confidence to be high is with my “creativity under control.”
In San Antonio and on my recent trip to Mexico, it is easy for me to wear outfits that are bold and in your face creative.
However, when I style outfits true to me, the word polished keeps my creative a bit quieter and that feels more like me.
In fact, as I have been marching through my 60s into my 70s, I have been a softer creative person.
The words creative, dramatic, bold can often stray into bohemian or into outfits that scream, Look at Me, I am Here!
Asking if the way I style outfits includes polished, along with creative, works for me.
The above outfit is another one with Talbots pants and cardigan, an Eileen Fisher sweater, and for the creative joy a fun GARLAND NECKLACE from World Finds.
My creative touch in this outfit came with the scarf that is the creative touch to my jeans, coat, and the LIGHTWEIGHT COTTON CASHMERE V-NECK SWEATER by Quince underneath.
This is a simple, casual go out and run errands outfit.
Yesterday’s post featured this outfit which works for all five adjectives for me.
The dickey gives the outfit the creative, current messaging….to balance the polished, approachable, joyful messaging.
I was so excited when I received this blazer because it is ME.
I tend to communicate that I am creative more in warmer weather…maybe because of the colors and fun with accessories.
But, I must say winter has been fun and I have remained true to me with how I style outfits.
My best advice is to always ask when looking in the mirror, “What does this outfit say about me? What does it tell someone without me speaking a word.”
If you come up with a plan, and stay true to those messages…you will develop a unique to you alone personal style.
Thank you for joining me for How to Style Outfits true to You.
If any of you would like to share your adjectives, we would love to hear. I always learn so much about you when you share your style adjectives.
Now, go out and…………………..
BE THANKFUL & KEEP SMILING!!
By Pamela Lutrell
Whether shopping new arrivals or clearance sales, please shop with the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way.
I love autumn/winter clothes because layering is a key part of my style. I really struggle during the summer, because of so many lighter colors (most of which wash me out). I agree with you that you have dialed down creative by using polished as your adjective. I also agree that this phase of life just seems a little more casual, and to look right as casual, garments need to be a bit more fitted (just my opinion). I personally use interesting vs creative as an adjective, because I want my outfits to signal that I am interesting to talk to, but not really flamboyant or bohemian. It was very interesting on my long cruise because I got plenty of time to observe fashion. It was quite evident that many people chose clothes that mirrored their personalities. There were always a few in bold patterns, flowing clothing, piled with accessories, making a show on the dance floor. They were a lot of fun and livened things up. Then there were ladies in tailored satin blazers and crystal necklaces, and those ladies you would see coming out of the classical music venues. Then there were those, like me, trying to make more casual knits elevated by statement jewelry and evening bags. I’m not sure, before your adjectives, I would have really noticed these connections.
Thanks for sharing, Linda. “Interesting” is a wonderful adjective that you can do so much with much like my “creative”. The issue of more “fitted” is again a personal preference…and I do wear more fitted in warmer weather. Loved hearing your observations from the cruise.
Pam, my adjectives are: Classic, tailored, fun, feminine, joyful. You helped me with this project, and it has been a game-changer. It has all the advantages you describe above. Helps me stay on track in shopping and getting dressed.
I love your adjective, Marcia! These work together beautifully…and I am so glad it has helped!
I like that you go through this exercise now and again. I’ve probably mentioned, my adjectives are: Youthful, edgy and a little Boho. This a.m. I did a quick coffee run wearing ripped jeans-edgy (yeah, I know they are on their way out, but mine fit so well!), short cowboy boots-Boho, an oversized hoodie-youthful and silk scarf-Boho. Check, check, check on all the adjectives and you are so right–if you consistently shop that way, there aren’t any clothing orphans. (Unless, you buy too much–oops!). (Oh, yeah, I stick with my colors, too.)
Love your outfit description! I can almost see you in my head running out for coffee. Wear what is you…I still wore skinny jeans when they were supposedly out!
I like Linda’s observations about the cruise ladies. Though I would likely be dressed for the classical venue, I would also head next to the jazz lounge, and finish up dancing to some Latin rhythms. ☺️ People would just think, ‘oh, look at that nice lady groove!’
I would do the same! I loved a little Zumba on my recent trip!
When we first started discussing adjectives on the blog, you and I echatted and you suggested strong, intelligent, dramatic, adventurous, and approachable. I have a little card with those tucked into my color palette. I have tweeked them a bit and made a list on the other side of my card, but I think that all of those adjectives still live in my newer list. Like Linda LM, whom I think is an autumn like me, I love layers and do much better as a bold autumn in cooler/cold weather. In the summer, I struggle because I do want to lighten up, I still want a layered look, and I try to keep a deep color present, even if it is only my dark hair, sandals, sneakers, a bangle. Lately I am drawn to changing things up a bit. I am wanting to look elegant and timeless if I am dressed up, but I want to look more interesting than where my natural classic typing has led me. I am thinking burnished, a bit subversive and undone, unexpected with color combinations, maybe a bit literary. I am much more androgynous than feminine. I really miss working in regards to playing more with variety of it all. Really what I know for sure is what I am not: romantic, ingenue, ethereal, wearer of cools or brights. Now I seem to live in solid colored jeans (off white in the warm weather), and I am always seeking variety with tops, third pieces, and jewelry. I think in my heart I am urban chic, but that doesn’t work for a coastal town, only for travel now. Style is a fascinating, ever evolving favorite subject of mine. People absorb it in so many different ways. I have friends that ignore it, friends that, like me, who stick to a palette and love it, friends that would be insultated if anyone approached them and suggested something new to try, friends who would eat that up. I am always curious about how others see me and love to contemplate suggestions.
My adjectives shift over the years and with demographic change. But Comfortable, Classic, Stylish,Current and Practical seem to fit. My friends seem to think I’m more stylish than I am. I love the wider leg jeans and have gotten several pairs for comfort, current practical with my casual retired lifestyle and warm enough with my silky base layer. My heavier light blue plaid shirt over my Quince cotton and cashmere sweater are perfect for today at 19 degree high. Yes, that polar vortex is back visiting us again! I hate to be cold so layering is a must on days like today and tomorrow. When we take our cat Molly and our dog Trixy to the vet today, I will be wearing my knee length down coat, gloves and wool and cashmere coat. All in shades of nave blue or pale grey. Even Trixys puffer coat is pale grey and black trim! Molly will be cozy in her carrier on her fluffy fleece blanket and it will be covered with a fluffy towel except the front so she can see her domain. Molly is our 18 1/2 year old Himalayan blue point cat that rules over all of us. We adore our fur babies!
Thank you for this very timely post, as I’ve been thinking an overhaul of my style words was needed. I love how often I look at one of your posts and just from the photo at the top say “That looks so PAM!” You have done a great job of demonstrating how we can incorporate our personal messages into the clothing we wear. It was easy when I was working in a business formal environment; I went with “classic, tailored, professional, polished and timeless.” Can you tell I was checking all the boxes on the official “what to wear” checklists? Yet I really did love the look of clothes like blazers, turtlenecks, and sheath dresses, and I still do, but there are so few opportunities to wear them in retirement. I want to keep “polished,” as I will probably always be “Team Overdressed,” but I’m going to be reading your readers’ comments to see if I can find inspiration for some new adjectives better suited to life in my 60’s that don’t read frumpy. I have a great book on choosing style words (of course, it’s packed so I can’t look up the exact title and author, but it’s something about making a “Style Statement” and the authors’ first names are Carrie and Danielle, if that helps anyone. This book has pages of adjectives to pore over, as well as some chapters on figuring out what you want all your style choices to say, whether that’s your clothing, the art on your walls and the furniture in your home. It is a great read and I look forward to revisiting it once I get unpacked. If anyone has any other suggestions for places we might find style word inspiration I hope you will share them.
Thanks for sharing, Deborah. I connected with what you said in that I am evolving into a new chapter and believe my adjectives still work; yet I am very aware I no longer live in a big city. It is fun to look for a new way to interpret my adjectives in a smaller place. I also loved my own urban chic days!
Stay warm, Sydney. It is bitter cold where I am!
Just think about meeting your new neighbors. What do you want them to know about you before you even say a word? That may not be in a style book, but I think those messages are most important.
My style adjectives are classy, casual, comfortable, confident, and authentic. When an outfit ticks all these boxes, I know it works for me.
Thanks for sharing your adjectives, Elaine!
My adjectives are classic, polished, and creative. Today I am sitting by the fire in the coastal PNW and wearing my go to outfit: black denim slim ankle pants with cutouts on the hem, a cashmere pullover in a purple and black paisley, ballerina flats, and large Southwest earrings in an oval design with purple, aqua and orange stones.
Your look speaks your adjectives perfectly!
Great post Pam! I needed a refresher post so I can finally come up with my style adjectives. Love the jacket you’re wearing.
I’ve been looking online tonight for ideas on updated style words, and here is what I’ve come up with so far: I want my clothing to be classic, coordinated and comfortable. I want it to send the message that I am confident yet approachable, and the overall “vibe” I’m going for is what a friend of mine dubbed “everyday elevated” in a private closet-focused group I’m in online. As I work toward purging my clothing down to an amount that my new home’s closets can actually hold, these ideas are going to be posted where I can see them and weigh each piece against this standard. I love the word “curated” for my wardrobe, but I think coordinated also encompasses that while also acknowledging that I hate wearing random things that don’t match. I can’t wait to see what you’ll be posting regarding color, because finally understanding my complimentary colors and contrast has been instrumental in my decade of style evolution. I will never get tired of reading about how others work with both color and style words, and hope you’ll feature these topics more frequently in the coming year.
Thanks Sonja…so glad you enjoyed it.
What I like about approachable is that no matter our style words, if we are wearing what gives us confidence then we go out with a smile and head held high…it is that countenance that makes us approachable. Sounds like you are on a good path here.
Sadly, the frigid weather has set back the color post because I am doing an interview with an expert face to face. It has been rescheduled to the end of the next week…but it will happen.
In order to share her best examples, she needs great light which comes from sunlight in a certain room in her house. We may not see sun until early next week…it is just dreary and cold right now.