When did you find your "style"?

So, I was a very late bloomer and have only found my style in the past year or two...I'm 37! I wish I could have figured it out sooner, would have saved me a ton of issues.

So I'm curious about when all of you found your style...or are you still looking for it? [emoji56]

I'm still the fairly traditional preppy I was in high school back in the 80s, but I also keep up with the times and try new things. I don't want to look the same at each decade of my life. Variety is still the spice of life:p

I'm 47 and didn't find my style until my late 30's when I started watching "What Not To Wear". :) That was when I started paying more attention to how things fit and had a little more money to spend for clothes.

But I think I've always known what my preferences were - feminine but not fussy clothes and "summer" colors like blues, pinks and purples. I'm not edgy at all but I like to look current.

When I was an undergrad. I know what I like and have always dressed to please me.

Back in 1960's I found my style. Right now my style would be a leftover hippy with tropical influences.

I'm 68 & have always done a personalized version of the current look.

I flounced around in petticoats in the 50's, wore tailored minis & boots in the 60's (after my Grandma told me "Shorten your skirts -- that's the way they're wearing them now!"), wore maxis & bell bottoms in the 70's, and so on.

Because I sew, I've been able to have the styles & colors that look best on me. I'm not a fashion victim, but I have no regrets about wearing contemporary styles! It's been a lot of fun! :)

I'm 68 & have always done a personalized version of the current look.

 

I flounced around in petticoats in the 50's, wore tailored minis & boots in the 60's (after my Grandma told me "Shorten your skirts -- that's the way they're wearing them now!"), wore maxis & bell bottoms in the 70's, and so on.

 

Because I sew, I've been able to have the styles & colors that look best on me. I'm not a fashion victim, but I have no regrets about wearing contemporary styles! It's been a lot of fun! :)

Please come over to the sewing thread and let us know what your have been working on.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1665834

Even as a child I liked solid colors, mostly white, blacks, greys, teals and blues. I like good quality, unconstructed clothing of natural fibers and prefer simple dresses with a few pairs of very good shoes, mostly simple pumps, which I resole, reheel, etc. when needed.

I wear a lot of Fresh Produce, Toad and Co., Prana, etc. I don't own or wear much jewelry other than my simple wedding ring and a black Movado Musuem watch. With the exception of a few architecturally-inspired scarves, I am definitely not an accessorizer - that might be just my preferance as a minimalist or because I am largely color-blind and need/want to keep things simple.

I am not a trend follower. I buy some vintage clothes here and there as the quality is almost always much better.

I work in a creative, casual environment and have the pleasure of dressing exactly as I please every day of my life.

I'm 68 & have always done a personalized version of the current look.

 

I flounced around in petticoats in the 50's, wore tailored minis & boots in the 60's (after my Grandma told me "Shorten your skirts -- that's the way they're wearing them now!"), wore maxis & bell bottoms in the 70's, and so on.

 

Because I sew, I've been able to have the styles & colors that look best on me. I'm not a fashion victim, but I have no regrets about wearing contemporary styles! It's been a lot of fun! :)

Your story is a little like mine. My Gramma is the one who bought me my first denim skirt and shortened my skirts for me. I was one of the leaders of our school rebellion against having to wear dresses/skirts a certain length and the fight to be able to wear pants to school. As an 8th grader, I had an editorial published in our local paper about dress codes. My Gramma made me some very cool clothes - the long crochet vests and skirts of the early 70s, hippie skirts, ponchos. College was, well, college wear - jeans, denim shirts, Tshirts. When I got out into the real world, I had to do the whole business attire thing of the late 70s, 80s, early 90s. But, I still had my rebellious streaks for them. I had a great selection of socks that I would wear with my business pant suits. I'd find sedate, but "interesting" earrings to wear. As I moved to a mountain resort town in the late 80s, I totally found my self. Jeans, Tshirts, long sleeved shirts that go with jeans, sweaters that go with jeans, boots in multiple styles/colors/height, and in the winter, the black down jacket. And, there I have stayed. My current job requires me to wear am ugly uniform pant suit. I have reached back into my sock collection and "smaller than a quarter"-sized earrings to keep my rebellious individuality alive ;)

I found mine before either trips I took last year; the last minute (April 2014) and the 1st originally booked cruise trip (Nov 2014) - See before then, I hadn't travel for vacation for like 4-5 years and had no really summer clothes to wear. I knew off the bat I had to be mindful of what to bring since I had technically no one helping me lift my bags nor helping me; but I also knew I had to adhere to some of the cruise ships dress codes - So decide to try dresses instead of pants / blouses to make it easy on myself.

The 1st dresses (a set of 8); I must has spent about $60-80 total from Amazon (2 dresses), walking around and getting lucky to find nice clothes in Jamaica, Queens (5 dresses), and a dress I had brought for a funeral with another one but never used (1 - long story for another time:(). The set, I discover on the last-minute cruise (the Carnival trip was a test run to see what I need to fixed, discover my likes / dislikes and to also see if I can use that line for future trips), the dresses were more for evening / formal time and/or activities that did not involve the beach / swimming. So I winded up, buying 6 more dresses from Zulily (the sundresses) for the 2nd trip just for beach/ sundeck, which help out alot because I also noticed I change clothes twice a day; literally went through all 8 dresses during the 1st trip. :eek:

I wouldn't know how to describe my style - it more like during the daytime, its bohemian and in the evening time, timeless classic wear. :p Paired with 2 heavy cardigan sweaters and a hoodie- I'm glad I found a wardrobe that mostly works for me before a Caribbean trip, so I honestly can't complain about that. Now my shoes, toiletries, embark / disembark clothes and luggage on the other hand....

While I may occasionally wear something "trendy", I basically have worn traditional PREPPY since HS/College in the 60's. :)

LuLu

My style is glam-feminine, with an A-line. I think I've been gravitating towards this style since my late teens.

I'm 43 and I "found" my style last year.

Style is something that I had struggled with continuously...through many different clothing sizes...through different working environments...through moving to drastically different climates...and managing monetary restrictions through all the changes. While I liked some things I wore more than others, for sure...I couldn't quite put my finger on WHY. Generally speaking, there wasn't a simple description that would link my work clothes to my exercise clothing to my casual clothing, etc.

And yet...it all added up to "style" or lack thereof.

Because this was a struggle for me...and I'm a researcher, avid reader...I came across a reference to the book "Style Statement."

It's a beast of a book. The exercises are thought provoking essay questions and directed analysis of your answers to look for common themes. The book doesn't limit your style to clothing but rather how your personal style translates into everything from how you dress to the way you furnish your home to the way that you interact with people...

I would work on this book and then set it aside. It took me 4 years to finally arrive at the two-word destination that sums up my style...which is the ultimate goal of the book. In discussing this book with others...I have found that some shared my struggle...others breezed through.

I have found that the exercise of the book is very helpful to me in decision making that extends far beyond fashion. I have found the common thread for WHY I am attracted to such seemingly disconnected things like a particular formal gown or style of compression sock. It gives me confidence in buying decisions for sure because I understand why something would have longevity in my wardrobe and where it is best to INVEST in my wardrobe and where it is best to SPEND for more short term fun.

Also, I can evaluate different silhouettes and designs in light of an overall style and not feel that my style has to be determined by a particular look, which is very helpful with how many times my body has taken on different shapes and sizes with flattering clothing varying as a result.

My style was more or less fully developed at age 16: classic, elegant basics. I still wear quite a few things I bought or had made almost 20 years ago including a black vintage Chanel suit I purchased at a dress agency when I was 19, and ribbed silk turtleneck jumpers that I wore as a uni student aged 20. I also still have and wear a fabulous vintage Carolina Herrera gown.

Persephone,

Can you tell me what a dress agency is?

I pretty much identified my style after I graduated college and had my first "serious" job. Until then, clothes were more something to play with and I went through a preppy phase, a punk phase, whatever....

Since then, I'd say my style hasn't changed too much. If I had to come up with three words to identify it, it might be "low-key modern classic". I buy good clothes that will last a while. I have to dress nicely but conservatively at work, where I mostly live in tailored black pants (e.g., Talbots, some Eileen Fisher) with a shell or shirt and dressy cardigan. For "off work" I tend to wear more casual versions of the same thing -- e.g., black jeans or leggings instead of tailored pants, and a casual cardigan or a nice shirt.

I follow the trends but in a conservative way -- if boot-cut styles are in, I'll get a moderate boot-cut pant. If trousers are in, I'll get slightly wider legs. I never go "crazy". Same goes with shoes, purses and jewelry. Heck, I basically have two pairs of earrings (similar in style and size) that I wear to work -- one in yellow gold, one in white gold -- depending on the rest of my outfit. I don't wear a lot of other jewelry: a classic watch and perhaps a ring.

I know what tends to look good on me and what doesn't (suit jackets rarely work for me, and unfortunately the skirt length I prefer hasn't been easy to find in the last few years...). I have a good tailor and I use her frequently.

In terms of color, I build most of my wardrobe around black but mix it with other colors for some interest. Black and white in summer is a favorite, black and taupe or olive (depending on what's more "in") for fall, black and cream or coral in the spring.....

I'm 68 & have always done a personalized version of the current look.

 

I flounced around in petticoats in the 50's, wore tailored minis & boots in the 60's (after my Grandma told me "Shorten your skirts -- that's the way they're wearing them now!"), wore maxis & bell bottoms in the 70's, and so on.

 

Because I sew, I've been able to have the styles & colors that look best on me. I'm not a fashion victim, but I have no regrets about wearing contemporary styles! It's been a lot of fun! :)

FranGran,

Except for the sewing part (mom sewed all my clothes)...we're like twins! LOL!

I too am 68 and have gone through all the same fashion changes you have. I'm not apologetic either about still wearing contemporary styles at my age. I know which trends to wear so that I don't look like I'm trying to dress like I'm 20. Right now my favorite look for Fall will be a black leather "moto" style jacket over a white lace top, dark wash Boyfriend jeans, and low-heeled booties. I have a cute leopard print clutch bag with red edging that I'll wear with it.

To answer the OP...my mom says I was born a Fashionista. LOL! I have loved to shop for clothes and accessories since I was 5...when my mom says I opted for a pair of white "Majorette" boots with red tassels to wear with my Easter dress.:eek: One of my favorite pictures of myself is of me standing beside my Easter basket "posing like a model" (or so I told my mom) wearing those boots. And, I must say, I rocked them! LOL! However, I believe I found my true fashion style when I was about 16. I too am working my way through the "Style Statement" workbook...but just for the fun of it.

I have loved to shop for clothes and accessories since I was 5...when my mom says I opted for a pair of white "Majorette" boots with red tassels to wear with my Easter dress. :eek:

I have always liked "classic" styles. It takes me a long time to even get used to trendy styles (on others) and by then they have gone out of style! It is easier to stick to the classics.

Persephone,

 

Can you tell me what a dress agency is?

Of course. A dress agency is a shop or boutique that sells pre-owned clothing in excellent and/or new condition. Some specialise in couture and designers, others in vintage clothes, evening or wedding frocks, etc. Prices are far below regular retail shops, and one can get some amazing bargains. Another word that's frequently used is dress or designer exchange.

In the US, those are vintage shops (or consignment, if the seller is getting any of the money back). Thrift shops for non-designer options (usually, though I suppose it depends on your neighborhood;))

I'm 47 and didn't find my style until my late 30's when I started watching "What Not To Wear". :) That was when I started paying more attention to how things fit and had a little more money to spend for clothes.

 

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Also 47 (until next week anyway) Short and hour-glassed shape. Not an easy combination! I tend to go for Loose but shaped stuff with a round or V neck. I'd say Smart Casual is my thing.

Thrift shops for non-designer options (usually, though I suppose it depends on your neighborhood;))

We also have charity shops that support communities or not-for-profit organisations (e.g., Oxfam). I suppose that might be similar.

Yes, most of our thrift shops are for charities as well. Consignment & vintage shops tend to be for-profit, however.

(I love to thrift when I travel - different parts of the country & especially overseas - have such interesting things!)

When did you find your "style"?

Which time? It seems to redefine itself every few years, which I think is wonderful. I get bored with myself rather quickly, and I like to shake things up.

I had work style till I retired & donated (a vast number) of suits to Dressed for Success. Now I range from smart casual to gardening with not much in between