Wardrobe Architect: Worksheet 2

perhaps an unknown start to my style from Rome 2011...

Defining Your Core Style

This week's exercise was about taking all the answers from the last excercise and boiling them down to a few words and images. I thought this would be pretty easy since I thought I had really narrowed it down with the last exercise, but I was (again) wrong.

I put together a list of words that defined my style. This list grew to about 20 words. Out of those words I could only choose 3-5 to really hone it in. This was the challenge. There were words that I wanted, but when I really thought about them they didn't really encapsulate what I meant. For example, I wanted a word to explain my love for the quality, quirky, uniqueness and charm of vintage. Going with "quirky" didn't cut it, since that word on its own implied (to me, at least) that my style is a bit funky and out-of-the-box, which it is not. "Quality" would work, as in workmanship and materials, yet isn't what I wanted either. The words "couture" and "luxe" were tested, but eventually thrown out since they implied (again, to me) a bit too high fashion than I want to convey. See? Tricky.

So, finally after much deliberation and waffling, then finally a firm decision, here are my final 5 words.

Classic: tailored, fitted and classic lines
Preppy: collegiate, borderline nerdy, with that classic New England touch
Feminine: soft and romantic, yet with some sensual undertones
Cozy: something warm—whether colors or mood
Vintage: inspiration from the details and styling from 1920-1960's

Armed with these words and images, I feel like I am starting to find a momentum and I am excited about the next step—shapes! Yay! I think I know where I am heading, and I like it. That is important, right? I want to be excited about getting dressed in the morning and about the clothes that hang in my closet. I know it is still really early (this is only step 2 of 14!), but I am motivated, committed *and* eager. I am taking this as a good sign.

Do you know your own core style? Or are you muddling around like me, yet slowly finding your way? Or are you still lost out in the sea of overwhelming fashion choices? There is just so much pretty out there!

Ciao ciao!