You Voted! Series #002: More Troubles of Figuring Out Your Style
Dear Fashion-Reader,
I stayed up all night, embellishing my previous blog post with Audrey Hepburn photos, and highlighting the text with different highlights and such, but I am now waiting for my delivery food, and my brain is still churning out more thoughts on the Trials and Tribulations for the Fashion Journey.
In my last blog post, I mentioned that a lot of us in our fashion explorer group, have spent a lot of time trying out different 'Style Systems' and we all thought we WANTED to find The Ultimate Fix-It-All System and Solution and we also thought that we COULD stick to it and LIVE IT and breathe it too... BUT two years later, we are still not satisfied, and we are still searching! I also shared one Style Needs Quiz that helped you figure out what VALUES are ACTUALLY at play, and the 7 Different Types of Wardrobes that Target Different Needs You May Have. Mine totally surprised me, and I most valued a #1. Time Efficient Wardrobe, and #2. Versatile Wardrobe.
Since I went back to read the book that had the quiz again last night and this morning, let me relate a little bit more on the different Strategies and Solutions the author shared to meet those needs and goals.
Author Sheehan Warren does cover a more regular quiz for knowing your style preference in the earlier section of her book, in case you are wondering, but those quizzes are available online so that probably won't surprise you as much. Her three 'Solutions' or 'Strategies' are to use the... a) Mix and match technique, b) Spectrum technique, and c) Monochromatic technique.
Her book does illustrate these techniques with examples based on 8 items, be they 4 tops and 4 bottoms, or 5 tops and 3 bottoms. But they are in black and white drawing for my Kindle so it's not as easy to see the 'whole effect' of a 'totally executed and strategized wardrobe' as those we might find in a NEW exciting site I found in the wee hours of dawn, called "No Fail Formula" by Morgan Wiley! She has some great examples on Polyvore that really feel 'cohesive' and 'catered to the individual' as well as 'well thought out.' I'm considering her service but not sure if I want to spend $180 just yet, since I've already spent so much money on DYT, Sterling Style Academy, color draping, and actual shopping sprees...
So now, I'll cover what the 3 techniques mean (in my own words), and if time permits, share Ms. Wiley's formula for one of her clients which totally inspires me right now!
So, first off, the Mix and Match Technique, probably is something you've heard even as a teenager, an aspiring Fashionista and Style Icon... The goal is to take those 4 bottoms and 4 tops to provide a maximum number of outcomes, and here, there isn't a set 'Color Goal' so if Versatility means a lot to you, this could be great.
Next, there is the Spectrum Technique, which I haven't heard of before, and for this one you pick a single neutral color for the bottoms, but go for a plentitude of colors for the tops. Apparently, this is the technique that will help me achieve my Time-Efficient Wardrobe.
Lastly, there is the Monochromatic approach, which I'm sure you've heard is often quoted as the most 'Slimming' solution on many a fashion websites! This works for both the reliable and the time-efficient wardrobe. I think for me, this is what I need for my special occasions.
In Chapter 7. Strategies, these ladies mentioned six never-fail fixes such as...
a) Use a Single Color (aka your ENTIRE wardrobe uses ONE COLOR, like ALL BLACK or ALL RED, which I guess corresponds to Warren's Monochromatic Technique),
b) Stick with the Perennial Fashion Colors (according to them, black, white, red, beige, and navy, which to me sound like 5 Neutral or Universal Colors in other systems, although the color analyst folks will now divide that into at least 4 different quadrants and give you cools/warms/hards/softs!),
c) Select a Single Silhouette and Stick With It (They do mention that his is harder to do, and they give example of Sophia Loren and her 'bifurbicated version' of this strategy, wearing "classic clothes for day, but ... fluffy evening dresses" for night, as well as an elderly lady who sews her own clothes using ONE design pattern in all kinds of fabrics and details to keep it interesting)
d) Stick With a Single Designer (Not sure how many of us in such a pluralist culture!),
e) Stick with a Single Outfit in Every Color Possible (This would kill my soul!), and
f) Dark Bottom, Colored Top (which the authoress herself uses as she is a pear-shaped figure; and she has 6 slacks and lots of silk tops in her Lean Closet, but here, the authors say that you should group your articles of clothing not bottoms all together and tops all together etc., but hang them with the best matched tops and bottoms, as not all tops and bottoms go together.)
(Sorry, this is becoming like a braindump! But I hope you find something here!)
Last night, I hit a goldmine on Pinterest, where a lady named Marjorie had this super-collection of useful information on her board called, "Image Consulting Board" (Yes, I was surprised she included me here! Thanks Marjorie!) had so much information on creating your Ultimate Wardrobe! Of all the contestants listed, I really really liked Ms. Wiley's formula! Below is an example of her client's formula, and you can see that her 3 recipes are, a) tone on tone, b) cinched waist, and c) edgy accessories.
What you get
An individual consultation either by a series of emails over a few days or a 30 minute Skype session
Style package which includes:
I stayed up all night, embellishing my previous blog post with Audrey Hepburn photos, and highlighting the text with different highlights and such, but I am now waiting for my delivery food, and my brain is still churning out more thoughts on the Trials and Tribulations for the Fashion Journey.
In my last blog post, I mentioned that a lot of us in our fashion explorer group, have spent a lot of time trying out different 'Style Systems' and we all thought we WANTED to find The Ultimate Fix-It-All System and Solution and we also thought that we COULD stick to it and LIVE IT and breathe it too... BUT two years later, we are still not satisfied, and we are still searching! I also shared one Style Needs Quiz that helped you figure out what VALUES are ACTUALLY at play, and the 7 Different Types of Wardrobes that Target Different Needs You May Have. Mine totally surprised me, and I most valued a #1. Time Efficient Wardrobe, and #2. Versatile Wardrobe.
Since I went back to read the book that had the quiz again last night and this morning, let me relate a little bit more on the different Strategies and Solutions the author shared to meet those needs and goals.
Author Sheehan Warren does cover a more regular quiz for knowing your style preference in the earlier section of her book, in case you are wondering, but those quizzes are available online so that probably won't surprise you as much. Her three 'Solutions' or 'Strategies' are to use the... a) Mix and match technique, b) Spectrum technique, and c) Monochromatic technique.
Her book does illustrate these techniques with examples based on 8 items, be they 4 tops and 4 bottoms, or 5 tops and 3 bottoms. But they are in black and white drawing for my Kindle so it's not as easy to see the 'whole effect' of a 'totally executed and strategized wardrobe' as those we might find in a NEW exciting site I found in the wee hours of dawn, called "No Fail Formula" by Morgan Wiley! She has some great examples on Polyvore that really feel 'cohesive' and 'catered to the individual' as well as 'well thought out.' I'm considering her service but not sure if I want to spend $180 just yet, since I've already spent so much money on DYT, Sterling Style Academy, color draping, and actual shopping sprees...
So now, I'll cover what the 3 techniques mean (in my own words), and if time permits, share Ms. Wiley's formula for one of her clients which totally inspires me right now!
So, first off, the Mix and Match Technique, probably is something you've heard even as a teenager, an aspiring Fashionista and Style Icon... The goal is to take those 4 bottoms and 4 tops to provide a maximum number of outcomes, and here, there isn't a set 'Color Goal' so if Versatility means a lot to you, this could be great.
Next, there is the Spectrum Technique, which I haven't heard of before, and for this one you pick a single neutral color for the bottoms, but go for a plentitude of colors for the tops. Apparently, this is the technique that will help me achieve my Time-Efficient Wardrobe.
Lastly, there is the Monochromatic approach, which I'm sure you've heard is often quoted as the most 'Slimming' solution on many a fashion websites! This works for both the reliable and the time-efficient wardrobe. I think for me, this is what I need for my special occasions.
* * *
This reminds me of the 6 Strategies in "Simple Isn't Easy by: How to Find Your Personal Style and Look Fantastic Every Day!" by Olivia Goldsmith and Amy Fine Collins, which I read like a decade ago...
This reminds me of the 6 Strategies in "Simple Isn't Easy by: How to Find Your Personal Style and Look Fantastic Every Day!" by Olivia Goldsmith and Amy Fine Collins, which I read like a decade ago...
In Chapter 7. Strategies, these ladies mentioned six never-fail fixes such as...
a) Use a Single Color (aka your ENTIRE wardrobe uses ONE COLOR, like ALL BLACK or ALL RED, which I guess corresponds to Warren's Monochromatic Technique),
b) Stick with the Perennial Fashion Colors (according to them, black, white, red, beige, and navy, which to me sound like 5 Neutral or Universal Colors in other systems, although the color analyst folks will now divide that into at least 4 different quadrants and give you cools/warms/hards/softs!),
c) Select a Single Silhouette and Stick With It (They do mention that his is harder to do, and they give example of Sophia Loren and her 'bifurbicated version' of this strategy, wearing "classic clothes for day, but ... fluffy evening dresses" for night, as well as an elderly lady who sews her own clothes using ONE design pattern in all kinds of fabrics and details to keep it interesting)
d) Stick With a Single Designer (Not sure how many of us in such a pluralist culture!),
e) Stick with a Single Outfit in Every Color Possible (This would kill my soul!), and
f) Dark Bottom, Colored Top (which the authoress herself uses as she is a pear-shaped figure; and she has 6 slacks and lots of silk tops in her Lean Closet, but here, the authors say that you should group your articles of clothing not bottoms all together and tops all together etc., but hang them with the best matched tops and bottoms, as not all tops and bottoms go together.)
(Sorry, this is becoming like a braindump! But I hope you find something here!)
* * *
Now, onto the recent discovery of Ms. Wiley's formula!Last night, I hit a goldmine on Pinterest, where a lady named Marjorie had this super-collection of useful information on her board called, "Image Consulting Board" (Yes, I was surprised she included me here! Thanks Marjorie!) had so much information on creating your Ultimate Wardrobe! Of all the contestants listed, I really really liked Ms. Wiley's formula! Below is an example of her client's formula, and you can see that her 3 recipes are, a) tone on tone, b) cinched waist, and c) edgy accessories.
To go slightly more in-depth, and this is now from Ms. Wiley's website for her services:
The No Fail Formula
Style + Colour + YOU = The Perfect Combination!
The No Fail Formula is the stress free solution for effortless style. Follow the formula and eliminate those “nothing to wear” moments.
In the No Fail Formula, the most important part of the equation is YOU! I will coach you on the colours and styles that work best for you, and together we will define your unique style profile.
The formula is made up of three essential components:
- How to wear your best colours – your natural beauty enhancing colours that make your eyes sparkle and make you look alive and vibrant.
- Key style elements for your individual body shape – embrace your body and feel confident and attractive!
- PLUS a whopping injection of your own vivacious personality – the most important component to creating your unique individual style!
* * *
Ms. Wiley's blog also shares...
An individual consultation either by a series of emails over a few days or a 30 minute Skype session
Style package which includes:
- Your No Fail Formula
- Your individual style assessment and type
- Your colour palette assessment and type
- Your body shape assessment and type
- 3 key colours for you
- 3 key rules for your shape
- 3 key styles for your shape
* * *
Reading through the detailed list of what is in her Style Package, it feels like pretty much all of us in our fashion group have gathered enough knowledge on pretty much all of these points. It's not that we don't know what these factors are, it is that despite all this overwhelming amount of information, putting them into a Real Wow, Real Us, Real Laundry Schedule Worthy, Real Lasting Wardrobe still takes some Real Work...To be honest, I am not sure if having this newly found No Fail Formula could be something I would stick to, even if I invested in it. No offense, Ms. Wiley, truly!
If it were just about knowing this stuff, if it were just about being given a guideline/suggestion/formula, why, DYT or IE, FFS, Kibbe, or JK's assessment, or Zyla's Archetypes may have gotten us to a 'Finish Line' already.
If it were that easy, other things like Project 333 or the Capsule Wardrobe, or the Fashion Code or Fashion Fit Formula, or the Dozen Formula, ad nauseum would have solved our Need for a Fashion Fix. Or a realistic workable Fashion Soul-ution. (Ooh, I googled it just now and this word doesn't come up! I just made a new word, yay!!!)
* * *
And as we progress along our 'age continuum' harsher realities set in; my body doesn't hold its elasticity and firmness to the degree that it used to, so now, fitness and diet are huge issues and hurdles for me.
- It's harder to find the right clothes compared to before locally, so now I tend to spend more on hair, makeup, and accessories.
- Jobs and roles evolve, so even if I wear jeans and t-shirts and cardigans majority of the time, Jackets are a must.
- I've begun to take driving lesson this week, and actually since I moved closer to work, my commute to work has completely changed too...
So yeah. It takes a lot of work, continuous work, to really get to our Distinctive Fashion Statement. And to maintain and update it.
* * *
There are other Myths To Bust too. I would love to be able to dispel and debunk the myths and erroneous information flow regarding...
- Personality VS What You Should Wear Ideally (Both DYT/IE, as well as CE/FFS/Bazi)
- Body Shapes and Discrepancies In How You Measure For It
- Capsule Wardrobes and Choosing a Color Story
- Discrepancy in Color Draping Results VS DYT
- Challenges in Doing/Sustaining Project 333
- How Shopping Becomes More Difficult the More You Know! (Both Color Draping & DYT)
- The Real Wardrobe Needs VS Fantasy Wardrobe Needs
There.
I've laid it all down. :-)
Let me know what thoughts you have on Your Fashion Journey!
Enjoy the Spring weather, Fashion-Reader!
Yours cordially and gratefully,
Princess Valerie-Cherry-Pie
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