What Does This Outfit Say?
Happy Tuesday! Let’s discuss this audience interactive post called WHAT DOES THIS OUTFIT SAY?
I began WHAT DOES THIS OUTFIT SAY? in order to help some of you understand style adjectives and how they help you build a wardrobe.
And, a few of you found these exercises to be very helpful.
Understanding what our clothing tells the world about us, helps us so much to build a wardrobe that is unique to us…and no one else.
There are so many voices online telling us to be certain women and dress like those women, but I believe looking closer at the messages is the key to being ourselves.
When I posted a WOULD YOU WEAR IT? last week, I was pleased at how well it went and I do want to keep it going…but not at the expense of this exercise.
So, let’s try another WHAT DOES THIS OUTFIT SAY? and look at two very different outfits.
Of course you can describe the women would would wear them…BUT THAT IS NOT THE MAIN POINT HERE.
I really want you to stretch yourselves and pick 5 style adjectives for each outfit…and it does not matter if you would wear the look or not…that is not the point either.
WHAT DOES THIS OUTFIT SAY? – LOOK #1
Try to forget that she is holding a golf bag and concentrate on the clothing and how she styled the look to answer what does this outfit say.
Without the golf bag, would athletic still be one of your style adjectives for this woman. Also, remember this is one outfit in a wardrobe that should speak the same five adjectives.
I see her style adjectives as:
- POLISHED
- CLASSIC
- CURRENT – cargo pants and paisley are on trend
- COMFORTABLE
- ACTIVE
This is an outfit from J.JILL…and the pieces are:
FIT FRENCH TERRY CARGO CROPPED PANTS
FIT PROGRESS SHIRTTAIL TEE in the print called mist exploded paisley
FIT WATER RESISTANT HOODED JACKET...this would have been helpful for some women to have on last weekend during the U.S. Open!
WHAT DOES THIS OUTFIT SAY? – LOOK #2
Yes…I picked very different outfits for you to think harder about WHAT DOES THIS OUTFIT SAY?
This is from early spring at Dillard’s and it was in the BRYN WALKER department.
I see this woman telling the world that she is:
- FUN
- CREATIVE
- ALIVE
- POSITIVE
- APPROACHABLE
It is so important that we learn to dress in a way that tells the world who we are…unique…and that is a good thing…
We need to listen to our own voices.
There are some who would say the first outfit tells the world she is a snob.
The second outfit tells the world she is old and crazy.
Those are the voices we must shut out and learn to embrace who we are in confident positive ways.
Dressing with style adjectives will provide that confidence once we learn to embrace them.
I would want to know both of these women…though they are very different.
Now, it is your turn…WHAT DOES THIS OUTFIT SAY? Please answer for both and put some thought into it…remember this is NOT would you wear it…we will do that on Friday!
I cannot wait to read your answers….
KEEP SMILING!!
By Pamela Lutrell
For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way.
This first gal is cool, elegant, luxe, confident, and understated. She would look fab in this outfit lunching on a breezy dock or being present at a sporty event. I can place her at the US Open under an umbrella rather than playing a round. (Gosh, did it rain!)
Wow. The second outfit would have knocked me over if she opened the door to welcome me in to her afternoon garden party. Bold, confident, fun, colorful, zesty. No accessories needed.
I lost my first message. Here we go….
Outfit #2 I see Colorful, cheerful, approachable, outgoing, confident.
Pam, I’m seeing these outfits through my own filters. I realize that others will see them differently. This is just how they strike me.
I see the first outfit as saying Casual, Relaxed, Comfortable, Practical & Active. The outfit just doesn’t make a strong impression on me. I don’t find knit drawstring pants to be polished or classic. Guess I’m old fashioned because to me they are still sweatpants. I think its a nice outfit to play golf in like its style in the photo. Practical because she brought a water repellent jacket. BTW, I’m in cargos, a gauze tee and sneakers today so I’m not knocking the outfit. It looks comfortable,
To me the second outfit says Fun, Bold, Outgoing, Current & Feminine. Not everyone would feel comfortable wearing this so I chose the stronger adjective Bold over Confident. Matched sets are Current. The style is flowing & flowered and I chose Feminine and Fun for that reason. Someone who can wear this would not be shy.
Good job, Deborah! This year’s U.S.Open was the most exciting gold tournament I have watched in long time!
Hi Paulette…I do no know why that happens to a couple of you, but would love to know your adjectives on the first outfit too. Thanks for joining in.
I agree with BOLD and like your adjectives for the second one. Remember the adjectives for each outfit also should go with an overall wardrobe…and we all bring out own filters…that is why this exercise is helpful.
First: Classy, confident, polished, fashion-forward, chic. She is walking around an outdoor art fair. She might get an ice cream cone, and if she drips it on her shirt, that’s OK. She will smile. She can spot treat it on Laundry Day. Second: Boho-chic, fun, confident, modern, fearless. This lady is hosting a party on her patio. She is serving gazpacho and a variety of cocktails and mocktails. Modern jazz is playing. If guests feel like dancing, all the better.
Not looking: outfit one: active, casual, polished, thoughtful. These are 4/5 of my own adjectives
Outfit 2: outgoing, exuberant, casual, trendy, fearless
Thanks Linda!
Love the scenes you are setting, Marcia…and your choice of adjectives.
Okay, I’m headed over to Marcia’s #2 gal for the gazpacho and jazz. That’s definitely my idea of a good time!
Lady #1 dresses very much like my bestie: sporty, pulled-together, unapologetically casual, classic and friendly. Her wardrobe would have this pant in several neutrals, with a variety of sport-weight material shirts and another more substantial windbreaker for the early morning walks. She owns more sneakers and sport sandals than ballet flats or boots.
Lady #2, I see as confident, artsy – maybe more a supporter of the arts than artistic herself, modern, outgoing and kind. She owns the bright orange and lime solid dresses shown behind the featured outfit and pairs those with her beautiful cubist scarves she picks up from textile artists whose work she admires. She might live in a restored Spanish bungalow in California, where she does indeed listen to jazz and serve gazpacho. 😄
I’m actually remembering my own mother with the first one. She is confident, active, comfortable, stylish and youthful. She is ageless and does things here own way. On the second one I’m remembering a dear friend. She was fearless, fun, stylish comfortable and artistic. She was a redhead and not at all afraid to make a style statement.
Thanks Connie…I will join you there for the gazpacho and the jazz…sounds wonderful!
Thanks Sydney for sharing your mother and dear friend with us!
You’ve given us two very different outfits to work with, but each has such a distinct “personality.” It’s hard for me to un-see the golf clubs with #1, as I live near several country clubs and see so many women wearing similar outfits frequently. I think this look is a default setting for this woman, and even her dressier clothing still leans that direction (such as dresses from Athleta, Title IX, etc.) I believe Outfit #1’s adjectives are sporty, casual, active, classic, and modern. Outfit #2 is a complete 180 degree turn from the first, and I think a completely different type of woman wears it. In my mind she is outgoing, festive (loves hosting parties and events,) bold, current, and elegant. I included elegant because even though this is dressed down for her, it’s coordinated and makes a statement. She would add some drop earrings and wedge heeled sandals for accessories. She might also wear this out for an evening with some sort of topper – perhaps a ruana or unstructured blazer like Pam’s dried roses blazer from Chico’s.
Connie, wouldn’t it be fun if we could all go to this lady’s jazz party?
Absolutely! I can dream about it….
I agree that these are two different women…I knew ignoring the golf clubs would be hard…you did good!
I loved the first outfit and would wear it. The second one no, too busy and loud of print especially on a short 5’2” person.
This isn’t would you wear it, Linda. That will be here on Friday. Today we are picking style adjectives for both outfits. Hope you will join in.
On yesterdays post and outfit #1, I actually like all of your ideas, but added Conservative as an adjective. Why? I notice some of the women who golf here are often very casual in short skorts or shorts and collared tees. This woman is more modestly dressed.
( maybe her golf club has a more rigid dress code?)