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| Courtesy of Nothing Less Than Perfect Tumblr and Residence Magazine “It’s easy to feel like you’ve got nothing to wear, but it’s also a signal of identity problems. If you’ve got a well-developed sense of identity, you tend to know what’s you no matter what the trends. Nothing I buy ever looks new, because I have my look down, and it’s classic.” Anjelica Huston (Harper’s Bazaar, September 2006) One of the most rewarding aspects of blogging is being reunited with a quote or photograph that you’ve long forgotten. Truthfully, I haven’t picked up an issue of Harper’s Bazaar in years, but the lovely Catssaymeow reminded me of the aforementioned quote. I rarely identify with celebrity style; (I simply don’t need to see something worn convincingly to be inspired), but this quote is dead on; with how I approach style. It’s refreshing to be able to pull items blindly from my closet (in the wee hours of the morning no less), knowing that everything works seamlessly with one another and is intrinsically me. In my mind there’s no greater simplicity. It’s interesting to see my choices become more resolute and precise with time. Even when I add new items to my wardrobe, they look like they’ve always belonged. Hope you are all having a productive week. Tomorrow kicks off New York Fashion Week and I’m headed to the shows. No, “I have nothing to wear” moments here, I’m just going as myself. |
February 9, 2012
Style + Identity
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these days, i keep gravitating to either the same or very similar items when clothes shopping - maybe its a sign that i have found my self identity!! haha, probably not - but it is nice to hear that quote and feel like i am on my way there
ReplyDeleteleavesofgrass- You're onto something. Finding your self identity is a journey. It's all about making steps in the right direction. Believe me, I'm still a work in process.
DeleteBack in 2006 this type of article would not have interested me one bit - I was more interested in accumulating more and more... and being a fashion cameleon. It's funny how things change.
ReplyDeletecatssaymeow- Things do change. I hope you don't mind me linking to your blog.
DeleteI think consistency in style has become something that people appreciate a bit more these days. It's the way I've thought about style and consumed forever, so it feels good to hear that others feel similarly.
Don't mind the link at all :)
DeleteI think for me it's all about priorities - they have slowly changed over the years and because life is now more complicated, I want a simple or at least 'a well curated' wardrobe (as some would say).
I wouldn't have my fashion past any other way though - I had fun while it lasted :)
catssaymeow- Good, I'm glad:)
DeletePriorities are huge.
I love the idea of the well-curated wardrobe.
Love the Anjelica Huston quote! I definitely have a comfort zone for certain clothes--I would use the word "style," but really it's more about the feeling I get from wearing certain styles of clothes--do I feel strong and authentic, or self-conscious and weak?
ReplyDeleteminima/maxima, a blog about minimalist style
petrichore- Such a great quote.
DeleteYes, I know exactly what you mean about a comfort zone. there are definitely certain things I gravitate to because they make me feel empowered, or strong or smart. I think we all want to feel that way on some level.
Great quote, I aspire to feeling that way...I have those "identity problems" when I'm feeling competitive...sometimes we just get competitive about silly little things, and I feel the urge to trot out something new when a friend is wearing something new and perfect.
ReplyDeleteLin- It's such a timeless quote and yes (you're right) it's very aspirational.
DeleteI know what you mean about being competitive about silly things. I tend to be most competitive with myself. For example, my friends think of me as always being really well pulled together, so sometimes I feel like I have to top the previous outfit or always be on point. Bizarre.
I love that quote! Thank you. It is something that I am constantly working on. Currently, I'm in the process of editing my closet and I feel that I'm getting closer to "figuring myself out"!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely time at the fashion shows!! {WISH I was there!}
xo, sam
Samantha- Thank you!
DeleteI know exactly what you mean. It's such a process but very rewarding when you start to figure out why you like certain things.
I love the editing process.
So far fashion week is off to a great start:)
Yep, I like this quote, too. Confidence - a key element of style.
ReplyDeleteAlice Olive- Yes, confidence is such a key element to style. It really makes all the difference.
DeleteI always thought that style is something you achieve through the years...is something you polish with the time. Also I think it relates to personality (meaning identity), strong personalities have their strong sense of style. Consistency, something I talked before makes your style truly yours.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely time in the shows!
lunaday- Agreed. Style really seems to be honed over time.
DeleteYou're so right about strong personalities having a strong sense of style. Guilty as charged.
Thank you!
immortal words by anjelica huston! i really don't identify with celebrity style too (for the most part. old hollywood doesn't really count does it?) and i have to say though the wardrobe needs an awful lot of culling, it's reassuring to know that i will have no trouble over what to wear ten mins before class starts! enjoy NYFW and i can't wait to hear what you have to say about it all soon :D
ReplyDeleteJoy- They are immortal words.
DeleteOld hollywood doesn't count:) The grace and quiet humility those stars had. It went so much further than simply clothes.
I think it's so liberating to be ready for any occasion.
Thanks! Yes, there's a lot to say already.
Oh what a fantastic quote! They were much needed words of wisdom!
ReplyDeleteStephanie Lin- Such words of wisdom and I agree, sometimes we all need them.
DeleteThanks for your sweet comment'; I like your blog.
ReplyDeleteKiss from France, Mary. http://marie-cotrel.blogspot.com
marie- I love discovering new blogs.
DeleteThank you!
ah, i can only hope for the day that ill be able to feel the same when i walk into my closet! mine is still a mess right now haha.
ReplyDeleteAlice /// VESTIGIAL WINGS- I feel like it's always going to be a work in progress. I can't imagine having everything resolved.
DeleteThat is such an inspiring quote! Luckily I don't struggle to pick out an outfit in the morning. However, on the odd day I will freak out and be like AHHH DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO WEAR! Haha.
ReplyDeletexo
Halima- So inspiring.
DeleteOh man, those odd days. Don't we all have them?
I couldn't agree more. Angelica Houston couldn't have put it better. Trends come and go. Perhaps I'm just getting bored with the run of the mill fashion magazines these days. I haven't had the compulsion to follow a trend in years. I'd like to think that I finally have the maturity to be comfortable in my own skin.
ReplyDeleteChocolate, Cookies &Candies- So well put.
DeleteI think there's room for trends, but so often they're not incorporated into one's personal style. They're just piled on. Perhaps something can be current, but incorporated in a way that you make it your own or you wear them in a way that's still authentically you. I'm horrible at evaluating because I've never been trendy.
"I'd like to think that I finally have the maturity to be comfortable in my own skin."-I LOVE that.
Interesting quote - I do love how confident she sounds about her style! <3 But I must say that it's hard to be sure of my "identity" when it's still developing...Perhaps one day I too will no longer have the "need to see something worn convincingly to be inspired" (Love the way you put it, btw!)
ReplyDeletedrifterqueen- She sounds so confident, which to me is a HUGE part of personal style.
DeleteHmm... I think identity on some levels is constantly developing/ emerging etc and of course when it comes to style, lifestyle and priorities are a large part of that. I think you constantly learn things about yourself that help you hone likes and dislikes.
So true! Even among celebrities, the ones with true style totally have a signature look. I am thinking of Sofia Coppola for instance.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about dressing blindly, I am reminded of this every time I pack for a trip, whether it's a holiday to Paris or a work trip in rural India, figuring out what to pack takes me no time, because I seem to have my wardrobe figured out in my head. And new additions seem to fit in seamlessly with my existing closet.
Ammu- Yes, Sofia Coppola is a great example. I love when people have a true signature style and a clear idea of what works for them.
DeletePacking for a trip is always such a good test. I like to know that I can pack efficiently and still look like myself. A great piece of jewelry and scarf never hurt;)
That's exactly how I think of it. New additions should easily be able to incorporate and bring out the best of what I already have.
What a lovely quote- I completely agree! When I have nothing to wear, I always turn to my black slacks and blazer, never fails!
ReplyDeleteXX Kathryn
http://lacoquettedelamode.wordpress.com/
lacoquettedelamode- Such a lovely quote indeed. I love having a few no fail options in my closet. Wonderful fitting slacks and blazer seem like they would do the trick;)
DeleteThank you for sharing the brilliant quote! I am actually starting a perfect wardrobe challenge next week 15/30 capsule wardrobe. Will drop you an email about it!
ReplyDeleteT like Bubble Tea- I'm glad you enjoyed this quote too.
DeleteOh your challenge sounds interesting. Can't wait to hear more about it over email.