What is style?

Originally Posted by SuperBobo

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good post Lel, covers much relevant ground. Im rather honored to be used as an example

+1, me too. my theory: I think the whole "clothes scene" (if I dare call it that) is like a music tribe. At some point everyone is green, then they learn a few things and it's all very exciting (which turns some into know it alls), once that luster has passed is where the real fork in the road occurs: -person 1: looks back (at shock and horror) of how much he's spent on clothes the past 2 years and decides it's all too much for him and gets disinterested in clothes. but he still has some nice stuff and will only occasionally buy, perhaps at a 50% sale. Deep down he still has that SF foundation where he knows what looks good etc but it's become a distant footprint in his memory -person 2: really gets hardcore into "clothes". spends nearly all his disposable income on it, and it will probably branch to other related areas of his life like furniture, art, etc. Maybe never really finds a consistent style and will always represent what current designers/brands have to offer rather than searching for a specific look/item. This person is dressed by whatever look is current. -person 3: finds his own "style" and will seek out specific items that relate to it, regardless of brand/designer. Like person 2, his interest in this precise aesthetic will branch out as a lifestyle choice in furniture, art, etc. I'm sure there is a person 4, just not sure who he is. Most will probably become #1 or 3, tho most probably are at #2 until they get to #1 or 3

Excellent piece. It's great to see such quality writing on fashion philosophy.

Originally Posted by Get Smart

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my theory:
I think the whole "clothes scene" (if I dare call it that) is like a music tribe. At some point everyone is green, then they learn a few things and it's all very exciting (which turns some into know it alls), once that luster has passed is where the real fork in the road occurs:

This is interesting. I would classify myself somewhere between 2 and 3. I've found other outlets for my money rather than clothes, and I'd like to think I've settled down as far as an aesthetic, but I still get bitten by the SF "it" item every once in awhile, even when it's not totally my style (a pair of CP gray achilles is sitting unworn in my closet right now). I feel shame.

The current "next level" style (gothninja, I guess) doesn't suit me AT ALL, so maybe it's time I aged out of the scene.

Consistancy is very key - If you look at a lot of the guys in MC, if they aren't in a suit, their casual wear looks like crap, and their style doesn't stretch across their life. If you look at Get Smart in a suit, vs in casual wear, you can tell that it is his style, I am sure if Get Smart went to go play a rousing game of tennis, his athletic wear would fit perfect within his style. This is something you need to have to be truely stylish.

Originally Posted by Get Smart

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my theory: At some point everyone is green, then they learn a few things and it's all very exciting (which turns some into know it alls), once that luster has passed is where the real fork in the road occurs:
What's intriguing for me are the novices to the style game (like me) who basically started anew a little over a year ago and are now wading through the vast number of possibilities and options. I'm guessing it will be at least another year before I settle into a consistent aesthetic, which I will largely choose based on whatever lifestyle I take on after college. If my life takes a turn for the cubicle, I might have to let fall my urge to experiment with streetwear and enter the land of Men's Clothing. But nonetheless, I'm still "green" as GS puts it, and I'm trying not to let my interest in style die. Also, being a n00b and watching other SF n00bs going through their own learning process, I've noticed different approaches: There's my approach, where I dabble in many different types of pieces and experiment. I'm attracted to "crazy ****," which can be fun but loses the benefits that you get with basic pieces-- namely, versatility. And with my limited budget, I always have to negotiate between buying the experimental pieces that I love and considering the degree to which I can pair them with a wide variety of outfits. My dabbling also means that it will take longer for me to settle into a consistent aesthetic, but by then I will most likely have observed how different looks fit me, which will make the eventual outcome more satisfying. Then there's the approach that I've seen with Kodiak and others, which I admire because it involves much less wasted money than my own experience-- it's a more linear approach, with a specific look in mind and a strategy geared toward reaching that look. I'm interested in hearing what other n00b experiences have been like

To me, learning style is like learning a *foreign* language.

Some people learn it as children, but those are few. Most must learn as adults. As anyone who has studied a foreign language as an adult knows, it is pretty damn hard to get to native fluency; but its not that hard to become passable. There are several stages of language acqusition, which I believe are also mirrored in the style acquisition process.

Foreign language learning is a lifetime process, even for those with native fluency - a book or poem will still teach you something. Similarly, the process of updating and refining style never truly stops - but the process changes and slows.

I did actually read all that lel. Hard to respond since there are a lot of points.


I love mixing it up I don't think it has anything to do with Get Smart's person #2 thing, as i'm sure there is room for more than 3 type of people. I think that having a 100% focused aesthetic is great for him, but does not mean others are merely falling prey to trends or lack of vision. I never envision having 1 style (skin-mod for him or workwear for bobo), perhaps 2-3 but more alternative versions since i generally try to differentiate from a certain "look" and make it more my own. Despite wearing many different looks at times, looking back at the photos on my imageshack, i think they all still "look like me," which is something i think most people need to keep in mind when forming outfits. Not to say someone shouldn't mix it up with pieces/looks they normally wouldn't consider, but just that you can still make them your's


Regarding fit, i think it's also subjective. It's true that a majority of SF wants to be stylish in a way that 95% of the non-fashion board members will also find "stylish." Which is why the SF uniform and guys like braidkid are so popular. Dark slim jeans, occasional militaryish jacket, slim tees/button ups, non-sneaker shoes = instant style for the average person. There are a lot of different styles and aesthetics out there that don't really involve that but where fit is still key. Instead of fitting close to the body, it's more important to concentrate on how the looser clothing drapes and the proportions work.

I think there is also some invisible unquantifiable thing like you were referring to with steeze or sperretuza. I think after awhile making outfits, looking at runway/look books, analyzing items you want to wear and looks you want to try, you just "get it". It's hard to explain, but you can tell the people who get it and those who don't in real life, and on this forum.

Chrono, good response. I think the spezzature you are talking about would also show through if people were wearing exactly the same thing; I think it's not about the clothes, but the posture, attitude, and body.

Originally Posted by constant struggle

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Agreed on most points. I don't think SoCal is the most stylish though, as he wears fashion runway outfits half the time.

You have style, just aren't the MOST stylish.

I am very surprised to see such positive feedback on this post. What's so great about it?

The post is not written well. Also - not "thought out" well. This is just my overall critical opinion of the piece, not of the person and responders, and should not be taken personally

Cheers

Originally Posted by constant struggle

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You have style, just aren't the MOST stylish.

Originally Posted by izlat

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I am very surprised to see such positive feedback on this post. What's so great about it?

The post is not written well. Also - not "thought out" well. This is just my overall critical opinion of the piece, not of the person and responders, and should not be taken personally

Cheers

It's not supposed to be some profound essay. Just something to start a conversation. Lighten up

Originally Posted by chronoaug

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It's not supposed to be some profound essay. Just something to start a conversation. Lighten up

might be the first time I cosigned to Chrono, but yea, what he said

Originally Posted by izlat

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I am very surprised to see such positive feedback on this post. What's so great about it?

The post is not written well. Also - not "thought out" well. This is just my overall critical opinion of the piece, not of the person and responders, and should not be taken personally

Cheers

I was surprised myself, but the discussion it spawned is actually worth reading.