September 6, 2012

How many personalities does your wardrobe have?

While some people are leery of applying this word to themselves, I've never had the slightest of qualms with describing myself - and my style - as being eclectic. Call me a magpie, if you like, but I've never been one to set up camp in one itty-bitty style corner and live their indefinitely.

Instead I tend to pick and choose from various influences, building up a wardrobe that's cohesive, but also able to quickly split up into different categories, if need by. Ultimately, I think that too many of us are that way, really, but does that mean that everyone is keen to call themselves an eclectic, too?

But Jess, I hear you saying, you're style is clearly defined and easy to identify, it's vintage! Indeed it is, my lovelies, indeed it is, but under the waving flag of vintage fashion, one finds various styles that emerge in the outfits I wear.

The two most dominate personalities, as I've affectionately come to think of them, are my sophisticated/elegant/teetering on ladies-who-lunch side and my super girly-girly, cutesy loving side. The two merge sometimes for sure, but by the same token frequently exist as entities unto themselves.


Wonderfully elegant 1950s black suit and feathered hat


For as long as I can recall, the most fundamental element to my wardrobe - whether I was wearing vintage or not - has been a sense of femininity (a point which I touched on a bit in this post last June). I adore being a woman and love that (even if my body is a million miles away from perfect!) I was blessed with an hourglass figure that takes to womanly looks like a duck to water.

Way back in elementary school, already loving - and living in dresses - to no end, I attempted to talk my friends and female classmates into starting an "Dresses Only Club" comprised of members who, as you might guess, only wore dresses to school, but in an era of neon parachute pants and baggy acid wash overalls, there weren't too many interested participants.


Cute 1940s summer dresses from Aldens catalog, 1948

Undeterred, I continued to frequently wear dresses and skirts all throughout my school days, and have done so even more often in the year since I last carried a textbook to class. While I'm not implying that one needs to wear (or even own) a dress to feel and be feminine, of course, I do find that for me personally, skirts and dresses help me to bring the sense of femininity that I adore to the forefront of my world - and wardrobe.

These pieces exist in both the girly-girl and elegant realms of my closet, but they also crop up elsewhere, too. Though one might not see it as often as the aforementioned two, another style I'm long been a fan of is the preppy look (akin, for my friends in the UK, to sloan ranger style).


1950s preppy mom with station wagon

From twinsets and pearls to quilted jackets and Top-Siders, I've got a nuance of country club meets Martha Stewart meets Tommy Hilfiger running deep through my veins. Subcategorizing that even further, I'm drawn to an equestrian look something fierce. Though I've certainly ridden a few horses in my time, I'm by no means an accomplished horsewoman and most definitely don't have the trust fund that can accompany the horsey set look. Nevertheless, all it takes is the flash of a classic forest green Hunter boot and I'm hooked on a look.

Sometimes though, my mood veers far from the prep school circuit quite a bit and the wanderlust loving, gypsy-like side of personality comes a calling. She craves flowy skirts, tunic tops, and long dangly chandelier earrings that look as though they could have been plucked from a bazaar in Morocco. More boho then full on 1960s hippie, this style can be a bit tricky to incorporate into a mid-century vintage wardrobe, but is by no means impossible (especially if you're a fan of peasant skirts and blouses).


1940s peasant inspired summer fashion

Then there's my June Cleaver 1950s homemaker side, which one might say lies somewhere between Jacques Fath chic and girl-next-door cute, and in a way incorporates a little hint of preppiness, too. It's all about shirtwaist dresses, perfectly coifed hair, PTA approved heal heights, and scads of classic gloves. Whether drawing on the 1940s and 50s interpretation of this look, it's one that I turn to often, because it's so wonderfully versatile and enjoyable to wear.


1950s classic cardigan style

In stark contrast to all that is perceived as being 1950s wholesome, lies a tiny part of my sartorial soul that has a goth streak. Yes, I said it, a goth steak. Like more teenagers than you can shake an Anne Rice book at before (and after) me, I found myself drawn to the goth look as a youngster, yet, despite the advantage of my naturally pale skin, just couldn't pull it off.

1950s horror movie actress Vampira, goth style

Instead of looking broody, moody, gorgeous and mysterious like some of the goth gals I knew, I looked kinda silly, kinda adorable and more like my mom had just dressed me up for Halloween. As such, instead of going full goth, I opted to incorporate subtle elements of the style - Morica Addams approved long black frocks, deep burgundy lipstick, Victorian inspired jewelry - into my closet instead, to live merrily alongside my posh skirt suits, kawaii tops, monogramed sweater, poet blouses, and pearl stud earrings.

Does the pick and mix stop there? Not quite, there's also the outdoorsy meets country lass side that comes less from a desire to hike Mt. Everest and more from wanting to look cute in vintage plaid and classic tweed. I think it's the Canadian in me that draws this side out, what with all the lakes, rivers, trees, lumberjacks and canoes that we have in this vast country. That, and perhaps, the wonderful childhood years I spent as a Girl Guide.

1940s causal outdoors looks, cropped pants, plaid shirt, fashion

{Images in this post come by way of my Pinterest boards. Please click on them here and then 
again on Pinterest to be taken to their respective sources.}


I love that my wardrobe is not a one sided being. Many of the pieces that it's comprised of can mingle among several of the styles mentioned above, as well as others still (a touch of the old wild west, say) that pop up every once in a blue moon. I often admire the style of those who clearly channel the same influence day in and day out, but beyond the scope of 1940s and 50s vintage, I don't feel like that's really me. I find beauty and inspiration in too many looks and influences to stop at just one or two styles and love the richness that having an eclectic steak brings to my wardrobe.

Rarely do I open my closet door and stand their wondering what to wear, more often it's a matter of what look do I want to don today and which pieces can I (re)style into new and delightful ways. As I've always - at least since I've been old enough to buy my own clothes - been this way, I suspect that I will be always and rather love that I get to house so many different styles on one wardrobe bar.

When you think of your own look, is it clearly defined by (and devoted to) a single style or two, or, like me, do you like dip into various looks to create a wardrobe of many distinct, yet ultimately, harmonious voices?

47 comments:

  1. I love this post! It's nice hearing about all of your different facets.
    I have never conformed in my life, that would have been easy and would have undoubtably made my life at school an easier one, but I chose to buck the trend. The only time I conformed really was when there was a resurgance of the fifties style in the eighties and I clung to that until the clothes were no longer available and I grew out of them. I had some gorgeous clothing back then, things I would like to replicate.
    Older, I fell in with new romantic revivalists and goths (I was more in the new romantic camp) and still have an ankle length black net skirt which I like to wear and pretend I'm a rebellious Victorian!
    If I wear my hair down I have a tendency to look rather, well 1970's, which is fine, but not a look I tend to go for, unless we're talking early seventies when it was still the sixties, before The Look of the decade really kicked in. I was heavily into the sixties at one point but then rediscovered the fifties before slipping further back to the forties before coming back again to the fifties where I have been for a long time now. I rarely part with my clothes so as I still have all the items from all my decade dipping, I enjoy breaking out of my normal dress code from time to time because a change is as good as a rest. I rarely go outside in something different as I feel uncomfortable and like I'm drawing attention to myself!
    I think I took a few people by surprise in my last post or two as I opted to show myself wearing a completely different look than what my on-line friends are used to seeing.
    xxx

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    1. Hi sweet Melanie, thank you very much for your terrific comment. I loved hearing about some of the faucets of your wardrobe's history, which sounds as though it shares much in common with my own (re: romantic revivalists, goths, and the Victorians).

      I wholeheartedly enjoyed your cool 60s inspired outfit this week and hope you'll share other unique, fun, awesome looks like that with us whenever the mood to veer from your usual day-to-day (beautiful) style strikes.

      ♥ Jessica

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  2. Reading this post was like reading my own thoughts! I too, have quite a wide variety of styles that all live in my wardrobe, but rarely do they fight for attention. I've actually got my closet separated into two categories- Goth and Vintage...although they do often find a way of mixing together to create something new!

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    1. I love that you've given the two main personalities of your wardrobe on their own sides of the closet. If I had a larger closet myself, that's something I could definitely see myself doing, too.


      ♥ Jessica

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  3. I loved this post! I can definitely see where you draw your inspirations from. For some reason when I think of your style "Make Do and Mend" comes to mind. Like a women on the home from digging for victory. I tend to describe my style as side a: granny side b: little girl. I definitely am drawn to certain eras over others, but hate to put myself in a corner in terms of sartorial devotions.

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    1. What a beautiful compliment, Charmaine, thank you very much. I generally prefer to emulate real world fashions from the 40s and 50s (aka, something I know my grandmothers would have worn at the time), and as such can definitely see how and why a "make do and mend" look springs to mind when you think of my style. So lovely to know, thanks again.

      ♥ Jessica

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  5. What a relief that I'm not the only one with Multiple Fashion Identities Disorder!! I tell ya, I'd love to be one of those vintage gals who has a set decade and look they stick to... but I'm all over the map, too, and I must admit it's pretty fun to have such a versatile closet. Sometimes I love a period-perfect sweet midcentury look, other times I go full-on gothic with Victorian whites and silent film star makeup. Then I also adore an over-the-top kitschy '60s look... well, everyday is dress-up for me ;)

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    1. I hear you 100%, sweet dear! While I have thought before from time-to-time that it might be nice to channel only one very clearly defined look, there's no way I could even pin myself down so precisely. Fashion as a whole intrigues me to know end and I'm eager to pull from many styles and eras to create a wardrobe that brings me unbridled happiness every time I open my closet doors.

      Here's to us multi-wardrobe-personality gals!
      ♥ Jessica

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  6. I have a few sides to my wardrobe too. Most of the time, I'm a t-shirt and jeans kinda girl. I don't really go out so I like to be comfortable. Then there's the going out me. I will dress in stockings, garter belts, petticoats and fancy jewelry. I love to dress up and would do it everyday but sometimes I'm unmotivated.

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    1. I understand for sure - there are days (usually due to my health) when I'm housebound and sporting my vintage pjs, perhaps with a bed jacket in the chiller months. I think that regardless of what you're wearing (casual, glam, vintage, modern, etc), if you're happy in it, that's what truly matters.

      ♥ Jessica

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  7. First off-how cute are you to start a "dresses only" club and so clever too!! I love that! You're my kinda girl!

    I def see that you have a distinct style when you dress vintage-I think everyone develops a styles after some time. I am still developing mine and look fwd to seeing what my vintage personalities are for my wardrobe.

    For the time being, I have my mommy outfits which consist of yoga pants and t-shirts bc they are comfy and I always on the floor getting dirty LOL Then my casual everyday clothes which are jeans and nice tops, sometimes cardis. Then my vintage which is slowly growing to be a little more stylish than the homemaker look yet not too much like vogue. Like I said, I cant wait to see what style I adopt in the future! Lovely post mamita! xox

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    1. I've always adored your style when you've shared outfit posts with us, sweet Bunny. It has a very "real world" quality to it, that I strive for with most of my own outfits, too. I look eagerly forward to seeing where you take your wardrobe in the months and years to come, too, and am so happy I get come along for the ride via your wonderful posts.

      ♥ Jessica

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  8. I love this post! Especially that you really gave every look a proper name and feel. And I find it very true for myself as well...

    I for sure have a glamor side, as well as June Cleaver look, like yourself. And then I have a fun loving bobbysoxer look that I have been enjoying quite a lot lately. Which slightly goes hand-in-hand with the really rockabilly, verge of cartoon, look that I still enjoy. I also have the 30s Egpytologist look that I really want to expand upon this fall. And then there is a very large farmer's daughter/cowgirl/senorita part of my closet and personality. And also like you I have a bit of a goth streak (FAB picture by the way, I LOVE Vampira). I didn't go very hardcore in high school, but rather inexpensive off-the-rack, with the exception of one hand-made, corsets were a staple of my high school wardrobe.

    xoxo
    -Janey

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    1. That's so awesome, sweet Janey! I've always thought our styles had much in common, and your comment really reinforces that. Though I've not yet ventured down a 30s Egyptologist route (awesome style, BTW!), I'm thinking I may need to take a style cue from you one of these days and embrace my inner bobbysoxer a bit more (one of these days I'll work up the nerve to wear - and more over take photos of my wearing - socks, instead of stockings or bare legs, with a skirt).

      ♥ Jessica

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  9. Hi Jessica - great post. Yes, I have multiple personalities style. I too wear skirts and dresses but am from an era that all girls wore skirts in grade school. It kinda stuck for me, I feel much more comfortable in skirts for work and play.

    I have my boho chic, can't carry off goth (I'd look silly), and absolutely adore my cashmere sweaters and strands of pearls!

    thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

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    1. I like the boho chic look a lot. If for some reason the universe forbade me from ever wearing vintage again (a genuinely scary thought!), I know that my boho side would emerge strongly, likely partnered with a neo Victorian shabby chic look.

      Many thanks for your comment, dear Tami,
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. Loved this post! I have a very eclectic wardrobe myself. Sometimes I think I have A.D.D. when it comes to fashion because I have bits and pieces from all styles and eras.

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    1. I don't see the tiniest of things wrong with that approach. It's awesome, I do believe, to drawn fashion inspiration from a myriad of sources, people, places, eras - you name it. Life is too short not to wear whatever makes you happy, even if that gives your closet a very "mixed bag" look.

      ♥ Jessica

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  11. oh jessica!
    you speak from my heart! replace goth by punk (i´m 44) and canadia with germany and you have exactly the way i dress.
    I read your blog for about 2 months. of course I also read your older posts. your ability to make the everyday beautiful and be happy about the little things affect me.
    greetings from the Saxon Switzerland

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    1. Hi dear gal, thank you very much for your comment and for following this site, I really appreciate it.

      I adore the fact that your wardrobe has a German flavour to it! I have a lot of Germany ancestry (it you made a pie chart of the nationalities that make up my ancestry, German would definitely take up the biggest slice), and hope to incorporate more German touches into my look over time, too. By all means, feel free to share some of your favourite German/Swiss style tips with me anytime.


      Hugs from Canada,
      ♥ Jessica

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    2. oh - that's interesting, from where in Germany your ancestors originate?
      mine are from königsberg/kaliningrad and bohemia. i have a lot of slavic genes in me :-)

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    3. So far my genealogical research has unearthed relatives from different parts of Rhineland-Palatinate/Bavaria, and also Bessarabia (German Russia, in what is now present day Moldova). Those are on my mother's side, I have German on my paternal grandma's side, too, but I'm not (yet) sure of whereabouts those ancestors came from (hopefully I'll be able to find out one day).

      Aside from German, I also have smaller amounts of French/French Canadian, British, Russian, and a tiny (distant) bit of Polish - so a lot of Slavic genes in my dna as well :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  12. I completely understand what you mean! My style has different moods and personalities. Sometimes I will only wear dresses/skirts, and other times i'll watch a movie and try to dress like a certain character ;)

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    1. Hi sweet Judith, don't you just adore that moment when you're watching a movie (or TV show) and suddenly realize you have the pieces in your closet to make a similar look? It's like a little rush of euphoria washes over you, and then you can hardly sit through the rest of the film because you just want to rush to your closet and see if you really can nail the same style.

      ♥ Jessica

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  13. That's too funny, I love the goth streak comment. I as well fall back on my old punk roots every so often. If a song I remember comes on the radio, I want to run out cut my hair and dye it blue!

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    1. I often toyed with the thought of (especially between the ages of 16 and 19) dying my hair a far out hue, but ultimately could never bring myself to do it (though I did play around with pretty much every natural colour one could have, save for grey or white). Occasionally I'll see or hear something, too, that makes me yearn, momentarily, to colour my hair a shocking hue (pink, please!) as well. Cool to know I'm not the only one! :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  14. I love that last pic the best, that seems most...me. But yeah, I hear ya! I have the eclectic look to it. None of us should be conformists, we all have to be ourselves! :)

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    1. Here, here, dear gal!!! Wonderfully said, I couldn't agree more.

      ♥ Jessica

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  15. I cannot agree more... my wardrobe is not just vintage though- it's a little bit 40s, a little bit 50's, a bit steampunk, a bit rockabilly and a bit indie... I think that's why I have always been drawn to vintage- it's about individuality not fitting into a box. Not that having a single style is a bad thing- I often look longingly at the hardcore 40's gals and wish I could do it 24/7 like them! x

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    1. I hear you loud and clear on all points. You know, ultimately, I think I prefer the fact that my wardrobe is like a great mixed tape, instead of a "best of" :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  16. Great post, it's really made me think. (perhaps I'll do a similar psot dissecting my style in teh future...) In all honesty, I don't think my style or wardrobe is complete enough to define it clearly, but I've always really wanted to have a femme fatale element, a dark broody sexual style for when the occasion calls. Contrasted with a happy go lucky 1950's playfullness or 1940's working girl attire, for getting the job done. Hmm... I think this calls for more thought, you've certainly got my mind wandering! x

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    1. Hi sweet Sarah, thank you very much for your comment. Sometimes I'd love to channel more of a mysterious, femme fatale vibe, too, but alas it rarely works on me. I can do classic glamour, no sweat, but that vampy, seductive vibe often ends up looking a bit contrived or costumey. Nevertheless, every now and then I'll channel my inner sex kitten and hope that maybe, just maybe, that will be the time I'm actually pleased with how it turns out. :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  17. I have a lot of different looks in my closet as well. While I do have favourite eras, I like to have a little bit of everything in my wardrobe. I also seem to alternate between very girly looks (ruffles, lace, full skirts, etc) and very masculine looks (including clothing that was technically made for men). I think I'm drawn to extremes and I would hate to have to commit to just one look!

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    1. And why should you? One of the best things about living in the day and age that we do, is that (most of us) have the freedom to dress as we please (at least at certain times). I love that you tend to veer towards strongly masculine or feminine styles, and have always enjoyed seeing the fantastic outfits you share with us on your blog, dear Kate.

      ♥ Jessica

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  18. I am absolutely certain that you would look dashing in any style you choose! At my age it's just delightful to see someone wearing anything from June Cleaver to your school-girl frocks and to recall with such fondness, the gentler time of a 50s childhood. What a great post!

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    1. Though I didn't get to experience a 40s or 50s childhood firsthand, I've always wished I could have - even when I was a child myself in the 80s/90s, so it means a lot to me to know that my outfits help bring back memories of that wonderful period in time for you, dear Ann.

      ♥ Jessica

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  19. What a fantastic post!

    I find myself torn between all of my style personalities. I'd say I have a punk rock/rock~n~roll girl that loves dark colors, weird patterns, and things like spiders. I have my 1950's prom queen which of course consist of vintage tulle prom dresses and petal bust. Then there is the elegant Hollywood socialite or starlet, with Ceil Chapman dresses (of which I have zero) and gorgeous jewelry. And lets not forget my 1930/1940 girl, she loves drop waisted dresses, long strands of pearls, faux bobs, paper boy hairstyles, and simple war time dresses.

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    1. I need to follow your lead an add a vintage prom queen approved dress or two to my wardrobe. I'm forever favouriting them on etsy, however their price tags have thus far prevented me from taking the plunge (especially since I know there will likely be few occasions on which such a dress is called for). Nevertheless, I do truly hope to add one (or more) to my closet sometime (I keep thinking a 50s prom dress would be the perfect Valentine's outfit - so perhaps I could justify splurging on one on those grounds! :) ).

      ♥ Jessica

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  20. This is what I love about the era we live in, We can pick and choose and mix and be a different style when we want to. Whenever I get asked which era I would want to live in, I say Now. As much as I love the 40s-60s, our era has more creative freedom through clothing choices and I love that. I guess thats why I love reading blogs I get to see so many awesome personal styles. :)

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    1. Very well said, Stefanie. I've had that same thought before, too, and very much agree with. I love wearing vintage and seeing others do the same, but by the same token I adore gathering inspiration - or simple being floored and intrigued - by all different kinds of styles, even if they're not ones I'm likely to ever sport myself. The old adage "to each there own" definitely rings true when it comes to present day fashion - a point I'm very grateful for.

      ♥ Jessica

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  21. Great post! My wardrobe is definitely all over the map and what I wear really depends on my mood. There’s a more casual and reserved side that consists of jeans and t-shirts, but then there are some very brightly colored things too. Vintage-ly speaking, I love the fitted and full skirted outfits of the 50’s, but other eras are apparent too. My most favorite dresses in my closet are a navy blue with white polka dot one that belonged to my grandma and a black topped, white skirt with birds one that I found at a thrift store. Both make me feel like I walked out of an old movie and there’s just something so satisfactory in the swish and fanning out of a full skirt! In my sewing, I also tend to go for the 50’s patterns (yes, I’m slightly obsessive about full skirts), but lately I’ve had to urge to make something 40’s styled. If I knew how to properly draft patterns, I’d probably have a whole section of medieval inspired dresses in my wardrobe as well.

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  22. I love this! Because I have so many wardrobe personalities. But I like how you put it all into perspective. I can be anywhere from a jeans and flipflops girl to my lucite purses with stockings. It all really depends on what I'm doing that day. I can go from modern to anywhere post war era to the dat JFK was shot at a flip of a switch.

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  23. I would say my wardrobe is sometimes feminine and soft, like that of the beginning of WWI. Sometimes the blues, whites, and tans of a nautical palette, like a soft striped sweater and some linen pants. Or the red lips, pearl necklace and cardigan of the swing days. And sometimes the Indie Folk style, nature inspired and whimsical, laidback. I'm all over the style spectrum!

    Ivy

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  24. Reading this post was like reading my own fashion heart! I've been so focused on having one style, one iconic look that I wear all the time, and yet never being satisfied with any of them. You have opened a world of possibilities for me. I have worried about what people will think if I dress radically different from the norm. But its how I want to express myself and what makes me feel like me! Thank you so much Jess!

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    1. Hi Ashley,

      Thank you very much for your comment. It means the world to me to know that I've helped inspired you dress in the way that your heart is leading you. There will always be people who don't "get it" when sometimes dresses differently than the standard social norm, but try not to let them phase you. They don't matter. What matters is dressing in a way that brings you joy and puts a smile on your face when you get dressed.

      Go out there and express yourself through your clothes, dear gal. We only live once and every day is worth celebrating through the wardrobe choices we make.

      ♥ Jessica

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  25. I think I have several styles, which are all very 'me'. I either go all out for one (60s-70s very 'British' vintage flares/minis/maxis, indie-rock or glittery kitsch) or I blend them together with a twist.

    I'm not always drawn to accentuating my figure (sometimes I am very much about that- but sometimes other things such as colour or texture or mood make the choice). I have a very hourglass figure but I must admit I sometimes tire of the 'expectation' (especially in the vintage scene) that I always want to accentuate it- I don't mind playing a tomboy role now and again. Although even my most practical shoes are patterned and polished... is shoe fiend a wardrobe type?

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