Introduction to the SSS blog

Welcome! Let me explain how the SSS blog came to be; what it (and me) are all about...

Firstly, on style

"Fashions fade, style is eternal" ----Yves Saint Laurent

Ever considered your handwritten signature? Every curve, swirl, straight line and dot is unique to you, says something about you, and sometimes evolves over time (as you grow up, if you get married etc). Your true style is also a signature of sorts; it is personal, projects aspects of your inner self to the world and can evolve as you do. It isn't necessarily perfect, but it is uniquely yours.

"Fashion is about dressing according to what's fashionable. Style is more about being yourself." ----Oscar de La Renta

Broadly, style types usually fall into several categories, although style experts can differ on what those categories are, just as the individual wearing them can make them appear vastly different.

"What's my style is not your style, and I don't see how you can define it. It's something that expresses who you are in your own way." ----Iris Apfel

Out of interest, I did a style questionnaire in a book called 'Nothing to wear?' by Jesse Garza and Joe Lupo, and apparently mine is ‘Avante Gard’. (The categories outlined by the authors of this particular book were Classic, Chic, Bohemian, Whimsical and Avante Gard; categories they suggest can also overlap for some people.) It is well worth a read, and describes style makeovers via what they term "visual therapy". I do like black pieces (a hangover from my teenage years), and find interest in unusual prints, cuts, textures and overall shapes - so maybe that does somewhat match with what the authors describe as the Avante garde category... 'Statement pieces' with good quality basics form the majority of my closet hanging space. I also love a vast array of shoe styles (and have amounted ample evidence of this affection under the bed! In both bedrooms.)

Although items in my wardrobe change over time, the themes and styles remain much the same. The reason behind that, of course, is because these are the pieces I feel like myself wearing; I feel good in them.

"The secret to great style is to feel good in what you wear." ----Ives de La Fressange

Shopping style and preferences on habits

Moving on from style relating to a worn garment, there is shopping style (my preference being for a mixture of vintage or thrifted finds blended with fresh pieces punctuating the narrative) and shopping habit style... This is where the idea for SSS really started to form

My aspiration is a more sustainable shopping habit mostly involving well considered thrifted pieces that reflect my evolving personal style perfectly and do not cost the earth (neither the planet nor my bank balance!)

I have a strong sense of likes and dislikes when it comes to style. I have largely come to terms with any body hang-ups and 99% of the time am lucky to love (or at least like) my shape and how it carries clothing. Accepting I was not made for the '90s heroin chic attire of my teenage years (the 'then' trend) meant I had to accept my shape and figure out what worked for me, as bodies (unlike fashion trends) are timeless. Perhaps this is why I try to go my own direction with clothes and use them as a quirky statement of self expression and mood

Recently though, I felt I had lost any hint of my signature style. If you had asked me, I would struggle to describe it (my family and close friends would give me varied contrasting descriptions) and I had become disheartened when staring into my wardrobe every day despite the beautiful attire hanging there. As a result I became lazy in my outfit choices and began an ongoing rediscovery of my signature style, implementing my tried and tested, reliable thrifting ways to do it, which I hope to share with you too!

"Style is something each of us already has, all we need to do is find it." ----Diane von Fustenberg

Changing my ways

Whether thrifted or not, I feel I buy a lot of clothing. I would like to develop a sustainable shopping habit. Shopping, for me, is recreational. We all do activities that restore or 'recreate' us, after the stresses of every day life have gotten us down. I like it, find it relaxing, and have become pretty good at it - not just for myself but when buying for others too. That said, I have to admit I feel jaded by advertising, influencers and advertising. Like many others, I don't want to stop shopping completely; more like change my approach to clothes shopping. 

"When there is an incompatibility between style and a certain state of mind, it is never style that triumphs." ----Coco Chanel

The challenge of considered and thrifty purchasing of quality items that display personal style and shape, are comfortable and allow self expression is tantalising, and if it combines an element of longevity in my wardrobe then all the better! Purchasing only quality pieces that don't cost the earth and will last as your style evolves and changes means your closet will mainly contain old friends you can revisit and re-invent again and again

The plan

"Know first who you are and then adorn yourself accordingly" ----Epictetus

The book 'Nothing to wear?' mentioned above suggests the steps of Visual Therapy are

1) Define your style

2) Edit your wardrobe

3) Fill in the gaps with missing items (shopping but with a purpose and an image in mind)

4) pull optimal looks together

5) nurture the improved sense of style and DEVELOP it. Integrate this with personality

I felt this was a good place to start.

To focus myself and force some more considered morning dressing effort, I initially decided I would gradually overhaul my closet, then Instagram account (@style_signature_sought) and subsequently, having spoken to several other lost souls overwhelmed by their closets, start a blog, so that we can share in the enjoyment (and hopefully some tips too)

There is no other agenda, no urge to be an influencer (I am more interested by other peoples' natural influences than trying to influence anyone myself), no drive for more followers; just me, staring into my wardrobe and making more effort with my style, and doing it in a thrifty way that does not cost the earth (neither planet nor wallet) #letsnotcosttheearth. If I can achieve this while sharing even one golden nugget of advice someone finds of use or interest then all the better!

Already I am making more effort in presenting a more put-together, truer version of myself and changing from style signature sought to sorting out my signature style. You can do this too, and are warmly invited on this adventure!!!