006: Creating Your Own Style Dictionary
Defining your style words
If you are on fashion TikTok in any capacity, you have heard of Allison Bornstein and her three-word method. The method consists of you choosing 3 words to describe your style, streamlining your wardrobe and making sense of your inspirations. I think this method is the perfect floaty to use as you start to swim in the world of personal style. It allows you to sit down with yourself and be intentional with the items you purchase, allowing for a more aligned sense of style. However, at one point you have to take the floaties off and dive into the deep end. The next step is to try and define the words, tailoring these definitions to fit within your specific style desires. One person’s tomato is another person’s tomatoe, with words like classic, eclectic or masculine taking on different meanings depending on the person and their perspective.
For example, if you want to feel empowered in the clothes you wear, you can gravitate towards colours and opt for a bolder palette to express your inner power. Similarly, empowered can describe tailored looks that offer a sense of authority and structure within the fitted and well-cut silhouettes. Sexy could be another feeling you are trying to portray through clothing, opting for skimpier, shorter items that show off your body when putting together your looks. Sexy, however, could be demonstrated in the small details, such as the draping of a top or the form-fitting way a pair of trousers sits on your body, providing the sensual touch you crave. There isn’t one way a word can present itself and within these differences, you can start to carve out a more individual style presentation.
Below I have styled looks around the words ‘comfortable’ and ‘feminine’ to show you the range and possibility that exists within each word and how a different perspective can lead to varying looks.
Comfortable
Both of these looks are wildly different but the underlying thread that connects them is a feeling of comfort. The first look is more typical in the way that when you think of comfort, you think of a sweat set. The material choice provides that comfort in the tactility of the fabric being soft to the touch, allowing you to seamlessly move indoors and outdoors without having to change. I can imagine this outfit being perfect for a Sunday stroll where you want to easily slip out of bed and into the nearest coffee shop without risking bumping into someone looking like your hangover feels.
The second look also conveys a feeling of comfort but this is done through the silhouette choice. The oversized blazer paired with the oversized shorts gives that roomy feeling, with the loose-fitting clothing allowing you to effortlessly go about your day. It gives the wearer comfort whilst leaning towards a more tailored edge. This outfit is perfect for a formal dinner where the extra room is forgiving after your post-pasta bloat kicks in.
Feminine
Both of these looks convey femininity in very different ways. The first look is feminine in the details such as a cinched waist on the blazer and the flowy silhouette of the skirt. However, the choice of all denim, with its origins in utility and work, adds tension to the look and brings it to a more casual place. It undercuts the femininity of the silhouette, bringing a more individual take on the word. I can imagine this look on a childhood tomboy, evolving past that label without growing out of their need to break the rules, just a little bit.
With the second look, the femininity comes from the dress choice paired with a heeled boot. However, the loose silhouette of the dress as well as its high neckline, as well as the fashion-forward boot, allows for it to be abstract in its manifestation. It is more self-assured, with less of a reliance on the typical details of form-fitting, brighter colours. I can imagine someone with a very cultural lifestyle, filling their life with the beauty of art exhibitions and many lovers wearing this. The tightly wound and independent firstborn that chooses to push the boundaries with their clothing choices.
I hope this provides a detailed view of how you can create your style dictionary, defining what each word means for your style. There is no one size fits all and the fun lies in choosing how to communicate your desires through clothes.
Speak next week! x
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