How would you describe your personal style?

Hello all,
I’ve been thinking a great deal lately about my personal day-to-day style. Of course, since I am doing so, I am greatly curious to hear about the style of those who follow my blog :)
Since this blog focuses on historic or vintage fashion, I’m wondering how you incorporate that into your style, and if you do or if you just enjoy reading about it or seeing it. Personally, I don’t care if you dress head to toe vintage day in and day out or if you dress in modern clothing entirely, I just think it’s kind of neat how the blogging world can bring folks together with similar interests. I tried to think of different varieties of answers and would love to see results. If one of the options doesn’t apply to you, please comment and let me know what you would classify as your style. Also, if you dress period specific, I’d love to hear what period you try to recreate. Just curious, and looking forward to seeing the results!
[polldaddy poll=5555170]

31 Comments on How would you describe your personal style?

  1. myrosesindecember
    October 4, 2011 at 12:34 am (12 years ago)

    Great idea for a poll! My favorite clothing era is Edwardian and I have made a blouse from Folkwear which I wear with a very soft skirt with a flounce at the bottom. Makes me feel special!

  2. 3hourspast
    October 4, 2011 at 12:39 am (12 years ago)

    Cool question…. I’m one of those who dresses in me-sewn-repros mostly, but without committing to an “era.” Life’s too short. ;)

    I’ve been trying to pry apart the inner workings of personal style lately… I’d love to send you what I’ve been working on… I can’t find your email address! stephc (at) 3hourspast (dot) com…

  3. Stephanie
    October 4, 2011 at 12:59 am (12 years ago)

    I love all different kinds of fashion. Mostly, I do 40s and 50s with some me made and modern pieces thrown in depending on what’s going on. I’m kind of limited in what I can wear since I have to wear pants to work, but I’m trying to work more 30s and Edwardian into my wardrobe. I think I’m too fashion add to stick to any one period. I also love historical costuming, but as I need a new hobby just about as much as I need a hole in my head, I’m mostly a spectator in that department.

  4. phylisanne bernstein
    October 4, 2011 at 1:18 am (12 years ago)

    i dress as my mother dressed ,i like to look as a 1950s woman would dress.

  5. Kelley Gaston
    October 4, 2011 at 2:04 am (12 years ago)

    Great poll!
    Finally, at nearly 50 years-old, I am in style!!! I love all vintage fashion, and wear originals and repro-clothing from 1800’s to 1960’s. Lately have been wearing a lot of 40’s-early 60’s clothes. I remember when I was very young in the 1960’s and seeing all those lovely dresses, hats and gloves on ladies and thinking then, “I can’t wait to grow up and wear clothes like that!” I am so glad clothing styles repeat themselves.

    Thanks for all of your postings. You really inspire!

  6. Miss Virginia
    October 4, 2011 at 2:07 am (12 years ago)

    I like incorporating a lot of vintage-inspired into my modern wardrobe…that’s basically my daily look. But my style changes depending on my mood; one day I might dress head-to-toe vintage, the next I might be boho or romantic, then completely modern, etc. But vintage is where my heart lies. <3 I love the 40s, 50s and early 60s.

  7. Patricia Lynn
    October 4, 2011 at 2:53 am (12 years ago)

    I’m a hodgepodge of the above. Weekdays I dress modern, but often wear my repro 30s shoes and vintage jewelry as accents. On weekends, I favor more 40s and 50s as it is more abundant and the fabrics aren’t as fragile for day to day washing. For events, I favor 30s, unless the theme calls for something else, like Ticket to the Twenties. I would buy more vintage if I was a smaller size, but being plus sized means I make most of my clothes. I want to buy a garment because I like it, not just because I found a “rare plus size”, as sellers often bill it, that fits. Sometimes it feels like my only option at my size is buying the vintage rejects. So I sew.

  8. Laurie
    October 4, 2011 at 3:13 am (12 years ago)

    To add to my vote…when I dress modern I’m not really modern. I do like classic styles, but I don’t wear anything that dates to a previous decade. Instead when I shop off the rack or for patterns for items to wear day by day, I look for styles with classic elements to it. They are difficult to find. Early last summer I needed several summer items but I was too busy sewing historical clothing to sew for day to day. I live near the Washington DC area and shopped all day at the major stores but couldn’t find anything anywhere until I walked into one I had saved for last. This and other has classic elements. I finally clued into that so those stores are now my first stops.
    Laurie

  9. Casey
    October 4, 2011 at 10:07 am (12 years ago)

    I’m somewhere between the answer that includes a throwback vintage look and dressing entirely in new or thrifted clothes, and the one below it (vintage and me-made clothing). I voted for the latter, because it most resembles my wardrobe at present! Though it’s more circumstances than by design. (I’d say the most clothes I have are vintage, then made by me, thrifted and store bought being last.)

    I dress pretty much in a “vintage manner” on a daily basis. On some days this means I’m far more dressed down–just vintage-inspired slacks (or shorts), a tshirt or pretty blouse and flats of some sort. I like to wear my dresses a lot, and have quite a few vintage daydresses that I pull out often during the spring and summer and like to pair with vintage accessories (purses and jewelry) and a pair of pumps. Probably my most “vintage costumey” days are those when I try to go for a more “authentic” look–usually this includes back seam stockings (relegated to the winter at this point! ;), hats, etc. I really am quite eclectic when it comes down to dressing: mixing elements from different decades is what I like to do. Overall I end up having a very “vintage-romantic” vibe about my outfits: soft silhouettes, flirty skirts, heels, floral blouses, etc. I’m a girly-girl when it comes to dressing most days, and that plays out in my mixing of clothes!

  10. andreahg
    October 4, 2011 at 11:16 am (12 years ago)

    I guess I’m somewhat all over the map. Lately, I’ve been sewing vintage patterns in very modern prints or fabrics. Most of my wardrobe is made up of garments I’ve made from vintage patterns, but I also enjoy modern indie or artistic pattern designers. I find that my style is very seasonal. Spring and Summer are for vintage sundresses, Autumn is for avant garde modern outfits, dead of winter is for jeans, tee shirts and the heaviest sweaters I can find.

  11. Brittany
    October 4, 2011 at 12:05 pm (12 years ago)

    I voted for the last option, although I do toss in some thrifted modern things like cardigans, modern shoes that look vintage and things like that. I’m really drawn to the 40’s and 50’s so most of my wardrobe is from thhose eras. I’d love to try to do more of a 30’s style too!!

  12. jacqueline gonzalez The Darling Homemaker
    October 4, 2011 at 12:28 pm (12 years ago)

    Hi there,
    I dress in vintage clothing or reproduction clothing made by me or others 98% of the time. I do have to buy modern clothes because my other half is a modern man who likes modern dress clothing. It is difficult to be yourself when you know that your better half isn’t, but oh well, i manage. Anyway, I like your idea of asking about what others wear. Fantastic!

    xox,
    Jacqueline

  13. Susanna
    October 4, 2011 at 3:57 pm (12 years ago)

    I am pretty much a modern or contemporary dresser, or wannabe. This is mostly due to the insistence of my 27 year old daughter whose clothing I can share and who likes to shop with/for me. However, my ideal look is 50’s-60’s vintage flavored. I lack confidence though- what’s vintage cool and what’s freakishly dowdy?? And- my rule- if you wore it the first time around (for me 1970’s style) you don’t wear it when it comes back! I am learning and starting to step into my style from this and other great vintage clothing blogs.

  14. Maggie
    October 4, 2011 at 4:19 pm (12 years ago)

    Today’s outfit?
    Jeans and New Balance 442s with the TeeFury.com Direwolf Lager shirt and a vintage plaid blazer I found on Etsy.
    Really, I just wear what feels good and what I think looks good. And, failing that, jeans and a college sweatshirt.

  15. Heide at ApronHistory
    October 4, 2011 at 4:51 pm (12 years ago)

    Quite the question! I am kind of a mix. Mostly a spectator, but a get all excited when I see clothes in the stores that say vintage to me! Also have a few me made pieces. I am pretty classic, but love the romance of vintage clothes. You are inspiring me to add more vintage touches to my every day wardrobe!

  16. MissRayne
    October 4, 2011 at 5:39 pm (12 years ago)

    Usually its charity shop and me made vintage styles with some modern thrown in. Genuine vintage or me made vintage for re-enactments etc. electicism is my style.

  17. Dejah Thoris
    October 4, 2011 at 6:17 pm (12 years ago)

    I’m definitely a combo person on the poll items. My work is casual unless there is something important going on, so I wear nice jeans or trousers and a nice tee or blouse. If the weather is hotter, I’ll sport a skirt. But ironically, the shirt I’m wearing today is my favourite vintage military shirt; it’s soft and fits me well, and given it’s a rainy day today it works nicely.

    And on any given day, I’ll often wear my hair with pin curls, a version of victory rolls or any variant therein. Mainly because I like how it looks and it’s unique and it’s tidy.

    I do love to dress up in vintage attire for special occasions. For my second-time-around wedding, I wore a lovely floor-length dress from the early 1930’s/late 1920’s. My engagement ring is from the teens (it’s always on my hand, so I guess I’m sporting vintage daily actually… ). My husband wore his tux which is from the late 1930’s. I also do military re-enacting and I love lindy hop swing dancing. I have a small collection of vintage clothes, both civilian and military, and I love them very much.

    But as much as I adore all that and the styling of the 30’s and 40’s, I’m just as comfortable in my jeans, sneaks, and a tee.

    Cool poll!

    Cheers!
    Dejah

  18. Janice
    October 4, 2011 at 7:25 pm (12 years ago)

    I used have bright red streak in my artifically-straightened hair and dressed in a goth/punk style a year or so ago ago. Then I became allergic to hair dye, and that same look didn’t work as well on me as it did. I left my hair alone (reverting back to having plain black hair), stopped straightening my hair, and embraced my wavy hair. I was looking for something that was unique, so I started to dress in a vintage-inspired style. I usually wear my projects and gravitate towards a late 40s/50s/early 60s look and set my hair. Clothing-wise I hate shopping, so most of my closet is made up of homemade clothes, then hand-me downs from my mom, then thrifted clothes, then vintage clothes, then RTW pieces.

  19. jenny cross (@jennycross_06)
    October 4, 2011 at 11:48 pm (12 years ago)

    Love your blog! My style is classic with hints of current and 50’s, I love those 80s button up dresses though.
    Maybe check out my blog…just started blogging about style and have you on my site as a favorite.

    I wish I could sew my own clothes…but I am better at buying them

    Kisses,
    Jenny
    http://www.Modest21stcenturystyle.blogspot.com

  20. Paperdoll
    October 5, 2011 at 8:58 am (12 years ago)

    I love genuine vintage, but items from the 30’s that fit and still wearable are few and far between, so I put together a vintage look using high street, charity shops, and self-made repro with a few vintage accessories thrown in for good measure!

  21. Andi B. Goode
    October 5, 2011 at 1:09 pm (12 years ago)

    I felt I was more in between the last two – whilst I don’t exactly need to be period specific as though I’ve picked up a 1947 catalogue and recreated a look down to the last detail, I’m more going for the…vibe? Of an era. If that makes sense. So, it’s not just wearing vintage or vintage repro in any way. Also, I’ve loosely interpreted ‘made by me’ as ‘made by my mother/others’. If this doesn’t make sense it’s because I’m very tired, right now. This is a great post/question, by the way!

  22. Tasha
    October 5, 2011 at 5:34 pm (12 years ago)

    Wow, interesting poll results and great question! I voted for the all vintage or me-made reproduction but not period specific option. Although in fairness I have several repro pieces made by other awesome sewists or a couple of small repro companies (like Freddie’s of Pinewoods jeans), so the repro part is not all “me” made. I don’t strive to look like I’m from a particular year or couple of years, even though I would generally say I’m most influenced by styles of the 1940s. However there is some 30s thrown in there sometimes, and definitely a good bit of 50s, too, and I’m sure some of my vintage sweaters are actually from the 60s. So it spans a good bit there. But kind of like what Andi said above me, I go for more the general vibe in the vintage/repro I wear on a daily basis. :)

  23. Nona
    October 5, 2011 at 5:37 pm (12 years ago)

    I wear a mix of vintage and (mostly thrifted) modern clothes, but even my modern clothes have a vintage look. I’m mostly serious when I say that my goal is to only wear clothes that look like they were made before 1965. I will occasionally splurge on a retail piece if it’s really special, but 90% of my wardrobe, including a lot of the vintage, is thrifted.

  24. Eileen
    October 5, 2011 at 9:54 pm (12 years ago)

    I wanted to take the poll but I didn’t have an option that completely fit. I dress in business clothes Mon-Fri since I have a very strict dress code at work. On weekends I dress vintage, either purchased, thrifted or made by me. I usually mix modern and vintage pieces but try to go for a 40s look.

  25. dragicap...made by me ...
    October 7, 2011 at 10:42 pm (12 years ago)

    I love old fashion but I have try to have own fashion style. Clasic and some modern handmade fashion acessories is my favorite combinations . I have not expensive clothes ,but the way when I take that make me different.I love it!

  26. sarah
    October 8, 2011 at 4:56 am (12 years ago)

    I like to pick and choose my favourite element of each era. I love fifties dresses with tiny waists and full skirts, fourties style trousers and blouses a la Dietrich and Hepburn, and late victorian bustle gowns and corsets. I like to use historical patterns but out of modern fabrics, with no real attempt at historical accuracy; and if there’s something about the original I don’t like (tea length skirts, mid-bust corsets, etc) I won’t hesitate to change it. Not all of my clothing is vintage inspired, but it is almost all is me-made. And I just realised I don’t think of the finished pieces as from a certain era: patterns are vintage, but once it’s made up it’s just clothes, and whatever strikes me fancy in the morning is what I wear that day. Sometimes that means a fourties bolero with a tank top and flounced skirt, and that’s ok so long as it makes me happy. Because clothing is just to keep us warm and from getting arrested for public indecency, fashion happens when you love what you wear.

  27. Charlotte
    October 10, 2011 at 9:50 am (12 years ago)

    What an interesting question! I’ve ticked option 5 as I wear a reasonably full-on vintage look every day, but I mix original vintage, made-by-me AND modern (mostly thrifted, occasionally store-bought) clothing with a vintage look. But I’m definitely not period-specific – I flit from era to era, though normally a single outfit will have a feel of a specific era, so I’ll have a forties look or a fifties look, rather than combining, say, an edwardian bodice with an 80s skirt for something that’s entirely new (which I’m not knocking at all – some people can absolutely carry it off and look great, but it’s not what I’m trying to do).

    xx Charlotte
    Tuppence Ha’penny Vintage

  28. Jeanne Marie
    October 12, 2011 at 5:03 pm (12 years ago)

    I’m so glad to see I’m not the only one wrestling with this question. I’d been sorting that out for myself recently and wrote a blog post about it. (Full post here: http://jmsewingstudio.com/2011/08/18/blog-mission-vintage-for-the-real-world/) But the quick version is: I’m tall (5′ 9 1/2″) and a mom who works full-time and volunteers, so I defaulted to what was easy, not what was stylish. But in my 40s, I’m taking back my style! Since I have difficulty finding clothes that fit and flatter, sewing figures prominently into my wardrobe redo plans. I don’t want to veer into “costume” dressing, but so much vintage is truly timeless, just more elegant and classy than what’s out there now. Thanks for starting this discussion!

  29. rothco
    October 19, 2011 at 9:55 am (12 years ago)

    After study a few of the posts on this website now, and I truly like your way of bloggingI voted for the all vintage or me-made reproduction but not period specific option.

  30. Sean MacKenzie
    October 20, 2011 at 7:47 am (12 years ago)

    Vintage, bohemian, with a touch of vintage inspired modern clothing. At least those are on my good days. The 40s/50s my fave. But I am developing a love for that art deco look of the 20s/30s. I love the longer hemline.

    As for my hair. I’ve been growing it out and since I hate it I somehow created a vint-inspired ‘do till I get it hacked off. Which just so happens to be today! YAY!!

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  1. […] only did we have poll results, though, there are also some great answers in the comment section of the original post (read them by clicking the link) where some of you commented describing your style- either […]

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