Cute, quirky clothes vs luxury, sexy grown up clothes?

[hobanoba]

I for one am firmly in the cute and quirky clothes camp so that might be things like white stuff, some monsoon, fat face, libertys, bits of vintage and homemade. I have seen white stuff and boden refered to on here as childrens clothes for grown ups and I kind of see what they mean but I like it and it suits my personality.

The other camp is more to me about being sexy, luxurious, glam etc which is fine for those who like it and I can see that it suits some women but personally it is a style I dislike.

What side of the divide are you on or are you a straddler?

Sleek, elegant and effortless is what I go for.
I like knitwear, boots and things with interesting textures that I can layer. Quirky, nope not my style, and sexy...I can do sexy if I want to but it's not an everyday look.

The word cute absolutely sets my teeth on edge. Babies and, maybe, small girls are cute - and I'm not even sure it's desirable in the latter group.

And the idea anyone sees White stuff as 'quirky' surprises me. They seem boring safe and conventional. I do shop at Boden but never for their so-called ' fun' stuff which to me is naff and unsophisticated, not 'quirky' or 'cute'.

What about elegant op? I know I said strong and camp 2 but on reflection that was a reaction to the word cute. I always aim for am elegant timeless look with an edge.

I haven't been cute since I was about 6. I think fierce is probably an accurate description for me too. For me it's down to dressing my body (angular, broad shouldered, narrow waist, saddlebags etc), and also my personality (a highly confident introvert, like to make a statement but have always had an 'older than my years' attitude). It's a fascinating area - I'm a House of Colour stylist, and the personal style analysis is a hugely revealing day for a lot of clients, particularly getting them to really pinpoint how they want to be seen, and how they think they are currently seen.

Interesting thread. I really need to overhaul my style now I'm done with having babies, although I can't help but feel that practicality demands I keep on reaching for the jeans and t shirts, even though I feel quite scruffy some days.

Wish I could aim for "fierce", but I'm not sure a slightly dumpy, pear shaped, 5' 3" woman could ever be fierce. I think fierce people are statuesque... and have more money to spend on clothes than I do.

Think I'm going to aim to wear more dresses this A/W, although it's going to be an adjustment to see dresses as something to wear when I'm up to nothing much, as opposed to when I want to be smart.

Don't think I fit into either of these camps. I find White Stuff/Boden rather frumpy (no offence), but I'm not very good at doing sophisticated, grown up (I never feel right in a pencil skirt for example).

I have been known to wear "fun" tights and hats (no flowerpot hand-bag yet). So maybe "cute". But also tend towards skater skirts, shorts, skinny jeans, DMs, creepers, biker jackets as well. I'm probably just a disaster!

As for sexy, like Penny, DH says I am!

I don't like words like 'cute', 'fierce' or 'sexy' and wouldn't use any of them to describe me or how I dress. If I had to choose a word/s then it would probably be 'quirky' or 'slightly off centre'.

I love a quirky patterned top or trousers with a plain colour and I only wear flat boots, pumps or Mary Jane type shoes. I do buy some of the plainer Boden clothes but most of my things come from Sainsburys or Dotty Perks due to budget. I fully believe life to too short to worry about what other people will think of your style and clothes and if you like something, then you should wear it and be proud.

Confused, mixed up, functional. I sway between chinos and boots and a jumper, to 1950's prom frocks, dungarees, cashmere and down vests.

I pick clothes that I like. I don't care if they're perceived as childish/too young etc. I don't care what society thinks of me as it's their problem not mine.
My main aim is to be comfortable. If that means jeans and a slogan t-shirt then that's what I'll wear. I often wear tunic dresses (with patterns on) with leggings and boots.

If had to choose one, it would have to be no2, my style inspirations are Emmanuelle Alt and Charlotte Gainsbourg.

After having DS i was pretty mumsy and a bit 'quirky' tried to change my style a few years ago as I didn't like the look anymore, lost weight and wanted a more 'grown-up', simple but stylish look.

I still have to stop myself picking tops with 'cute' prints or animal hats , part of me likes that but other part doesn't, I'm 43 not 13. Prefer 'edgy' to 'quirky' these days.

other people would describe me as weird, quirky, different or strange. I don't and can't do grown up and sexy, it just looks wrong on me, like i've borrowed someone else's clothes and am playing dress up. I look young in the face and am very short so it just doesn't work on me and it making me uncomfortable really shows. I don't much care what anyone else thinks of the way i dress though, I don't judge anyone else's style and i'd certainly never make negative comments about it, either to their face or behind their back.

Reading this, what do people mean by "edgy"?

Neither. I don't think there's anything remotely quirky or cute about White Stuff or Fat Face - it's normal, ubiquitous casual wear. I wear that kind of stuff quite a bit, sports kit wear when I'm running, and smartish clothes (not 'sexy' stuff - I'm a teacher!) when I'm at work. I'm a bit that the suggested choices for a woman are basically cute or sexy.

In my twenties I loved kitschy and quirky. If it had a lipstick print or a unicorn print I was all over it. However now I'm in my late 30s I'm almost print-phobic.

Boden, Fat Face or White Company have never appealed to me though. It's what I would definitely classify as frumpy.

I try to channel a bit of Diane Kruger and a bit of Charlotte Gainsbourg. Neither cutsesy nor middle aged.

OP, from what youve described,you sound like someone who loves retro,(with a some eclectic thrown in) inspired clothes, full dresses with tights,Peter pan collar styles, sweaters,retro prints ,..etc, its great look but I wouldn't call it cute though!
I think Im a mix of everything but nothing in particular , like to look understated ,nonchalant, minimal,with a tiny bit of boho thrown in ,no loud jewellery or crazy prints, hate bodycon looks,

Someone once described me as the "sexy one" , find it odd as I never dress with the inclination to look that way.ever

Neither, practical clothes all the way here, we own a ranch so most days its jeans, shirts, bandanas and boots. On the rare occasions we go anywhere urban I try for elegant but comfortable clothes.
I usually carry toddler DS in a sling and I've spent quite a while on pinterest perfecting the toddler in woven wrap sling without looking like I make my clothes and live in a yurt look.

Camp 2, luxurious and sexy for me.