If I asked you to describe your style, could you do it?

[BIWI]

Full disclosure: I'm a market researcher, and currently doing some research for one of the Big 4 supermarkets on their clothing. One of our clients has asserted that it's difficult/impossible for people to describe their own style, and that only other people could do this about you.

I wondered about this. Personally I'm really not into fashion, so it's hard for me to describe my 'style' other than scruffy, but then I was wondering if this confirmed her statement!

I'm not looking for answers to my research (because I actually haven't told you what it's really about ), but wanted to see what you fashionistas thought to this claim.

Yes, squizita, the expensive thread was exactly how I don't want to look. Having said that, right now:

Elasticated
Possetty
Uncombed.

Not good.

The thing is about the rich, they don't want us to be able to copy. If it were as simple as having a Boden top and linen trousers it would be too easy.

Big bling has to be real - but BIG. That is what spells 'rich'.
Things that would look awful and 'off the market' unless made and tailored to the nth degree, ditto.
Brash men's suits - cannot be done unless fully tailored in the best fabrics.
The Italians are very good at this, as are very wealthy middle Eastern women.

Small and real diamonds, just-below-designer-classic-bags, one statement for keeps mulberry bag - say middle class with a naice house in Chiswick/Guildford etc.

It's a perfectly decent look but it doesn't actually say super expensive.
It says classic, chic, respectable.

I find sample sales (helps being a pixie size), vintage designer, 2nd hand and Bicester Village help with both 'sleek middle class' and 'full on expensive' when I need those looks.

Rich people don't necessarily look better. They may do. But I think it can make them lazy. Their true tastes might get clouded by idolising brands. That can happen to people without money too of course.

For years I had no money. NONE. I saved every red cent. I looked ''expensive'' (or sufficiently expensive in my circle of acquaintance) by not looking at all cheap!) by valuing my health; mental and physical. I exercised a lot. I channelled gratitude for my health!

I had a good eye for what flattered, not necessarily for the latest trend. Luckily I wasn't mixing with people who had real money $£€ but i was mixing with the nice house in Chiswick?Godalming - one statement bag -kind of financial comfort, and I felt I looked better than most of them, most of the time, because I saw myself like that house :-p ie, if you turned me upside down, I'd have had my health, figure, hair and teeth. I had to think harder. Everything I wore accessorised what little I had, ie, my skin, my health, my hair, my figure.

It gets harder though, my hair is beginning to go grey! I'm now tempted by botox. But I think years of extreme belt-tightening did wonders for my sense of style.

Warrior yes exactly ... hence my mention of Ab Fab (names names names). I found some of the laziest dressers were the very well off (in some cases they employ people to dress them FFS) but also that 'middle class' set, essentially it was good taste = a certain list of brands and colours (neutrals, white company, Boden etc).
Whereas like you say, having good personal grooming and knowing what fits adds a layer of 'class' to penny-pinched style. I've found, for example, that charity shop gems adjusted to fit (by my mum ) often serve me well but my number one asset is my posture and being able to combine etiquette with being spontaneous and confident. People notice the clothes fit, they're good quality and I look like I belong.
True in vintage, Valention & Viv (all 2nd hand) at an Inns of Court ball, a 5* hotel, a Chiswick gastro pub, a Surrey spa ... and true in a Primark pullover and my old Levis down my local, down Camber Sands for a runaround, at a car boot digging out vintage tat to do up...

I cannot place where I acquired this skill (I went to a very good inner city comprehensive but it was what it was, a respected but not top 5 university and the 'right on' drama school of the big 3) which appears to be something picked up at grand public schools. The knowing when to do the manners and when to break the manners thing I mean. Perhaps my very mixed race/class/location family meant I was left out of the British loop somewhat, and being in London which is a melting pot anyway I just became somewhat chamelion-like in my search for booze and good music during my youth ... I picked up my second hand shopping skills from my Gran, she was the jumble sale Don.

Valentino (Valention sounds like a knock off market perfume ) I mean.

Actually those heels weren't 2nd had. Two words: Bicester Village.

I agree with Squizita (naturally!) I do genuinely admire people who look, what I would call "pulled together" - the "classics" of (for example) breton top with skinny jeans and a nice pair of boots, maybe with a blazer but to me they aren't classics classics, they are just thought of as classics at the moment.

To me a classic would be something like a good pearl necklace (I am literally the MN clichè I know) or a fitted, slightly above the knee skirt suit - with weights in the jacket lining to make it hang right of course

I actually think there are very few true classic items (it's quite hard to think of them!) and what we tend to think nowadays as classic, or elegant, or understated, or expensive is actually very much influenced by today's fashions.

The whole expensive thing is a minefield though really!

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Today (and most days) I am wearing
Skinny indigo jeans
White Stuff print too, although this is usually a navy/white Breton
White Converse shoes
Links sweetie necklace

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