What do you think it is that makes a person stylish?

[LesFlamandes]

DD16 (who is enviably stylish herself) and I were musing on this last night.

How come some people are seemingly naturally stylish, and others, often in almost the same clothes, just aren’t?

We were talking about people we see as stylish (granny, one of our vicars, one of my daughter’s teachers, her tattooed and androgynous physics tutor) and they all wear completely different styles and have different budgets, but just carry their clothes off really beautifully.

If it is not just about age, budget, particular styles of clothes etc. What do you think it is that just makes some people stylish? We had a few of our own thoughts but would love to hear what other people who think about style think.

To me it’s being comfortable in what you wear and choosing things because they suit you rather than being in fashion - a nod to what’s current tends to be good but imo nobody looks truly stylish if they’re only wearing something because it’s ‘in’.

I think some of the factors include confidence, having an eye for colour combinations and thinking about what shapes work well together.

My most stylish friend really elevates an outfit with some accessory in an interesting accent colour.

I think it's down to
-knowing what suits you and your lifestyle
-choosing things that fit and are comfortable
-wearing them with confidence

I think it's down to
-knowing what suits you and your lifestyle
-choosing things that fit and are comfortable
-wearing them with confidence

I agree with both of those things. Having a style that’s ‘you’, not just duped from Insta.

Also, adding something a bit unexpected or interesting. Our vicar wears her dog collar under a tea dress, or has silver leather trainers peeking out from her gown. We love spotting her style touches!

Authenticity is definitely a factor. It certainly seems to distinguish the genuinely stylish from those who try really hard but don’t quite get there. I hate that feeling of being in ‘‘dress up’, wearing clothes that aren’t quite ‘you’

I wear a uniform at wort. Horrid black trousers and a boring shirt

However there are a few ladies that Rock the outfit.

How is this. Is
It body shape Confidence. Both

I don't think it's just about the clothes. It's all the thought out details that pull a look together- accessories, shoes, jewellery, hair. 'Effortlessly' stylish is unlikely to be that effortless- I'm not talking about grooming or makeup, I mean that the person probably enjoys clothes as an expression of who they are and spends a lot of time and effort thinking about what they wear and how to put an outfit together.

Variety and an element of the unexpected.

A person dressed in head to toe Chanel would be expensively dressed - but it might be some plastic flip flops from the market or a child’s Disney watch, or a sweep of emerald lipstick that makes them look stylish.

well fitted clothes, an eye for detail, putting effort into their appearance (doesnt have to be expensive but things like make up, good haircut, ironed clothes).

I think too often you can look down a High st and its just a sea of generic sameness....black leggings, t shirts, shorts in summer, black puffers in winter.
Stylish people just seem to stand out in some way.

I do think style is innate to a certain degree. I remember reading a quote once from a designer, can't remember who and they said about teenage girls school uniform and how most will look the same but you will always get a handful who stand out because of their style. You can do things to elevate your sense of style- grooming, the right sizes, accessorising etc- but I think some people are just born with it. The same way some people always look 'clean' and smart. I am not one of these people but my husband is. He does his hair and keeps himself tidy but he just always has that look somehow without spending hours on himself or particularly showing much bother to clothes or self grooming.

Also, maintaining an open mind …

I think it's down to being at ease with what you're wearing. For me that means the fit is right, not too tight or too baggy, somewhat "considered" (even though I rarely wear anything other than a version of jeans and a top) and then pretty much forgotten about.

According to my DS's girlfriend's mother, I'm the best dressed woman in Lidl. Mind you, in rural Cornwall, that may not be high praise!

I think knowing what colours suit you helps a lot. I recently realised that strong colours look best on me and finally stopped buying pastel shades that I love but make me looked washed out or just flat.

I think body language and how you carry yourself / walk is very important.

I feel that some people just have a sort of 'rich' look to them even when they're far from rich.

I used to know someone like this; she just looked good in whatever she wore as she looked rich:

I think it is a few things.

The main one is having a stye that slightly flamboyantly (but not OTT) suggests your personality.
Another is having a sense of what makes an entire outfit. I can wear a nice dress and shoes but never think about the belt, the bag etc. Stylish people do.
Posture matters massively.

It’s a sort of visual confidence; looking like their personalities and bodies are just right for these clothes. Grooming and wearing the right accessories is also a part of it. And carrying yourself like you’re just right exactly as you are.

I agree with this. Some people just have 'it', an innate talent with style, just like others have talent in other things. Whatever they wear always drops in the exactly the right way, in a way that it doesn't for others. They can throw on any style of hat, sunglasses or other accessories and still look fab, whereas most people usually have to stick to one or two styles or shapes that they know won't make them look foolish.

Also somehow the proportions always fall right, with no effort it seems. Proportions are a big part of it, I think. But it's an inborn talent.

Edit: I also think this 'innateness' is extremely rare. You can follow all the rules yet still look nice/appropriate at best. But that thing that they have is intrinsic.

For some it’s grooming, well fitted clothes maybe

I respectfully disagree on this point. The Kardashians look 'rich' but they have no innate/natural style, it's all 'forced' and blingy.

Sometimes you can tell best who has that innate natural style when you look at their casual clothes that they threw together themselves. For example timothee chalamet (I know, he's a guy) looks amazingly stylish in basic hoodies and joggers, in a way that other guys don't. It's something innate. Likewise SJP and Jennifer Aniston have it too.

i think it’s unusual to be stylish at 16. Style tends to come with knowing what works for you, generally having good taste & having a certain insouciance.

@ILikeDinosaurs Agree, someone who is stylish will still look it in a bin bag.

Has there ever been a bin bag transformation challenge on GBSB?

(I recently binged the entire oeuvre and don’t remember one.)

Is that the sewing bee? Some of the things they make look worse than a bin bag imo!