Ways in which a stranger’s style or styling has inspired you?

[PragmaticDramatic]

Has a stranger’s style or the way they have styled something inspired you?

I saw someone today with a denim shoulder bag with badges on which has inspired me on how I can make my denim bag a bit more current/ different.

1. The late Stella Tennant. Something about her style (and I do realise she was styled whenever she was photographed) assured me it was fine to like the stuff I like and dress to please myself.

2. Women older than me striding or cycling purposefully along Banbury Road in Oxford, silver pigtails flying in the wind. About a decade ago this image suddenly seemed to provide a model of how I want to be moving into old age. It gives me great optimism when shopping for clothes.

3. Women going about their lives in offices and galleries and university buildings and hospitals and building sites in southern Nigeria - not afraid to take up space in their clothes. I’m really drawn to designers who don’t set out to make women seem either diminished or ingratiating through their wardrobe choices.

<Kills thread>

Loved your answer Betsy

Not a stranger but over the years women like Stevie Nicks, Tilda Swinton, Helena Bonham Carter, even Camila Batmanghelidjh - all embracing a sense of be less ordinary. Even if it doesn't always work, it's better than being ordinary.

Or Maria McKee in her Lone Justice days in the early and mid 1980s- loved her style - flat boots, thrift shop dresses and in the late 1980s early 1990s Natalie Merchant in 10,000 Maniacs with the same, but slightly more ladylike take on it. Both so much more interesting than Madonna's " look at me , I'm so sexy" schtick. If you look at videos of both in those periods what they are wearing still looks fresh, interesting and eminently wearable. (And both of them are still rather wonderful)

Quite a few years ago now, watching old men in Rome, impeccably dressed in the most beautifully tailored suits.

Also a few years ago, on the bus to work I used to watch a group of teenage Muslim girls in traditional dress, fully covered but styling it out with the details: bags, finger nails, phone cases, the way they tied their headscarves etc: a great reminder that rules = creativity.

I've always liked street style blogs and one of the craziest is Helsinki street style Hel Looks
https://hel-looks.com/20240614_06/

I don't know whether it inspired me as such but I am just fascinated by people who are really committed to a whole look!
Made me feel I should be more adventurous and care a lot less!

Small bump …

Years ago I saw an older woman on the bus. Her hair was natural, white or grey, long, in excellent condition, and it looked really stunning.

I've often been inspired by colleagues at work. I don't use much media so am often unaware of trends until they translate into what I see around me.

Not a stranger as such, but Patricia Field's styling always inspires me, especially on Sex And The City. Not in an exact Carrie Bradshaw wore a nameplate necklace so I will (although I was guilty of being more literal back in the day!) but the way she combines items, the theatrical whimsy, the fun with it all.
If I'm feeling a bit meh about my clothes I'll think of that Pat Field alchemy.

Another fan of Hel looks. I have fantasies about hanging out in a Helsinki coffee shop one day just blatantly people watching. I already rubberneck shamelessly whenever I spot an original look on someone.

Helena Bonham Carter. She always looks interesting and as if she has had fun getting dressed.
The message that I have taken from this is to have fun, be yourself and give no fucks. It's liberating

@verylongday Totally agree on HBC. I especially try and get HBC hair.

Oh my goodness! Helsinki! I want to go there now!
They are all very young though, and it’s summer and I wonder how they go when it’s middle winter and doesn’t get light… maybe that’s why they are so out-there in summer.

I used to follow Iranian Street Style blogs.
The creativity is amazing!
There is something wonderful about women who are dressed without showing lots skin .. sometimes less ( skin) is absolutely more attractive.
I hope that politics in Iran currently has not restricted women’s creativity.

I get inspired by alot of the multicultural clothes around my way.
You often find indian women in traditional outfits and african ladies with gorgeously patterned full length dresses (often with elaborate headgear, esp for church on a sunday!).
It means Im happy to swan into town in a brightly patterned summer maxi dress knowing I wont be the only one!😄