Consistency and Style

Simplicity and consistency…

That’s what I want from my clothes. And multitasking, of course. And they have to be low-maintenance. And versatile… I know, I know: I’m demanding. But why shouldn’t I be? After all, I spend my hard-earned money on clothes, and I want to get my money’s worth.

So, why do I keep buying the same thing over and over again?

Really, it’s almost as if I’m wearing a uniform: I keep repeating the same colours and the same shapes…

For example, when it comes to this outfit, it really is the same old, same old. You’ve seen the coat so many times that you’ve probably lost count. And I’ve worn the skirt a few times, too: in winter (both in Finland and in the U.K.), and in spring. The only new items here are the (very basic) cotton sweater and the scarf. And even the sweater looks very familiar: I have a cashmere sweater in almost the same colour…

And that’s what simplicity is for me: I know it works. Every time. More importantly, I know I like it.

There’s nothing wrong with experimenting. Or using style to express your personality. In a way this is exactly what I do: my clothes are an outward expression of my personality. And that’s why consistency in style is so important for me: I know who I am, and I want the world to see it, too.

Of course, people change over time, and outfits should reflect that change. But people don’t change drastically: the core of my personality remains the same even though certain personality traits might be more pronounced at a given time while others are ‘dormant’. In the same way, my outfits change slightly to reflect my current circumstances, but the essence of my style remains the same.

But what about playing, having fun with fashion?

Why not have fun with fashion? I could be a hippie chick one day and a headbanger the next. Or a pirate princess and an earth mother, and… Isn’t it fun to explore the concept of identity while having fun with fashion? Of course it is, but I have neither the patience nor the permanent closet space for multiple sartorial personalities…

Sure, I used to play dress-up all the time when I was little girl. You know, wearing my mother’s clothes, tons of jewellery and a crown… Yes, I  always dressed up as a princess. Never a pirate or a farmer or a race car driver. A princess. I guess we could say that I had a very firm idea of identity even back then, but I leave it to you to analyse it further…

Anyway, as most of my life is somewhat restless (working as a freelancer, living in two countries…), I tend to crave some consistency. Or maybe it’s just a way to exert some control over my life and my circumstances. I mean, we may all be at the mercy of the economic climate, but consistency in style is entirely up to me. Thus, consistency it’s also reassuring: life may be uncertain, but some things never change (too much, anyway).

Of course, every now and then I expand my need for consistency onto other areas of my life: I may make a half-hearted attempt at home decoration, or think of getting a permanent job… And then I remember that even after 15 years I still see my flat as a temporary home, and I don’t really want to work on Mondays, or in the mornings…

I’m wearing:

skirt: Jigsaw (old, seen before HERE, HERE and HERE) / top: KappAhl / scarf: Global /

 shoes: Clarks (old) / bag: Furla / sunglasses: Coach / trench: Hobbs

Is having a signature style important for you?

Tiina

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Not Dead Yet Style, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Garay Treasures, High Latitude Style, Sydney Fashion Hunter, The Pleated Poppy, Style Elixir, Get Your Pretty On, Happiness at Mid-Life, A Labour of Life, Doused in Pink, Curly Crafty Mom, Fashion Should Be Fun, Rachel the Hat, Sincerely Jenna Marie, More Pieces of Me, Color and Grace, Not Dressed As Lamb