The Sartorialist Contest w/ the New, Signed Bruce Weber book as The Prize
I was in Miami this weekend for Art Basel and had the chance to attend the book signing for Bruce Weber's new book "Sex and Words".
Of course I was thinking about my readers and thought "How can I use this opportunity to benefit them and thank them for all their support?" then I got an idea A CONTEST!
A really easy contest that everyone can participate in.
Here it is
in the comments section of this post please respond to the following
"What has most inspired your personal style?"
This could be your Grandma, or a movie, a band, a designer or whatever.
I think it will be really interesting to read what inspires your style plus you can win a really cool book.
IMPORTANT - please leave your response in the comments section and then copy it and email it to me so I can match it up and send the prize to the right person. I will not post a response until I receive the email .
Please put CONTEST in the subject line
The Winner will be announced on Dec. 20th ( in time for Holiday gift giving or receiving)
I will begin with my response
Giorgio Armani ads of the 80's were incredibly influential on my early style development. The ads then were mostly shot by Aldo Fallai and were so beautiful (usually black & white). I could relate to what I was seeing in the ads, they were full of people and place that kinda looked like my life - only better.
This is how the Bruce Weber website describes the book:
“Sex and Words” is a limited-edition book of Bruce Weber photographs inspired by the writings of D.H. Lawrence. In the context of Weber’s catalogue of publications, this delicate volume features a unique construction. Sixteen black and white and three color plates are juxtaposed with selections from “Lady Chatterley’s Lover,” “Women in Love” and “Sons and Lovers.” Adjacent pages within the volume are interspersed with illustrated vellum sheets that play off the naturalism and sensuality of the photos and text.
This is a limited print run of 2000 books
ps for those of you that don't win but still want the book I have two other signed copies that I will auction off especially for The Sartorialist readers on Ebay.
I will place the link here when it is set
Good Luck
Of course I was thinking about my readers and thought "How can I use this opportunity to benefit them and thank them for all their support?" then I got an idea A CONTEST!
A really easy contest that everyone can participate in.
Here it is
in the comments section of this post please respond to the following
"What has most inspired your personal style?"
This could be your Grandma, or a movie, a band, a designer or whatever.
I think it will be really interesting to read what inspires your style plus you can win a really cool book.
IMPORTANT - please leave your response in the comments section and then copy it and email it to me so I can match it up and send the prize to the right person. I will not post a response until I receive the email .
Please put CONTEST in the subject line
The Winner will be announced on Dec. 20th ( in time for Holiday gift giving or receiving)
I will begin with my response
Giorgio Armani ads of the 80's were incredibly influential on my early style development. The ads then were mostly shot by Aldo Fallai and were so beautiful (usually black & white). I could relate to what I was seeing in the ads, they were full of people and place that kinda looked like my life - only better.
This is how the Bruce Weber website describes the book:
“Sex and Words” is a limited-edition book of Bruce Weber photographs inspired by the writings of D.H. Lawrence. In the context of Weber’s catalogue of publications, this delicate volume features a unique construction. Sixteen black and white and three color plates are juxtaposed with selections from “Lady Chatterley’s Lover,” “Women in Love” and “Sons and Lovers.” Adjacent pages within the volume are interspersed with illustrated vellum sheets that play off the naturalism and sensuality of the photos and text.
This is a limited print run of 2000 books
ps for those of you that don't win but still want the book I have two other signed copies that I will auction off especially for The Sartorialist readers on Ebay.
I will place the link here when it is set
Good Luck
Comments on "The Sartorialist Contest w/ the New, Signed Bruce Weber book as The Prize"
A minha maior inspiração quando vou pensar em estilo e vestuário é a pintora mexicana Frida Kahlo. Suas roupas, cores, pulseiras, flores traduzem sua vida, tanto os momentos felizes e angustiantes. O verde e o vermelho refletem muito o que eu sinto e quero, como objetivo: fazer de cada dia único, vibrante, apaixonante! Essa sou eu: Vida, Luta, Paixão, Amor!
Stela (stelapt@gmail.com)
For me, developing a sense of style was about overcoming personal demons. I was a shy kid and always felt unattractive. My parents meant well, but Dad dressed defensively, to be appropriate without making mistakes. One day, in my 30s, I decided I'd had enough of that and started paying attention to well-dressed men and women to see what they knew that I could learn. I bought GQ and Details and roamed the floor at Marshall Fields and Carsons, looking for great shirts and ties. I decided I would be a Gentleman, in the best sense of the word. Then one day, I looked in the mirror, and there he was, a confident, elegant swan of a man, not the ugly duckling I had seen for so many years.
What has most inspired your personal style?
- My mon and Audrey Hepburn
... some times I take some tips from your blog too
CONTEST
Everytime I look out the window I get inspired to create something new. The way browns, greys, blues and greens, and all colors go together are best flaunted by nature. I often go around with a leaf to find a perfect match for a green, or a stone for a greyish-brown. Once I had to take a picture of a flame to get that exact orange. Water and air complement everything solid; the solid needs a something fluid and airy to balance things. "How can an artist be arrogent when his palette is the best thing about his work." I am a designer and I feel just that, the hard part was done for me, I get to have all the fun with the creativity nature has to offer.
I was inspired by the men's clothing in the small thrift shop down the street from my house. I found the best jackets, shoes, dress shirts that I wore everyday. I had unique clothing and no one had the same stuff I did. Kind of like the Pretty in Pink movie, just not pink.
My personal style is inspired by all the experience in my life..beginning with childhood. When I was 5 years old I was in love with this green dress and I wore it whenever I could with my patent leather mary jane shoes - How life brings everything full circle at 30 years old I am once again in love with emerald green dress and black patent leather shoes for this holiday party season. Everything in LIFE is inspiration for what to wear tomorrow.
Without question I'd say that movies have inspired my style. I've had a life-long love for films set in the 30s, 40s and 50s. From the clean elegant lines of Astaire and Grant to the amazing wardrobes that were like characters of their own in modern movies like Miller's Crossing, Gosford Park and The Talented Mr Ripley. Maybe it's the confidence these characters exude, which is all the more believable when they cut such a dapper figure or the storylines themselves that make me want to be a part of that world but my style can be quite reminiscent while being carefully arranged so as to avoid looking like I'm an extra. Vests, scarves, clean lines and suppressed waists. A tie that's like an olive in a martini: a perfect, subtle but distinct part of an outfit that melds with the components to complete a look. These are the things that warm my heart.
"What has most inspired your personal style?"
I would have to say myself. Just like that changed in the past few years, I'm sure it will change again. But since I am still young, my "style" before was just what the cool kids wore. I eventually had the great idea of buying what I like (if it is my size and I look good). That's when I found that I was inspiring some of my friends' styles and that I was more comfortable in my skin.
And by the way, I can't wait to see you Art Basel pictures! I really wanted to go...
As a child my grandmother introduced me to the great B/W films of the 30's and 40's.
To see Cary Grant, Clark Gable and Errol Flynn (to name just a few), effortlessly move through life with a sophistication that seemed civilized and approachable had a huge influence on who I hoped to be as a man.
If only today's world seemed as civilized as that period did while growing up..........
tombuy@gmail.com
I live in a slowly gentrifying neighborhood in Washington DC. What I find most inspiring on a daily basis are the african american junior high school students that I pass each day as I walk to the metro. Even though it is a public school, they have to wear a simple uniform of a white collared shirt and black bottoms. The limits to which these girls push the boundaries to express their individuality is amazing. DC is typically thought of a conservative town with little style, but these girls inspire me to inject some creativity in my own daily uniform. Capitol Hill is such a bore, but I'm inpsired daily to add a little something extra.
The Goldenwest College Swap Meet in Huntington Beach, CA. When I was in high school I used to ride my bike over there every saturday morning to pick through the lovely vintage threads. It was the place where I learned to identify fiber content by touch, as well as recognize the superior tailoring that used to be de rigueur. For a kid without much money, the swap meet also offered me a chance to play with different looks, colors, styles and shapes without going broke in the process. I rarely do head-to-toe vintage anymore, but I'm still on the lookout for interesting shapes, good tailoring and I'll always be a sucker for WWII era ladies jackets.
I would have to say the biggest influence on my personal style would have to be my twelve years spent in Catholic school. You would think that having to wear the same uniform (navy pants, white button-down dress shirt, brown dress shoes, a navy tie on Fridays to go to mass) would make me rebellious in my fashion sense once I was given the freedom to choose clothing on my own, but I find the opposite has occured. All my clothing choices seem to be unconscious variations on the theme that was imprinted on me as a child, and I didn't even realize I did this until a few years ago.
I think it's something about wearing the same thing everyday to accomplish what you have to do, the functionality, that appeals to me.
CONTEST
What has inspired me the most is the 1940-1950 era in New York during the depressing and alike. I think people's outlooks on life in the times is very different to the views now and I like the composition of materials in the big coats, the trenches, etc and how it was all brought together. Subtle and understated but creates quite an impact too. I would like to think its how I dress. :)
My mother was most influential to me. Our family was poor, so we often had to make due with hand me downs, or clothing that my mom sewed herself. However, mom would never buy cheap, trendy clothes. She always looked for quality in fabric and construction, and classic design. It made me angry sometimes. I just wanted fun trendy clothes like my classmates wore! Later, I would flip through her patterns from the 70's and love those wrap dresses. I could tell that my mother could once afford very nice clothing and even though she couldn't anymore, she insisted that we look well-dressed. When she was in high school, she mailed a drawing to Edith Head, whom she admired. Ms. Head sent it back with an inspiring note, and mom has it framed now in her sewing room. The only thing different between me and my mother is that I love color and she tends toward monochrome, with RED being her only splash of color. I love to mix different shades of the same color for a little more drama, like greens and blues.
I don't need to win the prize - just wanted to share!
"What has most inspired your personal style?"
While there are many factors that influence my personal style--magazines, media, other cultures, etc.-- the largest inspiration by far has been my mother. I love flipping through her pictures from the 60's, 70's, 80's, and see how her sense of style has evolved with changing fashions. She's taught me to incorporate my own elements into everything I wear, and to ensure that it is uniquely personal and timeless... not forget-able.
I would say that school uniform (I am a Brit) and conformity inspired me to do something different when I was younger. Now I live in a very conservative country (Denmark) and have a conservatively dressed job (Consulting) so I do whatever I can to add a bit of colour, spice and personality to my appearence. Oh and freelance socks is a quote that will always be with me!
My style developed from accepting myself just the way I am...confidence. A few years ago I had a bad run of health, a dramatic weight loss, and a move to a boring, small town in Texas swarming with senior citizens (all at the same time). I discovered the art of fashion while convalescing...watching tons of Style TV and reading Harper's. Understanding and caring about fashion has changed my look and how I feel about myself. I now go out of my way to stay current yet stylish in this tiny place. I have made friends through my "daily style shows" (going to the grocery store with my three year old son). These friends have since asked me to go through their closets and take them shopping. I guess, in a nutshell, my personal style is inspired by the art of fashion and the power it can have to transform not only your appearance but also transform your little world around you.
I didn't really care about how I looked until I hit 20. Then it seemed like everything changed almost overnight. The person I credit: Paul Banks, the lead singer of Interpol. I was not only impacted by this New York bands music, but also their sartorial choices: suits never looked so cool! I never would have thought that I'd find a style that is both cool and sophisticated, I'd feel comfortable wearing almost every day, and get good remarks not only from my friends, but my dad as well!
How can you not be moved by the mother inspiration story. I wish my mother had been more stylish and risky in her choices so that I could be inspired by her too. I am glad she can inspire me in so many other ways though....
For a long time I felt shy to "dress up" which was always my inclination. Too many girls were going around in sweat pants and sweat shirts. Finally, I have realized that my wish to dress nicely, pay attention to detail is another way to celebrate LIFE and I am not apologetic about it anymore!
My style has been influenced by many things: My Mom and grandmother, my life in the Caribbean and just my own sense of what looks good on me and pleases my eyes.
My family and I are from the Caribbean. I grew up there at a time when it was hard to get the stuff, much less the cutting edge stuff -- the stores just didn't carry them. So one had to be creative in coming up with one's personal style.
My mom and my grandmother (on my Mom's side)had amazing style. Both subscribed to Vogue -- both British and US editions -- and both were terrific seamstresses. So, even though the stores in the island were a bit behind in the latest styles, My Mom and grandmother found or made patterns based on the trends and on classic styles and sewed their own clothes. They would add their own twists to old patterns that they had in order to update them. It was fun watching them create.
My mom was such a fan of Vogue, she even taught me how to read using her Vogue magazine (in addition to the traditional kids' books, of course). I remember when she bought me a pair of red patent Mary Janes (everyone else had black). I was three. I pulled them out for any visitor who had the patience to check them out. Hence my current passion for my new red patent leather/animal print boots!
As a kid, I went to a parochial school -- so I wore uniforms. Even then, I would shorten the skirt or lower the waist of the skirt to make my own style. I moved to the US at 14 years old, I was amazed at the freedom that school kids had - especially in developing their own personal clothing styles. I took advantage of that freedom by trying out different looks (some of us know right away how we want to look -- some of us have to try everything!) I think that I was rejoicing the fact that I didn't have to wear a uniform anymore! At one point, I went a little nuts with color . . . fuschia with acqua and yellow . . . (I missed the Caribbean) but, fortunately for all, my style has evolved over the past 20 years.
These days, I favor clean, classic lines in my clothing but then I pair that with really fun, cool, and even outrageous purses, shoes and coats. I am a lawyer for a large firm -- so I am limited in how outrageous I can be at the office -- but I try to push the envelope as much as possible.
All of that said, the greatest influence on my style has to be my mother and grandmother. They always encouraged creative thinking and making use of what we had available to us when putting an outfit together.
Thanks Sart . . . that was a great trip down memory lane!
My personal style was defined by two seeminly disparate elements - Nylon Magazine and Renee Russo in the Thomas Crowne Affair.
the product of a preppy CT upbringing and new england college, my "style" before my twenties consisted of nubby cableknit sweaters and whatever corduroys were on sale at J.Crew. (which I still love!) But at some point in college I came across Nylon Magazine - which was a breath of fresh air - Nylon advocates experimentation, playing with your style, and expressing ideas beyond just "cuteness" with your clothes.
The other influence, Renee Russo in Thomas Crown (dressed in all michael Kors I believe?) is due to her ability to bring sharpness, sexiness and smarts to what is on the whole a very ladylike and professional wardrobe. She could take a camel wool shift dress, perfectly fit, and make it look much sexier than some flouncy mini skirt and patent leather heels. She showed that attitude and fit is more important than flash - and in a job where I have to dress fairly conservatively, that stuck with me.
Bryan Ferry (post roxy music).. specifically the album "Another time, another place". No doubt about it, eye believe my learning curve as it pertains to fashion was set in motion by this man.. The white shoes, saville row suits, trophy (ex-) girlfriend (jerry hall), the elan to pull it all off... He was one of a kind...
UK Mod culture of the 60's -
I was an awkward young kid. My father was one of the most charming people on the planet. In an attempt to help me out of my shy, mild-mannered nature he hired a beautiful young english girl named Aria who was on exchange for school and needed employment to keep her visa. She became my best friend and big sister, telling me stories of "the mods" and "the rockers" of london. Vespas, skinny suits, Fred Perry polos, the works.
"Clean living under difficult circumstances" was the mantra of the Mods. I was inspired by this group of boys and girls not much older than myself at the time who dressed as though they were wealthy middle aged men, but then infused the look with edgy, narrow cuts and flamboyant colors.
I pride my personal style on my knowledge of well tailored suits, narrow (but not too skinny) ties, and my trusty Labretta scooter.
Yeah, that's me.
Being asked my opinion from an early age and thrift formed my style sensability.
My mother always asked for my opinion even when I was a young child. I recall really looking at what she was wearing. She trusted my opinion.
I always really looked, took in details, studied what affect what someone was wearing had on me. I'm drawn a visual that is challenging or interesting as much as what is flattering.
As immigrants to Canada from Taiwan, my parents had very financially responsible ethic. Buy what you can afford,pay cash, never use credit. So, we shopped thrift. Thrift drew my eye to the way things were constructed and cut as opposed to the most trendy look. Thrifted clothes made me creative and unique since they were not dictated by the latest trend. I had to figure out how to wear each garment since no store mannequin was feeding me the look.
My current wardrobe is made up of mostly vintage pieces with some special contemporary items. I'm interested in trends but trust my eye and heart above all.
I majored in History in school, a subject that bores most to tears, but suffering an active imagination I was always able to conjure it’s presence almost holographically whenever a vintage car drove by, or whenever I found a streamlined radio at a garage sale. For me, History is a living thing, and that understanding has inspired and defined my personal style. I’ve always been unafraid to blend retro and mod, something classic with something cool because that’s life: change and continuity over time. That layering is the fabric of history. So I take my cues in part from Joseph Leyendecker, Hurrel studio portraits, Cary Grant, ads from the 50's, George Clooney and the latest mannequins at Bloomingdales, and films like Blade Runner that imagine a smashed-up retro-future, a glorious, stylish mess. So I smash it up every day - in the here and now.
My style was definitely shaped by my grandmother's old Vogue magazines. As a 5 year old I used to sneak them from her coffee table, get into this huge arm chair and turn it to face the wall (thinking no one would see me) and dig into it. I would love to rip out my favorite pictures and then put together "books". I did this well into my teenage years. As a result, I have "look books" from Vogue from 1980 onward. One picture (from my "look books" I specifically remember, was one of Anna Wintour's first covers, of this great, over the top Lacroix sweater with a jeweled cross on it.It has been a great style reference for me and as a result served as a great fashion education.
A few things...Harpers Bazaar revamp in the mid to late 80's the first cover with Linda Evangelista on white sent me over the moon.
Jackie O, Early Liz Taylor, 50's elegance and style.
My girlfriend Tara who has more style than anyone I know, and surprisingly the honing of my design skills & eye at work [I'll give all the credit to my boss on this one] has lead me to where I'm at.
My father was the biggest influence on my personal style. He was always a clothes horse and told me stories about the way he dressed in high school - like the time in 1954 when he saw Fats Domino at the Swing Auditorium in San Bernadino and the crowd was so wild and sweaty that this blue suede belt bled down his new white corduroy trousers, or in the 1970's, when he wore a Pucci velvet jacket and a blue wide brimmed hat with a gold band while sitting ringside at the Frazier-Norton fight. Or later in the 70's, a story about trying to pick up a prostitute in New Orleans, and she accused him of being a cop, so he took off his shoes and slammed them on the bar and asked her if she ever saw a cop wearing $300 aligator shoes. I remember him taking me to his tailor when I was seven years old to get a new suit. I have a picture of myself at Santa Anita racetrack wearing that suit - a black and white hounds tooth check, paired with some white loafers.
By the time I was growing up, he had mellowed considerably, but he was always pushing me to dress more individually. When I was worried about being in fashion, he said "you don't follow the style, you make the style." I've never been quite so flamboyant, but I definitely adopted some of his confidence and unconventional style.
inspired by:
definitely the victorian era with its black lace and beautiful trimmings as well as the horse riding wear of that time; the dandy of the 1910-20ies with a tailor made suit and beautiful hairdo's; but most of all by anita ekberg and her sophisticated hollywood glamour - she's truly a mentor of mine!
-the mishmash of dad's silver and mahogany antiques and mom's hippie handmade furniture
-Grandmother's perfect grooming and Lilly Pulitzer ensembles
-dressed-down farmers' kids (unintentional style: rubber boots, worn and rolled handmade pants, woolen jackets)
-dressed-up city kids (intentional style: well-made shoes, color theory, tailored clothes)
-racks and racks of magazines
My first awareness of style came from observing my mother. I know it sounds cheesy, but I thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. This was in the mid to late 70s, and feminine was in. My mom has always had a very individual sense of style: classic with an edge. Bold silk scarves over long blonde hair; sleek turtlenecks worn with big, bold pendants or gypsy hoops; purple suede peep-toe stilettos with sexy bell-bottoms; a drapey,clingy silver lame shell: I have a photographic memory of the entire contents of her wardrobe from that era.
Since then I've always been inspired by vintage styles. A big re-inspiration happened in the mid 80s when I saw Molly Ringwald in Pretty in Pink. Again, the vintage thing.
Now I'm old enough to appreciate the quality of the great designers, past and present. But I remain inspired by people who treat style as a personal expression rather an expression of status.
I just came by your blog by chance...and I'm sure glad I did =)
great work and i'm a def fan...absolutley love your pictures and attention to detail!
I have always instinctivly been drawn to the classics. Audrey Hepburn and June Cleaver caught my eye even as a young girl. But being a sad slave to wanting to be liked, I have often lost my way trying to follow trends. In the past few years I have to say Kate Moss and Sofia Coppola have inspired me to be the pretty, lady like person I want to be.
Though I am a new reader, I would have to say that your blog has inspired me. In the past few years, I have gone through a series of personal hardships - losing my father and my grandmother among other things - and as a result, have not had the energy or attention span to consider my wardrobe. However, after just moving back to my native NYC, I find it is virtually impossible to ignore fashion. I've been intimidated by how much I have missed in the years I've been gone, and thought I was a lost cause. But quite honestly, your street photos have shown me that fashion is very much accessible. It sounds ridiculous to base the quality of life on clothing, but I think the motivation that your work has given me will push me in the right direction of feeling normal and rebuilding my life once again.
Thank you, Scott.
-VAS.
My father is my inspiration.
A tough childhood laced with tragedy made affording clothes a difficult proposition as my father grew up.He always watched the old hollywood movies and developed a great deal of his personal taste from what he saw. He grew up to work his way through college and Med school and was able, eventually, to use the sartorial lessons he learned from the golden era of hollywood.
I, therefore, grew up seeing this incredibly well dressed man who taught me everything as I grew up. My first day of catholic school my father taught me to tie a four in hand. Middle school? The Windsor. High School? Pocket squares.
I didn't always get the toy I wanted for Christmas, but I was always well dressed. I looked forward to our seasonal visits to his tailor, Brooks Brothers and Harry's Shoes.
I think of my Dad every morning when I tie my Windsor knot and pick out my pocket square.
lichmd@gmail.com
What has most inspired my personal style?
it has to be my mom...sewing shirts and dresses for my little sister and myself....matching little children..whom no one suspected were also matching to the home interior...as they were sewn out of curtain material...
mom always said buy classic designs...with her italian scarfs...and her gucci shoes and bags...bold colour and motifs were not to be frowned upon in my home..not to mention big hair...that was the 80s...or was it just this summer?
my mom never looked chinese [i colored her hair yellow when we did portraits of our moms in kindergarden]...70s studio shots of
mom's jet black straight ironed hair [literally on the ironing board - I quote my aunt] with a mini skirt + feather boa in tow all
made me fall in love with psychedelic patterns
with fading, yellowed photos of mom in hand.... i saw grandmom ...scenes of old shanghai ...very "in the mood for love" ...hence my laments of being born in the wrong era... but would explain my love for retro....
the equation of one's youth adds up to a strange sum...influences morph and appear and translate into you...it has to be mom...it has to
CONTEST
My style has been inspired by the way models dress. You can dress whatever you want, and it's fine if that's what you really like. But being a model has given me the chance to go to exotic places, meet great people, enjoy all the fashion world, see the Eiffel Tower, hangin around towards Montenapoleone in Milan, shoot pictures at Central Park and take a double-decker red bus. But most of all it gave me the chance to wear and admire the best clothes in the world, designed by the most creative minds. The girls and the guys who actually work as models are what I call hype people. And hype is the style they own. Hype is something more than high fashion, or street fashion. Hype is wear something hot, drink a cappuccino outisde the Starbuck's, open your laptop, cry a lot and tell your friends GQ editorial is nice but you miss them so much. Everybody can tell you different things. But what I want to tell you today is that being a model is wearing hype. And hype is not a joke. Hype is Style.
apo875@hotmail.com
My inspiration: convenience stores!
Growing up, I was surrounded by bright, bubblegum colors and life-sized Budweiser beer inflatables -- needless to say, my style has always been bold and, well, a bit over-the-top. And although it's a bit more refined these days, I can't help but feel inspired by the people I grew up around: the lawn-maintenance workers in their grass-stained jeans and dirty cotton tees; the strippers who, in the daytime, would shop in baggy, mismatched pajamas and, come nightfall, wear slinky black halter-top dresses and heavy make-up; and all the neighborhood kids in matching sweat pants and homemade basketball jerseys (and spotless white sneakers).
Now, as I am surviving winters in New York, I think of all the "winters" I shared with my customers and friends down home, down south: all the bright orange and camouflage hunting jackets, layer upon layer of beaten up thrift-store tees, knitted beanies and gloves all thrown together to stay warm in 60-degree weather.
I guess it goes without saying, but it took a long time for me to find inspiration in the polished "gentlemen." These days, I can really appreciate finished looks and intentional details, but I think my heart will always belong to the comfort and effortlessness of the styles of my childhood.
the driving force behind my personal style is the constant push i get from always wanting to better myself and my surroundings. this has helped me evolve through time and will still be the driving force behind my future evolution. ive always been a firm believer in the saying that to change your environment you first have to start with yourself; so with this always in mind im always trying to push my boundaries and challenge my limits without forgetting all the lessons ive learned from past triumphs as well as past mistakes. all to arrive at a better self and a better status quo :)
I developed my personal style when I moved to boarding school in sweden and started to see kids where nicer clothes that I always thought was out of my reach. I started to see clothes as a way to express myself in ways I couldn't vocalize. I started to see my clothes as an investment, sometimes I could treat myself and get something nice. Mixing expensive with bargain, or vintage with cutting edge. It was all a way for me to show people who I was, even though I'm a little more introverted.
My inspiration for style is definitely my roommate Emily. Not that I would really wear her clothes or she mine, especially since we have very different body types, but just in how she approaches fashion and personal style as not necessarily tied to spending lots of money. She is the QUEEN of finding great pieces at the thrift store, and then putting those together in a unique way that can incorporate some trends but is still very much her. She inspires me to make more of an effort and to open my eyes to the possibilities...much like this site does :)
My style has always been unique, and I always loved dressing in an interesting style. I was inspired by books, and ballets when i was a little kid. When I was 10 I had about 15 different hats that I wore everyday. But the first time fashion inspired me was at age 13. A combination of Seventeen magazine and rock stars such as the girls from Veruca Salt, Kim Gordon, Courtenay Love.
I guess it's more of who inspired my style than what, and for you my friend, I have two names: Bob Dylan and James Dean. Sure, now they're archetypal icons of style, throwbacks to what seemed like a more refined, sophisticated era. But imagine them back then, I'm sure there was nothing really glamorous about them. One of my favorite images of all time is the one of Bob on the cover of 'The Freewheelin Bob Dylan.' He looks like he's freezing, wearing a stiff pair of jeans and a jacket he probably bought for a couple of bucks. You can see the same thing on the photograph of James Dean walking down Broadway, hunched over smoking a cigarette. When you look at these photographs, you see that their style is undeniable. But look at them again, and you don't see the clothes or the shoes, you see the man. I think that's what style is all about, and every time I get dressed in the morning, I keep that in mind. Take a look again at that photograph of Bob arm in arm with his lady friend. He was 21 at the time, the same age as I am now. I don't think he gave a shit about what he wore that day, or cared that it would be on the cover of one of the most influential albums in contemporary music. He was just enjoying the company of this beautiful lady, and trying to keep out the cold. And that in itself is stylish.
One, the fashion gene that, early on, had me micromanaging the creation of many a school-pageant costume ("I want a Peter Pan
green--that's just WRONG!")
Two, my grandmother, who with her sister, ran a dress shop that stocked fancy-shmancy Seventh Avenue shmatas. She'd take me to the now-defunct De Pina's department store and hover while tailors fitted my mini-me suits.
On one occasion a fitter was trying to get a sleeve length right, but kept flubbing it. Infuriated, my grandmother grabbed his chalk, tape measure and pin cushion, and did the job herself.
The jacket fit perfectly.
And she could cook, too.
Finding inspiration for a personal style in Washington DC is hard. Half of the men in the elevator are wearing dark navy suits, red ties, and white shirts. "What are you? An American flag???" I occasionally ask them.
I've looked past the usual sources and found great guidance from two natives (of sorts): Harry Truman and Duke Ellington.
Truman showed me that a person in power could wear light gray or khaki suits with spectator shoes and a flowing handkerchief. The Duke, with that houndstooth jacket and perfect drape to his trousers, was the paragon of elegance in the pursuit of artful entertainment.
Dr. D
My personal style is, at the present moment, in development. I feel like I am just coming into my own personal style. I have stopped trying to emulate my friends or stars on TV or anyone else of the like. I take style hints from everything and everyone, but if it does not stick to me then I don't adopt it regardless if it’s all the rage at the moment. I think personal style has a lot to do with really knowing yourself, trusting yourself and doing what works for you (and only you). And this is why I say it’s in development because I am in the process of really beginning to fully trust myself and know who I am (despite what people say or think that I am). I also think personal style changes, yet there is always a root of your personal style that will follow you through the years. I think my “personal style root” is classic no matter if I am in a grunge mood or a sweater set and pearls mood. And I think that root was inspired from everything about the person that I am today – my childhood, my parents, my schooling, my friends (past and present), my non-friends, books, movies, travels, work experience – for myself, it’s just a melting pot of life that has really inspired my personal style and which continues to do so.
I develop my style by observing the attire of people in real life and print/film who lead a lifestyle I aspire to. I am highly inspired by the way some people can look effortlessly good because they know how to dress themselves in accordance to their overall look. There are far too many editorials and F/W ad campaigns that I really liked but if I had to describe the look and style I try to emulate most it would be one that portrays refined decadence.
"What has most inspired your personal style?"
The inspiration for my style has been the definition and evolution of myself. My life has been shaped by experience and who I am at a given point in time.
As a child, I was defined by my parents. As a result, I wore hand-me-downs. In my heart, I couldn't wait till the day in which I could buy my own clothes.
In college, I moved out and broke out of my shell. With a lil' bit of hard-earned money, I happily purchased the trendy casual clothes that everyone else was wearing - both on campus and in the fashion magazines. I defined myself by conforming to the world around me.
In my first professional job in the big city - I wore ties, shirts, and slacks that I classified to be a little bit more expensive than what I wore in college. Though I perceived myself to have more style - in hindsight - I really didn't, because I still defined myself by what I saw around me.
Everything changed after coming out of the closet, losing my brother, having cancer, becoming confident, and knowing that I wanted to live life, be true to myself, and reinvent ME. My personal style didn't come overnight. It's evolved over time.
I'm a pretty slender male, and the huge difference is this - baggy clothes gave way to a more fitted look, and I no longer felt like I had to be trendy or buy the most expensive clothes.
I like to dress in what feels the best - cotton. I like to wear my favorite colors. I like to wear things that come (and go) together, and last of all, I like clothes that make me look good - because for once in my life - I feel good.
Influences? I am a painter, so any of those old photos of painters from Paris at the turn of the 19th c. They suits with boots, hats,scarves, cafes etc. In the warmer climates it was spectator shoes and white pants.
to wear this stuff now is a real nod to history, it ties the wearer to the sepia toned images from Montmartre, Montparnasse or Barcelona.
2. Fashion photgraphy. Though I may not buy all of their wares, I think Ralph Lauren's ads were /are very seductive,both home and clothing ads- especially from the 1980's, they offered gorgeous departure from the required art school black. As far as pure seduction, we could throw in a dose of Helmut Newton.
Leaving the South to go to college in New York has inspired me to have a style influenced by both regions of the country. My all-girls, prep school background has lended itself to my love of classic, timeless pieces, while the hipster vibe of my liberal arts college has opened my eyes to new ways of dress. I mix Ferragamo ballet flats with a vintage hoodie and skinny black jeans. I wear my pearl necklace (a graduation present) with a short dress, leggings, and Converse sneakers. My style reflects my adjustment from the slower, conservative Southern way of life to the faster-paced and exciting New York routine. Going to college in New York has convinced me I want to live in the City; while I may be distancing myself from my Southern roots physically, I know that they will continue to be part of my personal style.
The first thing I remember influencing my sense of style was when i was very little, watching Sean Connery as James Bond very suavely and casually wearing his glen plaid suit and still kicking ass. Up until that point, suits had been stuffy and boring to me. Then I saw the outlet for perosnal expression that clothes had the ability to provide. Since then, magazines such as Details and GQ have provided alot fo insight onto personal style. But for the more subtle nuances of style, things like paintings and nature are excellent sources for me. There is one painting at MoMa that stands out to me for its incredible thick black lines. I don't recall what exactly the painting is of, but when I looked at it all i could think of was how big, thick black lines would look really cool on a shirt. The ubiquitous Cary Grant answer also applies here. North by Northwest is another great example of someone kicking ass in a suit, not something usually seen today. Looking at old photographs of my granfather is also very interesting. He wore fantastic suits to work, complete with pocket square and tie bar. There is one picture of him at a party wearing a white suit with a large-checked shirt, creme-colored tie and paisley pocket square. The outfit was just very classic and fun at the same time. Another great style icon is Vincent Cassel's character in Ocean's Twelve. His style was impeccable, and yet the character wore it so nonchalantly. My other grandfather dressed very steadily, wearing the same type of clothes from the 50's on. I inherited a pair of white bucks from him that are absolutely amazing. Not because of anything but the fact that they've been loved.
A. was the only girl I knew whose family was more f*ed up than mine was. We used to walk home from school together, arm-in-arm, singing Beatles songs. She let me cut her hair and we cut pictures out of books and magazines and taped them all over my bedroom walls until only the floor and ceiling were left uncovered. She woke me up to catch 120 Minutes on MTV when I fell asleep too early. Whenever we had money she bought us clothes from the Salvation Army and I bought us tickets to the movies. We kept each other company, in our little town where we wavered, unsure whether we were the most awkward or simply ahead of our times.
Fifteen years later, she's still one of the coolest girls I know.
The last few years for me have been about self-improvement--I've lost a lot of weight, I've gotten corrective laser surgery, and a lot of little things. And the interesting thing is that even though so many more options for clothing and style have opened for me over the last few years thanks to these changes (in addition to taking on extra work, so I have extra money), I think the newfound self-esteem has led me to consider more what makes me feel most comfortable and myself in my life, and not what's most fab or fierce or now.
Even though now I probably can pull of skinny jeans tucked into high heeled boots, I feel more comfortable--and myself--in the black and white spectator Doc Marten that I've had since high school, or a slim-fitting t-shirt I boght at a street fair instead of a puffy-sleeved blouse. CHOOSING my style, to wear something I love that has always worked for me even if it's not the current trend, has inspired me recently. I walk taller and feel better.
And also it helps to have a really sharp Burberry coat to throw on top of it all. Thank you Chicago winter.
I would have to say my grandfather.
Post b-boy era, I adopted a hip-hop aproach to fashion naturally for pure aesthetic reasons that were justified. The clothing had to cater and move to a certain rhythym supporting the energy I conveyed while performing.
It wasn't until after college that I realized that this particular beat street staple wouldn't sit well with a Philadelphia law firm.
Upon cleaning my grandmothers basement I came across a few pictures of my grandfather back home after serving in the war.
In one of the pictures, he tended to a small rose garden he planted for my grandmother wearing a powder blue oxford button down, cuffs rolled mid-forearm,tucked into dark brown dockers-like slacks and chestnut colored penny loafers.No belt. Rose clippers in one hand, positioned stem in other as he puffed on a black and mild cigar. His thick marbled framed glasses were signature.
I took a few pointers from this tiny collection of photos and adopted bad cigar habit in the process. I feel as if I'm carrying on a tradition. It's as if he's still with me every step of the way.
The style that has most inspired me is the 70s look worn by the Argentine Soccer World Champions in 1978. They achieved the perfect combination of sexy latin men with the style, taste, and flair of the hippy movement both in the States as well as in Europe.
As an adolescent, I had no defined style at all. In a small suburban English village where teen 'style' consisted of baggy hoodies with Karl Kani jeans, dressing as anything other than a hooligan marked you out for unwanted attention. But then I moved to London, picking up some cues from the British aristocracy I worked with every day, and from there to New York.
This move is what really defined my style, as my 'Britishness' became even more finely tuned with the move Stateside. So in a sense, it was this move--combined with patriotic pride in being British--which really influenced my style. But the tone was initially set by just one of my countrymen: Michael Caine. In The Italian Job, Alfie and Citizen Kane with his crisp tailored suits and pocket squares, an artfully ruffled hairstyle and insouciant manner, he represents to me the apex of true sartorialism.
Style to me is my mom. Although I only got to see her style until she passed away when I was 14, I remember every single detail of her essence. Simple, elegant, natural. I gravitate towards a certain style because it looks timeless, like I could have easily been wearing it in any number of decades and it's fresh and hip...in it's own classic way.
This is a great question, Sart.
Genetics & music dictate my style! As soon as I could walk, I was tumbling and dancing - I grew up intending to be a ballerina. My Mom still says that as a child, I would cry if I had to wear pants - I needed skirts that would twirl! Once I hit my teens, in the 80s and grew too tall to be a ballerina, I started spending my time in punk/dance clubs where the type of music seemed to decide how people dressed - I loved the smoky eyeliners and layered goth styles but since I was on a teenagers budget I multitasked my wardrobe by doing things like wearing a simple black turtleneck upside down so it was really fitted on the waist but would fall over the shoulders. As an adult, the classic dance style stuck with me - my clothes need to give and can't restrict me or distract from what I'm trying to do. I love old photographs of people at parties, clubs, bars from decades past. Images that capture how people got dressed for a night out with friends, the great old coats and classic sundresses, tight skirts, heels, and olives in their cocktail glasses. People always stand taller when they've taken the time to dress well. I love photos from midtown's Studio 54 contrasted with downtown's CBGBs that were taken the same time period. How could someone NOT be influenced by that?
For me, it's always been my aunt, I think she's the style icon for the whole family. If my grandma, mom, sister an me have any sense of style is because of her. Growing up, I used to love going abroad to shop with my mom and aunt and I never complained if we spent the whole day shopping. I think even my carreer choice is related to that, I'm an industrial design student.
Monica hatsumomu@hotmail.it
I created my own style when I decided that nothing that I wear has to overcome my personality, but let it come out strong and vibrant.
So in every piece of clothing or accessory I buy there is me but at the same time it never covers me.
Starting from this decision I learned how to give the best of me, how not to be influenced by the latest fashion, by the country I am... everything I wear says monica... simple, impeccable, strong, humorous,....but most of all always me, coherent.
My style is contrived from Steve McQueen movies. The way he walked, talked, and presented himself always exuded what a "man" should be like. His look was clean, bold, and always worked and with timeless design and style that still works today and will work 20 years from now. You could tell the man had style in a black and white photograph and as a young man myself, this is something I like to portray with fashion.
My largest inspiration so far was television. No matter what area of style, be it clothing or designing for work, writing or interior decoration - tv always brings new ideas to my mind...
What has inspired my personal style? Me...myself...and I. It's encoded in my DNA...a genetic predisposition. It's funny, actually. In person I am quite shy and introverted. I do not like to draw attention to myself or stand in front of a crowd. However, I have never dressed this way. I have always been attracted to color and bold statements when it comes to what I wear or how I fix my hair. Plain and simple, I know what I want when I see it. It's me...like looking in the mirror. Many people may not agree with my style, in fact, some may abhor it, but that's why it's called style. Style is particular to a person. Fashion is generic. When I dress, I dress to impress......myself.
My dad was never into sports, but he always dressed well. When I was younger, we would bond not at the ballgame but at Burberry on East 57th street, or walking up Madison Avenue and looking in windows as he picked out tailored clothing.
Just listening to his conversations with clerks and shopkeepers at places like Burberry, Saks 5th Avenue and Barneys always helped me understand the nuances about dressing well and what rules to follow.
Later in life, when I got older and began to fit into his clothes, I began mixing his pieces (such as a Hermes turtleneck from 1972) with modern D&G slacks. This mix of fine vintage pieces and gorgeous modern style has made me appreciate both where fashion and style originated and understand where it is going.
Yet, I never forgot the rules of dressing well, passed on to me through my natty daddy and via the snippets of adult conversation absorbed through my young ears.
I am inspired by subtle absences. Things that in actuality are not forgotten but left void to create their own mark. The space between lovers arms hooked together, the smile slightly parted but instensly deep with emotions. Sunlight that leaves certain spots in the sand cold and hard. I am most inspired by what people have not yet created, what they can never own, what is by design happenstance. It is infinitely hopeful.
Kenya
kenyamiles@gmail.com
My personal style is influenced greatly by the people that I shop for every single day! I am launching my own online vintage clothing store geared toward young trendsetters and those who appreciate unique pieces. Each time I go out to look for new things for the website I inevitably end up buying something for myself as well and everything that I purchase (for myself or the site) is influenced by the people that my site is aimed at. From twentysomething girls waiting to get into a show to a group of teenagers talking clothes over coffee, their enthusiasm for the future of fashion and their appreciation for the timeless looks of the past never fail to inspire me.
In two words - my wife. We met in college when I had no money, and even less money to spend on clothes. After graduating and getting a "real" job I had the ability to spend some money on nice things. I longed, and continue to long, to look good for her. I want her to know that I am committed to her for life. I am also not going to let myself slack off like so many guys do when they get married.
I want her to look at me in the morning when I leave for work and think, he looks sharp. And when we go out at night I want her to think he looks cool. My wife is my inspiration for life, and she's certainly my inspiration to remain stylish as well.
Contest
Wong Kar Wai's movie 2046, a moody film noir set in 50's Hong Kong, has influenced my syle the most. The style is very dramatic, and the clothing for both men and women is form-fitting and detailed. The film is set in a very slick time and place, and the movie oozes sexuality although the women are covered except for their arms and legs. In a world full of Britney and Paris, this movie shows that one can still be sexy by holding back.
I grew up much like dave. I was a shy girl who was the definition of tomboy. Through high school I was never confident enough to dress as my fabulously stylish friends, some of whom want to be designers themselves. I became interested in art and old movies and movie stars like audrey hepburn and grace kelly. I gradually became more confidant (it was a long and hard process!) and began to experiment with my own personal style. I learned and am learning that style begins and ends with how you feel about yourself.
gilliano@bu.edu
My style developed from accepting myself just the way I am...confidence. A few years ago I had a bad run of health, a dramatic weight loss, and a move to a boring, small town in Texas swarming with senior citizens (all at the same time). I discovered the art of fashion while convalescing...watching tons of Style TV and reading Harper's. Understanding and caring about fashion has changed my look and how I feel about myself. I now go out of my way to stay current yet stylish in this tiny place. I have made friends through my "daily style shows" (going to the grocery store with my three year old son). These friends have since asked me to go through their closets and take them shopping. I guess, in a nutshell, my personal style is inspired by the art of fashion and the power it can have to transform not only your appearance but also transform your little world around you.
in high school, i would shop at my grandmother's house -- four floors of closets, spare rooms and an attic packed with clothing, shoes, and more handkerchiefs than any woman could ever use. each time i visited, she would show me a new spot. she hadn't seen a new fashion magazine in twenty years, so she held up for me what was beautiful and perfect, rather than what was fashionable at the time. her clothing also showed me that style, not finance, makes for the most elegant clothing. after she died, i found in her private closet a suit she'd made herself in the thrities, entirely hand-sewn from pink binding tape.
Wihtout doubt, my grandfather, who was a painter and artist working with the great danish artists during 30's-70's.
The way he wore old rugged cardigans, stained with paint and broken in chinos and jeans, before jeans were even cool. Rough boots and flipflops.
This was a man who's perception of fashion was,
"I don't care, as long as I can paint in it, it works for me"
Style without effort will always beat style based on effort.
I live in what is, undoubtedly, one of the most fashionable cities in the world: Barcelona, Spain. So I cannot give the credit for my style to anyone or anything else. This city and its mix of cosmopolitan and old-world, classic and cutting-edge modern, has shaped me and continues to do so. As I walk its cobblestoned streets and admire the centuries-old churches and houses, I also admire the people that walk beside me and, of course, their style. On the subway, at college, in a store... Inspiration can be found anywhere.
Sophia
Coco Chanel - Original, feminine and ultra chic. The fact that her style is immortal, is worn by all ages and can be dressed up or down. A true fashion icon!
Although I don't really want the book, I do want to explain my style.
Up until about a year ago, I was very experimental with my style. I bought clothing indiscriminately, and my style was a day-to-day phenomenon. While I loved clothing for material reasons, my wardrobe had no continuity.
However, my senior year of high school, I experienced a coming of age in a lot of ways - I began incorporating my metaphysical beliefs into my style.
My love for both human progression and its relationship to nature and reality has directed my style for at least the last year. While my wardrobe contains many extremes (blacks, whites, silvers), it also consists of many earthy colors, such as green & brown. I love blacks, navys, greys, and browns, and I love accenting them occasionally with a spurt of color (bright blue, orange, or pink, for example). Many of my outfits are generally considered "taboo", since I tend to layer black items or mix them with brown and navy. However, I always receive compliments on my style, and while it is of course not the motivation for the way I dress, it is certainly a nice reward (especially considering how often I stick out my neck for style)!
Sorry for the long response!
I first began to be interested in style when I realized that I could incorporate elements of my art into clothing. I also was attracted to the idea that fashion was not only dressing well, but had a meaning behind it that presented an idea to the outside world. I found cons who showed a certain type of personality, and tried to to be influenced by them, such as Dita von Teese, or Tilda Swinton, who is an unconventional dresser but has such an extraordinary influence as Viktor and Rolf's muse.
My first influence was my father. He wore starched button down Oxford shirts that he hung in his closet. He had been the classic 50's and 60's preppie with navy Shetland sweaters and chinos.
There was the lunatic 70's when his ties exploded to grotesque widths and his sideburns grew out, but somehow he always had solid Chicagoan suits from Hart, Schaffner and Marx.
When I went away to college, oddly one of my influences was a girl from Southern California who was tall and had a page boy haircut. She wore beat up bomber jackets, untucked Brooks Brothers shirts and a long scarf around her neck.
I saw the Armani influence come ashore but I never felt it was "my style". It was too slick, too Euro. When it was adopted as a uniform by Hollywood agents, then I knew I had made the right choice to reject it.
I worked at Ralph Lauren from 1989-1994. His vision probably affected me more than anyone else. I almost think that Lauren is the single greatest stylist in the last third of the 20th Century. You cannot walk into a Banana Republic or Abercrombie and Fitch, without seeing his "stories". He revitalized the myths of Hollywood, the old West, prep schools...and made fantasy into an attainable reality.
I was fired by Polo because I didn't sell enough clothes. The I left NY and moved to LA and fell under the sway of graphic t-shirts, jeans and year round shorts. It felt young, even as I got older and somehow it was a way of rejecting NYC and all that Ralph stood for.
But lately I see a return to maturation, both in the style of LA and in my own personal preference for well tailored clothing. It feels good to be discreet, to be thin, to be in fashion with trying too hard. I don't hate any type of style, but you have to stick for what works for you.
My sister in law, Therese, has most influenced my personal style. Her past is French nobility, mine the Missouri Ozarks. By her example I have learned the importance and attractiveness, even sexiness, of true femininity. She has a way that is simple yet with so much flare, of mismatching without clashing. She will mix the cheap with the expensive and always tosses in some jewelry and a respectable shoe or sandal, no matter how casual the day. She is the perfect example of style over fashion. She silently demands respect and admiration, and never shows condescension. I don’t know if it’s a French thing or a noble thing or a Therese thing; I suspect some of each. But she inspires me to step it up a notch, to think about what works best for me, to dress with authenticity, to go with the trend only if I want to, and most of all to keep it feminine.
Easter, 1977 -- San Diego, CA.
A six-year-old, espresso-hued black girl with an uneven mini-afro (note: this was before asymmetry was considered 'edgy' and 'fashion-forward'). The prized (way-too-expensive-for-my-single-parent-mother) lemon yellow Easter dress had an empire waist accented by a wide yellow satin bow -- which I thought was The Best Thing EVER. White tights mercifully disguised ashy knees and all the scratches and scrapes earned from fearless, reckless abandon on the playground. White patent leather shoes and a matching white plastic purse (contents: cherry lip gloss and bubble gum). Big smile in spite of the fact that one of my lower front teeth had fallen out. I don't think I've felt as beautiful at any time since. But I continue to strive for it.
I was really inspired by a tiny card and stationery store in the funky beach town that I grew up in. It was about 1980, a