Amiable's Blog

WIW and thoughts on Spring

March 3, 2015

Rebecca recently posted about matching her personality with what she wears.  She polled her family members for adjectives that described her, and learned that her look was too quiet and soft (my words, not hers).  In order to match her personality she needs to look a little more edgy.

That post, and a comment from her to me personally (that my wearing dark colors makes me look less friendly than I am) prompted my own thinking - does the way I dress match my personality?

So I polled my facebook friends and family members for adjectives describing my personality (a mix of near strangers and some very close friends and family responded), and compiled their results.  From there I chose a few frequently recurring adjectives that I would like to express in the way I dress:  smart, laid-back, hard-working and considerate. 

In correlation with this, I think Rebecca is right that the colors I wear generally make me look more harsh, not more friendly.  This is somewhat by choice (using the clothing as a bit of armor), but I think the time is right to soften up my look and look friendly (after all, I am, usually....)

This may be a spring feeling - so I'm not purging all my winter black and leather or anything :)  But I am wanting to lighten up my look.

So here's two outfits that make minor attempts toward lightening up.  Is it working?  Suggestions for improvements?  (It's likely to be another month or so before I do any major shopping, but I may fit in small refreshes before then)

#1 is navy and lavender
#2 is gray, brown, blue and black - an Angie ensemble of four dark neutrals.

In house news, we painted last weekend - over 7,000 square feet of wall and ceiling space in about 8 hours.  It was a whirlwind, and I'll put an off-topic post in with pictures (because there's many of them)

1
2
Posted in the What I Wore category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

13 Comments

  • rachylou replied 9 years ago

    These are friendly looks to me. But I have to think about whether or not your past looks have been stand-offish. That has never occurred to me, but then again I'm a naturally scary person. Ya gotta stand up straight when you talk to me. Hehe.

  • CocoLion replied 9 years ago

    I haven't read Rebecca's post yet, but from what you wrote, this is a very interesting concept.  

    Just from viewing your pictures, you've always looked approachable and friendly to me.  You have both a warm smile and warm eyes.  Picture 1 with the lavender shirt, shows a softer side of you.  Your hairstyle is also contributing to this impression.  The second outfit is more serious looking even though the elements and styling are identical -- sweater, shirt, dark jeans.  The navy and lavender color combination is flattering to your skin tone, and overall the outfit feels more feminine.

    So to sum up, the first outfit is more feminine, the second more tomboy (plaid shirt, gray colors, beanie).  And, I do like seeing you in lighter colors, but think you look good in dark colors too.  It doesn't take an overall light outfit to lighten things up, evidenced in #1.

    ETA - And yes, it's a Spring fever feeling isn't it?  Then in September, I am craving black, dark green and burgundy.  That is why I enjoy putting things away each season because when I pull them out, the light/bright colors feel fresh and new again.

  • AM replied 9 years ago

    I absolutely agree with everything CocoLion said. And this is a very interesting concept. I really the color scheme of the first outfit. But I think it might be the influence of Spring (or hoping for Spring.) I also strongly agree that you have a very warm smile ...and I can't imagine how you could ever look anything but approachable (even in black). 

  • replied 9 years ago

    I agree that it's hard to see you as unfriendly, no matter what you might be wearing. Maybe a little shy (in a good way, as in not overbearing) with a lovely warm smile that projects kindness. I love the navy/lavender on you --  it's just a beautiful combo and very approachable (the soft lavender) while providing some necessary armor (the navy). (We all need some armor to face the world.) In pic #2 I love the silvery gray hat on you -- a small touch but one that lights up your face. I'd prefer a shirt that isn't a dark plaid (but I know I do have an anti-plaid quirk) to lighten things up even more.

  • Karie replied 9 years ago

    #1 is definitely a softer outfit, but I think you always look friendly! 

    And WOW, you did a lot of painting!

  • Susie replied 9 years ago

    I've never thought of you as looking unfriendly or unapproachable, regardless of the colors you've worn. I do think it's a spring thing and agree with Denise as I do the same, changing out the colors I wear in spring vs. winter.

    I really like the lavender and navy outfit on you.

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    Wow. That was quite the exercise. I hope you enjoyed the process, Amy. Not easy asking for that type of feedback - especially on FB.

    FWIW, I have never thought that you look less friendly in dark colours. You are a smiley person with a warm and ernest glow, and THAT is what I see first. You also don't wear black from head to toe - so the " less friendly correlation" never occurred to me. 

    That said, I DO like the lighter colours. You look fresh and lovely in these tones. 

    LOVING the bob. Wow. It really suits you. Adorable with a beenie.

  • amiable replied 9 years ago

    Wow - Thanks you all!  And it occurred to me that Rebecca seems me mostly in not-full length pictures - so if I'm wearing black near my face, that's probably what she sees.  You're right that I don't wear black head-to-toe. And also right that I most definitely have spring fever!

    Yes Angie, I enjoyed the process very much.  I have a very nice bunch of FB friends, and even though I invited them to use negative adjectives, none were used.  So in the end it was flattering too.  I found it interesting, though, to note how different they were than what my predictions were (and relieved - I must be a bit hard on myself).

    And thanks for the hair love.  I like it this length too - that was also Rebecca's suggestion to try this length - and you all who encouraged me through the discouragement of very slowly growing it out.  Tonight I dye it burgundy if I can convince myself to do so (taking deep breath, since the herbs are already mixed up).

  • Nebraskim replied 9 years ago

    I think lighter colors are very nice on you Amy. I would not say dark colors make you look unfriendly or unapproachable but they may be a bit, I don't know, harsh in some combinations. And yes, I think ALL of us here in Northern Hemisphere have raging cases of Spring fever. Several folks on the forum are beginning to post musings about Spring and I have already purchased a quilted denim jacket that I am dying to wear if we can top 40 degrees. I find I have color stories that change as each season moves along. In Early Winter (November and December) I'm more into browns, burgundy, deep red, navy-ink) January I shift to charcoals, cream, reds. Now I'm looking at creams, French blue, pinks, soft yellows. It's maybe a reaction to the lengthening daylight. I always wear a lot of black but I'm less attracted to it right now. You also might think about the texture and weight of your clothing, which can add a "heaviness" than can be interpreted as being more serious and somber than you really are.

    And that is a lot of painting! I hope your shoulders hold up.

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    Isn't it interesting to learn people see you differently than you see yourself? I always find that fascinating. FWIW you have always seemed friendly, smart, hard-working, considerate and also open minded - which is a prize trait in my book! I love you in the lavender and I think that is more of a change than the second outfit.

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    Well I have never though you looked unfriendly:)  You have a warmth that comes through in your photos no matter what you wear:)

    I do love these outfits tho.  Particularly the navy and lavender!  It is still dark but has a warmth that black can lack.  Very very attractive.

  • texstyle replied 9 years ago

    What an interesting thing to explore amiable - you look great in both of these outfits and I like many others always have seen you as friendly and warm in your photos - but partly also due to your way of speaking (or writing I guess).  I do like you in some of these lighter shades, esp. the lavender so I think it seems like a great plan for spring!

    I don't think I have much of a plan for spring. Ironically, I want to add some black - sandals, jewelry, accents mostly, not necessarily black tops/bottoms.

  • Summer replied 9 years ago

    I don't think you need to worry, amiable.  Your posts always exude warmth and friendliness whatever colour you wear. You look lovely in both these outfits.  

You need to be logged in to comment

Categories

Blogroll

Archives