Boho Chic - or not?

 From "over 50, feeling 40" - https://over50feeling40.com/2024/06/2024-fashion-trends-boho-chic.html

Boho Chic is a thing. I have a difficult time describing the difference between Boho Chic and Hippie Chic (I prefer to think of myself as Hippie Chic - maybe so I can wear bell bottoms -er...flares- without guilt)

Is the name "Boho Chic" disrespectful? Maybe, but it takes a few steps to get there.

The French word bohemién was first used in France in the 1400's, to label the Roma people - they were believed to have come from Bohemia (a mistake) and were also referred to as gypies (which *IS* disrespectful.

https://www.projectcece.com/blog/459/is-boho-fashion-cultural-appropriation/

However..."Bohemian" seems to be more of a mindset than it is an ethnic label. One site I found said, "Boho style is a free-spirited aesthetic that mixes different cultures and artistic expressions into an eclectic style with an emphasis on organic elements and nature. When putting together your boho style space, mixing patterns, metals, woods, materials, animal hides and trinkets from your travels is highly encouraged."

 

So...Boho-Chic.

“a modern, sophisticated take on bohemian style that combines bold bohemian details with simple contemporary pieces.  It is characterized by its unconventional and free-spirited essence, while still being curated and self-expressive.  This style can be carefree, worldly and eclectic, blending old and new.”

 

 

For more reading on the history: https://www.britannica.com/topic/bohemianism

Leaning into Secondary 3

 I'm also writing a post on using a description, rather than a label. That's important here.

When I use a "label" - it's a kind of box. I *must* be...[fill in the blank].

Even the Spring palettes I have show me a selection of floral/stripe/whatever patterns that this label should utilize.

Using Descriptions leaves me in a different space.

The description doesn't tell me what I should be, it tells me what I already know.

I AM

• casual
• zesty
• textured
• confident
• artsy
• creative
• and all the thing

Moving away from a s2 and leaning into s3 hasn't made a lot of difference, except I'm pairing more substantial jewelry that's been sitting in my drawer.

And it's hot here, so no jackets right now...but the jackets that I felt guilty for loving - the fabric/texture is in the "three range" so I can wear them with joy.

The sweaters that should have been a comfortable s3, but made me feel like a flannel-graph...they can stay in the back of the closet...

So for me, moving to a different secondary isn't so much about a change...but more about accepting what already describes me.

Narrowing Down the KeyWords

 Here's the list 

I want my "carry card" to focus on fashion, not personality, so I'll cross off those 

Today (7/17), I think

- vivid, zesty, textured

T1

• friendly
• expressive
• playful
• festive
• fresh
• creative
• zestful
• vivid
• outgoing

T3

• social 
• assertive
• informal
• casual
• no fuss
• earthy
• textured
• social
• zesty
• 
  

The list of the things (style and color)

 

Personal Color - Bright, Warm, Medium...leaning into Light

DYT 1/3/2/4 (for Elements of Style)

Kibbe: Romantic

Kitchener: Natural Essence, relaxed, textured

 

Myers-Briggs (INFP-T, Sanguine, optimistic, confident, hopeful - turbulent)

 

 Your Color Style: Elevated Casual (50% Casual, 20% edgy, 20% romantic, 10% Hippie Chic

 

Style Words

(narrowed down)

T1

• friendly
• expressive
• playful
• festive
• fresh
• creative
• zestful
• vivid
• outgoing

T3

• social 
• assertive
• informal
• casual
• no fuss
• earthy
• textured
• social
• 
   

Type 1:

• bright
• creative
• expressive
• festive
• fresh
• friendly
• impulsive
• informal
• light
• outgoing
• playful
• trendy
• vibrant
• vivid
• zestful
• 
  
  
  
  Type 3: 
  
  
  • assertive
    casual
    complex
    earthy
    edgy
    informal
    no fuss
    rustic
    social
    textured
    vivid
    zesty

Other system key words:

• Hometown
  smart casual
  Artsy
  relaxed
  textured
   

 

(Don't know...Alchemy of Style...DKDC)

"Best Red Lip"

 I don't remember which facebook group I got this idea from, but I think it might work

Take a closeup of your lips (done)

Open it with a photo editor (I use paint.net - it's free)

whatever method you use (I just eyeballed it) crop the photo down to the darkest part of your lip.

Ratchet the saturation to 100% - 

that's your best red.

Yikes???

Or...Wowser?

Or...MAC Lady Danger? (the lipstick is closer to the red in person than it is in the pic)

 

Yet another fashion test -

Our Fashion Garden -

The Ultimate Aesthetic Quiz: Awaken Your Aesthetic Spirit-

I got Boho with a splash of soft. 

mostly h: boho

You are attracted to freedom and individual expression. You have an adventurous spirit and a love for cultural diversity. You prefer comfortable, flowy clothes in a mix of colors and prints, reflecting your love for the carefree life and your desire to explore the world.

You love incorporating ethnic elements such as embroidery, fringes and artisanal fabrics into your clothing, creating a bohemian and exotic look.

Your way of life, tastes and values celebrate diversity, authenticity and connection with nature and the cultures of the world. You are always ready to embrace freedom and personal expression with your free bohemian aesthetic. Remain a free and radiant spirit on your journey through life!

mostly g: soft

Your aesthetic is serene and charming. You are attracted to the calm and delicacy of soft aesthetics, characterized by its comforting softness and its connection with nature. You prefer clothes in soft, pastel tones, with light and comfortable fabrics that flow gracefully around your figure.

You often incorporate natural elements such as flowers and soft prints into your clothing, creating an ethereal, slightly romantic and carefree look. Accessories like headbands, dainty necklaces and beaded bracelets add a charming finishing touch to your ensembles, bringing a sense of peace and harmony to your look.

Always maintain your connection to the beauty and serenity of the world around you. You are always ready to radiate calm and charm. Continue to be a gentle light in a busy world!

 

For the Card I Carry

 I carry a card with me, with my "fashion sense information." 

It currently has:

• DYT Type/secondary (1/2)
• DYT Key words (Playful, vibrant, relaxed)
• Your Color Style Color - Bright, Warm, Medium;  fashion - Elevated Casual - 50% casual, 20% edgy, 20% romantic, 10% Hippie Chic
• Cladwell (Hometown, Smart Casual, Artsy)
• Kibbe Body Shape (Romantic)
• Myers-Briggs (INFP-T, Sanguine, optimistic, confident, hopeful

Might end up with:

•  DYT: T1s3, Bright, Vibrant, Edgy
• YCS: Bright, Warm, *Medium or Light* --- Elevated Casual (50% Casual, 20% edgy, 20% romantic, 10% Hippie Chic
• Kitchener: Natural Essence, relaxed, textured
• Myers-Briggs: INFP-T, optimistic, confident, hopeful
• Cladwell: Hometown, Smart Casual, Artsy 

Myers-Briggs Introvert, iNtuition, Feeling, Perceiving - Turbulent

Your personality type is INFP:

Mediator

Mediators are poetic, kind, and altruistic people, always eager to help a good cause.)

 

Our Fashion Garden = Boho with a splash of Soft?

REthinking DYT (T1/s???)

 So...it was suggested that I rethink my secondary 2, and consider secondary type 3.

It fits, and also suits my preferences for fabric types and style lines.

"Coffee spiced stuff"

 Putting it here because I'll lose it otherwise.

• 2 parts turmeric
• 2 parts cinnamon
• 1 part black pepper
• 1 part ginger
• 2 parts collagen peptides
• 1 part baking soda.

put a tablespoon in hot coffee with a t. of butter and froth it up.

Compare and Contrast: DYT Yin/Yang lineup vs. Kitchener Essences

 

Compare and Contrast Time!

Trying to figure out “essence” in context of the systems I already know.  (I maybe just need somebody to tell me what essences I am and how to apply that information.)

I’ll start with DYT and the Yin/Yang lineup (publicly available)

DYT doesn’t have a T/s team that is pure yin or yang, so it isn’t a true lineup.

But if I look at (for example) my cluebomb of T1s2 (which does fit me), that’s about 2/3 down the “yangishness” list.

If I go about 2/3 of the way down the Kitchener essences, I end up at Ingenue (T1?) and Romantic (s2?) and maybe a touch of Angelic.

In the “your color style” quiz I ended up with “casual” and went with “elevated casual”

I know that for some, these won’t line up at all.

For some, they’ll make sense. 

I know, I’m trying to cheat by not putting a whole lot of time and brain power into figuring out my essences, if it’s right there on the list.  😉

DYT Yin/Yang lineup (in order of yangishness):

T3s1 = Yang, yang, yang, yin

T3s4 = Yang, yang, yin, yang

T1s3 = Yang, yin, yang, yang

T4s3 = yin, yang, yang, yang

T3s2 = yang, yang, yin, yin

T1S4 = Yang, yin, yin, jang

T4s1 = Yin, yang, yang, yin

T2s3 = Yin, yin, yang, yang

T1s2 = yang, yin, yin, yin

T4s2 = yin, yang, yin, yin

T2s1 – yin, yin, yang, yin

T2s4 – yin, yin, yin, yang

 

Kitchener's 7 style essences are (from yangishness to yinness):

Dramatic

Gamine

Natural

Classic

Romantic

Ingenue

Angelic

 

 

"Nothing" (negative space) Should be Noticed

An article came through on one of my facebook groups "Bunny Mellon Style" - most the article was...well...not interesting to me, but one line stuck out:

“She took into special consideration space and light both in the garden and in the house. Bunny Mellon’s motto was ‘nothing should be noticed,’ the ethos that everything should blend together as if God had created it.”

 

It's worth saying that this is Mellon's philosophy and we're not forced into her mindset.

 

Over the last couple of days I realized that there's two ways of looking at "nothing should be noticed"

 

The first is the "well-blended" approach -  IOW, what we wear is so in tune with itself that no one piece stick out (nothing is noticed), everything is blended.

The second is "nothing is noticed" - that is, the use of negative space to highlight a particular piece.

~~~

In my fashion journey the "nothing" ends up being a very neutral, "nothing" jacket that frames my necklace...or the absence of jewelry to let the jacket shine.

~~~

Then I found this article on "negative space" applied to life (caregivers as an example)

• Negative space (the "nothing") is the space around and between the subject of an image.
• Negative spaces are actual shapes that share edges with the positive shape.
• Just as important as the object itself, negative space helps to define the boundaries of the positive space and brings balance to a composition.
• Musicians describe periods of silence within a musical piece as negative space.
• Seeing negative spaces involves learning to see in a new and abstract way.
• Negative space is understood by relatively few people, but with a bit of practice, it can help you look at photos (LIFE!!!!!) in a new way.

https://www.thenegativespace.life/what-is-negative-space

Intentions for the New Year

 You might call them "resolutions" - 

Intentions make them more...well...intentional.

IEP style, goals and objectives.

What is the goal?  What steps do you take to get there?

I've divided mine into five headings:

HEAD

HEALTH

HEART

HEARTH

STYLE

I've been doing these already, I just want to be more intentional about it.