Wardrobe Architect: Defining Silhouettes {or What Your Clothing Says About You}

In working through Colette Pattern’s Wardrobe Architect Series, I've noticed I veer toward structured basics with a touch of whimsy. These fashion choices actually say a lot about my personality. 

I’m a goofy, eccentric person, but I’m a private person as well. My love of structure parallels my reserve. It reigns me in.

I’m reserved for many reasons. There’s my similarity to my dad’s family, a seemingly open and gregarious but fiercely private bunch. There’s my natural shyness and my fear of getting hurt. Most importantly, though, there’s a realization I came to years ago.

At 11-years-old, I wrote a very poor poem. I remember only one line now, “There is a wall, a barrier, separating me from the rest of the world.” I realized even then that I was different. My thought processes and actions weren’t what others considered “normal.” I also realized that I wasn’t interested in advertising my weirdness. It’s not that I’m afraid of being different. I simply don’t want to shout it from the rooftops. Sticking out is outside my comfort zone.

My clothing showcases that personality trait. I show my eccentricities in my odd color combinations, vintage pieces, and love of texture. But I also show my reserve in my love of pencil skirts, tailored pants, and blazers. In so many ways, my clothing is my armor. 

To be perfectly honest. I do love freewheeling, bohemian styles, especially in the summer months. That’s when I break out the flowing midi-length skirts, palazzo pants, and loose button-ups. I find, though, that I still seek restraint in those outfits. I wear loose skirts and pants with fitted Ts and my loose tops with slim pants or skirts. 

Bohemian styles are often associated with freedom. My tendency toward control might seem the antithesis of freedom. I’m actually passionate, to a fault, about my personal freedom. I bristle at containment from an outside force. In my intentional control, however, I think I find freedom. I have the freedom to be myself, private and alone, soaring through the skies (in my mind at least) or mulling over a flower. It’s when I declare my freedom and independence through my actions or dress that I feel self-aware, awkward, and imprisoned. Restraint allows me to forget myself and fly. 

In our world of rampant social media sharing, restraint is sometimes viewed, I think, as being untrue to yourself. We are taught be be proudly unique. Let me say at the outset, that I think this idea can cause more harm than good. It often connotes the idea that you never need to change and grow because who you are is OK. In contrast, I believe growth is a necessary part of life.

That said, I would never advocate being someone you’re not. In my case, there’s room for growth. I’m learning to let people in, even when it’s uncomfortable, simply because it's so often the right thing to do. Still, while I hope to change as needed, I’ll always be reserved. It’s part of who I am. In the end, to stop being reserved would be to lie about myself.

Image Source: Ruche

But enough about me. What about you? What do your personal style choices say about your personality?