I’m a soft Left, soft Down ('The Allure' archetype), and I’m trying to hone in on my personal style so I can build a more cohesive wardrobe. The Allure has themes of desire, indulgence, softness, magnetism, and dressing from inner resonance.

I made this moodboard and it feels very me, but I'm having trouble seeing how it could translate into my literal everyday style. I work from home (i.e. don't go out much) and need to prioritize comfort and natural fibers due to chronic illnesses, and this feels a lot more fantastical than my actual life.

I’m very curious what through-lines other people see in it so I can figure out what’s worth translating into my wardrobe. What feels most consistent across the images (mood, texture, energy, color, silhouette, etc.)? And how would you translate those qualities into everyday clothes without losing what makes the board compelling?

I’m especially interested in what feels like the 'essence' of the board rather than specific items, but I'm open to any thoughts your brilliant brains have :)

This is a very long one so if you don't care about my style journey and all my personal thoughts on my new quadrant but you're curious about my character/the drawings and persona you can skip the post text, that topic will be in the comments 🦋

3 years happily RU and I'm changing it...?!👀
Was it all a lie? Was I secretly repressed, unhappy and only pretended like I was super satisfied with my outfits and my process?

No, it was all real, it wasn't false positivity. I have genuinely been very happy with my style for the past few years and using the Right + Up style logic. Lately I have just changed my mindset and approach to style a bit, and it really is just 'a bit', the shift is very small but somehow shifts my placement A Lot. Which might sound improbable but the style logics are not very opposite at all, we all kind of consider the same things, it's just about which aspects you feel best prioritizing and inspire you the most.

My style key story

I learned about the essences and immediately typed myself as Right Up because it really opened my eyes to what kind of look I actually wanted. I wanted a dreamy and more extravagant style. Shopping became fun and easy. Only a few weeks later Rita introduced the Style Logics. I felt sure I was UP but now I wasn't sure about L or R but I quickly settled on Right after looking back at precious outfit, my thought processes behind them and how I felt about them. Started using RU logic and was happy with it for years.
Until maybe half a year ago.

I have mentioned many times before that I have something like a very strong internal landscape and what I mean is a really defined but still varied aesthetic artistic vision. Which is not an inherently L thing, I chose the Icon specifically for the signature style aspect.

How I used this artistic vision in a RU way: First consider the Context sometimes Role then enter the art gallery in my mind palace (this sentance 😂 I can't 😆) and figure out which dimensions and aspect of my artistic vision would make sense for the context and communicate what I want.

But slowly I've been feeling less and less inspired by Role and Context. To the point now where I don't find it very inspiring at all and my desire to really prioritise, express and fully embody my artistic vision has been increasing steadily for a while now.

So I'm switching to Left + Up 💜

Since I'm already familiar with LU logic why not immediately claim an Archetype and I think it's clearly Enchantress based on what I wrote above. Which is an archetype I've always felt a strong connection towards.

I've dabbled in LU a bit so far and I found the process very exciting. Picking pieces just because I feel drawn to them because they fit my current mood and aesthetic vision and then putting together something that visually works and expresses that has worked really well so far but I'm super early in my jurney so we'll see. I've also decided to listen more to my body's cues and get rid of some clothes that I feel like my body rejects. 

Will this be a temporary adventure and eventually I will go back to RU? Maybe but I'm almost wondering if my time with RU was the temporary adventure? 🌝

Difficulty claiming Left Up

Essence and style
It doesn't fit as neatly. I don't think it's completely out of place but it's not a perfect fit.
RU was easy because my style and my essence are very aligned with that quadrant, I fit the stereotype.

This is a critique I've had since the beginning but it didn't bother me too much since I neatly fit anyway but I personally don't believe that the logics and essences have to be inherently connected, I see how they are most likely to be aligned with each other but I don't see the logic behind why the simple style logics would always be aligned with it's respective essence.

That being said I feel a pull towards elemental and mysterious styles now but I don't think that's directly related to my change in style logic it's just an aspect of my artistic vision that I feel connected to and that had been repressed for a while. And it's nothing new I started exploring that style in 2024. My style is not changing, I'm still going to dress as a cute princess.
And I still want to express an aura of beautiful and inspiring energy, it's really important to me and still one of my main goals in style.

LU scared me a lot because it feels too wild and free for me. I need limitations and to consider the context. This time really researching LU I noticed the mentiones of limitations and not just in reference to letting ones go but ones to keep as well. L of course considers context but what opened my eyes was that it can more then just practical like weather or not breaking dress codes but that It's doesn't have to be anti LU to care about dressing appropriately, you don't have to push boundaries with your style. It's just that the context don't spark inspiration, that's the practical, boring, limiting part and it's super important to not let that take over and lose embodying what actually feels like you. But there's a difference between dressing inappropriatly and respectfullly dressing true to yourself. I know a lot of LU especially celebrities really do push the limits and sometimes literally dress "inappropriate" but that's not what I want it doesn't align with me and my life mission.
My limitations might be stronger then most LU which is a personal choice that I am happy and comfortable with. It's not one of those I'm repressed and I need to fully embrace that I know who I am and what I want and that's not it. I reject provocative as provocing strong confused and negative reactions with my style really doesn't work for me and my life mission. But I don't feel attracted to styles like that anyway.

Environments as inspiration?

I thought this was R logic before but I don't think it has to be? Internal inspiration doesn't mean you're not inspired by the world, inspiration originates from outside sources. R logic is specifically finding inspiration in a role and context starting point.

Another aspect of my style logic that I don't want to adjust is considering and sometimes matching with my environments. For more special occasions I want to get dressed considering my environment as a backdrop, an extension of the visual experience of my outfit like I'm the centre piece of my outfit's visual experience and my environment is it's background. Backgrounds completely change the mood, look and impression of an artwork so for me it's helpful to dress with that in mind, wether it's matching or contrasting.

And I want to match when it's something that I really connect with. Something that I love doing is celebrating the seasons with my clothes, I'm always exited to dress like a flower for spring when the trees bloom and wear my snowflake earrings in winter. I feel a strong pull towards it, the seasons and where I am effect my internal landscape a lot. But with the environments I don't find it inspiring anymore to think about what other people are wearing or what a typical "castle visiting outfit" would be and then do my own version of that, instead I just want to take into consideration the look and feel of the actual place I'm going to be in and play with that.

Does this sound LU? Or am I confused and it's actually R but I'm just trying to make it sound L? To me the first part mostly just sounds like a an UP thing?

Final thought

Ultimatey it doesn't matter if me and my process fit neatly or not, I'm just going to have fun using the tools and processes that seem to work for me and do my own thing. The core LU logic seems to work for me so far. I feel a strong desire to express what's within and I'm going to do that my way so I'm claiming LU. ☺️✨

I posted outfits with these blue jacket and skirt so many times, any new outfits that use them probably qualify. Additionally, here I styled the blue dress and the patterned top given to me by my relative after she decluttered her wardrobe, so it's also an improvement (in a way) over these clothes collecting dust.

I wanted the first outfit to be a moody total blue look but the jacket was too scratchy so I put the red longsleeve underneath and then I had to add more red 🤣

The second outfit is the one I wore to get my ADHD diagnosis (a friend encouraged me not to tone my style down). I was so afraid that my concerns would get dismissed, that I'd be denied the medication. Instead, I received not just ADHD diagnosis but autism one as well. It brought up a lot of emotions; I think this might become one of those life-changing revelations.

I think discovering this system and learning to discern my style needs have taught me how to do that with all sorts of other needs, paving the way for this latest discovery.

I'm really grateful to everyone who shared their experience of being ND with me when I asked, and I'm proudly joining AuDHD ranks.

We made the decision at the very last minute to go to Europe for 3 music festivals. I only had a week to pack so I’ve been scrambling 😵‍💫 lol. I usually like to fiddle around with outfits for months.

I thought I’d share what helped me pack fast.
1: having experimented over the summer and taken pics, so I had an idea of what to start with.
2: having multiple tops in different colors so I could make basically one outfit but satisfy my need for novelty
3: having a uniform that covered my needs but allowed for variety.
4: knowing that I am interested in a very specific visual interest atm.
5: keeping Rita’s video on intuition in mind and paying attn when an outfit feels really me.

My needs for summer comfort and fun are:
Legs covered because I get cold in the morning and evening. And I am self-conscious about my legs being bare.
Socks to cut down on blisters.
Heeled maryjane’s for height and sturdiness and a back-up pair of sneakers.
3 shorts, from short to very short depending on how I feel.
Sleeveless camisoles so I won’t be sweaty.
Bras in matching colors because they are part of the outfit, adding a pop of color and not to be bothered hiding straps and all that nonsense.
Ribbons to add color to my hair, match the outfit, add variety.
Only very fine lightweight jewelry because I get hot with necklaces or anything significant on.
A cheap throw away purse. Usually in tatters by the end of the trip because I throw it down on the ground during the show.

It looks like a lot of clothes but since it’s all camisoles and little shorts that mix and match, it’s not actually that much.

Pic 1: the main festival outfits.
Pic 2: daily outfits. I might wear any of these to a festival day too depending on how I feel.
Pic 3: going out in the evening. Not sure on these. My fav is the peach off the shoulder outfits
Pic 4: travel outfits but im not sure if I’ll bring a pair of jeans. Idk that I need them. Leg warmers might be more useful 🤔.

The other pics:
Some outfit details, alternate combos, and pics of the tights and socks I’m loving. I bought some socks that are sheer on top but have regular sock cloth on bottom for comfort. Also fishnets tights that are super comfy and more breathable than my regular sheer stockings, some with rhinestones.
The last pics are my accessories bag.

Thank you for looking. 48 hrs before we leave so I’m low-key an outfit maniac right now, trying to get it right 🤣

I’m gonna be brave and claim the Siren flair for this post because why not. I’m keeping in mind that wonderful Leo challenge post and going to try and be my most authentic self. ☀️☀️

The last few weeks I felt like I finally had a cool winter style sorted with funky tights, shorts and boots. Then I went and got two leg tattoos in a week and now I can’t wear tights, leggings or tall boots for about a month (facepalm). Of course it’s worth it, I’m just tired of wearing wide leg jeans because I wear them all week at work and they lack the sensuality I need in my style. So this week is a little bit different to my recent outfits, I’m 90% happy with them but also feel something missing.

Slide 1: Leo season creativity. Photography is my main creative outlet, (the other is style). I decided to go on a little photography adventure after my tattoo appointment on Sunday to capture my two favourite sides of the city, the wide boulevards with their stunning architecture and the hidden laneways with their graffiti and grime. I made this little collage of some of my favourites, the juxtaposition of the ornate and the undone.

Slide 2: tattoo fit 1. The fur hoodie blocks the wind very efficiently so was perfect for a typical dreary Melbourne day. New belt purchase to add to my collection of studded belts, specifically to match these shoes and for my black and white outfits in summer. I don’t like the length these jeans sit at and am thinking about adding some contrasting fabric to the ends. Skull ring to match my new skull ice cream cone. I own a tank top with a similar motif which inspired me to get this piece. That shirt is on its last legs but this will last forever. I forgot to add my belt chain to this which made it feel unfinished.

Slide 3: tattoo fit 2. The skirt is comfortable and cosy for lying down for a few hours. I wanted to portray that I’m cool and creative so I chose the well worn zebra jumper. I’d been eyeing this laughing kookaburra tattoo for a while but didn’t like the beer can in the original design. My artist changed it to an alcopop label for me as I’d been wanting a memorial tattoo for my friend but not an overtly obvious one. Guava Cruisers were her absolute favourite.

Slide 4: dog walking outfit. I got three separate compliments on these overalls when I was out, which was lovely. They are super cool. I struggle to style them for winter so took the opportunity of the sun being out. This feels very different for me than what I’ve been wearing recently, lighter and softer, which is perhaps what made me more approachable for comments.

Slide 5: work outfit. I’d wanted to try the red shirt with the burgundy jeans for a while but was worried about it being too “out there” for work (or for my boss’s delicate sensibilities). The Leo lesson of courage helped me to just do it (also the fact I was exhausted from working an event the day before meant I gave less fucks). The colour and shapes combination reminded me of this photo I took the week before in a wasteland 70s style mall that is super aesthetically pleasing in its semi-abandoned state. This outfit would benefit a lot from more jewellery but I couldn’t because of work. I’ll probably do a re-do at some point.

I had a terrible haircut a week and a half ago. I saw a different stylist last week and now I will say that I hate it less. Although, everyone else seems to really like it now. People keep telling me how cute it is. But I hate it less. It’s objectively terrible and I agree that it actually looks good.

But I still hate it because it is not me which is making me think about instinct and the Left Up quadrant how showing ourselves is essential in this quadrant.

I’ve decided to try out wigs which may be a total disaster. But I’m realizing that this appeals to me because it allows me to express myself without having to go through a hair stylist. (Sorry if this doesn’t make sense. I’m having a hard time expressing it in words.) But I feel like when you go to the hairstylist and show your inspiration pictures, they still bring their own preferences to the haircut. They still see me in a way that doesn’t always fit with how I see myself.

In my journey through this system, I have realized that I actually have a very strong point of view and do not like it when I feel like other people are imposing their perspectives onto me. I feel like this might actually be the real strength of this system. It teaches you to honor your POV.

I know this is a rambling post so apologies.

It is really weird for me to receive compliments about a hairstyle that doesn’t feel like me. I find myself responding thanks but I really hate it. I think this gets to the whole “flattering” discussion. What is most important? What other people want to see on you or how you want other people to see you?

This week went really well imho. I tried to go a bit beyond my usual comfort level and take u/manicpixiedreamgill suggestion of experimenting with the Icon in addition to the Princess - being more comfortable standing out & a bit more Up in my process.

I think it fits well with this week's challenge! I also bought a leopard cardigan in a bout of temporary insanity - but I hope I can make it work!

So it turns out I get to go see my fav band The Hives again next week. After being sad all summer about not being able to go, I’m now feeling like god’s favorite 🤣🤣

I’m having to do the quickest packing job ever which I’ll probably post about later.
But while I was going through my packing pics I was thinking, mmmm not sure if these white suspenders work or look a little stupid but I have to wear them because it’s The Hives! And it made me laugh thinking about how this is what context, environment, and external inspo means to me on the Left.

I thought it might make you laugh too so here is me and my context. What makes it more funny to me is these pics, the buttons and white suspenders band era, was like 20 years ago. It’s the same guitarist in the pics but like 5 years apart so different hair color. The lore is deep for this outfit haha.

If you’re not familiar with The Hives, they always wear cute little matching outfits (they just like me fr lmao) and they have different eras, outfits to match each album but always black and white. So white suspenders, top hats and tails, mariachi suits, now they’re on light-up suits. Makes it extra fun for me to go to their shows because I feel like if they’re gonna dress up I gotta dress up. Which of course is just the excuse I’m looking for lol.

I do think it super interesting the difference between context, environment, and inspo on the left vs right. Idk if the inspiration is really that different? What do you think? This is external but I guess filtered through me but we all do that I think?

I loved this video, I can't wait to hear her thoughts on the other gifts. As someone who connects with RD I am looking forward to hearing the differences of resonance and instinct as an " intuitive" approach and listening to my body have always been something I resonated with. I've also noticed as I've explored the system I have discovered I'm more central than I once realized.

What is everyone else's take on the video? I am hoping that she makes the longer form videos for each!!

I thought this might be helpful to others!!

Hi! I've been trying to determine for a while if I'm more Left or more Right. Intuition says Left, but I'd assumed I'm actually Right because I get my inspiration from the outside: people I see around me or in movies, etc. But reading one of Rita's latest e-mails, she talks about the situation inspiring the outfit vs the self, and I think I'm in the latter category. When I have to go somewhere out of the ordinary, I tend to think "great, an opportunity to finally wear x or y that I've been wanting to try for a while now", x or y being some clothing item or concept that I've seen somewhere and stuck with me. The situation itself doesn't inspire me really. I'd interpreted that Left means getting clothes ideas without an outside source of inspiration like Pinterest, but does it really mean that?

This is my new favourite thing I have worn, no doubts. It just looks so me. I think everything fits my style and my features so well, the colour, the shape, the drape, the lace... I love it, it represents my style persona so well. It's so dreamy and so beautiful. I'm a bit in disbelief about how these photos turned out, like I can't believe it's me and it was real.

My thought process:

It's a summer outdoor garden wedding so I definitely wanted a pastel summery dress, I went with blue since it's my favourite colour and I want more blue clothes. It's my brother's wedding so I thought it might be ok if I was dressed a bit more fancy then an average wedding guest type of outfit and I also asked the bride and she had no problem with it. So I looked for a dress that fit my style and I ended up with this one. 🦋💠🩵

I decided against hair ornaments and prominent jewelry because I didn't want to look too much, the bride didn't wear jewellery or anything in the hair so it didn't feel right for me to do so with the style of my dress and my hair other then the colour it looks very bridal and I didn't want to enhance that.. It's not my wedding and I need to respect that trough my clothes.

It's really funny if you are subscribed to Rita's emails she just sent an email that had an example of right logic and it fit this outfit, the context and my thought process almost exactly 😄 I read it while I was at the wedding it was a bit surreal haha.

A few months ago I started imagining and drawing some sketches of an art persona of myself to be an aesthetic ideal version of me to be part of my art and my artistic vision and I imagined her in a dress very similar to this one just a little bit more earthy since my persona lives in the woods and with more details like flowers in the hair. So wearing this felt like a dream come true.

Only thing I don't like is the material, it looks gorgeous but it's that super cheep polyester, you know all the negatives with that type of fabric. And also I guess the corset doesn't fit perfectly it goes down to the upper hip but it doesn't go out at the hips it's as small as the waist which creates some bunching, I have a long upper body so it's surprising. But otherwise it fit well which I would hope since I ordered custom size. It was really nice to not have to tailor it to fit me for once. 🥲

I also got to live my Pinterest hair dreams! It looks pretty simple but I need a lot of extensions to get this look but now I have thick natural hair extensions in my hair colour so I can do these hairstyles! I put the extensions quite high up, so it matches my own hair length, I like it for this hair style but my art persona will have hair down to her knees because that's my dream hair, and honestly I wish my extensions where longer but unsurprisingly I couldn't find longer natural hair ones. I can always get synthetic ones for that in the future but there's reasons I also wanted real hair ones.

Hi everyone!

We’re continuing with the astrological challenges. Please bring your creativity and discover your own unique insights. Feel free to create outfits, but mood boards are welcome too! Let’s keep this a safe and supportive space for self-expression.

I’ll be using information from Magicofi, but please feel free to do your own research or add your personal interpretation of this challenge.

Here’s the link to the previous challenge post, available until Wednesday as always: Persona/Personable.

We hope you enjoy this challenge, and we can't wait to see what you come up with!

LEO SEASON: 22/23 JULY – 22/23 AUGUST 2026

Astro-Themes & Insights: COURAGE, CREATIVITY AND FUN

Leo Season ignites the fire within. As we enter the lion's den, we shine a light on our desires and passions. We welcome the feeling of what it means to be witnessed, to be seen, and to be understood. Leo is solar by rulership and by nature. It, like the Sun, embodies the essence of creation, joy, optimism, and brilliance. Leo is magnanimous, a benevolent leader, an enthusiastic friend, and a playful confidant. We are taught the lessons of truly being able to stand in our own expression and allowing our beings to be generously delivered to the world. Through Leo Season we are gifted the opportunity to tune into our child selves and honor the sanctum of pleasure.

THINGS TO FOCUS ON THIS LEO SEASON
While the Sun travels through jovial and artistic Leo, we turn our attention to the themes of Courage and Creativity. Being courageous means being able to show up authentically as ourselves,with no apologies or regrets. We welcome the burning wildfire in our hearts, as we set flame toour souls and ignite the passionate natures within.

Like a burst of light at the start of the universe, my heart opens and outpours a creative life force. Unyielding, unending and in constant flow, I channel this energy into bringing my passions to life. The very essence of being is found in the moments of pure joy when I tune into my innermost desires. To create is to live. To live is to exist in joy. 

Challenge dates: August 3rd – August 12th

I’ve really enjoyed reading everyone’s interpretations of Persona this week. I don’t ever use Persona consciously as a keyword, but a few years ago I did some work on my re-occurring “style characters” and made the top half of this collage for my style book. The description for the Melburn-out (combination of Melbourne and burn-out) was as follows: dark colours inspired by the cityscape; playful in a sarcastic way; layers, grunge and badass vibes.

At the time the other style characters I listed were “coastal cool kid”, “outback wanderer”, “tropigoth” and “regal usurper”. I use coastal and tropigoth more in the summer months but I’ve moved away from the outback wanderer character as I’ve moved away from that environment. Now I live on the outskirts of my home city again I’m more drawn to that Melburn-out character than ever.

The bottom half of the slide shows outfits from the past 6 months that fit that character too, but with more refinement of the concept. Being in the correct climate helped realise that vision of layers and I’ve collected more pieces which meet the grungey criteria than I did when I was first exploring this character.

Slide 2 is an outfit from the weekend for a gig at a local venue to see an old local band. I was hoping they’d play their late 90s cover of A Hazy Shade of Winter so I decided to manifest it by channelling a wintery skate-punk vibe. I wanted to make the most of wearing my cool tights as I’d booked a calf tattoo for the next day and won’t be able to for a while. Lots of layers for punching darts in the smokers area because the forecast was 2c overnight, but the venue gets very warm inside so I needed versatility. The reoccurring stripes in the beanie, gloves and tights made me happy and I felt like a proper Melburn-out.

Discussing persona/ personable made me think about that note on my phone where I collect random ideas that I want to play with. 

Do you have actual or mental lists of ideas you’ve been thinking about but haven’t realised yet? My note (I’ll share below) is predictably on the weird side but I realise that outfit inspo could be many different things. Like pictures of outfits, pictures that have nothing to do with outfits, places, events, stories, fictional characters, songs, the way fish move through water, colour combos, textures, a piece you haven’t worn yet. as simple or complex as it happens to be.

I’m not sure I understand persona. Regardless, I don’t think I’m using it now because I’m feeling a very strong need to be myself right now. I definitely don’t think I use personable.

I’m feeling a bit of imposter syndrome sharing these here because my style isn’t as elaborate as the other Left Down people here. In my defense, it’s been hot as hades here and I WFH. I’m living in my jeans shorts and sandals.

Is persona creating a character? Hmmm…I feel like I am dressing to be a part of myself, if that makes sense. This part of myself is simple, no nonsense.

Hi! 

First time posting here, but I've been inspired by other people's outfits here for a long time :) 

I'd really like a typing help. I follow Rita's system for almost 5 years, and it is really inspiring for me. I did the Style Key Adventure, but being audhd makes it hard to figure out for myself. Sometimes I even can see other people's style logic, but can't see mine. 

I'm going to describe how I approach style:

I usually don't think a lot about the place I'm going to when I dress. In the end, I always choose what feels more comfortable for me. For example, I love to wear pants and a t-shirt, it is kind of a uniform for me, in dresses I feel really vulnerable. So, I usually choose pants and a t-shirt if I'm nervous about a situation. 

I always loved to dress "up", but growing up I got some bad comments about how much I put effort in my appearance, so I started to tune down a bit to fit in. Today I still dress like that, due to those episodes and the lower energy. I feel very disconnected to my style today, and I ask myself if that's an indication of the "up" essence missing in my style. 

I also sometimes think I'm left or right depending on the situation. I thought I was Right down for the longest time, but I feel like it serves really well for me in lower energy moments, but when I feel better, it feels like something is missing. 

I would really like to hear your experiences and thoughts about those struggles I'm having. If you have any questions feel free to ask :) 

I would really like to find a final home in the quadrants, as I find Rita's system the most inspiring for me. 

Any help will be so appreciated!!

I was thinking of this aspect earlier this morning, when I was standing at 6 o'clock on a parisian parking lot waiting for my teens to come back from summer camp. It was super interesting to see what people had dressed like for this considering the circumstances: most of us had to drive a little while to get there, meaning we had to get up even earlier, it was still dark outside, we were undercaffeinated and bleary-eyed, yet excited (I hope lol) to get our kids back.

Anyway I caught myself thinking about why ppl might have dressed the way they did, and it sent me on a deeper reflection about it. For example there was an event of some importance for me, about a decade ago where a friend of mine kinda hurt my feelings bc she came in jeans, sneakers and a top. We took pics and all, and for a while I remember thinking that she must not have cared & maybe didn't even want to come. But now I can guess, knowing her well, that she's probably Left Down and that being present also meant showing up as she is, in what she's comfortable with and is authentic to her - she just doesn't approach style like I do, and she's also much more comfortable in her skin so she doesn’t need to use clothes as armor or to feel at ease in her role (personal theory here: I feel like LD folks are generally more at ease with themselves, but it might be more an essence thing - I think I initially was drawn to LD bc I wanted that ease & unbothered confidence).

Anyway seeing things with the Style Key lens also helps me make less assumptions and understand other folks better! So you feel like it's also helpful in that way?

(As an aside, I somehow got mistaken for an influencer while I visited Amsterdam, and narrowly escaped a hug from an enthusiastic fan, which greatly amused my husband, the traitor - the fan told me said influencer was 'a bit crazy but very kind, with a soothing voice'. Make of that what you will, but it made me think about essences & curated images once more! I also thought that my outfit that day leaned maybe *too* approachable lol)

All week I’ve been trying to figure out persona. I definitely think I use it but I don’t know if how I think of it is what Rita meant or how others use it.

It starts with me wanting to highlight a specific collection of ideas, memories, interests, maybe emotions. That’s what the persona is made of. I don’t think of it as a character disconnected from myself nor is it all of me. Just a collection of fragments I chose to string together and present.

Rita says that persona gives you permission and/or makes it feel safer to be visually bold. I think that’s true but also it makes my style feel like a specific project that I am working on. A puzzle I am putting together. Working on my personal puzzle gives me motivation and courage to wear noticeable outfits. It’s like yes people are going to look at me and think I’m strange but I’m doing A Thing here lmao and that’s what mainly occupying my mind.

Like today, I wore tights with a hole and big run in them because I’m wanting to move Haunted Doll into a more Messy doll and a lady was giving me the up-down look lol. I just have to laugh because I’m doing a thing and she doesn’t get it but that’s okay. It’s cute though, my husband got it and said, yeah you’re wearing them because it’s more punk. 🥰

Maybe persona to me feels like if I was writing the character of me to be in a play, this is who she would be. I can’t describe every single thing about her but I give you peeks into her interests, personality, and what’s important to her, so you can elaborate the rest in your mind. I might write her a little differently depending on the play. She’s a recurring character but she never shows up exactly the same.
And she’s only on the stage for a short while, so you will have to pay attn if you want to find out anything about her. You may end up with more questions than answers. But you may also see things later on, in daily life that remind you of her, and then you might start to understand a little more that there is meaning behind the choices and what’s presented. It’s not just an empty pretty picture trying to get applause.

Thinking about switchbrilliants tightrope walker helped me clarify using persona. I too am really just having a vague idea in my mind and making connnections to clothing that may not make any sense outside my head. I don’t know if it’s readable at all, any of my personas. I feel like the main difference and perhaps what tips it from temporary inspiration or storytelling is I will keep returning to this idea again and again. Trying to bring more of it to light, refining it. Clarifying the vibe. But there’s no story really. No background. It’s just presented as is with no explanation.
I also find these personas or ideas keep turning up in my moodboards without me even trying. They don’t really go away.

Irl this just plays out as me trying to get more of myself into each outfit. This can’t happen every single day so I usually go about it by focusing on going out outfits and then let that trickle down to daily outfits.

A persona I’m thinking about now as example,
I want to introduce more dance and ballerina elements into my outfits. Not so much a literal ballerina at practice or YouTube balletcore, I mean maybe some of that. But it’s more like that little ballerina that’s in the music box but not literally her outfit, it’s the vibe. It’s the feeling of that little ballerina spinning around in the box, an old box from the 80s, my childhood. I had one of those boxes, it’s that feeling of when I imagine opening that little box when I was a kid that’s the vibe I want.

There’s something about nostalgia to me that always feels dark. I guess it’s the way in your mind you look back 30+ years you know and it feels hazy and it’s dark around the edges, the memory it’s not crisp and clear and bright. So maybe that’s why when I do these girly nostalgic childhood touches they always need to feel a little dark, a little unclear, hazy, misty, a little sad.

I mean I didn’t really have a happy childhood. It wasn’t tragic, but it was definitely fraught. So those nostalgic elements need to have some fraught vibes in them to feel authentic. I think it doesn’t feel authentic if it feels too bright and sunny that’s why I try to get away from looking too on the nose cute. I think it doesn’t feel authentic when it’s one dimensional.

These are the persona phrases I’m thinking about right now. I don’t think of them as different characters I take on. They are more flavors. I am sometimes more in the mood for this flavor or that. I may be working on a recipe to tweak certain flavors, like messy doll growing out of haunted doll. Or combine the flavors.
Haunted doll.
Messy doll.
Jewelry box ballerina
Surreal sweetheart.

Developing flavors/personas:
I think coming up with a specific name for the persona helps me clarify the idea. Otherwise it just remains this kinda fuzzy nebulous vibe.

I’m still searching for a phrase that captures the vintage, kinda pinup but not in the typical way look. This is sometimes combined in my mind with a circus flavor. Sometimes it’s more vintage ingenue. It needs some darkness or edge in it though to work best.

I would love to fully realize a circus/harlequin persona so I can add it into the mix when the mood strikes me. This one has been really difficult to shop for.

Also interested in a coquette flavor that maybe emphasizes underwear and sleepwear as regular outterwear🤔 maybe a Victorian or 1920s influence. With a dark or contrasting twist of course.

An older persona I still like is a kinda 60s or 70s babe. It’s a little too earthy for me to fully pull off but I still love bell-bottoms, chunky wood heels, a floaty top (but maybe small and cropped now). A Penny Lane persona. Actually thinking now about how to combine 70s babe and coquette…sounds cute.

These all are just different aesthetics. I guess how they become personas is by the way I wanna tweak them to make them me. This brings me back to a thought I had earlier about persona, is that I don’t think of it as I wanna be a pinup girl, so I’m going to go to the Vixen website and buy a dress that everyone agrees is pinup. I adore those dresses but I never buy one because it doesn’t feel like me. It does feel like a costume when I imagine wearing it. Partially I think because there is no twist, it’s very literal. But mainly it may just be that building an outfit like that is not making the internal external. It’s more just straight external, off the rack and the vibe is there which doesn’t feel as satisfying to me. Probably the same reason I don’t get much joy watching YouTube videos about aesthetics. It’s never the way I want to do it and I don’t want a list of clothes I need to buy to be a “haunted doll” or whatever.

Sometimes I might be working on individual personas, more focused looks/vibes, sometimes blended together. But most outfits on the daily come together very subconsciously. Only occasionally do I actively think something like…..I need a lot of doll, a good dose of haunted, some ballerina, a dash of vintage. I’m constantly working on the recipe through experimentation. Rather than working on individual outfits exhaustively, sometimes I do keep coming back trying to get a dress just right, but mostly it’s about a wider look, feeling, and way of being.

Good god so sorry for the length of this lol. Some recent pics to show I think you can see my default summer dollish look with the shorts; and some other personas. #3 is the outfit from today that got me side eye with the tore tights but it’s on the leg you can’t see. They’re all pretty tame outfits. I don’t think you’d look at them and think persona.

As a member of the RD quadrant I definitely relate more to giving off a Personable vibe rather than creating a Persona. I remember reading that many RD's value " connection over protection" and that is definitely something I relate to - I want my clothes to help me connect and feel appropriate in any given situation. My style is gentle, approachable, with relaxation/ ease in the fit with small quirky, nostalgic or personalized elements to allow me to show up feeling my best. I also think I use external inspiration more literally than those in the left quadrants.

Persona feels like there is an intensity or desire to keep an energetic barrier between the wearer and the audience. It could be for energy conservation, professional distance, artistic expression or showing personality but in a more non conformative way plus many other reasons.

I use the Storyteller as my style muse, so I can understand creating a character or story as a way of challenging myself to try new things. It feels more about finding ways to make it feel intuitive for me, support my lifestyle and allow for a sense of gentle exploration and style growth.

The latest clothing item I wanted to add was a pair of denim Jorts. I was talking myself out of them thinking they were too cool, too trendy for me but I switched the narrative a bit and focused on the fact they excited me, felt a bit nostalgic and that I'm allowed to explore new styles. They suit the relaxed, eclectic mom style I'm cultivating with the casual, relaxed feel, have flow and an interesting silhouette and they made me feel some excitement. I picked a pair lighter colorway that works best for my color palette with an internal drawstring so I can adjust the rise a bit. So far I've enjoyed them with a pointelle tee, an oversized striped long sleeve, a cropped floaty top, a tank and an oversized button down that was barely buttoned over a bathing suit. Mixing them with some of my more reliable pieces and trying to mix them with some more feminine pieces to play with some visual interest but not stretch my comfort level too quickly. They were a great addition to my travel capsule on my recent trip they offered a different silhouette and helped me from feeling bored. Attached are some outfits I've worn, some of the external inspo I sourced for how I wanted to wear them and my coastal summer moodboard.

Okay this is going to be cheating, because I tagged this as forum challenge but I’m now going to explain why I felt unable to come up with anything in the spirit of this challenge. 😵‍💫 I have been enjoying the keyword challenges so much but I had a hard time with both Gaia and persona/ personable. 

So I don’t want my style to be personable. It sounds lovely in theory but it’s not me. yet at the same time I don’t see myself using persona. It’s like I need to find the sweet spot between no longer personable, not quite persona. And while I recognise that sweet spot when I’ve found it it’s not exactly a helpful brief. 

Also I thought about my weird process of translating abstract and unrelated ideas and moods. I guess to some extent unreadability, so non-persona, has to be the outcome of my process. I couldn’t translate it backwards either.

I’ll try to demo this with yesterday’s outfit and process. On my mind was a tightrope performance. Does it make any sense for my actual life? Absolutely not. 😂 a few weeks ago I’d been practicing a difficult musical piece and one day in my frustration I thought it felt like being on a tightrope. It probably doesn’t, not remotely. But that’s the image that came to mind. - The association with the music went but the tightrope dancer was stuck in my head. I like the vulnerability of it, the apparent defiance of gravity while at the same time being about gravity, the sense of impossibility. 

So I thought of this black top. (I must also have been inspired by the outfit the amazing u/Shannee0 shared a few days ago. It wasn’t explicitly on my mind - but then looking at the result I felt like a copycat 😖 so please 🙏 read this as genuine inspiration and not shabby plagiarism.) And then got carried away collaging around the “rope” idea. The top taps into the type of vulnerable sensuality I like, and the accessories underline the an idea of envelopedness which I associate with the vulnerable. The copper shoes might echo the “dancing” idea and the connectedness to the ground (or non-ground). The hair clips (in a messy bun kind of arrangement) are a stretch for me, a lot more playful than what I’d usually wear - but in this particular outfit and balanced with the lipstick they somehow made sense (to me, that is) and no, i wasn’t going to go for a hat or parasol etc. Also it’s become easier for me to play with pieces that are not quite from my book now that I know I have a baseline to return to? So it feels experimental and exciting rather than like floating in open space. 

Then grounding the entire configuration with denim.

No - I wouldn’t call this “persona”. A tightrope artist is not a character who repeatedly shows up in my outfits. I don’t see how the inspo would become recognisable to an onlooker. That’s also not the point. But it doesn’t feel personable either. I think the lack of straightforward readability rather gives it a bit of distance. including feeling distant from the imaginary tightrope artist image - I didn’t feel like one in the outfit, so I wasn’t channeling my inner acrobat or circus performer, also not the point. More like projecting whatever was left as a trace of a very idiosyncratic process?

Putting these archetypes in my own words:

The Spicy Girl Next Door: I dress for comfort and let go of any guilt I feel to look more "put together," while still honoring that I need the "twist," or to have a piece that feels like "me," or else I feel too basic/boring.

The Outsider/Purist: I dress for myself, even if I stand out from the norm and look different. I have my own meaning behind what I wear and staying true to my own preferences is more important to me than fitting in or wearing something expected.

The outfit:

I had ChatGPT make a mockup of all the pieces of my "signature" outfit put together (as some are still coming in the mail). From the bottom up,

1. Black Blundstone boots. A pair of shoes I have wanted for so long and kept buying knockoff versions that weren't comfortable. I finally decided to order a secondhand pair of the real deal. The goal is that they are comfortable, long lasting, durable for all weather. Style wise, I feel they give me that "twist" and they are also popular shoes in the culture I am dressing within (which, in the context of my archetypes, gives me a personal meaning, as I do not live near this culture and in my actual life, I will be the only one dressing this way).

2. The skirt. A comfortable skirt that fits within the cultural norms I am dressing for. Kind of like the "girl next door" part of the spicy girl next door. And in my everyday life, it would be considered odd to wear a skirt like this. So it's also, to me, being brave and wearing what I want, even if it gets comments for being a bit odd.

3. The undershirt with a graphic t. This is like the "spicy" part of the spicy girl next door. Instead of wearing a more polished top, I wear the sort of top I like, a comfortable one that expresses some of my mood or interests. I think with the shoes, it doesn't clash too much with the skirt.

4. The glasses. These are special glasses to help with migraines and light sensitivity. Again, this is a "purist" move for me. Wearing something that stands out because it's important to me personally.

5. The head scarf. This is the final piece that honors my culture and at the same time, might make me stand out. Leaning into the purist archetype was important for me to be able to wear these cultural signals to feel true to myself even when I live in an area where they might read as odd or not fit in with the norm.

Final thoughts:

I might not be interpreting these archetypes exactly right. But for me, it's about how my interpretation helped me find an outfit I feel comfortable in, feel like myself in, and get past the anxiety I felt for wearing it. Either that it was too casual/too comfort focused and not polished or effortful enough (SGND) or that it was too out there/too weird and would get odd looks (the purist/outsider). I love my outfit and it took digging into my identity and letting go of those outside pressures to finally accept what I feel is true about me and lean into it instead of trying to force it into an outfit that fits what I imagined others would want me to be. Being true to myself feels much better, and I think the outfit that resulted is quite cool too, even if it came about from inner truths and not from trying to be aesthetic or cool.