The Fab 40’s Decode Street Style

Street Style: A comprehensive approach to fashion that produces styles that combine and intersect various mainstream fashion considerations.

As a fashion blogger, I actually felt a little lost when Dee presented us with the theme for this month’s Fab 40’s collaboration: Street Style Decoded. Before I began blogging almost 5 years ago, I had never heard the term “street style” but it is a term that appears everywhere in the fashion industry. You will see it in abundance during fashion week events all around the world when “street style icons” are unsuspectingly captured on camera looking very cool and very intentional in their unique combinations of fashion trends.

When presented with the street style theme, what came to my mind immediately was quirky, eclectic outfit combinations that the coolest folks wear to ramble around town and hope that someone finds them interesting enough to take their photograph. In attempting to create an outfit that adequately represents the theme, I really did need a better understanding of the term. And so a bit of research was required on my part. Let me share what I have learned.

Wikipedia offers a very succinct and clear description of what classifies as street style. Briefly, a “street” approach to fashion is based on individualism rather than on the current trends. It sort of becomes a form of performance art that allows you to more adequately express your personal identity through clothing. Street style at its essence is not wearing exactly what the mannequin or model is wearing. Rather, it is a truly individualized combination of whatever different trends appeal to the person wearing them.

Street style can also be classified as “ordinary people’s clothing.” According to New York Times fashion photographer Bill Cunningham, if you look to regular people going about their regular business out “on the streets,” you will be witness to “the best fashion show coming to life.” When we take a moment to pay attention to what people are wearing, we can quickly identify that style choices communicate all sorts of things about people. Personal style, especially when created in uncommon ways, can tell amazing stories about personality, mood, temperament, character, and spirit.

While street style has existed essentially since people began manufacturing and wearing clothing, it only recently has become an important and influential fashion phenomenon in the 20th century. As people adjusted to post war life in the wake of World War II, they began searching for their own individual identities and alternative lifestyles, including diverse fashion choices, appealed to many members of the younger generations.

But street style is not just for the young. It is a fashion genre that appeals to many people of all ages who wish to adequately express themselves through their personal appearance and the sartorial choices that they make. The contemporary fashion environment has become characterized by the intermingling of high end fashion design and street style that has essentially created a vestiary setting where basically anything goes. Throughout the last century, street style has grown into a common social practice that was once isolated to small subcultures and has now become a hugely important segment of the fashion industry as a whole.

After I educated myself on the intricate meaning of street style, I realized that I was making this theme more complicated than necessary. While the definition and evolution of street style may seem quite complicated, creating a street style look was actually fairly easy. It is simply putting together the same unique combinations of wardrobe pieces that I would for basically any other style theme, staying true to my own sense of style, my own personal taste, and creating a look that makes me feel comfortable that I have adequately expressed who I am through my clothing.

And now to decode it per Dee’s request. You all know how I love my tights. And my cut off denim shorts. And combining those two elements. So it was only natural that I would choose that combination as the basis for my street style outfit. A basic white tee shirt is a wardrobe staple that allows you to add interesting layers while allowing statement pieces to shine. The long striped boyfriend blazer seems as oddly paired with cut off shorts as do sneakers with tights.

But outfits must be regarded as a whole rather than the individual pieces. Each piece taken alone may be nothing special. Anyone can put on jean shorts, a white tee shirt, and sneakers and look perfectly styled in a minimalist sort of way. It is the additional pieces that create a personalized look that can be classified as street style. Add a hat that crosses gender lines, a fun furry bag in a contrasting color, and edgy jewelry and you have taken your personal style to the level of performance art.

Let’s check out my fabulous friends and see how they have decoded their own personal street style.

The Fab 40’s is a group of five fashion bloggers from around the globe. Each month we choose a different theme and invite a guest blogger who is also in their 40’s to join us. This group’s goal is to take on style trends and show how we each interpret and incorporate them into our own lives. With five widely varied views, you are certain to find something that speaks to you each month and encourages you to continue to have fun with fashion after the age of 40.

We do not have a guest blogger this month so I am going to start with Dee of Dee Sayz since she chose this month’s theme. In her own minimalist style, Dee has created a perfectly contrasting combination of neutrals that expresses her personality in the details. She has combined a bit of grunge with the frayed hem on her adorable wide leg trousers and the chunky platform boots with the classically feminine flowing black blouse. Her zebra print scarf adds a touch of current trend and her gorgeous embossed bag gives a sense of traditional and cultural appeal making this outfit an excellent representation of Dee.

Outfit Details: Top-Tyche USA / Everything else-Local Stores in Delhi

Next is Suzy of Suzy Turner Books & Style showcasing her tremendous ability to shift between fashion genres with ease. By pairing menswear inspired elements like her husband’s hat and a structured pinstripe waistcoat with the more feminine inspired pieces like her sheer zebra print blouse and pink sparkly Doc Martens, the unique contrast lets us know that Suzy is tough yet sensitive, fun but serious, and is willing to take style risks to express herself.

Outfit Details: Zebra print blouse-Promod / Waistcoat-Stradivarius / Jeans-Levi’s / Sparkly boots-Doc Martens / Handbag & necklace-Gifts from mother-in-law / Hat-hubby’s (bought from a fabulous hat shop in Charleston a few years go!)

And now Sheela of Sheela Writes showcasing her street style savvy which is totally on point. Mixed up plaids and checks with contrasting ruffles paired with killer stiletto booties gives Sheela that cool vibe that makes her impeccable style look easy.

Outfit Details: Boots-CiCihot.com / Everything else-Thrifted

Finally, Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks, showing off her super cool and easy street style (or stay at home style for now). The embroidered top, relaxed jeans, and adorable clogs are the complete representation of Daenel and that is what street style should speak!

And finally, my street style details.

Outfit Details: Clutch, Tee Shirt, and Shorts-Target / Blazer-Torrid / Tights-c/o Sheertex (Use code SHELBEE10 at checkout for $10 off) / Shoes-Adidas / Belt-BedStu / Necklace-Talbots (but I added the tassel) / Earrings-Old / Rings-Michal Golan / Hat-Borrowed from my husband / Coat-Talbots

What your style as art says about you is completely up to you. You do not need to fit into one single style genre. You can combine whatever style elements appeal to you and call it street style. What does your personal style about you?

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

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