Taste vs. Style
Taste vs. Style
A new way to think about shopping in 2023
Happy new year! I don’t know about you, but my past week was filled with a lot of family and very little childcare AND today is my son’s 3rd birthday meaning I will have a gaggle of rugrats in my small NYC apartment all afternoon, much to my husband’s horror. So no newsy post today.
BUT, there is one thing I have been thinking about non-stop the past month and it feels appropriate to share today. So until next week’s style and shopping ideas return, a thought on how to buy better in this next year (and forever.)
A few weeks ago I was fawning over a Prada coat a friend purchased from TRR. We both loooooved it. But then, she was struggling to actually wear it. Addressing this conundrum, she said: “Its my taste, but not my style.” This simple statement has set off a million lightbulbs in my head. I think about it multiple times a day.
Lets break it down: Consider our taste as our kingdom in taxonomic rank, and our style as our individual, VERY specific species. Or in simpler terms, taste is a general category in which things you love fall into. But not everything you love needs to be something you buy, own or wear. Not everything you love will suit you. Style is more specific. Its the things you love, that you wear (and don’t wear you) and make you feel confident and distinct. I urge you to think about the difference between the two before making purchases in 2023. (It also helps with a closet clean out, which I can delve into in a future week if you’re interested!)
That’s it. It’s that simple!
And until next week, here are some of my favorite outfits from 2022, in no particular order. Happy, healthy new year.
Yours TRULY,
Becky
I have struggled with that for years. Wanting things that were my taste and not my style is the perfect way to put it. I realize now my subconscious way to try to incorporate any new piece into my wardrobe before purchasing is to negate this issue. Maybe that's growth. My instinct now is always a capsule wardrobe though having a few fun and trendy pieces never hurt anyone. Also, Prada, along with Fendi right now I am into. I can relate to not knowing how to incorporate and resist the urge.
Always and forever a fan of your understated elegance and very much appreciate this newsletter in my inbox every Sunday. Ready for the new suggestions for the new year.
xx
`Your comment about style v. taste is absolutely spot on. I shall write it on a post-it note. It perfectly sums up the dilemma most women interested in fashion and dressing themselves live with. Thank you.
I second the request for a closet clean-out post.
Just discovered your newsletter and I love it. (Gill Shakespeare, London UK)