Monday Musings: The Math of Style and the Discipline of Taste
Happy Monday, ladies. I hate to throw myself under the bus, but I thought we might have some fun (at my expense) dissecting an outfit from last week. I wore this for a long day on my feet running errands and shopping, and while I loved the feel of it, looking back at the photo reminded me that everyone can have “off” mornings when it comes to the math of style.
Proportion
TOTE BAG / SILVER HOOPS
Let’s look at the pieces first. I paired a Quince Heather Cloud beige cashmere sweater with a heavy silk soft white AYR button-down and Eileen Fisher straight leg corduroys in chalk. Mixing textures is the secret to making neutrals look interesting rather than flat. It’s tactile and sophisticated. I even remembered to keep my M. Gemi Ballet Sneakers in the same tonal family as the pants to create a continuous vertical line, which is so helpful when you’re 5’4″.
But here’s where the execution tripped me up… depending on your taste.
Let me start by reminding you that style is personal. There are no rules, only tools you can use to create the look you want. Some women genuinely prefer a relaxed, boxy silhouette. My slightly persnickety eye prefers balance and a longer leg line.
Because I have a long torso and shorter legs, letting that shirt hang out did exactly what it’s designed to do. It visually lengthened my torso and shortened my legs even more. If my goal is to look taller, and it usually is, a simple front tuck would have shifted the proportions back to that classic one-third, two-thirds balance in seconds.
None of that makes the outfit wrong. It just makes it less aligned with what I typically prefer. And that’s the point. When you understand your proportions, you get to decide when to follow them and when to ignore them. Some days I’ll take the extra leg line. Other days, I’ll take the comfort and move on. The difference is, I know what I’m choosing.
Taste vs Style
The internet is suddenly very interested in the difference between taste and style, which made me pull out my dog-eared copy of this book. He defines taste as discernment and style as expression. But let’s slow that down.
What is taste, really?
It isn’t trend awareness. It isn’t having strong opinions about what’s “in.” And it certainly isn’t copying the woman who always looks impeccable online.
Taste is preference informed by self-awareness. It’s the pattern in what you consistently choose when no one is persuading you. The common thread in the colors you return to, the silhouettes that feel natural, the level of detail you’re comfortable carrying. It’s not a single item, it’s all connected. When you line up the pieces you genuinely enjoy wearing, taste is what they have in common.
But taste is also knowing when something you admire doesn’t belong on you.
That’s why starting with what already works is so important. The pieces that fit beautifully. The ones you wear without adjusting every five minutes. The ones that quietly make you stand a little taller.
That’s your starting point. Not the fantasy version of you. The real one.
And here’s where it gets practical. I have a beautifully made, slightly stiff jacket hanging in my closet that proves this point. It looked wonderful on someone else. Crisp, structured, and very pulled together. I admired it and bought it…but on me, it feels rigid and faintly unnatural. I don’t look powerful. I look mildly uncomfortable.
The jacket isn’t bad, and I still like it. It just isn’t right for me. Taste is recognizing that difference.
And in a world that pushes more product at us in a week than we used to see in a season, that difference matters. Without taste, admiration turns into accumulation. With taste, you can appreciate something without needing to own it.
That isn’t restrictive. It’s protective.
Color
This week, I am having a love affair with lavender and lilac. I’m spotting it on many racks in all intensities. For a woman who is wearing more navy than ever before, it’s a great counterpart without dipping into sweet territory.
I ordered this Lavender cardigan and am deciding how to wear it. I’m thinking over a white tee, white jeans, and white tennies. The model is wearing it with these burnout drawstring pants which I’d wear with a different top, because the two together would feel too soft for me.
I could not resist ordering this Sabina Savage scarf from her latest collection…which I don’t plan to wear with the cardigan. She’s an amazing artist, and I love the story of this pattern as well as the colors. I treasure the one I bought many years ago with a bunny pattern… and wear it. all. the. time. This scarf is pretty special, too.
More lavender and lilac on my radar:
What color is on your radar, and what have you noticed about your taste lately?
Love lavender and wear it being a cool palette woman. Your new sweater is a lovely shade. My taste is to tuck under a sweater but I’m also petite at 5’1” tall with short legs. My style is very casual and comfortable as I live in jeans. I scored three pairs of pale grey from Chicos. Can’t wear taupe or beige next to my pale complexion and white and silver hair. It really washes me out. I would put the navy on top and the taupe on the bottom. But my preference is a column of color in pale greys or shades of pale blue with navy. Chalk white is always on my lookout in the summertime but very hard to find.
I just ordered navy blue linen pants. I didn’t order the matching top although it is a beauty. Matching is not for me. I like a tonal outfit. I would like something slightly “off” but not too off. What color am I looking for? Or should I buy the top and wear a scrarf?
Try another shade of pale blue, or blue/gray. You may enjoy tomorrows blog post on blue.
I’ve been wearing lavender and navy a lot lately too. Just seems fresh right now. Thanks for the insight.
I have not yet been able to subscribe to the tonal / mixed fabrications look but have toned down my spring color intensity to crème, lavender, pale blue for a softer feel. It feels right for me.
Personally, I like the tone-on-tone outfit in your post – it looks well thought-out and makes a statement, albeit perhaps not the one you wanted or typically make? Regarding your point on style vs taste – would the ‘taste’ in this outfit be that you opt for outfits that help balance your long torso/shorter legs? And the ‘style’ would be the tone-on-tone look and choice of tuck/not-tuck? Just trying to understand – perhaps you could further elaborate with more examples. I don’t care for front tucks for myself, because it usually adds too much bulk where I don’t need it and ends up looking (or feeling) messy on me (I find myself constantly adjusting it) – my ‘tastes’, perhaps. As an alternative to look more ‘leggy’, a white blouse that was slightly shorter in length (so one only sees a ‘peek’ of color) might have worked, along with pants that go all the way to the ground (style?). I don’t like ankle length pants on myself because I feel they ‘chop me off’ and my chankles aren’t my best feature 🙂 (taste?)
Thanks for your post – I appreciate the thoughtful discussion of principles.
In my case, the tone-on-tone look was aligned with my style. I love that quiet, cohesive feel. But my taste usually corrects for my proportions. I prefer choices that visually shorten my torso and lengthen my legs. I didn’t apply that filter.
I’d have liked to have seen that outfit with the shirt tucked in. The loose fit of the sweater, extended by the blouse leaves the eye focused on your chest. Not a bad place to end up, but as you note, it’s not elongating your legs.
The problem I have with tucking a shirt like that in is that the tail gets wrinkled when it’s tucked so it has to be ironed before wearing any other way.
I love the new pistachio green that is out for Spring. Still looking for an iconic piece in that color.
I’m seeing lots of it
Hello — thanks for all the tips and your shopping links. As I know from the blog you do spend some time in Canada, I’m wondering if you can add some links to Canadian sources for your recommendations? Thanks for considering!
I seldom shop Canadian stores but I will try when I can.
Good morning, Jennifer! I enjoyed your description of taste. Somehow the phrase “she has expensive taste” has made me equate taste with cost. I need to get past that! I’m curious- why would you not wear that beautiful scarf with the lavender sweater? Wishing you a lovely Monday!
PS light blue and rose are the colors I’m thinking about this Spring
I’m always a fan of lavender, purple and lilac, great options! Curious as to why you wouldn’t pair that beautiful scarf with the cardigan?
Because I think of the scarf as a work of art, and I’ll likely try to wear it with more neutral colors.
The scarf is gorgeous! Lavender is one of my favorite colors to wear. And you are so right it goes very well with navy. Have a wonderful Monday.
How do you feel about sneakarinas for older women (ie vivaias)? Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether a trend looks like personal style or an eccentric older lady
If they’re comfy for you, I think they look modern.
Lovely colors on you. Lavender is a favorite of mine, such a pretty scarf!
Do a video on tying a button down shirt
I’ll try
Please post more of your “fails”! I find them even more useful than those of perfect outfits. This highlighted the importance of proportion and pants length. I frequently take photos of my outfits, as it’s easy to see what makes my already short 5’1″ legs look even shorter. Thank you.
Years ago I had a full-length navy coat that I paired with a lavender beret and matching scarf/gloves. I adored that color mix and I think of it often.
Fabulous!!
Hello, Jennifer,
Recently retired, I donated all my structured clothes in exchange for comfort and somewhat shapeless attire. Lately I have begun to yearn for comfort with shape, as I’m realizing I have gone too far away from my personal style. Also, I’m looking for “pretty”. Take a look at the video of the Chanel Spring Summer 26 runway show and see if you don’t immediately crave soft fabrics in vibrant pastels. Certainly not in my budget, but an example of style with taste.
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I will check it out. Structure and casual can go hand in hand in many garments. Try on a few knit, sweater blazers and see how they feel. Ponte pants have more structure but are soft, comfy, and casual.
I love your hair!!!!! Thank you for the comment on wearing your shirt out. I am 4’11 with short legs, so that’s a good reminder.
I just bought Talbots red cardigan sweaters. I love the true red color and the shorter length. In my old age I have lost a few inches and am now 4’10” and very short waisted so these shorter tops do is give me more of a 1/3 2/3 look . I don’t think my taste has changed but my awareness of what fits my body and what doesn’t has certainly changed thanks to you.
I think lavender and navy is a great combo! I’ve spent some time learning how to discern the icy winter pastels (color + white) (Splendid cardi) from the muted summer pastels (color + gray) (Quince sweater). Now that I’m a silver winter the icy lights wash me out, but I wonder if pairing them with navy might create enough contrast for me. After all, I wear black and navy with white all the time. For the warmer seasons I’m craving shades of hot pink/fuchshia/magenta and cobalt blue – each with crisp white and possibly a light taupe bottom. (I await the Aritzia Lodge pants in Nomad Taupe on backorder). I am also waiting for springier weather to bust out my new taupe Cuyana “Jennifer” tote, and my search for taupe sandals and flats continues into year two. Navy sandals too! As for the proportion thing, I didn’t even really notice it because the colors are so stunning on you (colors I could never wear!) I guess I see color first!
I also see color first and these are some of my favorites. I knew the proportion was iffy, and the picture confirmed even more than looking in a mirror, which is why I recommend selfies so highly. Icy lights with navy should be fabulous on you but try wearing the navy near your face an be sure navy is deep enough so you get enough contrast. As you know, I’m a taupe lover (mine is cool with a pink cast) so I’m also on the hunt. I must check out those Lodge pants!