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?
Thanks so much Jennifer, for these explanations! Your “philosophical” approach really makes me stop, think, and realize I should pay attention to proportion, not just if a garment fits. Usually my “style” is classic casual, (like your beige outfit) comfortable- not trendy. Maybe it’s my taste too? Still not sure about the difference but think they overlap. Glad to also hear that lavender and navy pair well, as I was undecided about wearing that match I made in my closet! Guess they’ll also be my spring focus colors! Thanks!
I would like to know more about what books you enjoy about taste and style. You mentioned Tim Gun ‘s book. Are there others you felt you learned from?
As an image consultant, I have shelves of books on style. I buy everything I can get my hands on.
I enjoyed your outfit, and just ordered a tee shirt lavender casual dress from Fresh Produce, as it looks spring-like. For me, wearing longer pants seems to lengthen my leg. Be well.
I agree. It’s so frustrating that for me, pants are either too short or too long.
I just want to say very interesting post and WOW to the scarves!
I love the idea of the lavender shirt with navy blue jeans or dress pants and fortunately i own a chiffon vera wang lilac sleeveless blouse that has pretty details. I need to find a picture of lilac and navy to screenshot and put it in my outfit folder so i dont forget. Right now i have that blouse with a pair of light charcoal pants which looks nice too.
As the weather is turning more towards spring, I’m searching for aqua items. It’s a color that looks really good on me.
And as someone with long legs and a very short torso – I love your clothing example today!
I’m glad it helped! Aqua is so lovely for spring.
I’m drawn to the light blues that are everywhere right now.
As a “winter” and always loving bright, deep colors, I’m suddenly craving pale pastels. A little older & silver haired I’m growing into a new look of pale lilac, lightest of blues & silvery grey. It feels more comfortable seeing these colors on me.
I often wear a tonal look, but different textures are important to me. It also makes whatever jewelry you wear shine.
For a longer leg line I am careful to have my pants just touch the top of my shoe. Visually it keeps the line going.
I appreciate your blog and look forward to it each morning. Thanks.