Where Does Our Unique Style Come From?

[Eleena]

What makes us instinctively like or dislike something? I'm sat here looking around my living room, which I've decorated to 'my' style, how did I develope a preference for 'my' style? How do we instinctively know we like/ a colour/ style of clothing? Everyone has an individual style, how is that?

[emmie]

i like to think that we all have some form of style, by how we dress to how we decorate our homes. I like classical style
where my books are in the living room, in a neat row, i bought some especially because they look right. My tone in the living room is dusky pink, with shades of purple, sounds awful but it works. as do the other rooms,

[Eleena]

Sounds really nice emmie, but where and how do we develop style? We kind of instinctively know what we like and don't like. It's given me a headache lol.

[emmie]

my mother taught me about colour coordination, she had bags of style as a young woman. She could put on a frock and look a million bucks.. i tend to dress in trousers and shirts with jumpers in this weather but they have to have a deal of coordination about them - i like to think that my mother made me what i am today..

[rowanwitch]

It is probably an amalgam of seeing images in the media that appeal to us, response to criticism in our past, and aspects of our personality for example a bold confident person may make bolder design choices than someone who fears to push boundaries

[Eleena]

So earlier influences to a degree you think emmie? Thanks.

[Eleena]

That all makes sense Rowan.

[emmie]

my mum had a massive influence on me, let alone style...

[Eleena]

Would she like 'you're' individual style emmie?

[woofgang]

I don't know where I got my style from....its nothing like my Mum's,

[Eleena]

(your)

[Eleena]

Woof, that's what I mean, where does it come from? I know exactly what I like or don't like. Possibly part media influence as Rowan mentioned.

[albaqwerty]

what an interesting question!

I think some tastes come about from what we see/hear from birth and subsequent experiences determine what we wear/decorate our homes in/with.

[Eleena]

Nurture experiences alba? If you think of friends houses, how they dress, so different. Individuality,what makes us all different?

[albaqwerty]

I'd be interested to hear from adult siblings who share a house.
Wonder if they have similar tastes in decor?

Also, when one moves into a house with their significant other - who makes the choices re the decor?

Too many questions lol

[woofgang]

I was going to say that my style varies from summer to winter but actually that's not true....I have realised that my style is based in nature and natural images and colours....so in summer I go for paler colours and a sort of marine vibe and in winter its all berry and dark green...in case anyone things I redecorate twice a year, the walls are all cream and I just change the curtains and the 3 piece throws...oh and some of the ornaments.

[Old_Geezer]

We all have brains (although sometimes that's difficult to believe) which are "wired up" a certain way. It makes a choice initially and we find reasons to justify and support that decision. Over time a style of preference is bound to emerge from making similar choices supporting past ones. Style comes from the connections in the brain.

[Old_Geezer]

One can be influenced by others' taste, others you admire, which may start you on a particular path.

[anthro-nerd]

Alba, my sister and I have completely different styles! She loves traditional and muted tones and I love bright and quirky! I have no idea where our differences come from, we are so close and were close growing up too! Our style is nothing like our mothers either. Very interesting question!

[Eleena]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone! Something to ponder on x

[pixie374]

I think Rowan is probably right- a mixture of influences. And also sometimes what is fashionable at the time. Some of the 70s styles I would be surprised if anyone actually liked them... but still decorated houses in that style. My taste is very similar to my sister's, but nothing like our mum's. Maybe it changes as you get older too.