In 2009, I came across a book called Style Statement: live by your own design (2008) by Carrie McCarthy and Danielle LaPorte. The book guides you through thinking about your preferences in different aspects of your life. You distill it all down into a statement that describes your personal style. I followed the process and came up with the style statement: Classical Innovative.
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Either/Or
The part of the book I remember the most is a series of choices you make from two alternatives. Some of the most self-descriptive are pictured here. My complete choices (from both 2009 and 2022) are listed below.
2022 Either/Or Choices
Introvert/Extrovert Matte/Glossy Cabin/Condo Handwritten/Typed Off-white/Gray Silver/Gold Round/Square Fight/Flight Jazz/Classical Answer the Phone/Voicemail Frugal/Spendy Indoor/Outdoor Heritage/Contemporary Anxious/Chilled Liberal/Conservative Red Wine/White Wine Trusting/Cautious Gregarious/Shy Milk Chocolate/Dark Chocolate Live Theater/ New DVD Morning Person/ Night Owl Leather/Lace New York/LA Oprah/Martha Poetry/Gospel Rustic/Retro Coffee/Tea Educated/Street-smart Streamlined/Overstuffed Cotton/Raw Silk Crystal/Carvings Medication/Meditation Follower/Leader Rebel/Peacemaker Clutter/Sparse Tofu/Steak Day Timer/Memory Chrome/Copper Naked/Pajamas Moody/Bubbly Pencil/Pen Nightly News/MTV History/Pop Culture Diamonds/Emeralds Direct/Subtle Plaid/Stripes Fur/Hemp Fiction/Nonfiction Tulips/Roses Digital/Analog Astrology/Astronomy Soccer/Baseball Politics/Philosophy Picasso/Monet Sexy/Ladylike Piles/Files Impulsive/Planner Lone Ranger/Team Player Smooth/Rough Handshake/Hug Sweet/Sour Warrior/Magician Romantic/Realist
Comparing 2009 and 2022
Most of the choices match up to 2009 but I was amused by the ones that did not. I define myself socially and politically as far more liberal than I did then, although maybe I was thinking about my general personality and approach to life at the time. I said in 2009 I was a morning person but that must have been purely aspirational. I have always looked at early risers with envy. And the few times I do find myself up at that time of morning I love it, but I am naturally more creative and active in the evening. Same goes for team player. I am perfectly capable of working with a group and going along with a competent leader, but I generally prefer to work alone. I think I said tulips over roses then because I thought roses were cliché or passe or some other pretentious word that said I wanted to be different from everyone else.
2009 Either/Or Choices
Either/Or Choices from p. 91 of the Book: Style Statement: live by your own design (2008), by Carrie McCarthy and Danielle LaPorte.
My choice is in bold.
Introvert/Extrovert Matte/Glossy Cabin/Condo Handwritten/Typed Off-white/Gray Silver/Gold Round/Square Fight/Flight Jazz/Classical Answer the Phone/Voicemail Frugal/Spendy Indoor/Outdoor Heritage/Contemporary Anxious/Chilled Liberal/Conservative Red Wine/White Wine Trusting/Cautious Gregarious/Shy Milk Chocolate/Dark Chocolate Live Theater/ New DVD Morning Person/ Night Owl Leather/Lace New York/LA Oprah/Martha Poetry/Gospel Rustic/Retro Coffee/Tea Educated/Street-smart Streamlined/Overstuffed Cotton/Raw Silk Crystal/Carvings Medication/Meditation Follower/Leader Rebel/Peacemaker Clutter/Sparse Tofu/Steak Day Timer/Memory Chrome/Copper Naked/Pajamas Moody/Bubbly Pencil/Pen Nightly News/MTV History/Pop Culture Diamonds/Emeralds Direct/Subtle Plaid/Stripes Fur/Hemp Fiction/Nonfiction Tulips/Roses Digital/Analog Astrology/Astronomy Soccer/Baseball Politics/Philosophy Picasso/Monet Sexy/Ladylike Piles/Files Impulsive/Planner Lone Ranger/Team Player Smooth/Rough Handshake/Hug Sweet/Sour Warrior/Magician Romantic/Realist
Incidentally, my Style Statement is: Classical Innovative
The post Style Statement was originally published on brianbeholds.com on May 19, 2009. The post was redesigned, updated and expanded on July 26, 2022.