One Style vs Multiple: Pros and Cons

Now THIS is an interesting topic. So interesting, in fact, that instead of sharing the latest Around Your Wardrobe in 30 Coordinates posts with you, I am postponing that to join the Lolita Blog Carnival this week.

Deciding whether to stick to one style or go for multiple is a debate that I have had with myself at several points of my frilly life. We all know the general advice to start with one if you’re new to the fashion, as that is simply easier, but what about later? What are the pros and cons so that you can make an informed choice on which one to pursue?

The TL;DR version boils down to the following questions: space vs variety, ultimate versatility vs reinventing yourself, quicker gratification vs long-term collection building, and utmost love for a style vs indecisiveness (or loving everything equally). As you might’ve gathered from the previous post on this very blog, I am very much coming at this from the perspective of someone who enjoys and wears multiple styles (not just in lolita). However, on top of what I imagine the pros of single style might be, I will use some shared knowledge from my friends who are either exclusively wearing one style or who are much closer to that label than I am.

Space vs Variety

In order to wear multiple styles well, you will need a lot of space. And not just for the dresses - however versatile white may be as a base colour, you’ll still likely need different blouses, legwear, headwear, accessories, possibly bags and shoes too. That takes up a lot of room. Sticking to a single style, even when not in the form of a capsule wardrobe, limits how much you actually need to own. It does often come at the sacrifice of variety, so if you are the type who likes different things, multiple styles might be a better option. Unless you’re a very dedicated single style person, in which case expect to have a high wardrobe turnover as you try to spice things up by replacing pieces you grew tired of without having to look for new storage solutions.

This stuff doesn't keep itself. And this here isn't even everything. So if you don't have the space, maybe it's best to stick to one style. You can always expand at a more opportune time later.

Ultimate Versatility vs Reinventing Yourself

Both of those points are actually the biggest pros for their respective sides. Sticking to a single style allows you to curate your collection to the point where it is at its most versatile. With enough time and attention to what you add, you could have a collection where every singular piece goes with everything. It’s rare and difficult, especially if you’re particular about colour matching, but not impossible. Can you imagine being able to blindly stumble into your wardrobe and be guaranteed that you’ll end up with a cohesive coordinate no matter what? It’s a dream multiple substyle stans like me can only imagine, as we go by another high - constantly reinventing ourselves. I enjoy being a frilly human chameleon, changing my looks to suit the occasion or just my mood. Although I have nothing against re-wearing outfits (and do sometimes do that), I thrive off the challenge of trying to find new ways to wear my pieces with what I already own. The creative expression and seemingly endless possibilities that wearing multiple styles allow me is what keeps me excited about this fashion.

The fact that all of these outfits feel very me (maaaybe with the exception of the oldschool one) is why I struggle to stick to one style. Because I am a complex human being who enjoys more than just one look.

Quicker Gratification vs Long-Term Collection Building

Now, I didn’t get to where my wardrobe is now overnight. As I already mentioned, building a collection that can sustain wearing multiple styles well takes a lot of pieces - which for many of us who are not disgustingly rich also means time to save up, buy and then receive those items in the post. Although the picture links on my old wardrobe posts are all broken, the one from 2016 had 7 dresses, 6 blouses and 3 pairs of socks. So although I was buying new things regularly, it still took me good two years before I decided I was ready (and willing) to dip into that third and fourth substyle. By comparison sticking to just one means that your collection can be considered complete a lot sooner. Thanks to needing fewer pieces to have a variety of outfits, especially if you stick to a limited colour palette, you will be able to churn out several distinct enough looks and cycle between them much sooner. And if you’re a minimalist at that, then you really will reach a point where your collection will be pretty much there a long time before us, multiple style stans, get through our second substyle capsule.

This was from the second ever Lolidrobe Reassessment Post I did. This level of additions continued throughout 2016, and even then I still had gaps that needed filling. Had I stuck to just one look, a haul this size would probably be all I needed.

Utmost Love for a Style vs Indecisiveness

Ultimately though, while the practical reasons outlined above are also important, this is what it really, really boils down to. Whilst I admire people who stick to one style and the versatility this gives to all of their pieces, multiple styles is a better approach for indecisive people like me. As already mentioned, I’ve thought about scaling down to just one style (retro lolita, even though that’s still pretty broad of a term). But as much as I adore that look, in general and on myself, could I really give up the regal OTT classic looks? Or my budding love of ouji or expressing my Polish-ness through lolita? I experience the same with other fashion styles, lolita isn’t the exception here, so I guess it would’ve been odd if I had been a one-style-only person given how I fluctuate outside of frills. To be able to stick with just one style you have to absolutely love it above all else, to the point where saying no to a cute piece that wouldn’t fit with the restof what you have doesn’t feel like a disappointment, but instead is met with just a shrug. Some people have found that, be it gothic lolita, oldschool lifestyler or living that OTT sweet dream life. And if you are one of those people who have found a style that makes you feel like the best version of yourself, that you feel the most beautiful and happy wearing, great about yourself, then I am so happy for you! I will cheer you on without joining your club, so to speak.

These three were my top 3 favourite coords of 2019. None of them is retro lolita (which is what I thought about downsizing to) and while they are all classic, they have very different vibes and colour palettes. Doing different things each time is what I enjoy, even though I also admire those who have a signature look they love beyond anything.

Final words

As I said at the beginning, neither approach is inherently better than the other. That is, unless you live in a studio apartment the size of an Ikea garden shed and are trying to have Misako’s wardrobe. What’s important is to ask yourself why you like one approach over the other and why one might suit your lifestyle better than the other. Once you answer yourself that, you can adapt to the style of your choice.

Don’t forget that this post is part of the Lolita Blog Carnival, so there are other bloggers also picking this question apart. I wonder if any of them will make strong enough arguments to sway me towards the single style side… Check out their posts from the links below and stay tuned for the lucky 13th Around Your Wardrobe in 30 Coordidnates post on Tuesday!

The Bloody Tea Party
Rose Sanctuary 
Alice in Lolitaland 
Bibelot Rose 
In Love with a Dream