So here’s the thing, BurdaStyle readers:
I’ve noticed that most people’s style tends in one of two directions: naughty or — you guessed it! — nice. I’m talking about people’s personal style here, not their personalities. You may be an ax murderer and that would be naughty indeed, but not relevant to the topic at hand.
Take me for instance. I’m a “nice” and always have been. This is about as naughty as I get:
Then there’s my partner Michael. He’s a naughty. Left to his own devices, he’d wear jeans cut too low and ripped in all the wrong places, a see-through tank top, and studded leather wrist bands (You’ll have to take my word for it.) I’ve actually given up trying to do anything about it, though I’m not above the odd barely-audible-but-definitely-disapproving chortle.
My style icons are decidedly wholesome:
(Wally and the Beav, Pat Boone)
A naughty person’s icons would probably include people like this:
(Mick Jagger, Patti Smith, Lil Kim)
Not sure which type you are?
Here’s a simple test. Complete the following:
Debbie ___________.
If you said Gibson, you’re a nice. If you said Harry, you’re a naughty, see? Here’s another.
Ozzie __________.
If you said Nelson (Remember Ozzie and Harriet?) you’re a nice. If you said Osborne, you’re a naughty.
Simple.
More naughty…
And more nice…
Frankly, readers, it seems that people today are so desperate to be naughty — think Halloween and all the naughty secretary, naughty nurse, naughty everything costumes that are all the rage — that projecting nice is positively subversive!
So how about you? I can say with confidence, having seen many BurdaStyle members projects photos, that we have some definite naughties among us — I won’t name names!
Do you think you are a naughty or a nice? If so, why? Were you rebelling against an oppressive childhood of church picnics and “Little House on the Prairie” re-runs? Was your mother a Carol Brady wannabe? Or just the opposite: were you raised by a woman named Rainbow on a commune and forced to wear fringe vests and peace-sign-embossed leather headbands, and chew peyote gum?
How does your nice/naughty style manifest itself?
Are you Debbie, Doris, or the devil?
Enquiring minds want to know!
~Peter
When native New Yorker Peter Lappin bought his first sewing machine two years ago to hem a pair of thrift store jeans, little did he know he was initiating a journey that would bring him fame and fortune. While awaiting his fortune he stays busy writing “the world’s most popular men’s sewing blog,” Male Pattern Boldness, and now contributing to BurdaStyle.
“For more than twenty years I’d lived on the edge of the Garment District without even knowing what a seam ripper was. Now I rip daily!”
Apr 22, 2011, 02.32 PMby tinybows
My style icons are a mixture of Clarissa (Explains it All), Frida Kahlo, Edie Beale and Debbie Harry. I’m not sure where that leaves me, but I’m pretty sure it’s just the obscure. Does dressing like an 80s fortune teller make me naughty?
3 Replies
Apr 22, 2011, 03.04 PMby Peter Lappin
We may need to invent a new category… ;)
Apr 22, 2011, 11.25 PMby tinybows
If by new category you mean “Crazy Cat Lady”. Then yes, I am all for that.
Apr 25, 2011, 09.47 PMby Peter Lappin
LOL!
Apr 22, 2011, 02.26 PMby Eric Farr
I’m all about a little edge, with a little eccentric thrown in. I know I’m a “naughty” type. I’ve always gravitated to that. :)
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 03.04 PMby Peter Lappin
Eric, no offense, but your very cool pic tells me you’re a naughty! ;)
Apr 22, 2011, 02.18 PMby FabricUiPhoneApp
This is a sewing board. I think I’m not going to even go there…appearances aren’t everything!
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 03.05 PMby Peter Lappin
True that.
Apr 22, 2011, 12.56 PMby wendybirde
Nancy Drew is my own personal style icon so I’m guessing I’m a nice. But sometimes…;)
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 03.05 PMby Peter Lappin
Nobody’s 100% anything of course! What fun would that be?
Apr 22, 2011, 12.34 PMby rogue-cellist
My style icon would be Mary Donaldson (Princess Mary of Denmark)… so I guess you could say that’s a definite Nice. In my personal wardrobe though- I guess I’m more staid and safe. I pretty much live in jeans, I need my tops to be long enough and high cut enough not to be embarrassing. I don’t dress up much but when I do there’s not a single thing in my wardrobe shorter than knee length and I really don’t do heels. Says it all really.
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 03.06 PMby Peter Lappin
No shame in that!
Apr 22, 2011, 11.36 AMby gemmafloyd
I’m probably nice, but with naughty accents inspired by my favorite 60s, 70s, 80s rock musicians! :)
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 03.07 PMby Peter Lappin
Sounds like a healthy mix!
Apr 22, 2011, 11.12 AMby ladyshape
Well my sewing projects tend to lean towards nice but with a big dollop of naughty. Wiggle dresses, pencil skirts, etc. My personal style is more naughty. Skinny jeans, leopard heels, lots of hairspray. Thinking about it, it seems easier to make ‘nice’ clothes. I would love to be able to make the perfect pair of skinny jeans for my figure (short/petite). Forget denim, I would make them all in leather. Gold, black, red, pink and silver. A pair for every occasion.
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 03.08 PMby Peter Lappin
Sounds like fun!
Apr 22, 2011, 09.55 AMby shelley .
I would call my style nice with a sprinkle naugthy.
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 03.08 PMby Peter Lappin
Nothing wrong with that!
Apr 22, 2011, 04.54 AMby imogens
I’m a nice with secretly naughty aims. I just prefer to take the tailored route to suggestiveness.
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 03.09 PMby Peter Lappin
Hmmm… ;)
Apr 22, 2011, 04.23 AMby hukilaulei
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 03.09 PMby Peter Lappin
Totally agree!
Apr 22, 2011, 04.11 AMby gossamerian
Heh, there’s no question where I land, but I swear I’m not rebelling against anything. In my case the naughty runs in the family.
(Also your naughty fashion image is totally going into my inspiration folder.)
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 03.09 PMby Peter Lappin
Ha!
Apr 22, 2011, 03.58 AMby brikendig
I’m a nice. I’m in general a very neat, tidy, and clean person. These traits carry over in how I dress myself. I like simple lines, clean cut, and put together outfits. Sometimes I wish I could be a naughty, but it would just be a laughable, pathetic attempt…I have no clue where to start!
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 03.10 PMby Peter Lappin
A true “nice.”
Apr 22, 2011, 03.28 AMby armywife
I don’t think I would know how to dress naughty if I was standing in a stripper store. I would still manage to find the only thing with sleeves that went down to my knees. I am a definite nice.
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 03.11 PMby Peter Lappin
LOL!
Apr 22, 2011, 03.12 AMby prairieponygirl
I’m a Patti Smith. What does that mean? Kinda prep, grunge, hippy. :D Big fan of maxi skirts, boyfriend jeans, baggy t-shirts, denim cowboy shirts, and the like. Love this post!
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 03.11 PMby Peter Lappin
Maybe we need more categories… ;)
Apr 22, 2011, 03.06 AMby britannica
My style is definitely nice, so much so that a dress that could look naughty- burlesque-inspired- on someone else would just look like a pretty sundress on me. x]
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 12.29 PMby rogue-cellist
you and me both lol
Apr 22, 2011, 12.50 AMby cooi
I like the rock image!
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 01.52 AMby Peter Lappin
Another “naughty!”
Apr 21, 2011, 11.41 PMby designerroya
I’m both, but everyone thinks my style is just nice:P
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 12.39 AMby Peter Lappin
Maybe it’s time to ramp up the naughty!
Apr 21, 2011, 11.08 PMby aldara
Mostly nice with a bit of a naughty streak, I guess. Both personality and style wise… ;-) I love cute frocks but there definitely needs to be a good amount of cleavage and leg and sheer stockings…
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 12.39 AMby Peter Lappin
Sounds like nice with a streak of naughty — or is the other way around! ;)
Apr 21, 2011, 10.24 PMby suzanneallen
What a fun article! If u saw me I’d definitely be nice, but deep down…hmmmmmm.
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 12.38 AMby Peter Lappin
The truth comes out! ;)
Apr 21, 2011, 10.24 PMby Daniel Parker
All decked in lace and leather: naughty :)
2 Replies
Apr 22, 2011, 12.37 AMby Peter Lappin
I think we need to see the pictures. ;)
Apr 22, 2011, 01.57 AMby Daniel Parker
Haha I try to know my surroundings and stay classy as needed
Apr 21, 2011, 09.53 PMby evelynnouveau
I’m a nice girl, cutesy little prints and Doris Day are my idea of a pretty Awesome wardrobe! x
1 Reply
Apr 22, 2011, 12.37 AMby Peter Lappin
You and me both, Evelyn!