But Is Style Really Subjective?
People often say style is subjective, but honestly, that’s only half the story.
Here’s the thing: style doesn’t have to be something you would wear for it to be stylish. That’s the individuality in style; the subjective part. But when you have the visual mind and the eye for styling, when you can see shapes, silhouettes, proportions, and how pieces work together, you can recognize what looks good objectively, even if it’s not your personal vibe.
Think of it like music. You might be an R&B singer, but if a classical piece is brilliant, you can still hear it. You don’t have to perform in that genre to recognize genius in the arrangement, composition, or execution. Style works the same way: it’s not just preference, it’s visual coherence, proportion, and execution.
Imagine two women. One is the blazer and heels girl, the other is the trainer and dress girl. Whether you prefer blazers to dresses? Totally subjective. Blazers are not inherently better than dresses. Whether you prefer heels or sneakers? Also subjective. Sorry Vogue, that’s just taste.
Style, however, is how they put the look together: how they layer the blazer or the dress, accessorize it, create shape, and make the overall outfit visually appealing. That part can be evaluated objectively.
Sometimes, someone’s outfit just lands that “OMG, I would never think to do that, but it works so well.” That’s not mere opinion. That’s talent. Some people are born with a natural eye for pairing colors, textures, and silhouettes in ways that make your brain go, “Yes, this is pleasing to the eyeballs!” It’s like singing: some people are born with a voice that makes the angels jealous, and then there’s my girl Tanya who sings in the shower and hopes no one’s home. And when you have that skill yourself, you can usually recognize it in others.
Of course, like any skill, style can be cultivated. But some people are simply more innately gifted. Again, think music: an R&B singer can appreciate the technical brilliance of an Opera performance and the singer’s tone even if it’s not her genre and she’s secretly thinking, “Is she summoning spirits?” Style works in the same way: the sneaker girl may not be the blazer and heels type, but if she has the eye for style, she can recognize the artistry in how blazer girl assembles her looks.
So, is style subjective? Partly. Taste, preference, and context are personal and subjective. But execution, balance, and the ability to create visually appealing outfits? That can be recognized objectively. Some people are better at it, some worse, but when it works, it simply works. Objectively.
My answer?
Style is not the same as taste. Taste is subjective. An amazing sense of style? Objective.
Just because something isn’t your taste doesn’t mean it isn’t stylish. And just because something is your taste doesn’t automatically make it stylish.
People with an eye for style can recognize talent in others, even outside their personal preference.
Style is a skill, like any other talent; subjective in expression, but often objectively recognizable in execution.
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