To style or present something, especially language, clothing, or design, in an inappropriate, incorrect, or aesthetically displeasing manner. It suggests a lack of taste, skill, or understanding of the conventions and context of the subject matter. It can be applied to various areas like prose, fashion, or architectural choices where the resulting presentation deviates from established norms or desired effects, leading to a negative impression. The 'mis-' prefix indicates an incorrect or flawed application of the verb 'style', which implies intentional aesthetic presentation.
Misstyle meaning with examples
- The author clearly **misstyled** the protagonist's dialogue; it felt anachronistic and entirely out of character for a period drama, clashing terribly with the historical setting. It disrupted the narrative's flow and made the protagonist's persona seem insincere. Proper research and sensitivity to the era's vernacular would have avoided this unfortunate misstyle.
- Her choice of formal gown was perfectly fine, but the accompanying shoes and handbag seriously **misstyled** the overall look. The casual sandals and tote bag undermined the elegance of the dress, creating a jarring disconnect. This mismatch showed a lack of attention to detail, resulting in a disjointed aesthetic; a significant fashion misstyle.
- The architect seemed to misstyle the building's façade, incorporating jarring, clashing colors and geometric shapes that fought with the surrounding neighborhood's classical architecture. The bold and inappropriate choices of elements made the building stand out from the historical context, and this major design misstyle was very poorly received by the public.
- During her presentation, the marketing executive appeared to misstyle the product's selling points, focusing on irrelevant features and completely missing the core benefits that resonated with the target demographic. The poor decision made the audience lose interest in the presentation; it was a colossal professional misstyle.
- The artist might've intentionally **misstyled** the typography on the poster to create a deliberately jarring or avant-garde effect; even in this experimental context, however, it often proved to be a significant, possibly uninspired, misstyle, failing to successfully convey the intended message or capture the audience's interest.