Style vs Type Item Specifics

[somany]

I am having a hard time with these.  The drop downs don't really help.  A couple of weeks ago I had an epiphany as to how to apply them, but by the time I next sat down to list, I had completely forgotten what I come up with.  How are you guys utilizing these categories?  Do you strictly use the drop downs because otherwise they show up in "all other" or are you using words that better describe what they are?  

For instance, I have a silk blend shell.  It is a knit so I think Sweater might be the right category, Sweater the right Type and appears in the drop downs, and shell as the Style but it does not appear in the drop downs.  I'd rather put it in the Tops category, but then I think Knit Top for Type but it's not in the drop downs and Shell as the Style which is also not in the drop downs (vest does, but the top has a boat neck so  definitely not a vest).  (Cardigan is not in either the Type or Style which is just ludicrous for a sweater type not to have a cardigan style, if I am applying those things properly.)

If the item specifics are supposed to drive internet traffic, I'm missing how the few selections they have is going to help.

[chapeaunoir]

I just try to hit the basics as best I can, and rely on good title SEO - a lot of the IS's for clothing are really screwed up.

For knits I use 'tops' which has 'type of fabric' which has 'knit' in the drop-down. I would list that shell in tops, cami if it's a light knit as you'd find the 'knit' type there.

The only thing I fill in is a 'garment measurements' item specific which adds it to the top of the IS's in the listing, so it's in two places as a CYA. I use whatever drop downs work for everything else. As I say, I use only the basics.

Curious what other people do.

[zoesam]

I do what Chap does as far as using the knit in types of fabric. But, Cardigan absolutely IS an option in Sweater, I use it all the time! I can't remember if it's in Style or Type, but it's there.

I have done it different ways, but am going back to ONLY using what's in drop downs with very few exceptions. I'd rather have the item be seen in left side drill down searches. Honestly, IDK that it matters much, since for example Style is so woefully inadequate that 95% of my items are in Basic (& for those who don't know basic is considered a big insult these days, so I'm surprised they used it at all), which renders it useless.

I don't understand why anyone uses L side drill down or how they can stand it, but s'posedly they do.

[chapeaunoir]

I use the left side drill-down, but only for basic terms - colour, size and for tops sleeve length, for instance. That's about it.

[zoesam]

Somany somany,  I was just updating a sweater.  Cardigan is under Style.