Well, I think there's this misconception that colors and graphics are only for younger demographic forums. I think that's an unfair generalization. I think what looks good, looks good, even if it's not your favorite or your cup of tea. I compare it to music I don't listen to, but appreciate for it's artistry. I can see a style I would never use, but can appreciate when something different has been done with it. Has nothing to do with my age. (I'm actually more inclined for a site to be colorful. And I'm old.)
But when I refer to people talking about clean styles, they're talking about just the styles. Not individual forums and the choices admins make with blocks and add-ons and such, but just the styles available to them for free or on the market. I'm seeing styles that are bare bones, a step down from default as far as detail is concerned, and they're still saying "it's not clean enough". I'm trying to determine if maybe what they define as clean, is actually mostly un-styled CSS. After all, I was told
this was clean and easy on the eyes. This has two CSS classes in total. Two border-radius defined. Is that really what people who want minimal are looking for?