minimal-musings

What do I want to change about my style?

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 01:44:22 +0100

I have all cake and no frosting. I can do SMART to death, I want to add some SEXY and some FUN. Obviously in differing amounts based on what I am doing at the time. If I am filming a teaching segment, I need to tone down the sexy, but I don't know that I want it to disappear completely. I am a romance writer, I have a reputation to maintain! I'd like date night to not look like I'm on my way to a business meeting. I'd like to wear my dresses more with out looking like I am going to a funeral.

What do I like, love even, about my current style?

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 01:40:06 +0100

I like that it is easy and low maintenance. I like that the pieces all work together and are interchangeable. I have lots of quality pieces and everything fits well. This surprised me because when I started this evaluation I didn't think I liked anything about my style but it really does fit my lifestyle. Most of the pieces I have are in colors I like too.

What are the most worn items in my closet and why?

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 01:35:01 +0100

Men's oversized denim shirt -Comfort, it is so soft I have been known to sleep in it.
Black Crepe Eileen Fisher Trousers- Comfort, Pockets, they look neat with no effort
Long skirts -wearable with flats (probably not a great look!) I don't need to shave my legs, yeah, utter laziness.
Vneck T shirts -comfort, look good
Cardigans -I have a bunch in cashmere and alpaca but none with the little pearly buttons down the front
Crepe knit Eileen Fisher twin sets -fast easy comfort, pulled together without any effort.

Favorite fashion era?

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 01:29:21 +0100

Not really. I like such an eclectic selection that I could find something I love and hate in all of them.

What motivates me to shop?

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 01:27:41 +0100

Panic? Mostly I shop to get ideas of things I would like to make. I don't buy very often but I tend to be streaky so I am just coming off a 'big' buying spree. I bought a couple of merino sweaters at Costco, a GAP tipped ponte blazer, a saddle colored mini messenger at GAP, some ponte skirts at Costco, a dress at BR, a leopard print top, and skinny jeans at Old Navy and a couple of scarves too. I've just lost @40 lbs so some of my winter stuff from last year didn't fit. I ended up getting new bras and panties too for that reason. TMI?

This is not typical. Before that I had gone 8 months without buying a single clothing item. I'd like to get back to sewing more of my stuff and in the not so distant past sewed most of my own clothes. It opens up the possibilities when you have not just the clothes in the stores in the colors shown but all the patterns available in any color I can find appropriate fabric in.

What accessories do I wear most often?

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 01:18:35 +0100

I have tons of accessories and this is usually where I add color and funk to my outfits. Scarves, bags, shoes are where I have fun. My scarves I wear wrapped around my neck usually and may wear more than one playing the patterns off each other (leopard and stripes). Bags are usually in color, orange, pool liner blue, shamrock green, cardinal red -got' em all. Totes, school boy, doctor, backpack, crossbody, you name it. I have a wardrobe of Coach, mostly in neutrals. Shoes I've already covered.

I have a bunch of silk scarves that I wish I wore more often but I get too warm which sounds crazy. Jewelry, I tend to wear the same things all the time. Wedding rings, mother band, CZ studs, thin silver cuff. If I am getting dressed up I add in a stack of thin silver bangles, or/and a wrist full of heavy silver chains. I make some of my jewelry. Multi-silver chain necklace with a collection of pearl 'treasures' hanging from it. Chandelier earrings dripping with gray pearls, a woven, pearl/abalone wrap bracelet that I can also wear as a necklace. I am allergic to nickel so costume jewelry is problematic to wear for any length of time. I have a few pins too that I love. I also have some scarf slides that I should do more with.

What style shoes do I wear?

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 01:02:59 +0100

Okay, this is where the wheels come off. My clothing style is pretty basic, even boring but I love funky shoes. Fluevog -loved since the mid 80's own a couple pairs including a pale olive green and a black sandal that I had the shoemaker (I have a very close relationship with my shoemaker!) customize so they are literally one of a kind. I adore Miz Mooz too. I have very funky Izod sneakers that mimic biking sneakers, biker boots, paddock boots, Chelsea boots. I have a weakness for Red shoes and have a pair of patent oxblood heels that I love. As long as the heel isn't too high (nothing over 2.5") and big enough to support my rump visually so I don't look like a pig in stilts I'll try to wear, the funkier the better.

Do I (really) wear dresses? What styles?

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:56:29 +0100

I have bunches, mostly black, but I don't wear them much. I am very unbalanced. Imagine a stack of quarters, push the top few to the left and the bottom few to the right. That would be my torso if I were facing left. I am big busted with a big round rump and I don't hate either of them but finding a single garment that can cover both with ease is difficult, not impossible but tough. I just bought a surplice tree bark print B&W dress from Banana Republic that works because it is stretchy was all get out. There is also a belly in between the boobs and the butt that I do not like and no one can make me! This dress disguises it fairly well. Beyond that dress I have a bunch of sheath dresses that I have made so they do fit the particular curves of my body fairly well. I fell in love with the black and white striped flared skirt Old Navy dress on Already Pretty and bought it -haven't had the nerve to wear it yet. I did come up with an awesome steampunk costume with it and a black leather corset. Yeah, I own a black leather corset, also never worn out of the house!

What are my favorite fabrics?

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:07:49 +0100

Natural fibers

Cotton (long staple Egyptian!)
Linen
Silk in any weave
Wool (merino, tweed, knit, woven doesn't matter)
Cashmere
Alpaca

What are my favorite patterns?

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:04:48 +0100

Stripes -Horizontal and Vertical
Polka Dots
Really, I prefer textures so much of my wardrobe is solids and pattern only gets added in the accessories.