I make it a point to get properly dressed, in decent clothes I wouldn't be afraid to be seen in public wearing on every so called "work" day. It stops me from being a total slob and helps keep me focused. Since I don't have to go out in the cold for any longer than necessary to walk the dog, I can even do a little dressier than I used to at work.
So today, while getting dressed the other morning, I started putting away some clothes just hanging out on the chair, the floor, the stepper and I came across an item that had been the bane of my existence for awhile. This beautiful oatmeal coloured hook-and-eye cardigan.
This cardigan? So cute. Love the details, the cut. The problem is the colour. I know a lot of people do oatmeal but I can't. It washes me out like nobody's business. I look deathly in it. The result of which is that I have had the cardigan for a year but have only worn it twice. Even worse, I have felt like a schlub every time I've worn it. It's time to go. Really, I should have just listened to Bunny when he told me that the colour was terrible but I wanted to love it, so badly.
I thought I was off to a sad start in the closet. Then I decided to pull out a tunic style dress and leggings for the day, which was a good start. After that? Magic.
There's this purple (eggplant purple) jersey dress I have. A little plain, not quite enough shape to be interesting on its own. Slightly defined waist, but not clear. Midi length, which is in right now, although the higher waist and A length skirt haven't always been the best on my hips. Add a belt to it and the dress instantly perks up, but still wouldn't be dressy enough for a corporate office or as an "impress people" outfit. It's a decent dress on it's own, but a little "blah".
Suddenly, thinking how this dress just needs a little bit of something to help enhance the waistline definition and just dress it up a little bit, my eyes caught the conductor jacket. Hello!
I can't wait to wear that outfit out in public.
Showing posts with label style spotlight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label style spotlight. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
style spotlight: ode to my closet
Dear Closet:
I love you, but we need to have a serious talk. You've always been good to me, but these issues we have? They're growing. They are getting a little bit out of control. We're not working together anymore; in fact I sometimes think you're working against me.
It's frustrating me to no end. You have lots of beautiful things, but I don't really know what to do with them. It doesn't help that a lot of the clothes in there don't fit anymore. Also not helpful is the fact that so many of your contents are old: things I bought on sale in high school and university. Not to say that there aren't some great pieces from those times .... but not all of them are still me.
And the organization? It's so not working. That's not all your fault though, I let Bunny put the clothes away even though I know he doesn't sort them the same way as I do. Maybe I need to give some more thought to how you're layed out. I should probably come up with a better system for organizing you.
I've tried to make our relationship better, I really have. And I'm still going. I'm trying to identify the gaps that you have, the things I need to fill you with. I've taken piles of old things I don't wear to the donation box in the laundry room. But really? We've got to sort this out.
And so, we've got some rules here. Some things we have to do, a project if you will. Every week, for the next little while, we'll take stock. We'll look at things I love and things I don't. What we'll do:
Let's get it together.
Shhhhhhhh.
I love you, but we need to have a serious talk. You've always been good to me, but these issues we have? They're growing. They are getting a little bit out of control. We're not working together anymore; in fact I sometimes think you're working against me.
It's frustrating me to no end. You have lots of beautiful things, but I don't really know what to do with them. It doesn't help that a lot of the clothes in there don't fit anymore. Also not helpful is the fact that so many of your contents are old: things I bought on sale in high school and university. Not to say that there aren't some great pieces from those times .... but not all of them are still me.
And the organization? It's so not working. That's not all your fault though, I let Bunny put the clothes away even though I know he doesn't sort them the same way as I do. Maybe I need to give some more thought to how you're layed out. I should probably come up with a better system for organizing you.
I've tried to make our relationship better, I really have. And I'm still going. I'm trying to identify the gaps that you have, the things I need to fill you with. I've taken piles of old things I don't wear to the donation box in the laundry room. But really? We've got to sort this out.
And so, we've got some rules here. Some things we have to do, a project if you will. Every week, for the next little while, we'll take stock. We'll look at things I love and things I don't. What we'll do:
- Locate and discard one item that I don't love anymore and get rid of it
- Come up with one new outfit that I would wear to work or out (new being the operative word. If I've worn the items together in the past it doesn't count.)
- Do one style spotlight post, on either items I love and why I love them, or items that I want and why I need them
Let's get it together.
Shhhhhhhh.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
the style spotlight: leather pencil skirt
The other day I had lunch with my mother. As I don't have too many excuses to get out of the house and dress up anymore, I decided I wanted to look extra-good. Polished, put together. Show some personality, but still be dressed appropriate to meet my mother in her corporate office, and possibly make a couple of business stops on the way home.
So, I put together an outfit that, when described at it's most basic level, fit that. Polished. Conservative. Put together. Stylish. It included:
Except, every time I looked down and saw my skirt, I felt a smile creeping across my face. I felt downright subversive. I felt hot and sexy and like I was still put together, but as if I might have been breaking a rule or two. (In a good way).
This is something I long for in clothes. Clothes that make me feel like that, they turn out to be my statement pieces. They make me feel powerful and pretty and like I can take on the world (shouldn't all clothes make you feel that way?) They make me feel like I'm a better version of myself. When I'm shopping, I tend to look for classic staples. Grey pantsuit? Probably going to be very useful. Workplace appropriate dress? I can work that. I try to focus on the pieces that bring everything else together, some classic lines and shapes and simplicity.
I like that hint of originality, subversiveness, eccentricity. There`s two ways to get that: pair the classic with the unexpected. (Adding pieces to give colour, pattern, crazy jewelry). The way I like better, though? That involves deliberately looking for eccentricity and subversiveness in the classic clothes.
It's blazers with unconventional cuts and details.
It's unexpected colours and pattern in everday wear.
Unexpected and risque materials - a la the leather skirt.
Obviously, ones whole wardrobe cannot be like this. There must be simple sweaters and blouses, button fronts and jackets with little in the way of playfulness. This is quite simply because one's whole outfit cannot be subversive: one, maybe two pieces tops. To add any more than that is to cross from subtly subversive and still conservative to plain edgy. There is a balance.
Had I worn a different skirt the other day, that outfit would have had an entirely different feel. Powerful and appropriate? Yes. But also expected.
And that's the last thing I want to be.
So, I put together an outfit that, when described at it's most basic level, fit that. Polished. Conservative. Put together. Stylish. It included:
- Boots (black)
- Pencil skirt (black)
- Tights (black)
- Top and cardigan (black & purple)
- Vintage coat (hunter green)
- Scarf (sunshine yellow)
Except, every time I looked down and saw my skirt, I felt a smile creeping across my face. I felt downright subversive. I felt hot and sexy and like I was still put together, but as if I might have been breaking a rule or two. (In a good way).
This is something I long for in clothes. Clothes that make me feel like that, they turn out to be my statement pieces. They make me feel powerful and pretty and like I can take on the world (shouldn't all clothes make you feel that way?) They make me feel like I'm a better version of myself. When I'm shopping, I tend to look for classic staples. Grey pantsuit? Probably going to be very useful. Workplace appropriate dress? I can work that. I try to focus on the pieces that bring everything else together, some classic lines and shapes and simplicity.
I like that hint of originality, subversiveness, eccentricity. There`s two ways to get that: pair the classic with the unexpected. (Adding pieces to give colour, pattern, crazy jewelry). The way I like better, though? That involves deliberately looking for eccentricity and subversiveness in the classic clothes.
It's blazers with unconventional cuts and details.
It's unexpected colours and pattern in everday wear.
Unexpected and risque materials - a la the leather skirt.
Obviously, ones whole wardrobe cannot be like this. There must be simple sweaters and blouses, button fronts and jackets with little in the way of playfulness. This is quite simply because one's whole outfit cannot be subversive: one, maybe two pieces tops. To add any more than that is to cross from subtly subversive and still conservative to plain edgy. There is a balance.
Had I worn a different skirt the other day, that outfit would have had an entirely different feel. Powerful and appropriate? Yes. But also expected.
And that's the last thing I want to be.
Monday, December 12, 2011
style spotlight: scarves
For someone who loves clothes the way I do, it's pretty odd that I don't accessorize more. Part of it is that I'm lazy in the morning, part of it is I feel a bit ridiculous, and part of it is that some of my "statement" pieces have been replaced by sentimental, standard pieces. (I switched an arsenal of hand made necklaces for a simple pendant that Bunny gave me and I now never take off, for example.)
One accessory, though, that I almost always rock is the scarf. Pashminas, of the plain and patterned variety (lately I'm loving paisley pashminas - it's the perfect pop of pattern). What's great about a pashmina is that outside it's a great scarf, and when I'm freezing in the office I can switch it into a shawl.
I'm also a huge fan of knit scarves, particularly those that I created myself. There's a lovely denseness to the wool, and they're a little more rustic. A good knit scarf reminds me of being seven, and playing outside in the snow.
A third type of scarf I'm starting to love are simple, wool scarves. Like this great green and brown plaid cashmere one I picked up in Kensington a few weeks ago - it's super warm, and this great pop of very classic pattern and colour. The only problem with this one is that Bunny keeps stealing it, because it's so warm.
There's so many great scarves out there, though. Infinity scarves are a current obsession of mine, though I have yet to purchase one (shame on me), and there are all sorts of great ruffled scarves, and silk scarves for the warmer months ... although in the great white north, my scarves tend to be appropriate for three quarters of the year.
The great thing with a scarf as an accessory is that they are both functional and fashion. What could be better than that?
One accessory, though, that I almost always rock is the scarf. Pashminas, of the plain and patterned variety (lately I'm loving paisley pashminas - it's the perfect pop of pattern). What's great about a pashmina is that outside it's a great scarf, and when I'm freezing in the office I can switch it into a shawl.
I'm also a huge fan of knit scarves, particularly those that I created myself. There's a lovely denseness to the wool, and they're a little more rustic. A good knit scarf reminds me of being seven, and playing outside in the snow.
A third type of scarf I'm starting to love are simple, wool scarves. Like this great green and brown plaid cashmere one I picked up in Kensington a few weeks ago - it's super warm, and this great pop of very classic pattern and colour. The only problem with this one is that Bunny keeps stealing it, because it's so warm.
There's so many great scarves out there, though. Infinity scarves are a current obsession of mine, though I have yet to purchase one (shame on me), and there are all sorts of great ruffled scarves, and silk scarves for the warmer months ... although in the great white north, my scarves tend to be appropriate for three quarters of the year.
The great thing with a scarf as an accessory is that they are both functional and fashion. What could be better than that?
Sunday, November 27, 2011
style spotlight: the terra cotta jacket
The first piece that I want to focus my style spotlight on is a relatively new piece. I think I picked it up mid-September or so, at the Cookstown Outlet with my mom. We had wandered in there for no particular reason, just a fun shopping outing since Bunny and I were in town.
My mom is a bit of a Danier Leather-aholic. She loves everything they sell, pretty much. Over the years she has brought home numerous purses, clutches, wallets, a few jackets, hats and a skirt from this store. More than one of mom's old Danier items currently makes its home in my closet, actually. So when we are in Cookstown, we always stop in. This time, my mom wanted to look at a red snakeskin type purse.
I got bored and started trying on jackets. (Mistake number one.) I tried on a couple of interesting ones, and then I tried on an ivory jacket that I liked the cut of, but not the colour. The same jacket came in bright orange, but I wasn't too much of a fan. I was, though, surprised how much I liked orange on me. At this point, a saleslady came by and had another jacket she thought I would like, so I let her pull me over the a rack near the back of the store and push another orange jacket on me. (Mistake number two.)
Well, uh, wow. This jacket was amazing. It fit like it was made for me, it had a great cut, and was properly seamed for the more busty among us. As soon as I tried this jacket it, I knew it was coming home with me. It was just too perfect. The hemlime was great, hitting just at the hips, but dipping low in front to give some shape. There's beautiful stitching detail along the shoulders, just enough to give some interest. Zip up slit pockets that aren't too bulky. The cuffs are great, with little zippers that can be worn folded up into a proper cuff, or zipped up and long, where they'll keep my handsies a little warmer. The collar that has just a little bit of height, but not too much. And oh, the lining.
I have a soft spot for pieces of clothing with great lining. This has beautiful orange lining in the sleeves and pockets, and the back lining is just gorgeous. This lovely oatmeal colour with a gorgeous circular, sun-type design on the inside.
This coat makes me feel fantastic every time I put it on. I wear it even when it's a little bit too chilly for just a leather jacket, because I feel that beautiful in it.
Top Three Details:
My mom is a bit of a Danier Leather-aholic. She loves everything they sell, pretty much. Over the years she has brought home numerous purses, clutches, wallets, a few jackets, hats and a skirt from this store. More than one of mom's old Danier items currently makes its home in my closet, actually. So when we are in Cookstown, we always stop in. This time, my mom wanted to look at a red snakeskin type purse.
I got bored and started trying on jackets. (Mistake number one.) I tried on a couple of interesting ones, and then I tried on an ivory jacket that I liked the cut of, but not the colour. The same jacket came in bright orange, but I wasn't too much of a fan. I was, though, surprised how much I liked orange on me. At this point, a saleslady came by and had another jacket she thought I would like, so I let her pull me over the a rack near the back of the store and push another orange jacket on me. (Mistake number two.)
Well, uh, wow. This jacket was amazing. It fit like it was made for me, it had a great cut, and was properly seamed for the more busty among us. As soon as I tried this jacket it, I knew it was coming home with me. It was just too perfect. The hemlime was great, hitting just at the hips, but dipping low in front to give some shape. There's beautiful stitching detail along the shoulders, just enough to give some interest. Zip up slit pockets that aren't too bulky. The cuffs are great, with little zippers that can be worn folded up into a proper cuff, or zipped up and long, where they'll keep my handsies a little warmer. The collar that has just a little bit of height, but not too much. And oh, the lining.
I have a soft spot for pieces of clothing with great lining. This has beautiful orange lining in the sleeves and pockets, and the back lining is just gorgeous. This lovely oatmeal colour with a gorgeous circular, sun-type design on the inside.
This coat makes me feel fantastic every time I put it on. I wear it even when it's a little bit too chilly for just a leather jacket, because I feel that beautiful in it.
Top Three Details:
- The colour! I never thought I was an orange person, but I love the statement that's made with the terra cotta. Having such a colourful coat instantly brightens up the outfit.
- The fit. It's not really a detail, but how do you not feel amazing in a beautiful jacket that fits like it was made for you?
- The cuffs. I like that they are convertable (rolled back or fully extended), and I love how just rolling or unrolling the cuffs changes the whole outfit. Plus, I notice the cuffs everytime I wear it.
- The lining. It's not top three, only because no one but me ever sees it. But I love having this little secret, perfect part of my jacket
style spotlight: an introduction
My wardrobe and personal style has been a bit of a work in progress lately.
I hate all the clothes I bought for my old (retail) job. Almost every itme is boring and blah and not terribly flattering. On top of that, I've lost a fair bit of weight lately, so most things that used to fit properly (particularly pants and dresses, not as much of an issue with shirts) just really don't fit. Like this great dress I bought at Smart Set last spring, but now looks like a giant sack on me. Most of the things that I do like, or that do fit me, are slowly getting to be a little bit raggedy and sloppy and are just not making me happy.
My closet needs a pretty major overhaul. I need to purge old clothes, get new, and make sure that each piece I collect fits, is at least somewhat weather versatile, and is something that I feel amazing in.
See you in the next post!
That in mind, I'm going to start a new little feature here (for all that nobody reads this thing ... but it's not like I give out the link often) and explore some of the clothing items I have that I do love, or I used to love, and what's so great about them. I can only imagine that knowing what I currently own and love will make it easier to figure out what I look for in "great" clothes. I need to pin down my own personal style before blowing more money on it, really.
"Style Spotlight" is the new tag for when I'm exploring what I love about a particular piece of clothing that I love and feel fantastic in. Or inspiration pieces, or outfits other people where that I want to rock so hard that I need to go out and buy the pieces. You, uh, also might see some non-clothing items show up here, like some of my eyeshadow palettes that I love and that are part of my style.
Basically I want to explore what I love about fashion a little more. What sort of details and styles make my heart sing. What clothes do I want to put on every single day. Another thing that I'll work on soon, if I keep up with this, is finding a way to post pictures up here, so there's some visual refereence
I hate all the clothes I bought for my old (retail) job. Almost every itme is boring and blah and not terribly flattering. On top of that, I've lost a fair bit of weight lately, so most things that used to fit properly (particularly pants and dresses, not as much of an issue with shirts) just really don't fit. Like this great dress I bought at Smart Set last spring, but now looks like a giant sack on me. Most of the things that I do like, or that do fit me, are slowly getting to be a little bit raggedy and sloppy and are just not making me happy.
My closet needs a pretty major overhaul. I need to purge old clothes, get new, and make sure that each piece I collect fits, is at least somewhat weather versatile, and is something that I feel amazing in.
See you in the next post!
That in mind, I'm going to start a new little feature here (for all that nobody reads this thing ... but it's not like I give out the link often) and explore some of the clothing items I have that I do love, or I used to love, and what's so great about them. I can only imagine that knowing what I currently own and love will make it easier to figure out what I look for in "great" clothes. I need to pin down my own personal style before blowing more money on it, really.
"Style Spotlight" is the new tag for when I'm exploring what I love about a particular piece of clothing that I love and feel fantastic in. Or inspiration pieces, or outfits other people where that I want to rock so hard that I need to go out and buy the pieces. You, uh, also might see some non-clothing items show up here, like some of my eyeshadow palettes that I love and that are part of my style.
Basically I want to explore what I love about fashion a little more. What sort of details and styles make my heart sing. What clothes do I want to put on every single day. Another thing that I'll work on soon, if I keep up with this, is finding a way to post pictures up here, so there's some visual refereence
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