Saturday, August 8, 2009
I don't understand fashion
I just don't. I've been trying to pay attention to magazines and trends, getting ideas for fall. Truth be told I think 90% of the fashions look ridiculous. I live in a ultra-casual city, you'd be laughed out of the grocery store in the outfits they show for "weekend". Yet it depresses me to the street full of people in t-shirts. I'm trying, but I'm not sure I'm getting this...
Monday, July 6, 2009
Dressing room class wars
I have a certain weakness for clothes shopping in discount stores. I'll be in for printer paper and the next thing I know I'm roaming the clothing section, looking for that one in a million gem.
Now that I try to shop in nicer places once in a while, the difference in dressing rooms is really apparent. Mid-lower range stores have a bored (or surly if you're not so lucky) dressing room attendant to carefully count your clothes to see if you're trying to steal something. Nicer stores give you the benefit of the doubt or even assist you. The cheapest stores don't staff their dressing rooms at all, as if they can't be bothered.
While I was in a cheap dressing room, I couldn't help but notice the broken doors; missing hooks; dirty mirrors; harsh lighting; discarded clothes. Not surprisingly the garments were about as flattering- cheap cuts; scratchy fabrics; slightly off colors. It didn't make me feel good about myself. Was my hair really orange?
When I first tried shopping at nicer stores, I discovered that the dressing rooms were wonderful. Flat screen tvs in the waiting area (a waiting area!?); clean carpeted floors; nicely upholstered chairs;large hooks; wooden doors that close and lock; soft music. It just makes the shopping experience more relaxing, more positive, less taxing on your body and mind.
As I stared at my orange haired self in the cheap fluorescent lights, I vowed I was done with my rock bottom clothing shopping days. Shopping's hard enough for me, the least I can do for myself is pay a little more for a nicer dressing room (and yes of course, the nicer clothes that go with it).
Now that I try to shop in nicer places once in a while, the difference in dressing rooms is really apparent. Mid-lower range stores have a bored (or surly if you're not so lucky) dressing room attendant to carefully count your clothes to see if you're trying to steal something. Nicer stores give you the benefit of the doubt or even assist you. The cheapest stores don't staff their dressing rooms at all, as if they can't be bothered.
While I was in a cheap dressing room, I couldn't help but notice the broken doors; missing hooks; dirty mirrors; harsh lighting; discarded clothes. Not surprisingly the garments were about as flattering- cheap cuts; scratchy fabrics; slightly off colors. It didn't make me feel good about myself. Was my hair really orange?
When I first tried shopping at nicer stores, I discovered that the dressing rooms were wonderful. Flat screen tvs in the waiting area (a waiting area!?); clean carpeted floors; nicely upholstered chairs;large hooks; wooden doors that close and lock; soft music. It just makes the shopping experience more relaxing, more positive, less taxing on your body and mind.
As I stared at my orange haired self in the cheap fluorescent lights, I vowed I was done with my rock bottom clothing shopping days. Shopping's hard enough for me, the least I can do for myself is pay a little more for a nicer dressing room (and yes of course, the nicer clothes that go with it).
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Neutral mumu
I have a strange teeter totter with color and pattern in my wardrobe. One day I'll buy a navy t-shirt, the next week I'm drawn to a mumu-like shirt in a wild geometric disco pattern. I have a hard time hitting the middle mark. One of the things I'm working on is finding items with subtle pattern and color. I don't have to overcompensate for a boring wardrobe in one loud shirt! Yet some pattern or texture is nice too, it's not all that interesting to be dressed head to toe in solid colors.
Color is challenging for me in that way too, my closet is probably black, grey, navy, BRIGHT FUSCHIA PINK, grey, black, navy, WILD RED AND BLACK GERANIUM PATTERN.
It doesn't sound so bad, but in reality it looks bumbling and kind of cheap (especially when the quality of the wilder pieces isn't high). I'm like a toddler, I see a cool pattern on a rack and I gravitate towards it.
What I need are details, a touch of fuschia trim or a steely blue bag, touches that will make the neutrals richer. Subtle, subtle. Sometimes I have to chant that to myself as I reach for yet another mumu.
Color is challenging for me in that way too, my closet is probably black, grey, navy, BRIGHT FUSCHIA PINK, grey, black, navy, WILD RED AND BLACK GERANIUM PATTERN.
It doesn't sound so bad, but in reality it looks bumbling and kind of cheap (especially when the quality of the wilder pieces isn't high). I'm like a toddler, I see a cool pattern on a rack and I gravitate towards it.
What I need are details, a touch of fuschia trim or a steely blue bag, touches that will make the neutrals richer. Subtle, subtle. Sometimes I have to chant that to myself as I reach for yet another mumu.
Sheen and fabric
One of the issues I've identified in my wardrobe is that I'm drawn to simple cotton tanks and shirts, which I like to layer under cardigans. That's fine in itself, but ribbed cotton tank tops have a way of looking casual. For example, I have a dark purple tank top, kind of grape-y. It's a nice touch of color, but a better alternative (for work anyway) would probably be a dark plum silk or rayon top with some sheen or detail. The cut could be the same, but the difference in sheen and fabric would give an outfit some interest that simple cotton just doesn't have. So some of the items I'm looking for are shells or tank tops with a nice fabric, interesting color or detail. I have some kind of aversion to blouses in general, which sometimes makes it difficult to look polished. So a blouse or two is on my list also.
Fashion challenged
A fashionista I am not. Oh, I have those Jackie O daydreams. I jauntily sling my scarf over shoulder, effortlessly chic, classic, impecable, the envy of everyone on the street. In reality, I have more than one Rit dyed item in my wardrobe and sometimes cry when I try to get dressed in the morning. It's not easy for me.
Being the book worm that I am, I've studied fashion. I don't mean casually flipping through fashion magazines, I mean stacks of books from the library on how to dress. Books with titles like how to acquire taste, what you shouldn't wear (I have that one down already), who should be in the dressing room with you. I get the message but somehow it doesn't translate to real life.
It's not a body image issue with me. I like my body just fine. It's just figuring out what to put on it that baffles me. I haven't always had this issue. I look back at old photos and, while I wouldn't wear the same things today, admire my courage and style. So somewhere along the way I got derailed.
This is my attempt to find my way back, to develop my personal style and have some fun along the way. Walk along with me if you too... are among the fashion challenged.
Being the book worm that I am, I've studied fashion. I don't mean casually flipping through fashion magazines, I mean stacks of books from the library on how to dress. Books with titles like how to acquire taste, what you shouldn't wear (I have that one down already), who should be in the dressing room with you. I get the message but somehow it doesn't translate to real life.
It's not a body image issue with me. I like my body just fine. It's just figuring out what to put on it that baffles me. I haven't always had this issue. I look back at old photos and, while I wouldn't wear the same things today, admire my courage and style. So somewhere along the way I got derailed.
This is my attempt to find my way back, to develop my personal style and have some fun along the way. Walk along with me if you too... are among the fashion challenged.
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