Jennifer at A Well Styled Life is writing a series about the "Invisible" or rather "The Vanishing Older Woman"
you can read her second installment in the series right
here.
Her eloquent posts have started me thinking deeper about what I choose to wear and why I make the choices that I do...it is not an easy thing for me to explain, but bear with me please as I attempt to muddle through...
What we wear says a lot about who we are...
it gives hints as to what economic and social classes that we fall into and how we feel about ourselves...
are we shy, bold, confident, artistic, conservative, are we in touch with our authentic self or
do we even care what others think of us?
Are you a star when it comes to putting together your wardrobe?
Is it easy or do you find it a challenge?
Are you sending the right messages with your choice of garments?
Or perhaps you are confused about the image that you want to present to the world.
Money, work, age and lifestyle factor in when deciding what to choose.
Do you opt for designer clothes from head to toe?
Has the clerk in your favourite boutique sold you complete ensembles with accessories to go with them?
Do the clothes that you wear reflect your personal taste?
Are you bold with your colours and accessories or do you play it safe?
With so many possibilities and questions it is a challenge...
maybe a consultation with a professional is in order!
Mother has taught me a lot over the years.
Observing her fashion sense has helped me to absorb a lot about fashion and style.
Reading magazines, books and blogs have rounded out my education in this area.
~ ~ ~
Mother and I were driving in the car the other day
and we passed by a woman "of a certain age" with bright day glo pink hair.
Mother said "My goodness she's asking for attention wearing her hair like that!"
I said something to the effect of well anyone who makes a bold statement like that with their hair is not shy!
Mother would NEVER consider making an overture as bold as that statement
with her hair or her clothing.
(although in the 1960's she went through what I like to think of as a "Doris Day" phase when she was a blond!)
She would not suggest that we HIDE from our authentic selves
but rather that we would choose to dress appropriately for each and EVERY social situation.
"Fitting in within our peer groups and blending" have been her words on fashion for as long as I can remember.
Mother is a conservative dresser and she encouraged us to dress well and take care to maintain our clothes.
Mending, making sure buttons were sewn on right and shoes were kept polished and heels replaced regularly were high on her priority list.
Your Personal Image speaks volumes...
it says a lot about you...more than you might think.
It takes a lot of time to put together an entire wardrobe, not to mention the money that you need to invest.
It also takes a lot of thought...
What is the message that you want to project to the world?
Are you happy wearing the same thing over and over or do you want to put on a different outfit every day?
Do you like a lot of variety in accessories or do you prefer to wear the same few statement and signature pieces?
(I have owned this Burberry quilted jacket for about 8 years and the scarf, which was a gift from my husband is worn daily during the Fall and Winter.
Who are you dressing for?
Do you represent a large corporation or a small company?
Are you a young mom, a professional in the business world or are you retired?
When dressing for your work life you may choose one style of clothing than for your personal life.
Which undoubtedly would be much more casual.
It took me many years to understand the image that I wanted to project.
It still is evolving but I figured out the basics.
I like to fit in as Mother would say...blending is more important to me than standing out in a crowd.
I do not like to draw unnecessary attention to myself.
Having a wardrobe with options for most events
(other than a red carpet event or a gala)
are already in my closet.
AND
they are all black!
A basic black jersey tank top is paired here with a vintage Susan Bristol sweater jacket.
Basic black Eileen Fisher trousers and my "very old" black patent leather Stuart Weitzman bow toed flats.
There are several pairs of black pants one in velvet as well as a casual pair of skinny black jeans...
various black tops and tanks
sweaters
a black Barbour vest
a tweedy Chanel-esque jacket
3 or 4 LBD's
a black shawl
a black dressy coat
black casual walking coat
black handbags
black kittens heels and pumps
these what I call the workhorses or the core pieces
~ ALL BLACK ~
A few colourful options have found their way into the closet, but not many.
Several bright silk twill Hermes scarves help to elevate and add some colour and interest.
Now this might not suit you at all but it works for me.
I am a no nonsense kind of gal who likes to keep things simple.
It might seem boring to you to wear the same clothes in different combinations
only varying the looks by using different accessories.
We have to listen to our "inner voice", be true to ourselves, and project honestly our taste and style.
I do not like to waste money buying fads or trends.
Also shopping my closet just makes more sense.
To me rushing out in a panic at the eleventh hour before an event is far too stressful...
I'd rather spend the time having a leisurely bath or doing my nails than speeding off on the mall.
Mother would encourage and suggest that we dress in an understated fashion.
(I went through a period of rebellion in my teenage years and opted for "hippie style clothing!")
Naturally she disapproved...
I grew out of it.
She counselled that good manners were as important as what we wore.
(I write and send thank you notes as she taught us.)
Comportment is the ultimate accessory and our demeanor speaks volumes.
So with that in mind...
I will continue to dress in basic black with an occasional pop of colour
opt for the ultimate in polite conversation
practise kindness and let The Golden Rule be my guide.
This post has rambled on and I apologize as it is very discombobulated...
My newest accessory is a rhinestone Panther pin in the Cartier style...
I love the beady red eyes.
I'll be wearing this...
you might have guessed...
on a black background!
It might be on an LBD, a sweater, top or coat.
~ ~ ~
."One is never over-dressed or under dressed with a Little Black Dress."
~ Karl Lagerfeld ~
"Don’t be into trends.
Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live."
~ Gianni Versace ~
My OOTD
NYDJ jeans...flared
Symplii black tank top
Lord and Taylor dove grey cashmere cardigan
Clark black leather short boots
opera length pearls wrapped twice around my neck
Oh and there is some great news...the Gardener's Cottage is back!
check out what she's up to in her cottage.
Have a great week!
Hostess
