It struck me, as I was whiling away a little time with virtual shopping and clipping last week, that there should be some kind of connection between the things I dream of making and wearing and the things I actually wear. In short, my virtual wardrobe might fit occasions I don't attend in my actual life, but it should look like it actually belongs to me, or, conversely, my daily wardrobe should in some way look like it belongs to a woman who could wear the items I clip.
It also struck me that this has not particularly always been the case, although I think I have managed it more consistently since I have moved to Knoxville. I am however still finding my way, sorting through the things I brought with me, thinking about what I want to wear now, and yes, just throwing on clothes and trying to get out the door.
Sometimes I think it works, othertimes it doesn't. Here I am in the dressing room at Belk (about to try on an Eileen Fisher blouse) feeling casually pulled together, stylish, and confident. This outfit "fits" as did the rolled up jeans with the checked shirt and the white/black suede cap-toed flats,I showed you a couple of weeks ago. That woman would also be comfortable in the clothes I clipped in my inspiration files.
However, at other times I pull together an outfit but somehow the pieces don't mesh nicely with some invisible but still ever-present sense of self. For example, last week, the tee, skirt, clunky sandal combination did not work for me in that although I loved all the pieces individually, I somehow felt "outside of myself" when I was wearing them. When I look at my inspiration pages, I see no connection to that woman in the blue skirt. My dream self would not wear that outfit, although she would definitely wear the skirt and tee with other pieces.
So this whole wardrobe idea encompasses more than just clothes I love. The clothes have to play well together, in a way that reflects something true and constant about me. I can work with that.
I like long tunics and tops. Here is a top and chinos which I think work well together. I felt pretty good about this combination, although when I look at the photo I am not sure about the ankle length pants and the heel on the espadrilles, but that is a truly minor issue.
Next I tried wearing this more fitted and tailored blouse out over the same chinos, and I didn't like it at all. The whole look just felt and appeared sloppy to me, although part of the blame may be a combination of loose shirt-tails and flat espadrilles, which upped the sloppiness factor considerably to my eye.
I did however like the shirt when I tucked it in and wore a belt, even with the same espadrilles. And why not? When did I stop tucking things in? Oh, I know the answer to that and let's not go there; it is a part of the past. Besides, having finally found a pair of chinos that I like and that fit at my actual waist, why not take advantage of that fact and wear a belt?
In case you hadn't noticed from the blurry side view, and there is no reason you might, one week after beginning yoga and some mindful changes to my gait and walking habits, I am already feeling less back pain and standing up much straighter. I have to thank you all for your suggestions, and especially Duchesse, for her thoughtful advice which helped me find a good instructor whom I look forward to working with.
This post is a part of Visible Monday. Pop on over and see what else is going on.
Now for the gritty details:
picture 1: Green blouse by Lafayette 148 (purchased in February) worn with DKNY Soho jeans (2011) and Heavy Machine Sandals (2010)
Picture 2: White stretch cotton tunic blouse by Eileen Fisher (purchased that day at Belk) with Lafayette 148 (2012) and J Crew Espadrilles (2010)
Picture 3: More Lafayette 148 in the white blouse and the same chinos from picture 2. The green belt is from Banana Republic (2007 or 2008) and the espadrilles are by Diane von Furstenburg (2011).
