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September 16, 2007
A Few Words on Style
Something I have complained a lot about in the last year or so is that I'm having a hard time deciding "how I dress." The stuff I was wearing when I sort of dropped out in my very late twenties no longer works now that I'm in my early 30s. It's as much about my body and my lifestyle as it is purely an age thing. And now that I've got a job, I've needed to figure things out pretty quickly. As a rule, my child tends to be dressed much better than me.
I have had the pleasure of going on a couple of completely self-centered shopping trips lately, and am discovering that what seems to work for me these days is much less Gothic Slut and much more Naughty Librarian. Now, I know that clothes are... well, just clothes, but at the same time, as a visual person I guess I've always really enjoyed the possibilities for self-expression that clothes provide. And the right fit and cut can really make a difference in how good you look. I had to find a dress for today's festivities (more on that later) and I opted for a fairly simple, black dress with nice detailing. The accessories that will dress it up are a metal sequin bag and these shoes:
I've always wanted a pair of these, and so now I had a good excuse.
The general rules that I have found work for me, regardless of whether I'm shopping for work clothes or casual clothes are:
• Solid colors, or very very subtle patterns (after watching lots of What Not to Wear, I chalk this up to me being a Person of Small Stature.
• No elaborate collars (I prefer a wide neckline)
• No clingy fabrics (no matter how slim, it's just the way I'm shaped and the fact that I'm 5'2")
• No, absolutely NO lace.
• Cream or off-white rather than bright white.
• No pointy toes (sorry Stacy and Clinton)
Now, I do not intend these rules for everyone; they are just my personal findings that apply to me and me only. I leave it to others as to whether I'm successful in not looking like a crazy bag lady.