This is not a style blog. And yet, it is, because to sew and knit clothing one must make decisions about style.
As I've worked my way up to deciding what to sew, I've been exploring what I want to wear, using a few basics, as well as an assortment of things that have, so far at least, survived the various purges of my wardrobe. Sometimes I am more successful than others.
Yesterday I wore this:
Inspired by the far more stylish than I likes of Materfamilias, Karen, and Deja Pseu, I decided to create a polyvore on the floor as a record of what I wore.
Most of this outfit has been residing in my closet for years, although the pieces were strangers to each other.
- J Crew chinos, several years old.
- Blue Brooks Brothers ribbed cotton sweater I've had for years.
- Stuart Weitzman Sandals purchased 3 or 4 years ago.
- Ferragamo bag also ancient.
- Red, White, and Blue scarf by Perry Ellis purchased in the early '80s, when I had my first office job.
- 36" lapis and majorica "pearl" necklaces, early to mid 1980s.
The nice thing about this POTF technique is that I have a record of what worked and what didn't. I can record the smallest details, and I can make notes about what I need to buy, make, change or leave blissfully alone.
Since I love accessories and they are always an integral part of how I feel about a particular outfit, having a detailed photo is perfect. When I find the combination I like, I tend to stick with it.
- My basic day-to-day watch, by Rado.
- Wedding set, reset for our 20th anniversary.
- Lapis, opal, and ruby ring by William Scholl, late '80s.
- Barry Kieselstein-Cord alligator hoop earrings, purchased this year from Beladora.
Of course seeing the outfit on the floor is useful, but doesn't really show how it worked on me. That is fine if I know that the pieces fit and how they look, but fit has been an issue lately as it is changeable. More exactly I have been changing and the clothes are not adapting to match. This sometimes leads to unpleasant surprises.
I did manage to get a photo before the day ended though, and although this outfit ended up being not perfect, the results were far from unpleasant. I will admit however that when I first looked at this picture, moments after it was taken, that I was horrified at how baggy and rumpled I thought I looked. Time has softened the harshness of my personal reaction, and although I realize that I tend more toward rumpled than sleek and polished, I would prefer a little less bagginess.
Anyway, here is my assessment:
The pants are growing looser weekly (though my weight is not changing) and this particular pair tends to get rather rumpled quickly. With a sleek, more fitted top this might be fine. With a loose sweater not so good.
This sweater used to fit quite snugly and hug my curves. I liked that fit. There is nothing wrong with a loose comfy sweater, and it might look much better over a fitted boot cut jean. But what I actually want is a better fitting ribbed sweater.
I like this sweater because it is simple and easy to accessorize as it makes no demands of its own. As soon as I saw how loose this sweater had become I was reminded of a really lovely pale blue yarn that had just arrived at my LYS, Invernal by Aslan Trends (color 059). It is an angora, merino, nylon blend and it feels really scrumptious in the hand. Although this sweater is cotton, it is too warm to wear in hot weather and not warm enough for cold weather, so I am leaning toward the wool blend. I do have several blue cotton yarns in my stash, all of which are slated to become other sweaters, sweaters which are still desired and are far more of "speaking" sweaters than background sweaters so they don't really fill this particular need. It seems a blue ribbed angora/merino/nylon sweater is somewhere in my future.
My main issue with this outfit is with the necklaces. I love the look of the scarf with the beads, but I seem to have increasing doubts about long necklaces on me, but I am having trouble pinpointing the problem, if there is a problem. I tried shortening the necklaces, and I liked it but at the same time also liked the proportions of the space when the necklace was longer.
I didn't really have a way to shorten these as I wore them but I am considering restringing the lapis at least (a pearl upgrade is on my wish list). I always liked this length because I could wear it doubled or long, but now I am questioning this, and wondering if two separate necklaces would be a better choice.
As always I seem to have more questions than answers, and I wonder if I just think too much.
Comments
8 responses to “Red, White and Blue”
Your floor polyvore looks really nice! Since you have lost much weight, I was wondering… you could use your skills and make the ribbed cotton top smaller and also do the same to the pants, couldn´t you? I have had one of my knits made smaller, and it turned out perfect. IMO, even though you did not ask, the length of the pearls could be shorter, or maybe spared for another outfit. I´m sorry if I´m intruding. You just look so great with your thick hair and all 🙂
Your floor polyvore looks really nice! Since you have lost much weight, I was wondering… you could use your skills and make the ribbed cotton top smaller and also do the same to the pants, couldn´t you? I have had one of my knits made smaller, and it turned out perfect. IMO, even though you did not ask, the length of the pearls could be shorter, or maybe spared for another outfit. I´m sorry if I´m intruding. You just look so great with your thick hair and all 🙂
Very nice, Mardel! I love the gold filigree ring. I’m wondering how the scarf would look more loosely tied – maybe another look for another day? I usually have more questions than answers as well.
Very nice, Mardel! I love the gold filigree ring. I’m wondering how the scarf would look more loosely tied – maybe another look for another day? I usually have more questions than answers as well.
It’s a great outfit ( I LOVE the white/blue/red color combo, it’s so timeless and chic…) and worked really well fpr you in my opinion. I love your accessories choice too; the scarf and the pearls make a beautiful and original set.
I couldn’t agree more on your POTF technique assessment; it does make a good record of what really works and what doesn’t. There’s yet another point for me: I’m a little obsessed about not repeating myself outfit wise (unless a particular outfit combination is really extraordinary and worth repeating, and even then I’d change a thing or two just because), so it’s fun going back and building new combos inspired in my previous outfits…
Aren’t all sewing blogs style blogs also? We reflect our style when we make choices on what to make, don’t we? And many times showing off a new FO on a dressform isn’t enough for the readers. they “MUST” see it live as we wore it…
It’s a great outfit ( I LOVE the white/blue/red color combo, it’s so timeless and chic…) and worked really well fpr you in my opinion. I love your accessories choice too; the scarf and the pearls make a beautiful and original set.
I couldn’t agree more on your POTF technique assessment; it does make a good record of what really works and what doesn’t. There’s yet another point for me: I’m a little obsessed about not repeating myself outfit wise (unless a particular outfit combination is really extraordinary and worth repeating, and even then I’d change a thing or two just because), so it’s fun going back and building new combos inspired in my previous outfits…
Aren’t all sewing blogs style blogs also? We reflect our style when we make choices on what to make, don’t we? And many times showing off a new FO on a dressform isn’t enough for the readers. they “MUST” see it live as we wore it…
This is a lot of fun isn’t it? I was thinking just today that I will keep a record of what I am wearing for the same reasons. It will show me what suits and also what I need to fill out the outfits. I am very lucky – I had my daughter style me this morning and I have had two compliments already.
Do you want feedback? Maybe try a belt around the top – something to define your waist. I am thinking wide low waist/high hip.
This is a lot of fun isn’t it? I was thinking just today that I will keep a record of what I am wearing for the same reasons. It will show me what suits and also what I need to fill out the outfits. I am very lucky – I had my daughter style me this morning and I have had two compliments already.
Do you want feedback? Maybe try a belt around the top – something to define your waist. I am thinking wide low waist/high hip.