Although sometimes I feel very comfortable standing out in a crowd, far more often I feel happiest when I blend into the background, pulled together yes, but also comfortable and appropriate.
A couple of weeks ago I posted a bright blue outfit, which I was wonderfully happy wearing. But don't go getting any ideas. Even though I love to dress up, most days my impulses run more toward function than frivolity.
Patti, at Not Yet Dead Style, says that Visible Monday is about what makes us feel wonderful/visible, and I applaud the idea of visible Monday. But what happens when the clothing that makes us feel most wonderful is more closely aligned to our actual habitat? Do we become invisible? I don't really think so. Or by allowing our dress to be more attuned to where we are and what we do do we actually allow ourselves to be more ourselves and more visibly a part of our environment?
I don't have the answers to these questions. I am not sure I ever will. In fact, I am not sure that I ever want to reach a point in life where I feel I have more answers than questions.
I've mentioned before that I live in the country, or in a small town at the outer edge of a extended suburban area, in a gray area between suburbia and farmland. In this setting, my autumnal garb mostly consists of jeans and boots. If I go north I need to walk on cobblestone sidewalks. I often need to tramp through a little bit of mud. If I go south, I need a little more polish. Either direction I need to remain warm and dry. I hope to manage all these things while looking somewhat pulled together, competent, and practical but without looking sloppy. Usually my uniform of choice for running errands about town is something like this.
The simple truth is that I feel wonderful in this outfit. I feel like I am a part of this place where I live, and yet from this place I also feel like I can conquer the world. Of course, I would rather conquer the world surreptitiously. To that end I feel well atired.
Fry Boots
Michael Kors Jeans
J Crew Flannel Shirt
Carlisle Silk Scarf
Fleece-lined Barbour Jacket
Loro Piana Bag
Only the shirt is new.
Comments
14 responses to “Everyday Blues”
Your everyday outfit looks sensible, yet polished ( silk scarf..) I believe that you really are satisfied wearing those clothes for town errands.
Mud. We have it over here too, so choosing sensible footwear is important, as you pointed out : )
I agree with metscan, you look pulled together, but as though you could Get Stuff Done. That’s important too! Your surroundings look beautiful.
Conquering the world surreptitiously — may I borrow that from you as my new over-arching goal? : > You look marvelous, and you are wonderfully attired for quiet conquest! Thanks so much for participating in Visible Monday, I appreciate you.
And you look wonderful in your outfit. I don’t know about you but if I feel wonderful I tend to think I look wonderful. Perhaps it is wishful thinking.
I don’t strive to be visible, but don’t mind it if I am, as long as I am also comfortable and what I’m wearing makes sense in the context of what I’m doing.
You look ready to forth and conquer! (Surreptitiously.)
It’s the perfect country getup – one that’s been in style for decades. I like to be visible, but not to stand out. And I want a jacket just like yours, even for the city streets:).
I think I’d rather blend in than look out of place. It doesn’t mean I don’t want to look nice or that I don’t care.
Looking appropriate doesn’t mean you’re a cookie-cutter image of the next gal. Someone else might look equally as at-home in cord skirt and a vest with a heavy sweater underneath. There’s plenty of room for differences.
I am a firm believer in dressing for where you live. There are times when you have to dress sensibily because if you didn’t you wouldn’t be able to get done what you needed to do. You look very sharp in this outfit. Very visible.
A standing ovation for your discreet yet nuanced blues! I haven’t participated in the visible Monday posts because because visibility is not a goal for me. I pay attention to the feel of clothes on my skin, their ability to allow me to function, and prefer the quiet voice that never needs to shout Look at Me. I, and the others who count, know that I am here.
It’s a great country chic look. Can’t go wrong with Frye and the accessories make it cool. Hope you can swing by and share on our linky:
http://www.momtrends.com/2011/11/tips-for-traveling-in-style/
L1et’s face it–we have to dress forr the environment we live in. the weather determines what I wear most of the time. I think you look country chic in this outfit. visible is not just bright colors–its confidence in dressing appropriatly. and feeling good about it!
Mette, sensible yes. It took me a long time to put away my working (more urban) style and adapt to sensible. I am satisfied with this, but I am also looking forward to a more urban life, with fewer muddy paths.
Pseu, it is nice to get stuff done. I like that.
Patti, over-arching indeed. you have nailed me (though I have been accused of worse). Thank you for the lovely comment.
Susan, I’ve always been a believer in the idea that if you feel wonderful you look wonderful because who you feel yourself to be and who you appear to be are aligned. I’ll stop before I start a lecture on the topic.
LPC, I am thinking that this jacket will be perfect for city streets in Knoxville too and probably a good weight for much of the winter since I think cold rain is more common than snow.
Rose, there is always room for differences. That is what makes us all interesting. Perhaps there is also room for people who wear pink tutus to the grocery store if that is what they wish, but I don’t wish to be among their number.
Thanks Debbi!
Duchesse, I sometimes think that just posting a “what I wore or a style post” qualifies as visibility, especially if one is older, or perhaps less outre in one’s choices. IF all that was left of our society was the images of some of the young style bloggers, future generations would have a very incorrect idea of who we were as a culture.
Nicole, I agree about the Frye Boots.
Paula, yep, the environment plays a big role in how we dress. That is why I am looking forward to seeing how a new environment changes things. Many of the same old pieces will see new life.
Wonderfully written and expressed. Looking good is all about knowing yourself and knowing what makes you feel and look good. That is the most important part. However, I would say we also need to challenge ourselves sometimes and experiment with some new styles or colors and get out of our comfort zone. That may lead you to discovers new sides about yourself….