Change Agent

I looked for an image of a shed snake skin, but they were all surprisingly icky. This was intended to illustrate the feeling I've been having of wanting to remake myself in some way, shed some of the wardrobe bits that feel fussy or cheap or the wrong side of quirky. When snakes moult they emerge gleaming, bright and glossy, but it's hard work and takes some time.

This was spurred, I suspect, by my comparing myself to someone I literally have never seen, but who in my mind is is bit more effortless, a bit more elegant, a bit simpler in her personal style. Not minimal exactly, but with no sense of working at it. I am conscious of the constant trying to get it right.

I recently read a great post at Wardrobe Oxygen about the feeling that your "true" self doesn't match what is most flattering on you. The plaintive query came from someone who felt a bit punk rock but received the most compliments in more girly, vintage ensembles. She wondered how to find balance between how she felt, how she wanted to be seen, and how she was perceived. Complicated. The response from Allie was great, and the many comments showed this is a common puzzle for women.

Two days ago I wore a long, ocean blue swing tee with black linen pants and a long simple necklace. I felt so elegant, comfortable and expensive (a very nice feeling), but I know that visually, a swing silhouette is not my most flattering choice. Which is why I have no pictures to show you.

Yesterday I wore this: 

My Apt. 9 dress, a boysenberry linen jacket, a wide brown leather belt and my nude Earthies. And it's cute. The colors are nice, the fit is swell, the proportions are perfect. But it didn't speak to my fashion fantasy.

My fantasy makes me want to throw out this dress and most of the little jacket/skirt/dress/cardigan ensembles I own. Shed my current snake skin and revel in my gleaming new look. I have a few things in my closet that are perfect for that imaginary woman. But the truth is, I'm not sure that woman has enough variety in her wardrobe for me. I like almost every color in the palette, not a carefully chosen three or four. Not to mention that some of my cheapest purchases are my very favorites.

OK, you're wondering, does she have a POINT? And I guess it is that I feel a bit itchy in my fashion skin, and I wonder if larger changes should be contemplated as we enter a new season. Hmmm.  
 

Unforeseen Hiatus

Sorry about that! It was really a packed week at work last week - I was heading in early and coming home beat, so took no pictures. This week I took pictures, but couldn't find time to post them. And maybe, MAYBE, I'm getting a little tired of looking at myself so often.

Just ugh.

Better.

 First, I was entertained to find two pairs of boots in Ben's dresser - boots I thought were long gone to Goodwill or Ebay. The red boots above got a final outing, but they are consigned to the Goodwill bag/pile/semi-sentient lifeform. They are just a very dated style. Second, I love that black fuzzy Loft sweater so much, but it looks perfectly square on me. Kimono arms and short sleeves are not a good combination. Also not a good combination, that dress, those boots and bare legs. Seemed like a lot of skin in September.

Forced smile and significant tum.

I love this Anthropologie top equally, but with better results. It goes with everything and is like wearing . . . air. The top is an acid green Loft tee, with an Eileen Fisher knit skirt and Born boots. I'm wearing the necklace I bought at the Bucktown Art Fest.

I feel you, Nora Ephron.

Old favorites were in heavy rotation this week - fashion comfort food.

My J. Jill crochet skirt and denim jacket, with a purple tee underneath and Miz Mooz boots this time. Although I know they are remarkably similar in hue to the Born boots.

I've definitely put on a few pounds since last winter. The corduroy straightlegs which I am wearing today, which were dreamily comfortable last winter, now feel a little UNcomfortable at the waist, and nothing bugs me more than something pinching my middle. I might have gotten a little complacent about all the walking I do, and had a few too many pieces of cake over the summer. And too few salads. You can see why I am wearing the two skirts with the most forgiving waists in my closet.

I shared a piece of Cannoli cake with Blonde Girl yesterday for her birthday. So worth it, sweetie!


 

A World of Meh

So, I wore this to the all-staff meeting on Wednesday. Talbot's cardigan and ruffled sleeveless knit tee and velvet pants.

And that is the last you'll see of these black flats, which I loved so much for so many years. *sniff* I had to retire their cream boot cousins last year. They were like a teddy bear whose fuzz has worn off and who has only one eye.

Kenneth Cole Reaction back when that name meant something.

And then I wore this on Thursday (those are Me Too walking flats). Kohl's Apt. 9 dress via eBay, pink linen J. Jill jacket.

It was finally warm enough to try out these new sandals at work (not on the pavement) to see if they would be comfy.

 

Earthies Sienna!

They were very stable, and they look so cute on! I only wore them for a few hours yesterday, so I'm going to give them a callback audition on the next warm work day. I'm a little concerned that the pale, leather-covered heel will ding up pretty quickly. I didn't pay much for them (6PM, my friends, the show that never ends.)

You can tell that nothing thrilled me this week. Monday night I left my phone at work, and Tuesday it was dead when I got home and I didn't want to wait around in work duds while it recharged, so no pics either night. I can't remember what I wore AT ALL, except that I wore the Born boots both days. Ha!