Chico's cardigan and top -- Eileen Fisher pencil skirt -- Aerosoles ruby red shoes
The engineer in me insisted on titling this post Problem Solved!
I know I should have come up with some kind of more soul-searching style statement. I tried. I read a lot of books and stuff. They were kind of new agey.
The rebel in me doesn’t want to be pinned down.
Anyway, style, as a quest, has reached a natural diminuendo.
Two Eileen Fisher pieces — a pencil skirt and ponte slacks — and a few Chico’s selections are working well as key pieces of a core wardrobe. It’s easy to see how to add jewel tone tops and shoes for color and jackets/cardigans for structure, enhancing the silhouette. The rest can come together in time, including perfection of the WendyB pose. (Ack! I forgot to place my free hand on my hip!)
TravelSmith jacket - Chico's top - Eileen Fisher ponte pants - Aerosoles shoes
Kristin of K-Line delicately suggested I might invest in higher quality undergarments. That sounded fascinating. The lovely ladies at Charmelle 28 were very happy to help me select some very, very pretty and sexy things. I feel prettier, and my tops miraculously fit better.
Thank you Kristin!
As for sewing, the floral print didn’t work at all for Vogue pattern V8634 not to mention that I’d chosen the wrong size!
Solids are more slimming.
Here’s a view of V8634 pin fitted, in my correct pattern size 16, with a 1 inch broad back adjustment (1/2 inch added to the back piece).
V8634 size 16 with broad back adjustment - much better!
Pin fitted V8634, up closer
Let me just say, before showing the finished blouse, that I understand better the idea of a jewel tone. This color works ok, but I think in general I will want more brilliant jewel tones. This one is a little light.
V8634 finished
V8634 finished - close up
But still, it’s an awfully cute top, and I feel empowered, having fitted it so nicely to my very unique shape.
This ends the style quest, at least as a focus. I might show you some cute sewing results here and there, but mainly, I want to get back to memoir and historical reflection.
See you next week.
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Never underestimate the value of a good foundation garment. Excellent advice from Kristin. People are often surprised to hear that a good brassiere can cost $80 – $120 but a lot of engineering expertise goes into hoisting ‘em up when you can no long defy gravity ;)
Love, Love, Love the Eileen Fisher. I may wind up with the same outfit when I get my tax return only with black boots and maybe a fuschia handbag
Thanks for the inspiration – in more ways than one.
Hi Patricia, I had no idea about the importance of a good brassiere as I was flat chested pre-menopause. Gravity was never an issue. Now that it is, I can appreciate the engineering you speak of. It’s miraculous!
I think the outfit would look great with black boots and a fuschia hand bag.
I’m not a boots girl myself. Too hot.
Susan, you look FABULOUS in your Chico’s and EF ensembles!! The jewel tones suit you too. I’ve also struggled with (and mostly given up) trying to define a style. That’s less important, IMO than wearing what makes you feel good. The right undergarments make a huge difference too. Brava!!!
Thank you Pseu. It feels great to have the core pieces, and I really appreciate your help in pulling it together.
Yes, I gave up defining style. Based on the ideas in Style Statement, I came up with the 80/20 words “Character Limerence” that best describe who I am, but you can’t put clothes on these words. Character has to do with integrity and citizenship, and limerence is the quality of passionate engagement. I’m always falling in love, with people, ideas, projects. It’s got nothing to do with appearance other than the minimum clothing needed to meet the requirements of the social contract. I want to be appropriate and communicate just enough fun and “looking well” vibes such that people know I’m a social animal, interested in connections with other people.
Besides that I don’t really have a statement to make.
Love and adore this. I have the *same* Eileen Fisher pencil skirt and pants–both in two lengths! Just went to their outlet store and got some unstructured jackets/cardigans and jewel-toned tops (at 50 percent off) as well. I wear boots with them in winter (love Kenneth Cole), pumps for work, and flat sandals in summer.
xox
Debbie, that’s so cool you have the same pieces! I’ve always admired your ability to put together essential pieces that look great on you and are easily coordinated to create multiple outfits.
I’m a sandals girl in all kinds of weather :-).
xoxo
“I’m a sandals girl in all kinds of weather :-).”
Spoken like a true California girl. You wouldn’t have been a sandals girl in New Jersey this winter, I can tell you!
Debbie, ha! I’m busted :-).
You get full points for the pose despite the lack of hand action. You’re just too cute; I have to give you a good grade!
Thank you for the good grade WendyB! Next time I’ll remember the hand on hip.
Getting a good grade from Wendy is GOOD! Susan – you look FANTASTIC in your new lingerie. And your new outfits. I can see what confidence your emerging sewing skills and new bras have given you and the result is terrific. Just want to clarify that I think you are lovely in all your iterations – new lingerie or no. It’s so easy to lose sight of undies that have lost their lift because we don’t see ourselves the way others do.
Kristin, happiness! Thank you again so much for the lingerie idea. I probably would not have thought of that on my own. Taking the photos has helped in terms of seeing myself as others do. The extra structure absolutely gives me confidence, and you’re right I like being able to fit a pattern to my shape. That top will be reappearing in other fabrics :-).
You look great Susan. And it sounds as if you’ve had a lot of fun. That’s so important. Congratulations!
Hi Kate, Thank you. Yes I did have fun. I didn’t expect to, but there’s something about making the effort to look well. It put a spring in my step.
You look so lovely in your outfits! And very happy–that really radiates through these photos.
Hannah, thank you, and yes, I do feel happy!
Those 1st two outfits look absolutely FABULOUS! Love the dark stockings. Visually they actually seem to improve the shapes of legs. Am a black tights lady myself. Your zippy shoes add a lot of style too.
Will have to look into the gravity-fighter undergarment situation. Maya Angelou and I share the same problem — she said her boobs were racing each other to see which reached her waist first.
Hi Pat, I am truly amazed at the impressive structure of my new brassieres and the way they change my shape. The place I loved to go in NYC when I lived in NY was Town Shop. They are experts at fitting. Good luck!
You look lovely! I’ve given up on defining my style as well, partly because nothing fits, and partly because I have very strong contrarian impulses. Style statement was interesting but no help in defining style.
I really like those colors and shapes on you. And I adore the Chico’s tee. I just tried those on. I generally love their tees, but that neckline on me is too narrow. I think I need a wider scoop. But on you it is gorgeous.
Thank you Mardel. I do love that Chico’s T precisely because of the neckline. That’s interesting you need a wider scoop. I never occurred to me that scoop height and width can make such a huge difference.