develop my own style

As many women have discovered accessories are the key to creating a unique style. In my case I have two bracelets I like to wear, and some fun earrings for the holidays. Shoes have become more of a statement because I have a pair of pink and black Vans, and a pair of purple sneakers I wear when I am feeling colorful. That is a huge step towards breaking away from my traditional white sneakers.

Scarves, hats, and miscellaneous items come into play. I am still very conservative in how I dress, and that is fine. The important part is that I am trying new things, and I am enjoying wearing colors.

The most interesting part of this is what other people compliment me on wearing. It surprises me.

Tonight was a work party and I wore black cords, black low heeled shoes, a black lace top, and my black sequined hat. I got a lot of compliments on my hat and my spider earrings. :) As I was walking to the party I started to put my hat on and I had a momentary concern because some high level managers would be there. And I dismissed the thought because I wanted to wear my hat so why should I care what they would think of it. And I love the spider earrings because they are so different.

I give myself a big pat on the back for dressing how I wanted and feeling fine with it. (OK reading this last line it is really is silly that as an adult I would be worried about what people might think of my clothes.) My style is still conservative though I can see that hats are going to come into play more.

I did pick up a fake lei and wear it around work earlier this week. No one said anything, but the cashier at McD’s did look at me a little oddly. I was just having fun and the fact that no one said anything was interesting. Time to shake things up in my life!

When I started this goal, I just wanted to try something different. I bought my pink and black Vans and felt like everyone would notice my shoes. It’s so funny to write that now because a few people noticed my shoes, and those who did liked my shoes. :) Then I bought red tennis shoes, and purple, and a black and white checked pair that I like.

Then came wearing hats. At first the same thing happened. People liked my hat and complimented me on it! So I have branched out and worn a few hats to work. It’s fun. And now I notice people wearing hats, and colorful shoes, when I am out in public.

Part of this goal was to dress nicer at work. I have worn heels and nice tops several times, and it works. I like my new look, and so do others.

This goal is FUN! I like playing with accessories. I like mixing things up, and keeping people guessing. And while I still dress fairly conservatively, I know I can branch out and feel confident.

Today I wore black pants, black dress shoes, a brown and black print blouse with rhinestones, and my new black hat (with mini sequins) to work. This is VERY different than how I usually dress,, and I liked it. I was comfortable with my new look. I felt in control and I felt stylish. One person complimented my hat. Someone else made a snide comment and then said he liked the hat. I told him (truthfully) that I didn’t care if he liked it or not. He said that he did like it. (Why can’t people just say what they mean? I get so tired of these little games.)

I can mark off “wear heels once a week” from my list of goals and give myself a point for developing my own style.

This is FUN!

“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.”

- Gore Vidal

This was on 43Things. How appropriate. :)

Part of developing my own style is trying new ways to dress. Yesterday I went to my brother’s house, and his wife, who teaches elementary school (and always has fun, creative and interesting clothes) had on a hat that I LOVED. It was a black fedora with sequins. I wanted one after trying on hers. So we went shopping.

Since all the hats were on sale, I spent about $50 and came home with 6 hats! I have a “Paddington Bear” hat, a “Miss Marple” hat, two fedoras (one of which I wore as we shopped for other clothes), and two caps. These should provide enough variety to wear with most of my clothes, and also get people used to seeing me in hats.

I also found some other clothes that I needed – sweaters and jeans. I ordered several items online and will go chopping today or tomorrow for some other items.

Oh, and I typically HATE to shop for clothes.

It was perfect because it fit with the theme of my work. I was shopping with my friend and I saw this blouse hanging on an end rack. It was a large, and I typically wear medium, but it was so perfect I just bought it without even trying it on. I tried it on at home – a perfect fit and it looks good on me.

It is a white blouse with large black prints all over it… fingerprints! Too perfect for work since I work with the Security department.

I realize that there are t.v. shows where the actress dresses in a style that I like – so why not copy the aspects of their clothes that suit me? One show features a lot of red and purple tops, so I am on the hunt for something similar to wear. Another show I have been watching has people dressing in a more formal style, which is good for work. This has me looking up fashion on the internet and learning about classic styles, and how to accessorize.

I guess I could sit in a mall and people watch too. That may be a goal for January, go out in public and see what I like that people are wearing. That could be fun.

Among the list of goals that I have temporarily “parked”, I had written that I wanted to wear a skirt to work once a week. My reasoning was I should dress nicely/professionally at work and be comfortable doing so. e.g. dress nice once a week and get comfortable with it.

My company does not have a dress code. Because I often walk around a lot, and the site is rather large (think college campus), it is far more comfortable to wear sneakers than heels. And I admit it is much easier to grab a pair of jeans, a top, and tennis shoes and dash out the door than to think about what I want to wear.

I need to buy some more clothes. Right now I am kind of between sizes because I gained some weight. I would prefer to purchase clothes when I am at my “normal” weight. In the meantime I should wear the clothes I have. So, I have a few skirts that just fit. If I change my goal to wear heels, then I can wear nice slacks and heels, or a skirt and heels. I am going to start small and just wear heels. I can toss them in the scooter’s top box and change when I get to work, or I can leave a pair of heels in my office and change when I get to work.

I am not going to put an end date on this. This goal starts today!!

I wore heels on:

12.19.11
1.3.12

I love red, and it is one color that I look good wearing. To simplify my shopping, I have decided to try and purchase clothes in red, pink or purple. (I love yellow too but there is NO WAY I can wear yellow.)

OK, so I realize that it’s nearly winter and everyone seems to wear black this time of year. When I wear black, I look dead. Seriously, it is not a color that makes me look anything but unhealthy. Part of my style is going to be wearing bright colors.

And I need to learn how to accessorize. Perhaps a red scarf with an outfit to provide some color. And someday I may buy dress shoes in a color besides black or brown… )