As I continue to hone my personal style idiom, I find myself spending less and bypassing more. Increasingly, I am impressed with the value of expressing the true self, rather than a generic robo-Barbie.
Yesterday, one of the daughters and I went out together on several errands, including thrifting and the mall. Pictured, but somehow upside-down, my purchases:
- Christopher & Banks short-sleeve jacket in coral, brand-new with tags still attached. It fits beautifully, but I am still considering putting it on eBay.
- London Times capsleeve dress in brown. This will assume the position of casual dress in my fall wardrobe.
- WR9000 silk and cashmere v-neck sweater in navy with gold sequin horizontal stripes. I laugh cuz I got it for 54 cents!
Well, there you have it: what my $2.69 bought. And I have no idea why the picture refused to upload right side up. If it bothers you, blame the people who perpetually howl for pics. I can remove it. I think. 😉
Anyway …
While I was out and about, dressed as myself not robo-Barbie, I also received a number of compliments, not the least of which was the fact that, wherever I went, people were willing to engage with me. More on that to come!
Love the fun/luxe sweater. As much as I thrift, I’ve never gotten an actual garment for under a dollar. 🙂 I”m interested in hearing you explore the topic of people engaging with you. I am doing the same kind of thing. I’m friendly and often chat up other folks a bit but I have been paying closer attention to when people initiate greeting me with a big, pleased smile. I quickly think, What are they responding to? Mostly I think it’s been accessories. Though perhaps followed closely by garments that define the waist, shapely.
Not sure how you’re defining robo-Barbie but one of my main purposes in watching trends is to shun what all the bloggers are or have been wearing – no belted over cardigans for me.
I tend to have a fair number of leopard items that I sprinkle in. My husband calls it living in Bundyville amongst my people. Every time I get those big, pleased reactions from people I happen to have been sporting a leopard accessory.
I was at a church flea market in my urban neighborhood and there was a gracious older couple who had items unusual for the neighborhood. Spotted a couple of very expensive woolen sweaters. I have a weakness for fervently desiring any sweater described as warmest in the world and authentic. 😀 But have learned to steer clear because I feel like the overbundled South Park kids in one. So I saw their light brown unimaginably thick Peruvian looking pullover featuring twin llamas in a mid brown. Would look good with my coloring and only two dollars asking price before bargaining. Stopped self and asked how I could possibly wear that – people who had similar sweaters would assume that I am an NPR subscriber, Sierra Club, Save the Whales, maybe Peta and Greenpeace. Belong to food co-op. Eat whole grains. On and on, everything that I am not and don’t do. Those folks ain’t wearing leopard.
Your observations about when people respond to you are very interesting; especially in light of the fact that I have really taken up the challenge of becoming more comfortable expressing myself with accessories. I had two completely different thoughts about it: one, bright warm colors and, two, congruence with one’s natural personality. Because you and I are naturally chatty, we prob’ly can’t test that one. 😉
My iridescent coral leather moto is “leopard” to me; that is, guaranteed to bring a cheerful engagement. 🙂
Today should be interesting. We are going out again and this time I am dressed very similarly but in cooler colors: bright blue and bright purple. Will let you know if response seems different!
What do you think of this throwback idea: son takes a lot of cabs to and from school/work (he has health problems and city is dangerous to the utmost. It’s not a brand name cab service but they’ve pretty much driven everyone else out. Lots of the drivers can be surly. He had me look out for his cab arriving while he grabbed something. The cabs often stop several doors down (might be drug houses that get a lot of cab service). I stepped out and beckoned to driver. He sees me and beams all over with a sappy grin. He is very pleased to pull up and wait for son. I immediately wonder to myself what I am wearing! I look down and it is a buttoned thin cardigan that is cream with big enough roses. Think to self must wear this more often.
So… traditional feminine sweater, traditional (as it were) leopard items, traditional hourglassy outerwear jacket, etc. Perhaps people are grateful for such easy signals and to know where they stand? That is, can appreciate how I look or compliment me and they feel sure I won’t hiss at them and glare or give them a lecture – because my clothing selection precluded that?
And a flowery sweater is very soft looking and in cheerful colors. There may be something to that. What troubles me is the idea of if I were to wear that myself: I think I would look so frumpy that the cab driver wouldn’t even see me.
Your description of the sweater sort of reminds me of the adult version of those darling little girl rompers that are white with rosebud print. Not long ago, I was in a group that included a baby dressed in one of those. A couple of us ladies were so taken with the look that we wished we could duplicate it for our selves. Quite charming!
I did find that in the bright blue I had to initiate but then I was as warmly received as in the warmer colors. Not definitive though.
But, yes, if you boil it down to sending a simple message that people can read (with your clothing), I agree. 🙂