I've been focusing more on what goes into and how much I move my body this month. I'm hopeful that this strategy will shave off some pounds and tighten some jiggly places. Until then, I've been feeling my work attire has gotten a bit slovenly and thrown together. Jan at The Great Escape has been mixing and matching and putting together some smart ensembles with the things in her existing closet. I'm inspired to do the same this week, though may need to get out of my comfort zone and use the accessories I have in abundance, but rarely wear because I haven't felt I could pull them off. Scarfs and chunky or bold jewelry make other folks wardrobes new and invigorated, so why not mine? My challenge by Sunday night is to have five work days of outfits ready and hanging, ready to slip on, complete with accessories, as quickly as I throw on my standbys. I fear some clothing repair is in order-hems that need fixing, a few buttons missing, but I can handle simple tasks, I'll post my attempts Sunday night.
I love the web site 40 Plus Style. Sylvia and her friends are masterful at giving credit to women with an eye for style, and capture real ladies in real life situations-not models on runways or carefully crafted photo ops. I love her intro "We help women find and ignite their style after 40." While the web cache is How to dress after 40, the answer is, and I paraphrase, however you want to, to feel good about yourself. If you love print, they have a showcase on prints to see. If Prints are too much, and you like black and white tones, she has a feature there.
In my head at least, I've thought of my style as a bit Audrey Hepburn, but with a body shape more like Marilyn Monroe, I never feel I can pull off the pixie look of the slim dresses. I have an affinity for both these beautiful, iconic women, and their simple elegant style, but for Marilyn, embracing her curves. I am actually excited to do some shopping in my own closet this weekend to see if my inner Audrey and Marilyn might manifest. But first, the laundry awaits.
I look forward to seeing what outfits you put together! When I retired from teaching I donated about half of my clothes and then when I needed to go to a funeral I had nothing suitable to wear! Since then I've often thought about making a list of needed outfits/types of clothing and doing a massive reorganization and toss. I'll get to it one of these days :)
ReplyDeleteI do too. I lost a battle this weekend with my head, so will be slowly working on an overhaul this week.
DeleteI've been stepping out of my comfort zone too. I just felt like a frump and I wanted some color. I don't care that I'm fat and out of shape, I want to feel better about me. I'm not bragging but I have gotten quite a few compliments about some of the things that I have done. I'm even wearing tighter clothes to show off my shape. Something must be in the air!
ReplyDeleteI have a whole lot of shape these days, but no need for me to be slovenly.Unfortunately some things have gotten tight, and not in a good way, but my closet still holds things form many many pounds ago. Unless it truly is a timeless piece, I am going to pitch. I bet you look more fab than you let on, more often than you think!
DeleteI am on a shopping fast and am determined to buy nothing new to wear until at least summer. Like you I am doing a complete inventory of what I have available and seem to have enough to wear for any occasion, but it is requiring a bit of refashioning and accessorizing for a little "facelift"
ReplyDeleteI'd like to actually know what I have. I know I have more black t-shirts than anyone needs, and probably will uncover some almost new shoes I tucked away. Yes, nothing new for the immediate future.
DeleteSounds like great fun - to shop your own closet! And I think embracing whoever we are is always the best, the most brilliant idea there is, whether we're talking clothes or more "serious" stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't been too daring yet, but a pair of shoes I haven't worn for a while came out today. They seemed new almost!
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