Fresh to my eye - Most recent epiphany

Out of various sources of inspiration for creating my outfits, I've figured out that one category stands out - what's new to me. Angie uses the phrase "fresh to my eye" a lot in her posts and comments, and I figured out that's actually what describes what predominantly inspires me in terms of wearing my clothes in a new way or enjoying other people's outfits.

I see someone's outfit on the street, I see an interesting colours and/or textures combination somewhere, I see outfit on YLF - or I see some detail in my environment - and I get these new ideas to start creating something from what I already own. This means there are even more ways to wear my existing clothes, all of which could be used to start building the new outfits around.

Fresh to my eye - and also inspiring to create an actual wearable outfit - has nothing to do with whether certain thing is on trend or not. While trend is all about what looks fresh, FTME may include a trendy thing, but may equally have nothing to do with trends.

FTME may be the exact same thing I wore some time ago, but I may look at it differently after some time.

So, in addition to "hugging my wardrobe" (Michelle, I miss you) and "happiness factor", FTME becomes another interesting aspect which describes my relationship with my clothes. Also, I will aim for happy outfits in most cases and not necessarily FTME, but when an outfit I wear is also is FTME it will almost certainly make me super happy.

I hope my thoughts are not too convoluted, I've been pondering this for a while and feel it's time to let the thoughts out of my head to mature in an open space.

Thanks for reading.

10 years ago

HelenInCanada

Veteran

I like this. Sometimes a style doesn't speak to you at certain phases in your life - and then suddenly...ah! Now I see why white can be elegant (all about texture and cut) rather than deadly casual...or why a simple cashmere sweater can replace all the bells & whistles of stretch and shine when I'm in the mood for low-key quality. Just recently I walked into a Mexx store instead of yawning past it...and found incredible quality and great classics. One pencil skirt came home with me. It's funny, because I wouldn't typically even NOTICE the Mexx windows, but I was on the hunt for stripped down timelessness, and it fit the bill.

So yes, in my rambling way, I agree with your FTME sentiments, Ornella!

Anonymous

*applause* Love this! what a great way of thinking of outfits

Tanya

You put it so eloquentlly Ornella, and I totally agree. I will often be inspired by something to wear things I already own in ways to would have never occured to me on my own.

Joy

Well said, Ornella. This resonates with me, especially , "FTME may be the exact same thing that I wore some time ago, but I may look at it differently after some time."

Lisa

A great point here. I also think coming up with a new outfit combinations from pieces I already own keeps me from shopping because I am bored with my clothes. I am always searching for inspiration online for new outfit combinations.

Suz

(website)

Excellent observations, Ornella. I think this is why flared trousers can suddenly appeal again -- pairing them with something different than the first time round gives them a new happiness factor. I love Angie's ensemble suggestions for this reason. She often includes something trendy along with classic items and items we'd probably have in our closets from seasons past.

FTME was your mother's midi skirt on you!

Ornella

Thanks ladies. I am glad it makes sense to you.

Suz ::
You are spot on about the trousers - thanks to seeing them on Amy a few weeks ago I finally saw new potential in mine. This is not just about fresh way to wear what I already own, but it is actually useful - my choices are sometimes so limited that I have to find as many ways as possible to rotate something as I can't just walk into the shop and pick a new thing.

And yes, Angie's ensambles are a work of genius in this respect. Winter white anyone?? I am only waiting for dry enough day to try my take on that formula (I don't want to risk splatters from the bike wheels).

Sveta

Ornella, your musings are always a treasure!
I think this is mostly the reason which drives us to shop, no? For myself anyway I need that freshness factor to be happy in my outfits - that's why extremely minimal wardrobe would never work for me. However it is a brilliant point that FTME factor does not require to come from the store every time: we just have to get more creative to make fresh combinations from the existing stuff and Angie really shows au the way!
This season it is going to be skinnies and tall boots for me: I did not feel them much for the last year but going to refresh this look for this season - and not buying any new tall boots for this! (dressy black ones does not count, right?)

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