Una, can you please post a link to that Aida's "infamous list" for the newbies here?
Thank you again for raising this topic and thanks to all for the rich replies.
I really like what you said here, Una: "I want my closet to be only full of clothes I can't wait to wear again."
This sounds perfect to me. So it's a process of purging and weeding and then very careful purchasing. But it also makes sense that at first, for some of us, mistakes might be necessary. Especially if, in the past, we've tended to be A). very timid and conservative in our choices, or B). afflicted with fashion ADD and so scattered in our approach that we can't find any common threads in our closet (dumb pun, I know...)—it is bound to take a while for that to settle and for us to find our best direction.
Vix, I hopped over to your blog. What beautiful, beautiful images and what beautiful, beautiful clothing! Unique, individual, perfect. And, I am sure, treasured. I like your approach of working with local designers. I don't know if I could find such people in my very small city, but looking at the results, for you, I think it would be SO worth it. And so much fun! A true collaboration, to find the right fabrics and modify the styles. Of course, that presumes a knowledge (which you already have) of proportion and what works on your particular body. I think I have SOME intuitive grasp of this, since I see that I have unconsciously been following the guidelines for what my body shape used to be, at any rate—although now that it has changed somewhat, I need to modify a bit.
Anyway, what awes me and what I admire in you is your discernment.
Michelle, I absolutely love your emphasis on how an item of clothing FEELS. I think we could all stand to hone in on that sense (which in you is probably very highly developed) and even, perhaps, close our eyes (to the mirror) and our ears (to the sales associate or our friend) just for a minute or two as we try things on and ask ourselves how they FEEL. Because the clothes we will love, the ones we will reach for again and again, are the ones the FEEL right, or that we can alter to feel right. Of course it's a little bit harder to judge the latter until you've had some experience with alterations.
Greenglove - oh, I was SO encouraged by your idea to stock up on items in a season when you know there are many cuts that work for you. I love this idea. And again, you used the word "picky" but I am struck by your discernment.
It is all a process of training and refining this discernment by recognizing what works and what does not.
Thank you all!
