https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:12:49 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1016360 Thu, 29 Aug 2013 00:41:49 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1016360@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is all very interesting to me, especially relating it to my sewing. I will have to look into the book. (Amiable, I'm with you--I'll see if it's at the library!)<br />I enjoyed perusing your blog posts, Alexandra. Thanks for starting this conversation. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1016335 Thu, 29 Aug 2013 00:12:39 +0000 Suz 1016335@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Alexandra - I will try emailing her. I read your newest updates and found them very interesting. You're good at analyzing yourself. I know it is difficult, but I think you are quite dispassionate and accurate in your self-assessments.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1016223 Wed, 28 Aug 2013 21:57:21 +0000 Alexandra 1016223@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ModeGekkie, I've been following my instincts (and interests and occasionally other people's projects) until now. I wanted to do the exercises in the book in a more structured manner than bedtime reading allows, in order to approach it from the analytical side. </p> <p>Here are all the posts about the exercises: <a href="http://www.studio-alexandra.com/tag/triumph/" rel="nofollow">http://www.studio-alexandra.com/tag/triumph/</a> <br />Some of my findings are things I already knew. Some were new in the sense that they shed light on my existing preferences. And some were a bit surprising. When I wrote today's post about texture, I ended up with more questions than answers so there will be things I'll have to test out. </p> <p>I've been reading about everyone starting to plan, sew, and shop for fall. I've held my own plans back because I wanted to finish the book. That way I could include the new information in my planning. It's been a fun project and I learned a lot from it. Now, I'll start to translate it into a cohesive wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1012304 Fri, 23 Aug 2013 15:33:58 +0000 Anonymous 1012304@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't browsed through the book in a while, but I remember verifying my contrast level (medium) and texture (fine). I'm an hourglass, too; definitely not a figure 8, as my shoulders are not sloped. Style advise is same as what my mother taught me, so nothing new there. Still, it's great to have all that information in a reference book. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1012270 Fri, 23 Aug 2013 15:10:01 +0000 ModeGekkie 1012270@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hallo Alexandra,<br />I have the book several years already. And I love it. Her approach is as you say non-judgmental. I think that this book is a <b>style bible</b>.<br />However I still find very dificult to analyse, mostly myself. And I have been to several color analyst and I really don't know. I have been to somebody which is trained by Carla herself and I do not agree completely with her.<br />So, my take on this is to follow your guts. I allways hated orange, and then I got analysed as a Cool Winter, then as a Soft Autumn, then as a Cool Summer. I just buy now cool shades I like.<br />Then is the theory of Carla which is I think the best style theory I have ever read. But in practice, I find it nearly imposible to find something which has the perfect combo of color, print, fabric, style, line, silhouette and all of this (as I already read from somebody in this conversation ).<br />It is still fun of becoming aware of it, and if you like just playing with clothes, just do it. That is what I do now after having an epiphany moment after my help-seeking conversation in YLF. I said, what the heck...I am going to have fun and wearing what I feel comfortabel in. I do not take it so seriously anymore, and I do not follow the rules so strictly. And you know, when you do this, it works.<br />What are you an analyser or a "follow-my-instinct" kind of gal???</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1012123 Fri, 23 Aug 2013 12:43:15 +0000 Alexandra 1012123@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Too funny, Vildy. The don't have any advice for that that I could see. What I do is hold my head up high, stretching my neck so the extra chin isn't as visible. It also helps to keep your back nice and straight and let people admire your beautiful posture. They'll never notice the chin :-)</p> <p>Suz, thank you very much for the explanation. Have you tried emailing them to see if they would ship the book to Canada? I had to email them about a webinar and found them very responsive. (Incidentally, I cannot recommend the webinar as I found it rather boring and long-winded.)</p> <p>I've worked through two more chapters.<br />Chapter 5 is all about scale <a href="http://www.studio-alexandra.com/2013/08/the-triumph-of-individual-style-part-6/" rel="nofollow">http://www.studio-alexandra.co.....le-part-6/</a> - that was a fun, if time-consuming, exercise. My scale turns out to be small to medium. It is interesting to see which details in clothing relate to which parts of the body (scale-wise).<br />Chapter 6 is about color <a href="http://www.studio-alexandra.com/2013/08/the-triumph-of-individual-style-part-7/" rel="nofollow">http://www.studio-alexandra.co.....le-part-7/</a> - lots of information that sheds light on how to combine colors, contrast, intensity, etc. It also has an excellent color chart. My favorite part (after that color chart) is the section on color harmony. I need to do some more work with that but just reading that section made my head spin with possibilities.</p> <p>I have one more chapter to go (texture), and then I'll have to figure out how to put it all together. Fun! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1009902 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 23:31:31 +0000 Vildy 1009902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to have the book, after waiting a long time for a price drop on a used copy. But passed it on.&nbsp; Thanks to Mani's tip, I got a reasonably priced copy of the previous version and have been reading through that. I don't think they cover what to do about a 2d balance point length plus <i>shape</i> if you have the beginning of jowls. </p> <p>I've been finding the proportional concepts according to the Golden Mean and variations thereof are leaving me cold.&nbsp; Am starting to feel like a real Philistine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1009900 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 23:30:45 +0000 Suz 1009900@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Alexandra, I think if you just paste and copy the links and then insert them with the little link sign at top right, in the tool bar, they should work. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.studio-alexandra.com/2013/08/the-triumph-of-individual-style-part-5/#.UhP75xZh74g">Like so.&nbsp;</a>&nbsp; You need to make sure there is only one http://</p> <p>It's &nbsp;a fascinating exercise. I tried to order the book from the author's website&nbsp;but it would not allow me to because my postal code did not compute. (I'm in Canada). Alas. I would like to try this, too.&nbsp;</p> <p>I completely agree with your assessment that your actual face is far more interesting than your spliced symmetrical faces! That was an incredibly instructive exercise. Thank you for taking the time to be so thorough.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1009878 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 22:43:42 +0000 Alexandra 1009878@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OK, we're back from vacation and I'm continuing the Triumph project. Yesterday, I found my balance points - where necklines, collars, and jewelry should fall. That was a fun exercise. I am going to put these findings to use in an upcoming sewing project.</p> <p>Then today I found out that I have a symmetrical body (ok, I knew that part) and an asymmetrical face. That means I should wear asymmetrical details in clothing for harmony. I also have a wavy whole body side view contour, which is best highlighted with diagonal construction lines and details.</p> <p>The related blog posts with pictures are on my blog but I don't know how to link to them so the links actually work. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1005684 Wed, 14 Aug 2013 15:05:16 +0000 Alexandra 1005684@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ladies, my apologies, we're on vacation this week and internet time is very sporadic. I'm not ignoring your replies, though.</p> <p>Ginkgo, thank you for the colourmuse blog - I hadn't seen it before but it's in my bookmarks now.</p> <p>Amiable, thank you for the betweenmypeers blog - I've bookmarked it too. I really like Imogen's insideoutstyleblog but since her website redesign I have found it more difficult to navigate so I visit less often.</p> <p>Manidipa, lucky you!</p> <p>Rachylou, if you're willing to read the book in electronic format, you can get it directly from Carla Mathis for around $30 (I put the link on my blog int he first ToIS post, I believe). </p> <p>Beth Ann, yes, draping helps, at least in terms of visualizing what it<br /> will do on the body. I live far away from really good fabric stores so<br /> online fabric shopping is just part of my sewing reality. Even with<br /> swatches, the fabrics sometimes surprise me, usually in a good way. </p> <p>Steph,<br /> thank you for chiming in here. Like you, I don't see ToIS as a program -<br /> it doesn't really prescribe specific actions. There are plenty of<br /> suggestions to either emphasize or de-emphasize the visual effect of the<br /> various parts of the body, but the authors leave the decisions up to<br /> each individual.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1003659 Sun, 11 Aug 2013 17:01:29 +0000 mrseccentric 1003659@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yaya! i first ran across TIOS around 25 years ago, the info has helped me immensely ever since. Like Saashka, i sew and recognize her concerns about choosing the right fabric, pattern, etc. However, i have such trouble finding anything remotely appropriate in RTW that sewing makes much much sense in terms of time, money, aggravation.....plus with sewing you accumulate experience with each project, thereby increasing your chances of success ;)</p> <p>Vildy, hello gorgeous!!! and great video, you always find these gems :)</p> <p>Lucky Mandipa :)</p> <p>Hi Amiable!&nbsp; i think you present a good summary of the book's philosophy and usefulness, ***except*** in practice, one doesn't have to (and, in my experience, cannot) emphasize every single element found in the body. TIOS gives readers the info they need in order to bring out whatever features they desire. Even if those features aren't address in typical 'figure flattery' resources. I do agree that sites like this forum are just beyond the beyond in terms of honing style and wardrobe, nothing beats a community and this community cannot be beat!&nbsp; :)&nbsp; and i believe in taking what you find valuable from whatever resource you run across, lord knows i've been avidly searching out style resources for decades now.</p> <p>I think this goes to Beth Ann's point about following any program to the letter. Altho, TIOS is not a 'program', it's basically a complete college undergrad course in Art Practice (and some History too) as applied to the human form.&nbsp; I know because i completed all the coursework for a Art Practice degree in the early 1980's (no degree - health) It set me back two years full time and $2,000; so the price of the book is not outlandish in terms of the info. In terms of my budget, different story :)</p> <p>Hi caro, i think you're approach reflects my use of the TIOS concepts - in day to day life, most successful outifts (and personal styles) tend to highlight couple of aspects (color, shape, accessories, details, etc.) and keep the others toned down. Thus, most colorblocked outfits keep it all about the color, you don't see a lot of pintucks, draping, dangly jewelry, strange clashing textures, etc.</p> <p>Alexandra, i am so excited to see your TIOS blog project! Very interesting and i think it will serve as an excellent introduction to the valuable info. in Triumph of Individual Style. Happy Weekend Everybody!&nbsp; steph </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1003635 Sun, 11 Aug 2013 15:22:14 +0000 Beth Ann 1003635@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm an analyzer, but I'm also a rebel who believes that people learn better when they're assisted in a more organic sort of self-discovery than these programs (good though they may be) allow, at least when people follow them to the letter.</p> <p>I'd encourage you to read and enjoy and explore, but I suspect from viewing your wonderful blog that you already have a lot of knowledge and intrinsic understanding that you rely on to move you forward in your style journey.&nbsp; </p> <p>I think there is often great wisdom in draping fabrics on a dressform or the body to see how the fabric drapes or the print affects the proportions of the body.&nbsp; I've learned, for example, that many smaller scale prints don't work well on my larger than average frame, and now I can sense whether the scale of a print works very quickly by holding up to my body.&nbsp; Strangely enough, I find that&nbsp; I can't make hard and fast rules about this though --- I just try the pattern if I like it.&nbsp; This, of course, means that I don't order fabrics.&nbsp; I don't know how you could ever pick a fabric without holding at least a yard of it in your hands!&nbsp; Limiting, I know.</p> <p>I think trying on lots of ready-to-wear and perhaps snapping pics in the dressing room might be worth doing, when and if you have the time.&nbsp; I'm interested in a couple of Eileen Fisher pieces, well out of my budget, and perhaps too "drapey" for me.&nbsp; I intend to do some trying on and then try to sew these pieces.&nbsp; You know I'll be feeling-up all the textiles! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1003456 Sun, 11 Aug 2013 05:16:34 +0000 Ginkgo 1003456@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Alexandra, have you read the colourmuse blog? Lisa Pippus studied with Carla Mathis and the main thrust of her blog is learning to identify the colors, patterns, and proportions that complement you, that are inherent to your looks. I find her blog invaluable for keeping me focused on learning to identify what suits me and not just buying whatever is in the stores. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1003318 Sun, 11 Aug 2013 00:24:07 +0000 Caro in Oz 1003318@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I loved the book but haven't read it for years. She led me to the conclusion that shape is more important than colour (for my body). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1003025 Sat, 10 Aug 2013 16:17:51 +0000 Ginkgo 1003025@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>After having read through the first chapter on lines, I'm classified as skeletal on the upper body and tend towards moulded on the lower body (at least the hips). &nbsp;My body shape is also hourglass although I've lost some waist definition as I've gotten older. &nbsp;Even though I'm tall at 5'9" my legs aren't long, unlike my neck and torso.</p> <p>My facial lines are a combination of diagonal and straight, medium/smallish spacing, with medium strong contrast.</p> <p>So far this analysis explains why when I've tied on waterfall cardigans or Eileen Fisher drapey tops that they've looked horrid on me; &nbsp;my bony shoulders poke through the knit, the drapiness emphasizes my longer torso, and then the loose material hangs around my waist and hips and thickens the look of my lower body and shortens my legs.</p> <p>I've also read Bridgette Rae's book, Style Rx, and have learned from her on selecting appropriate patterns and colors that work with my features. &nbsp;</p> <p>Now back to reading more of Triumph of Individual Style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1002742 Sat, 10 Aug 2013 02:13:01 +0000 Lisa 1002742@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have not read the book, but great discussion here, thanks for starting the thread. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1002641 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 23:56:27 +0000 ManidipaM 1002641@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love Carla Mathis, though I haven't met her in a while! Because she actually gave this late bloomer her first ideas about finding personal style and body acceptance just around that crucial time when I was leaving high school.</p> <p>Those who can't find or afford Individual Style, look for her earlier title Timeless Beauty, which covers a lot of the same ground, including many of the same illustrations from what I can make out (having not read the later book). It's from the mid-90s though, so you will need to make allowances for the clothing examples. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1002614 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 23:12:21 +0000 amiable 1002614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachy - that's why the library exists. &nbsp;:) &nbsp;It's $65 ish on amazon right now. &nbsp;Yikes.</p> <p>Alexandra - one thing that I learned from the book and this site combined is that the book gives you great ideas for showing off your shape. However, a lot of fashion and style is about giving you the option to visually change your shape. &nbsp;You can use the info in that book to great effect to harmonize your clothes with your shape, and it's really terrific. &nbsp;</p> <p>But if you're like me, there's a few areas on you that you'd rather look a slightly different shape (I have a thick tummy, for example). &nbsp;Sites like this one and a handful of others can help determine your figure flattery goals and how to meet them. &nbsp;The Triumph of Individual Style is NOT about figure flattery - it's about harmonizing (and emphasizing) what you already have.</p> <p>Does that make any sense?</p> <p>Other sites that include discussions of this book in the archives include betweenmypeers.com and insideoutstyleblog.com. &nbsp;I find both of those sites helpful also.</p> <p>Now on to your question about surprises. &nbsp;I was surprised to find that I'm vertically very proportional - just tall-ish. &nbsp;And I wasn't an experienced enough observer yet to figure out lots of them. &nbsp;I should check it out again. &nbsp;(And bummer, it looks like my local library got rid of it!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1002591 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 22:32:25 +0000 rachylou 1002591@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, now that's very interesting. Examples from fine art. I could get into that. I certainly learned a lot reading in art, art history and greeks philosophy.</p> <p>The book isn't really $200+ is it? That's a price I saw online... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1002559 Fri, 09 Aug 2013 21:32:08 +0000 Alexandra 1002559@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not sure if I'm supposed to continue here or start another topic, but here are my findings so far:</p> <p>The features of my face are predominantly curved and horizontal (with<br /> diagonal as runner-up), small to medium in scale, with well-defined<br /> edges, and a moderate amount of space around them. If I choose to wear<br /> prints, these descriptors should apply to them as well.</p> <p>My body is mostly skeletal above the waist and moulded (fleshy) below the waist. That means I'll need mostly straight lines in upper body clothes and curved lines in lower body clothes. My best fabrics are medium-taut to medium-drape.</p> <p>My body shape is the hourglass, so my best clothes will emphasize the waist, accommodate my very straight shoulders, and flare over the hips.</p> <p>My proportions are short head, slightly long torso, very short rise, very long legs. My overall ratio of above waist to below waist is very near the Golden Mean ratio stand-in of 3:5. I can wear long sleeves to visually balance the long legs, which will have the added advantage of keeping my arms warm.</p> <p>This is quite fun so far, and some of the findings don't match my assumptions. I like the analytical approach because I don't care for assumptions very much, evidence is always better.</p> <p>Those of you who are also reading the book (Ginkgo and amiable?), what have you found? Did your findings align with what you thought? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1001834 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 21:46:46 +0000 amiable 1001834@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also visited your blog and love it! &nbsp;(I'm also a spare-time sewist, but spare time is pretty limited at the moment).</p> <p>I've read that book, and done most of the exercises, and found them really helpful. &nbsp;I'm about at a time where it would be useful to read it again. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1001810 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 21:09:07 +0000 Alexandra 1001810@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ladies, thank you very much for all your comments. I don't know what I did wrong there in that first post, but my blog links don't seem to be working. At least the book link is.</p> <p>@rute, thank you for the compliment! I wasn't fishing, but will gladly accept compliments any time :-)</p> <p>@Vildy, that is a neat video - thank you for the link. She does a great job of explaining the buoyant playful energy of spring, the graceful floatiness of summer, the purposeful practicality of autumn, and the majestic stillness of winter.</p> <p>@rachylou, the book is organized into chapters by concepts, which are then illustrated on examples from art (paintings, sculptures, etc). It's very nonjudgemental, the message is that all women are beautiful and everyone's beauty is specific to her. Your work through each concept/element, learning first on the art examples, then apply it to yourself (I found photos are better than the mirror), and then read how to use the information you just learned, developing an understanding of what works, what doesn't, and why. At least that's the idea.</p> <p>@Ginkgo, please share your journey, let's compare our notes. Have you figured out your lines yet? I decided to blog about the process because otherwise it was just a lot of thoughts in my head and nothing concrete. When I write about it, the point is to document my observations and conclusions so that hopefully, at the end of the book, I can come up with a fall mini-wardrobe that will be totally perfect.</p> <p>@christieanne, thank you! making clothes is fun, wearing them is even more so, but the downside is you have to trust that the project will be total perfection - no returns, no putting the fabric pieces back together.</p> <p>@Gaylene, thank you for the trying on and sketching idea. Sketch pad added to the wishlist. The trying on may have to wait until we travel stateside again. We're stationed in Germany and the shopping culture is very different here.</p> <p>@Ruth, did you find the suggestions for short waist/long rise helpful? Do you use them? Or was that part of what your mom had taught you? That must have been awesome, to have a seamstress mom.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1001689 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 18:07:20 +0000 Anonymous 1001689@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have that book. The part that helped me the most&nbsp;was the page about body proportion. That's when I confirmed that I'm short waisted but have a long rise.</p> <p>As for color, it helped me learn about softened colors--those that are softened by gray (summer) vs. those that are "toasted" (autumn).</p> <p>I didn't think the color charts were helpful at all.</p> <p>The wardrobe advice was stuff I already learned from my mother, who was a seamstress. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1001682 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 18:02:00 +0000 Gaylene 1001682@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Vildy, that video is great. She totally nailed my style in just a couple of minutes as well. She made me realize why Liberty prints, pastels, an armful of bangles, and kitten heels just look ridiculous on me. </p> <p>I also know what you mean, Alexandra, about how difficult it can be to pick the right colour, fabric, and shape when you sew your own clothes. It's disheartening to spend time and money on something, just to realize that the garment may fit your body perfectly but is at odds with your personal style. One of the tricks that I used was to try on lots of items in the shops. Once I found something I liked, I made notes about the fabric, colour, drape, proportion, and design--even to the point of sketching things like pocket placements and stitching lines--to help me narrow down what would work for my personal style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1001654 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 17:42:19 +0000 christieanne 1001654@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome! I have not read the book but will watch for updates as you go through this style evolution. Very impressed that you can make your own clothes - doing one's own tailoring would be so handy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1001648 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 17:39:07 +0000 Ginkgo 1001648@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just received my copy a couple of days ago and have only read the first few pages. &nbsp;I've been trying to define better what styles and silhouettes&nbsp;work for me and hope these exercises clarify things for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1001621 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 17:23:46 +0000 rachylou 1001621@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have never heard of this book or process, but it sounds very interesting... what does it say about style elements? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1001539 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 15:02:43 +0000 Vildy 1001539@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had the book and pored over it but am not good at figuring out even basic things like hair, eye and skin color. Did, however, get a kick out of this Carla Mathis video in which she nailed my style (personality), talking about voice and walk.<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL64ilbMWwY" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL64ilbMWwY</a></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1001533 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 14:39:06 +0000 rute 1001533@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Never read that book, but I just want to say that I went to your blog and love your style! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style#post-1001529 Thu, 08 Aug 2013 14:31:43 +0000 Alexandra 1001529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hello all, newbie here, so please bear with me. <br />I sew my own clothes (time permitting; busy years see a lot of RTW) and once the fabric is cut and sewn, there are no returns. So it is very important to figure out what works before starting the project.</p> <p>I am working through a book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1563672693/" rel="nofollow">The Triumph of Individual Style</a>, which is essentially a workbook to explore style elements (shape, line, proportion, etc) and then apply them in real life. I am documenting the process on my blog (<a rel="nofollow">part 1</a>, <a rel="nofollow">part 2</a> so far). I have recently been analyzed as a Bright Winter and thought this was a good time to see what other gifts Mother Nature provided, especially as I'm gearing up for fall sewing and don't want to end up with garments that are less than great.</p> <p>Has anyone else read this book and worked through the exercises? If so, what did you think? How did it help? How are you using the information you learned? If you have the book but haven't worked through it yet, would you like to work along and compare notes? </p>