I am loving the comments and reflections - all around Claire's great story telling! Texstyle, I wonder if others have experienced the same re the 'nude' glasses frames. I was a real celtic clear contrast colouring and now I let my hair go celtic white, I still find that I need the colour clarity and definition I always needed with dark hair and eyes that sound like yours Claire. Nude or clear frames just do nothing for me. I am also venturing to the eye colour frame to add the colour and contrast there especially as I am finding it is just becoming easier to wear specs all day.

Joy I am hearing and learning re the ongoing CHANGE in colour of hair. Claire this sounds like you reflecting on it just keeps happening. I am not sure if I use the word correctly but I remember an artist talking about ephemeral art one time and how the beauty of the artwork is in how it changes and 'decays' over time. I choose to use this as my main explanation of life - and fashion and my look - that the beauty is IN the changing. So constant reflexivity required! Oops, I think that also means constant reflection and new clothes and pretty things to work with the change :-S

This is such a great post Claire. I have stopped wearing brighter colours because my hair has gotten so blonde. It is fading away. I don't wear many patterns. I find (with the exception of leopard and snakeskin -- they act like neutrals to me) solids more versatile. I wonder if my freckles have something to do with this.

I like the idea of wearing your own colours. That seems so natural.

Another great read! Your musings are always interesting. I'd look at the items that have gone out (sweater, dress) as great opportunities to upgrade to something current. Like an oversized button-up shirt, or new-look sweater with an interesting swingy shape, that sort of thing. Also interesting thoughts on how wearing your hair curly (which I looooooved on you) is impacting the types of patterns you're after. I don't know that I necessarily avoid certain patterns because of my hair, although I do tend to avoid round patterns BUT that is more an issue of avoiding sweetness. Which in retrospect, could still be related to my hair and how curls tend to add sweetness! Plaids and lines are my favorite, which tend to really highlight the curls.

I choose to use this as my main explanation of life - and fashion and my look - that the beauty is IN the changing. So constant reflexivity required! Oops, I think that also means constant reflection and new clothes and pretty things to work with the change :-S

Words of wisdom from Jen! Oh, and who doesn't love an excuse to shop again?

I laughed out loud at the image of Sharan racing down to Arizona to confiscate the Rit. Maybe we need a YLF posse.

Claire you are a riot! Loved your dye story; loved your comments about your former LBD's. And I also relate to your confusion faced with a new hair color and style. I remember when I first chopped off all my hair and was absolutely taken aback by how much I did NOT like all my androgynous looks anymore. And once the old color was out I did NOT like brown on me anymore (I have inched back to some browns since then). Well you get the idea. You are the best minimal style blog out there and you don't even have a blog!

I think your plans going forward sound wise, and I really agree that changing hair color and texture can impact all of what you wear (for many years, I had a perm).

Oh man, I'm laughing with you (not at you) on the dye. If it's any consolation, I read that black is one of the hardest colors to dye. To get a true black you actually have to combine all these dye packet colors you wouldn't expect with your 'black' packet, like yellow. I'm sure a light version is even less likely to cooperate, especially with RIT (which tends to be less true to what the label says for certain colors then some other dyes I think I read).

Thank you for sharing your thoughts in this thread, and it has been really interesting to read.
I'm fascinated how much of a difference glasses make. I wear contacts most of the time, as they are more effective for my specific sight problem. But sometimes I do wear glasses, dark cobalt frames. I really notice I need to style my hair differently when I wear glasses, and I pull it back more often. There is just too much happening on my face otherwise! I also need to wear "rosy" makeup, otherwise I look a little pasty.
But I had not thought to change my clothes or colours or patterns! Wow. I need to start taking notice of this!
So thanks
And oooops, sorry about the dye....

Sorry about the dye! I loved your story though.

How are the gray booties working out?

(ETA -- sorry no words of wisdom tonight, it's been way too long since my last cup of coffee…)

Can relate to your dye story so much that I won't dye anything that I'm not prepared to wreck The recipe for a true deep black is 2 to 3 parts black dye to 1 part bright golden yellow dye. Ironical that I never had trouble dying clothes black - so not my best neutral

I have straight hair that has gone a soft shade of white (at the front at least, the back has more darker grey). Since I stopped colouring it I've had to completely rethink my wardrobe. I'm not much of a pattern person either - they have to be spot on before they work imo. So I prefer to use texture for interest rather than patterns.

Sorry I'm late getting back to this. Thank you for all your comments!
I especially appreciate all of you with greying or white hair that chimed in. I need to draw on your collective dressing wisdom. Joy, It's interesting to me to learn that my hair will be in transition, constantly changing, for a long time. I'll have to scale back on the taupe in my wardrobe, because next year I may need to bookend with another color! Although I think I have a little time. DH is nine years older than me and I am greyer than he is. I try not to be perturbed when people assume we are around the same age!

Deborah, When I was shopping for these frames about a year and a half ago, I was straightening my hair and I had no layers. If I shop for a solid pair of frames, I think that will help matters immensely.

Peggy, I love how Angie uses her specs as a fabulous statement accessory. We learn so much from her example. Hopefully the media will catch up!

Donna, Black and white graphic prints are so good on salt and pepper hair, as are charcoal tweeds. No wonder you love them. My hair is a lighter brown, so I don't look as good in them.

Ruth, It's true I've used the print on a top to make a statement for a while now. I'm not sure how I'm going to do it going forward. Help me please? Like you I wear mostly neutrals. Color just seems off on me right now, but I keep trying it. My main concern is my yellow skin tone. So many colors really bring out the yellow, which I don't like. My doctor looked at my wrists and hands and said, "What are you eating?!" Lots of beta carotene, apparently!

Angie, I remember that post! It will be good for me to go through it again. I love the way you chalk so many things up to personal preference instead of saddling us with a bunch of rules. Have I thanked you for being you lately? I feel honored that you shared a bit of your personal style journey here. I loved that black, white and grey plaid shirt on you. It was a stunning way to bridge your white jeans and black jacket. The cognac booties and bag were the cherry on top!

Sharan, see, you got my two snakeskin items confused (and who could blame you). That's another reason to only have one. I was wearing my Theory snake print blouse with a charcoal sweater on top, but thank you so much for liking my look, hair twin! I'm thinking my DD's blush blouse is just a little to pale. Are you sure I can't get some more Rit dye and try to darken it? KIDDING.

Jen, high five on the way you're looking at the ageing process? Now I've got to go polish my "patina", lol!

Aida, I appreciate your insight on "avoiding sweetness". There are so many different variables at play, and sometimes I do think I veer off track in this way. I feel my curls are sweet enough on their own; no need to add sugar! Also I had my hair trimmed about an inch when I got home from SSIF, and now it has an 80's vibe that I am also trying to avoid. Your longer bob looks more modern, but I'm not sure I could go that long. I need to play with the length and shape some more. I'd love deets on how your stylist cuts the shape and layers of yours.

Jaime, they say hair is just an accessory, but IDK, it feels like a part of me. It is truly amazing how color and cut can change a look. I feel like I'm coming at it backwards as per Angie's advice, but it's because I couldn't make up my mind what I wanted it to look like. My poor hairdresser probably thinks I'm an unmedicated schizophrenic.

Kate, now that I see the purple cast of the black dye, it makes perfect sense that yellow (and more black dye) was missing from the mix. Can you believe I have "NO MORE RIT DYE" written in my style notebook? From about a year ago?

Lucy, Yes! One of the things I did do right was to grow my bangs out a little in anticipation of getting glasses (so I could wear my hair off my face). I already have a small face and I didn't want to be covering 50% of it up.

Denise, that's because I owe you that coffee! The booties are taupe actually, and it has been in the 90's so I haven't worn them after that initial cool snap we had. I'm back in my sandals for another few weeks I'm afraid.

Caroline, ah, you have the black formula! Not that I'll be trying it anytime soon. I love your gorgeous light hair! I've not been able to embrace textures yet, but that's something I'd like to explore.

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