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Power of.....

Anonymous

I am currently reading George Brescia’s book- “Change Your Clothes Change Your Life” . He says “Clothing, more than any of our possessions, has the power to define our identity.”

Where is the power in your wardrobe?
Is it in your basics? or
your accessories? or
Your color palette ? or
your style lines? or
Something else- like confidence!

General

25 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

rachylou

Veteran

Oh gosh. How interesting! I can get all deep about this, lol. I mean here right here is my problem. I can’t sustain any power dressing for the long haul. I like to play and be frivolous with clothing. I can Power Dress long enough to get a date, but a few years in and I want to go out to dinner wearing an apron. And I don’t want to date anyone as sartorially frivolous as me. You see the problem.

Toban

Veteran

I like that quote. Clothing is our outer reflection, but we have the choice on what that is and how others may see us (and thus our identity). I find power in clean lines that still have movement.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Lol rachylou.

And maybe color, although I don’t always include it.

rachylou

Veteran

Ok. And then like last year or whatever - I was talking about how I fell off a horse on a jump and my boss was all like, ‘You ride horses? I just don’t see that.’ It’s the green hair and combat boots.

I don’t wanna wear tweed! :p

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Nice. Fun to think about.

How about you, efbgen? Where does the power come from in your wardrobe?

I love my wardrobe, and hug it every morning. I feel very lucky and am very grateful to be in this position.

The power in my wardrobe comes from the immense joy and satisfaction my outfits give me because they feel authentic. I’m not trying to be or look like anyone else but me in my body, at my age, with my sartorial preferences. It’s something that I thoughtfully and carefully built over time, which gives me satisfaction too. I am completely comfortable emotionally and physically, which creates a sense of confidence and calm. That way I can forget about my outfit and get on with what life has to offer - and help others find where the power of their wardrobe lies...

Anonymous

Wow ANGIE- I didn’t think it was a loaded question. How so??
The comment just got me to stop reading and start thinking- then I thought it would be an interesting question to post.
So the crazy thing is, I think the power in my wardrobe is fluid- by that I mean some days I think my power is in basics, other days it’s my accessories, other days my power is my confidence in my color palette
( I’ve spent years exploring color to find my absolute best ones).
Not sure if I ever see my power in being a sporty classic- just what’s comfortable for me- guess what you would call “authentic “.
So now - how do you see it as a loaded question- I find it curious;-)

RACHYLOU- you are a hoot and a treasure!
TOBAN- ANGIE’s philosophical side is contagious.
BARBARA- your power is color but you don’t include it??

Thanks for partaking in this brain stretching exercise- lol.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

efbgen, it's not a loaded question. I meant it's a deep question. My apologies - (hot yoga fatigue).

It makes sense that you switch from where you think the power of your wardrobe lies. I believe the power is the sum of its parts. Everthing feeds off of each other causing a ripple effect that creates the whole.

Anonymous

Hot yoga fatigue- yikes. I would have more than fatigue- more like requiring hospitalization- I couldn’t make it through a full class so I will stick with regular yoga thank you.
And thank you also for the added comment- I will have to show family and friends that someone actually put in writing that something I said made sense- lol.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

My wardrobe is powered by shoes. Perhaps because I see them the most.

jussie

Veteran

Hmm brilliant question. I’m going to ponder on it but my initial answer is my power is in colour contrasts and prints.....
but don’t hold me to that lol.

binkle

Veteran

Sometimes I wonder...
I have items that make me feel "confident" or "powerful" - but hard to verbalize why. My Rick Owens booties make me feel taller, with a big confident stride. Or a sweater or skirt or pant fits just right and has some uniqueness....

But every once on a while...
I then catch my reflection or see a photo, and its all "Good grief, what was I thinking - I look like a durn fool!"

gryffin

Veteran

What a fascinating question! I must order this book immediately. "Where does the power come from? It comes from within." Chariots of fire. Power is when the exterior is perfectly aligned with the interior. Power is authenticity, elegance, refinement, quality. Power is formality. Power is black, charcoal, pearl gray and white. Power is blazers, and tough footwear with refined outfits. Power is the unexpected juxtaposition of ladylike and tough. Power is clean lines, great fabrics that feel wonderful on. True power is refusing to wear other, finding the "you" in pieces and outfits and choosing style over fashion.

Anonymous

What an intriguing set of questions!!!!!! On first glance, I was mortified that I couldn't say that my power came from any of the listed items. I am too "wall flower-ish." I am currently in a wardrobe/style re-build. If the book is on Amazon, I'll be buying it this evening. THANK YOU for the inspiration.

Mainelady

Veteran

This is a fun question to ponder. On first thought, I think my personal power comes from within from feelings of gratitude, positivity and happiness. Extending to clothing, I think the most power comes from my happiness factors. No matter what challenges may be in a day, all I need to do is glance at my happiness factors for a boost and a reset.
Ultimately, I do think Angie said it best with this quote, “I believe the power is the sum of its parts. Everthing feeds off of each other and causes the ripple effect.” This statement holds true for many things: family, friendships, colleagues. We are often at our best when surrounded by others. I think my clothing is the same. My LBD is great, but add sassy shoes, jewelry, a topper and the power factor is more. Maybe even Killer!

ChrisM

Veteran

My power comes from looking confident, trustworthy, approachable and relevant - important for me in my field, and being on the cusp of 60, having to work with a wide variety of adult-aged folks in a conservative department (finance.)

I know that’s a lot of descriptors, but that’s what I want to see and feel when I look in the mirror.

To me that means neutral core of basics with interesting shapes and interesting accents - scarves, stacked necklaces inside a shirt collar, hair up and out of the way. Nothing gets in my way or is fiddley or revealing.

When I succumb to temptation and buy outside of that feeling, I end up not wearing the garment - that is, until I can make it work (wide leg chinos, I’m looking at you.)

(Haven’t given up on them quite yet so we’ll see closer to the end of the season.)

Am looking forward to reading what others say!!!

gryffin

Veteran

Efbgen - chiming back in because Angie's comment made me think of something. And may I preface, I love questions like this!! "I believe that power is the sum of its parts." When I really think of power in an outfit I think that it transcends the sum of its parts. My analogy is like the quest movies. Indiana Jones or Lara Croft searching for all the ancient pieces of a rune of absolute power but it's only when then pieces are brought together and bound often by the smallest innocuous piece that they come alive. A great outfit lives - flattering, authentic, comfortable but it transcends the individual pieces both visually, physically and emotionally. That's where the power comes from and it is different because each great outfit is different but nonetheless the power is generated. It's in the mix. My wardrobe is full of "shankara stones!" But like the stones their power is to channel, focus and release our inner power. If that makes any sense.

Style Fan

Veteran

Interesting question. I think the power of my wardrobe comes from how it all comes together. I stick to a colour palette that works for me and that I love, I like natural, simple pieces that are well made, I make sure I have the essentials covered before I look for statements and I splurge on jeans. We all have our priorities.
But really I don't think the power is a formula. For me, it is using my creative energy and applying some styling knowledge.

cindysmith

Veteran

Interesting question. My wardrobe is my armor some days, allowing me to either blend into the background or give off a "stay away" vibe. So yeah, there's power in it somewhere.

I think the power in my wardrobe is the way it can morph from "just fought my way through to the zombie apocalypse" to "hi, mom, let's do lunch!" and yet everything feels fairly cohesive when I look at the entirety of it. (And yes, I have packed for a visit to mom's with both of those elements in my suitcase at the same time.) So Angie is definitely on to something, because mine manages to feel cohesive to me in spite of the vastly different styles of its parts. Overall, it feels a bit minimalist (style-wise, not size-wise), and there's a pretty tight color palette going on.

Anonymous

First of all- you Friends are blowing me away with all your amazing responses.
STERLING- I am not that far into the book so I am not sure how good it is. I think it’s been around for a while maybe. Bought cheap on Amazon secondary. I will post another review when I’m done though.
As usual I think ANGIE nailed it with the whole being sum of parts- I saw it as fluidity of power but perhaps she pinpoints it better.
BINKLEY - I think we all feel that way at times which is why it got me to stop reading and start pondering. This is why I love books in general and fashion books for fun and distressing.
I love the fact that women are seeing themselves as powerful and seeing fashion as a tool in their arsenal for displaying that power.
GRYFFIN, MAINELADY, CHRISM, STYLEFAN- you too are sending me down the same thought provoking path ANGIE started me down with her comments.
Thanks to all- you confirm that fashion is not frivolous and can be a thought provoking and intellectual activity.... at times a brain teaser and a puzzle!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

This is an interesting thing to ponder. I don't see the power in my wardrobe in any single aspect of it, but mainly as Angie says, as a sum of the parts.

Cindysmith also strikes a chord with me, as the chameleon-abilities aspect of my wardrobe is a really powerful thing. I can turn out for a professional meeting or a "ladies who lunch" event if I need to, but also get compliments from tattooed rockabilly girls at a music festival for my stompy boots and leather jacket. I find that really powerful. And I also acknowledge that power doesn't come from the clothes, it comes from my ability to choose pieces that are flexible for me, and my creativity in putting them together.

That said, having a good hair day and having the perfect shoes for any given outfit definitely are a special power boost for me. I think that's why I've been on a mission lately to update shoes. I started to realize that a lot of my shoes are from 5-10 years ago and no longer feel like the right finishing touches for my outfits, especially in summer.

Anonymous

I agree with Gryffin and Stylefan. I think my power comes from the unexpected...being dressier than anyone in the room, mixing prints, being the only one in a dress or not wearing black pants. I feel powerful and authentic by letting my hair be its natural grey, not wearing nail polish, wearing flats.
I know a lady who always looks powerful in hats.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What a great question. I think for me it is about authenticity. A style that's authentic (to me) feels natural, suited to the activity and environment, and for me, a bit playful as well. The power of my wardrobe comes from its cohesion and suitability to my lifestyle, and that in turn comes from self-knowledge.

Carla

Veteran

The power that comes from my closet is akin to the power cindysmith gets from hers. In retrospect I realize that the last couple of years my clothes were protective armour/cocoon. The fact that I could pull an outfit from my closet that would make me comfortable in any situation I found myself let me forget about what I was wearing and focus my energies on the task at hand.

Like binkie I sometimes look at old WIW pics and think 'what was I thinking', but other times I think 'd@*# I look good!'

Now that I am retired from the world of big city office towers and difficult and often sad work, I feel different and far less in need of 'clothes as armour.' Earlier this year I identified a style shift towards a softer, more romantic version of my Tomboy persona (from Happy Tomboy to Elegant Tomboy). I don't quite have the wardrobe to completely realize my identity/authentic self - but curating a wardrobe is a lifelong process.

The Cat

Veteran

I don't think I rely on power from my wardrobe. My strength comes from my faith in God and from the feeling of being loved by him and by many wonderful humans.

Sal

Veteran

I am not sure how to answer..... and I am not sure I feel that way about my wardrobe. I feel happy about it, and relaxed that I am set for 90% of likely occasions and 95% of possible occasions.

I guess having a wardrobe that I like removes a level of stress from my life in that I feel prepared and happy to face the world.

So maybe I can answer after all.