Fashion as anti-depressant. I love it. Thanks, Isabelle. It works pretty well, along with exercise, fresh air..and the right amounts of wine!
Thank you all for your sympathy and understanding. I hope Mr. Suz takes a philosophical approach to the packages that may begin arriving in the next few days (barring Canada Post mishaps, that is...)
Staysfit, I now feel perfectly justified because I have a genuine medical prescription for my own choice of therapy!! You did amazing things with your closet in the wake of grief and I think it is actually a constructive act and a creative, life-affirming one.
Krish and Sterling, re tunics. I think the problem for me is of proportion. I have experimented with length, but still come up frustrated with the look. In theory, it could be a good one for my general figure type. But in reality, I don't find tunics flattering on me. Body type modifiers help to explain. First (and probably most important) -- I am slightly short-legged, but in particular, I am short in the calf. Meanwhile, I'm longer in the thigh and rise. A tunic seems to emphasize this (even with heels), making me feel more short-legged. It also tends to shine a big light at my largest part -- thighs. Sometimes the wrong cut won't skim properly over that area. If fabrications are incompatible, it also sticks to my rear end or thighs as I move. Finally, I find it tricky to get the right toppers for tunics and in my climate I tend to need a topper throughout all seasons but summer.
Add to this: I don't like wearing leggings because I dislike the way they feel and dislike how they look on me. And I dislike wearing jeans with lightweight tops "out" because I feel the bumps of the zipper etc. show and feel bulky in the mid section. (My small bust probably plays a role here. My stomach area feels as if it is sticking out further. That isn't strictly speaking true, but that's how it feels.) Last year, I got a very slim pair of more structured ponte-type pants to wear with tunics -- and I still didn't like the look or feel of them on me! In the end, I think I just need to acknowledge it's a look I have to love on others. But I'll continue to experiment every now and again in case my eye or feelings adjust or in case manufacturers make tweaks that happen to work for me.
Elizabeth, the culottes are definitely a wild card, but I'm okay with spending the equivalent of a Vintages bottle of wine on them ($26) -- I figure they will allow me to experiment a bit. Mind you, I could also use the wine, so the club should come in handy!
I can't answer yet about the top but I think it is black and white.
Shevia, Style Fan, Jen, Maneera, Barbara Diane, Brooklyn, Lyn, Angie, thank you for the votes of confidence.
Skylurker and Vicki -- yes, the palette seems to be changing a bit or adapting...although it is a bit early to tell for sure if that will last. But on the whole I am finding that pastels don't work. They never really did, except for chambray blue -- but even light chambray is sort of meh on me now -- I fade away in it. I seem to require more contrast.
Angie, yes, I saw you had the denim shirt in your closet and knew it was a top pick, so I figured it was a good bet. I think it will be a great replacement/ upgrade to my 3 year old Halogen chambray.
Carla, yours was the best, most educated retail therapy ever -- you got workhorses!! Every item is a winner.
Nishaa, earrings seem like a very smart way to do retail therapy...a small expense (usually) but a big impact, and you can hide the evidence easily if needed!
Peri, I'm so sorry to hear you are going through your own woes. I know your makeup drawer must be a visual feast of happy colours. That must be soothing.
Gigi, thank you for the support and commiseration.
Jenn, really sorry to hear you have also been going through rough times but glad to know I'm not alone.
