wiw: modern classic for A/W 2013 and that's ok.

I continue to struggle with this season sartorially. On the one hand I would love to be able to wear the items I did in spring/early summer ( pic 1) the truth is wearing boots and changing into pumps is more hassle than I thought it would be and I am still not sure how the whole outfit will "look" if I have the pumps sitting at work and wear boots for commuting.

So as much as I would love to be "au courant" and "tres fashionable" the truth is I have very little time to get dressed in the mornings. Bebe is open enrolled in a neighboring school district and I am in charge of drop offs. It takes me 30 minutes to get her to school and 40 minutes from there to get to work. So its wakeup, check email, jump in the shower and off we go after a quick, light breakfast.

Yesterday morning I tried to wear one of my flowy pants and just did not like how the narrow stretch ends of the pant looked with boots or booties. So after dropping bebe to school I made a mad dash back home and changed into gap really skinny pants and black blondo boots and felt much better.

I will not be "au courant" and trying volume on volume many days this fall/winter given we are already in the 30's and my crazy mornings. I think I will reach more for my modern classic "it works and I know it" outfits and that's ok.

This was a huge realization and I mulled over it all day and night yesterday. I don't tend to analyze my outfit choices in "verbal depth" but this outpouring has been cathartic for me and I am glad to have some closure within.

I'm a groupie still at heart sartorially and live for Angie's praise but I am also learning that I have to live for my life. So to follow Angie's most basic rule: Fashion must be fun:I have decided to stop trying too hard because it really is taking the fun out of it.

1: earlier this spring
2-4: final outfit worn Thursday nov 7: gap black really skinny pants, blondo boots, maroon ann taylor top, black j jill cardi, hair and earrings adding the "flow" to my outfit.
5-8: earlier attempts in the morning of nov 7 wearing grey slouchy pants and a scarf with the maroon top and maroon booties.

ETA: removed #2 which was blurry so the #3 Angie refers to is actually #2.

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12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

These realizations are excellent, Sona. I have some suggestions too:

Check whether the pumps work at home and take them along to work while you wear your boots. Change back into boots for the commute home.
Create outfits over the weekend and wear them that week. You love creating outfits and are good at it. With a little extra planning, I think you can have your cake and eat it. Or at least, arrange the morning outfit in the evening for the next morning.

Despite your preference to dress in warmer weather, you absolutely nail it in cold weather too. Just look at you in #3. So chic. And #6 is volume on volume and super trendy. You sell yourself short. Fashion and style is pretty innate for you and the magic happens without you giving it much thought. xo

Beth Ann

Veteran

I don't have time or mental energy in the mornings, either! I try to spend a little time in the evenings planning out what I'll wear during the week and trying new combinations. If I'm pressed for time, I might choose to experiment with one item only.

Even this system breaks down sometimes, and that's why I use FFBO and formulas, too. Perhaps you have different formulas in Fall/Winter than in the warmer seasons.

Finally, I think there are times when we are actively pushing our style forward, and other times when we relax and enjoy the journey --- just repeating and savoring what we've discovered already.

Sona

Angie: how do I conquer the boot issue with this type of pant? Are pumps really the best viable option?

Suz

Sona, you are singing my tune. For me it is not flawy pants (I quickly realized that much as I love them, I'd be too cold in them in my winters if they were made of silk or similar). But I even have problems with skirts/ dresses this time of year. And it is always a puzzle and a wonder, because I LOVE skirts and dresses in summertime. So...it has to do with what footwear works, and hose. And all of that.

I think Beth Ann is right. Our FFBO formulae might be different in summer vs. winter. And once you figure out for winter what yours is, voila! You'll be set.

I do think pumps tend to look best with this type of flowing pant, but I'll be there must be some booties that could also work, or at least shooties, if those would give you the warmth you need and comfort for on your feet all day.

Sona, the heeled pointy toe pump is being worn with everything these days. It's virtually the new bootie. Go for it.

Suz, high five. I am a trouser, jeans and boots gal for a reason. Warmth. If I lived in a warmer place, I'd wear dresses and skirts more frequently. I just don't find tall boots with skirts, dresses and hose as warm no matter how you slice and dice it. I run too cold. That said, I am wearing my flirty black Valentino skirt matched with cropped chunky cream aran jumper with hose, boots and coat. I was missing my flirty skirts.

Parsley

Sona, you look chic whether you're dressing in a more avant garde way or modern classic. At times when it's too much trouble to think it's great to have some FFBOs.

I hear you on the footwear issue. Some of my pants seem best with pumps instead of boots or booties, but it is just too cold in the winter!

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