Pix-Elated

23 Comments

• replied 6 years ago

  Nodding along here....and laughing at docent lady.  I agree totally with injecting individuality . Having one's wardrobe full of stuff from the same 4 mall stores gets really old, very quickly.  I like the indie experience far more now. 

  Red - totally agree it's now one of your best colours. Go for it!  I used to see a retro influence in your posts - a few years ago- but not now. To be honest though, I've never quite wrapped my head around what retro actually means in terms of new clothes.  Maybe it's what I think of as nods to an era or certain design elements?  

• Helena replied 6 years ago

  Great goals Suz - love your style and looking forward to seeing it continue to evolve. I am sure you look amazing in red! I do think I've seen a more playful element in the last few outfits I've seen from you - less conservative, more experimental?

• texstyle replied 6 years ago

  Thanks for sharing your goals suz - they seem very well thought out and on track. I like that you are enjoying red - it is a fun color and looks great on you!

• deb replied 6 years ago

  You look so good in red so I am glad you will be adding more.

• Sara L. replied 6 years ago

  This is a concise list that seems like it will be helpful moving forward.  I like your idea of adding red and doing a capsule review.  This is something I need to do as well.  My normal work and weekend capsules are fine, but I need to cull my workout and lounge wear.  I tend to hang on to those items longer than I should since I'm not wearing them "out" (the gym doesn't count).

• rachylou replied 6 years ago

  Very clear and concise (!) I’ll be examining your outfits for retro ;)

• Emily K replied 6 years ago

  Clear as always!  I think you look great in red, and I bet it's fun to wear, too. I'll be interested to observe your purchases this year.

• Sal replied 6 years ago

  This makes sense to me- red is fab, your wardrobe is in good shape so you can take time to find interesting additions from local boutiques or online, or on any travels away.

  Retro can mean many things- for me it is a style or look that nods to a previous era - maybe full length flares with a chunky sandal for 70s, or a shorter shift dress and tall boots for 60s. But I don't do my hair in the era or colours - just a stronger flavour.

  Hope your camera /computer situation gets sorted.

• Angie replied 6 years ago

  Suz, thanks for posting your goals on the forum too. Two places is better than one...

  (We share the first three adjectives, btw). 

  As always sweet Suz, you dig deep, listen to your feelings, analyze, see the wood for the trees, successfully action, and get on with it - no matter what. You are a role model to us all. WELL DONE, and can I clone you?

  On a more specific note - Go Team Modern Retro. You were meant to wear fire engine red, and I'm loving the idea of adding statement luxury items. Your evolving style refreshes very organically, but always authentically. 

  Hoping your computer is fixed asap, and that you can take pics more regularly. 

• karen13 replied 6 years ago

  I miss your pics! Your goals are well thought out and expressed, as always. I look forward to watching you achieve them. And to when I have as much self knowledge of and ability to express my style. Thanks for all you share on YLF!

• Lynn replied 6 years ago

  I have read some of your previous threads and you are alway so clear about your style and wardrobe needs. It is inspiring. Although your style is different then mine when I look at your outfits they make me feel happy so I think you did well on the playfulness. 

  I also need to do a intensive purge . Building a 30 x 30 these past 2 weeks has already helped to me in identifying those items I do not reach for, some of which have surprised me.   

  I hope I can reach the clarity you have about your tastes and needs. I  also like the idea of investing in some more artisanal clothing & jewelry but am alway hesitant that it will be money wasted. I hear you on the "docent lady" look- definitively want to avoid that!

  It will be interesting to see how you bring retro in. If you can would you post some pictures of what is inspiring that term. 

• viva replied 6 years ago

  I'm back doing some stalking (ha!) and I really love seeing these style goals in the forum, which allows for comments. So thanks for putting yours here, Suz.

  I always find it interesting when people are able to hone in on accent colors (red for you, and even your white sandal hunt). I need to think more about that - it's a useful way to get direction. I think red looks fabulous on you, especially with your more natural hair. And in general, I think bright colors work really well after a certain birthday. (Although be careful of the docent lady effect -- terminology I am going to start using myself! LOVE it.)

  I'm right with you on the statement/luxury piece hunt (however we each define those things). I've decided to use my birthday for this, since it's realistically probably a once a year thing. This was the first birthday year I found one statement piece and said to Michael: this, nothing else, and I intend to keep that leopard coat for a long time.

  Thanks for getting me thinking.

• Beth Ann replied 6 years ago

  Love (and understand) the Docent lady comment!  In my world, it's dressing like a typical "voice teacher."  A bit of arty works.  A bit of art + a bit of edgy works.  Full on arty makes me look like a BBC extra in a period show!  

  I think it's that bit of individuality in each outfit that makes one happy!  Preparing a modern frame for the individual element helps me appear modern and aware of my cultural milieu.  

• Suz replied 6 years ago

  Such great and helpful comments, thank you. 

  I am glad you're all laughing at the docent lady reference. In truth I meant no disrespect to real life docent ladies...some of them are incredibly chic! It's just that I'm not (quite) in the age bracket and I also know that full on Eileen Fisher with arty jewellery is just not my best look. Even when I do enjoy it on others! 

  Glad you all approve of red, too. It was one of my best colours in early childhood and as a young teen, and now it is, again. In the years between (with highlighted blonde hair) it was just *okay* and not great. Interesting. 

  Beth Ann, Viva, always so wonderful to hear from you both. BA, I am laughing of that image of you as a BBC extra...and totally get it! Me, too! Viva, that leopard coat is brilliant for you!! 

  Lynn, those are kind words. Re investing in artisanal pieces -- it's true that if you're not clear yet on your style priorities, this might be a mistaken investment. Yet paradoxically, that self-knowledge only comes with experimentation! I did a fair bit of shopping in consignment and discount stores as I was trying to figure out my style and only later bought more expensive items. 

  I'll try to post some pictures soon -- I think by retro I'm referring mainly to nods to the 60s, the bright graphic elements of mod style. But more and more I'm thinking I should change retro to something else because while it's an element of my style, it's not a dominant one. 

  Thanks, karen, Angie, Sal, Emily, Rachy, Sara, tex, TG, deb. And Lisa, you probably "get" the whole aversion to a box store wardrobe better than anyone -- our choices really are more limited up here in the frozen north. 

• LaPed replied 6 years ago

  I love these posts, the behind-the-scenes look into someone else's style process. I hope you'll keep us posted on your closet review/edit! 

  As far as style descriptors go, it sounds like you could just swap out retro for mod, at least for now, and see how that feels. That's one of my best fashion eras as well -- clean lines, bold colours, tailored fits. 

  I totally understand the struggle not to adopt the docent lady look. Judging by the prevalence of EF pieces in the thrift stores near me, a lot of people invest in an EF capsule and then realize it's not for them. Such beautiful pieces, but not quite the universal fit/style the company's marketing leads you to believe. 

  And tell your computer to get well soon! Hope its troubles aren't impinging on your writing. 

• Jenn replied 6 years ago

  I really like #4, Suz. I struggle to strike the balance between "individual style" and over-the-top quirkiness.

• Jaime replied 6 years ago

  Red is definitely a key color for you. One kind of docent ladies around here has eggplant hair, colorful wood jewelry but no EF - more like leggings and indie tops and lots of makeup. Which strangely works when they own it. Not sure about the retro element on you, but you know I am all for the vintage jewelry or avant garde piece.

• Toban replied 6 years ago

  Thanks for sharing your goals. My favorite is #3, these are the items that make an outfit you and set apart an outfit of basics that others may also be wearing. I have so much fun with my necklace collection. It is often a great conversation starter, too. 

• UmmLila (Lisa) replied 6 years ago

  Of all your goals, I like adding red the best. I love seeing you in a sharp, red jacket when you're getting ready to give a presentation.

• Janet replied 6 years ago

  All of these seem very well-considered and like good goals for you. I love the idea of more red for you. I remember you wearing more berry colors in years past, but I truer reds are fabulous on you too. I saw a bright true red sweater the other night in Lord & Taylor that left a good impression on me (I'm really picky about red items but they do appeal to me) -- I wish I'd taken note of the designer. 

• replied 6 years ago

  Eggplant hair, ftw.  

• Style Fan replied 6 years ago

  I love reading the style goals.  I don't have much time to comment because we are in packing mode but yours sound great.  Love you in red.

• cindysmith replied 6 years ago

  I need to do your #1 goal. We're hopefully moving into the new house in a few months, which will make it a good time to try. Good luck on your efforts!