Wardrobe evaluation

[breakinglight11]

Because I just wrote a post that was meditative and deep, being me, I have to follow it up with one that is completely shallow. I have recently discovered an interesting style blog called Wardrobe Oxygen that is interesting and informative as the writer takes the approach that a little knowhow and taste can make anyone of any body type look fantastic, and you don't need to spend a ton on clothes to put together a great look. I especially liked her article Staples for Every Woman's Wardrobe, which tells you what basics you should have to optimize your closet for the most use and best look. As I am endeavoring to learn how to dress better and look more put together, I am evaluating my own wardrobe against this list and seeing what I need to look into.

I don't have a tailored black suit. It's probably a good idea, but I've never been a big fan of suits for myself. Maybe a tailored one would be flattering, but I'm afraid it would negatively emphasize my petiteness and make me look like a kid playing dressup. Anyway that's not in the budget at the moment, and I have things that could sub in for this in most appropriate situations.

I don't have a decent pair of black dress slacks. The one I do have, to give you a frame of reference, was most recently worn in the service of making me look like a man-- they're slightly too big and do not flatter my shape in any way. This is something worth looking into; could come in handy in so many contexts. I do have a black dress skirt-- short enough to be interesting, but still professional-looking and dressy --but the fabric's getting a bit nappy and it's close to wearing out, so I should probably look into replacing it.

I have nice jeans. I have lots of nice jeans. I am Lucky Brand's zombie slave, because they're gorgeous and so flattering. At the moment, I have seven pairs of undamaged nice jeans and two more that are ripped but still look good and are wearable. I love them so much, and when left to my own devices don't usually wear anything else. Basically, I am set for jeans until I get fat. :-)

I have black heeled boots. They're new, too, and lovely, though they're my rain boots they are such beautiful elegant leather they can be worn as dress shoes. My calves just a bit too narrow for the shafts of the boots, but other than that they're fantastic.

I don't exactly have black pumps. I have black high-heeled sandals that I've had forever and are sexy and I love, and with stockings they are totally dressy enough. But as long as I've had them they're getting a little worn, so maybe I should look into replacing them.

I have several little black dresses, since I think they're just about the greatest things ever. I have a party dress suitable for many kinds of occasions, a cocktail dress that's sexy but elegant, and a club dress that looks painted on. :-) To be honest, the party dress is nice but I don't love it, as it's got an empire waist and the loose skirt doesn't particularly flatter my narrow shape. I wonder if I could belt it with something to give me a little more definition. The others serve their purpose admirably. :-D

I have silver earrings. I love simple elegant real precious metal earrings, and wear them with pretty much any outfit. Nice jewelry gets me every time.

I have a signature accessory-- that would be my lovely anniversary necklace that I wear almost every day. Elegant and simple, its white gold and diamonds go with everything, and it's probably my favorite thing that I own.

I don't exactly have a black or gray merino V-neck sweater, but I have similar. Since getting a job and especially since the turn into winter, I wear a lot of sweaters these days because they're a simple way to look put together and still be warm. Also, I love merino, a special kind of wool; it's gorgeous, soft, wears well, and looks way more expensive than it is. Can never have too much merino.

I have many trendy skirts. Most of my skirts are very short, (the plaid schoolgirl, the brown denim, the layered white, the tan suede) but I have several cute and versatile ones, and at least one nice long one, red with a black and white butterfly motif. Might be worth it to have more longs, just to give dressing up options.

I have a couple of trendy jackets-- tan suede, green cuorderoy, black velour, and they're not difficult to matchto clothes and shoes. I've even got a red blazer and a gray one in a pinch. I'm a fan of nice jackets.

I'm... not certain if I have a good evening top. I have a fantastic silky red blouse (the only really nice thing I ever got at New York and Company, the downscale Express) but it's a little formal. Hmm... not sure what qualifies for this, but I feel like I've got to have something pretty and hot that I could throw on for a party or under a jacket for going out.

I have found the perfect T. I love Mossimo's v-neck form-fitting shirts in all their lovely colors. I have three right now, in pink, purple, and green. I really should pick up more of these, they're so versatile and nice.

I have a couple well-fitting wool winter coats. One is the thigh-length green one that was my costume for playing bronzite's NPC (very kind of him to let me keep it) and one is the calf-length black one that used to be my mothers. My desire to dress better lately has lead me to favor these kinds of coats, as they're so much nicer-looking than my hated Gortex Scourge of Winter ski jacket. Also, they're easily to pair with a matching scarf-and-gloves set to dress them up.

I have great-fitting bras and no-visible-panty-line underwear. I have to; being a little on the small side up top, my rack benefits greatly from proper display. Also, there's nothing tackier than visible panty lines, and I am a lady.

I have recently discovered the wonders of pashmina. I have a couple, but the more colors you have, the more outfits you can coordinate them with. They are warm as well as beautiful.

I do not have a clutch purse. While I agree that one's everyday bag should not be carried to formal occasions, I don't exactly attend a whole lot of formal occasions and thus don't have much need for them. Still, if ever I do, I should probably look into it.

I have nice everday bags, both leather and quite handsome. I still hate having to carry one these days, but if I've got to by God I'm going to like them. The small one has a shoulder strap that can be separated by unzipping it into backpack straps, and the larger one is a shoulder bag and buttery-soft. I kind of wish I had a black one, as both of them are brown and don't always match what I'm wearing.

I have sexy shoes, and boots as well. I don't wear them as often as I'd like to, as my feet wear out very quickly, but heels are sexy and fun and a great way to dress up an outfit.

I have sunglasses. They're prescription as I don't wear contacts, but they're a bit stronger than my regular eyeglasses they sometimes give me a headache. That leads to me not wearing them as often as may be healthy for my eyes.

Wow, looking over this list, I'm in better shape than I thought I would be. Still, next time I plan to shop for clothes, I should probably keep the gaps here in mind.

Comments

[laurion]

I think a well tailored black suit and/or pair of slacks would do more to make you look adult than a child trying to be an adult.

The ill fitting suit will convey the wrong image because it will look like you're trying to fill something out, like the kid who puts on dad's shoes or mom's hat.

But a well tailored suit will look appropriately sized, and once you get past that, a smart suit conveys maturity and authority (assuming you back it up with a minimum of grace and a modicum of attitude).

And when it comes to professional events - interviews, conferences, presentations - that are formal but not social, you can't get away with the little black dress, and a suit is de rigeur.

Besides, chicks in suits are hot, right?