This week, I would like to have a conversation, a series of tète-à-tètes. Prompts will be presented, commented responses would be adored. Below is the first in a series of five.
In the twilight of my teens, I was courted by a quixotic landscape artist. He would pen me sonnets made of moonlight and strum serenades that smelled of freshly cut grass.
The only condition was that I become an appropriate muse in loosely veiled bohemian raiment and nothing more than lip balm in way of cosmetics.
Braiding my hair and abandoning black as a neutral began as an adventure, but soon enough I pined for red lipstick and pencil skirts, and our romance blew away on a wind.
So here is my question for you: who has influenced your fashion for good or ill? Sisters, neighbors, mothers, daughters, celebrities, husbands? Please post your answers in the comments.
In high school, I was very “blah.” In college some of the girls got a hold of me and gave me a makeover. During courtship and early marriage I kept my new look (kind of business/prep). Then I became a mom. I’ve lived in sweats for about 5 years, and am finally climbing my way back into the world of the well dressed (one day at a time!).
My husband has influenced my fashion more than anyone – and not because he has a list of please-do’s and must-not’s, but because he is also an artist and encourages me to branch out of my comfort zone. Having his permission to be daring has created a desire in me to flounce the funky fabrics and pounce on the bold patterns. I haven’t bought black in quite some time, and am fully in love with vibrant color. I think that since marrying him, I’m finally embracing the fashions I’ve longed to explore all along.
that said, I still default to comfortable cottons and simple cuts and colors – the casual Stepper is also appealing. But on date night with the Hub? Look out!
1. I love the way you write.
2. Robby has been my greatest influence of my style. No one ever told me what I could and couldn’t wear. My rules were it had to be comfortable and the least amount of time in the store as possible.
So I’ve never really had a style except one of randomness. Robby has helped me hone in on the comfortable things I can wear that he likes to look at me in and that’s really all I’m worried about. It’s my job to find the clothes at bargain prices.
3. How are you? I miss you.
There are two very different “fashion me’s”. There’s the one that loves jeans, tshirts, and sweatshirts, and then there’s the girly me who loves a well cut trouser, delicate jewelry, and high heels for every occasion. The more I’m around fashionable women, the more I want to embrace my femine side and branch out. People who try unusual color combinations, frilly accessories and use timeless classics to pull together a wardrobe astound and inspire me, which is why I love this blog!! I’m slowly moving from my “college days-casual” to my “wife/banker/classy woman” self!
What Not to Wear! I was overweight for a long time and wore mens clothes throughout college–thinking it would hide me. When I lost weight I didn’t really know what to wear–I tried on everything. Now I feel like I know what looks good on me and I stick to it. My husband has a big impact if he makes a blah face I don’t get it even if I love it.
I used to tell my students to nominate me for the show–but they told me I dressed too well!
I had a good friend who showed my what it meant to be fabulous when I was in my early 20s and dressing in jeans and t-shirts all the time. I learned from her that it doesn’t take a whole lot of effort, color is your best friend, and a good, styled haircut completes whatever look you’re going for. Because of her, I’m no longer afraid to play around with color (I wore a plum dress yesterday with mustard shoes. Hot.) and am willing to embrace a side of me that loves fashion and wants to feel good and look good all of the time.
For me, it’s easier summed up in a “what” filled with “whos.” Catholic elementary school, replete with uniforms, in high school, grunge, and then college at a large Midwestern university known for producing fine engineers. In combination – lack of clothing creativity because I always had a uniform, and then dressing for comfort and comfort only. These would all be for “ill,” and only now, in my 30’s, am I venturing out a bit.
But – if I have to pick, it’s still jeans and t-shirts in my free time, and flip flops or Converse All-Stars. I just do my hair and wear makeup now.
I always tried to follow my older sister’s lead (who better to steal clothes from than your older sister?) but then one day I realized that I was not a 00 celery stick body type and felt devastated. And to be honest, it wasn’t until somewhere in the last 6 months that I realized that after birthing two babies my size 2 Pear might be something to appreciate.
Pregnancy probably took be to my worst fashion state, velour sweat suits and cotton lounge pants even to the Ward Christmas Party. A very kind friend informed me that when you start wearing sweats out of the house you’ve given up on life. I don’t know if that is necessarily true, but I’m trying harder now that I’m no longer carrying baby weight… Still, I feel like I’m a 25 year old dressing like a teenager about 90% of the time… my closet needs some help…
My mother probably influenced my style the most. As a child she insisted that we be dressed nicely for school. Always a dress on the first day, never a t-shirt in sight. Jeans were banned until she finally relaxed when I was in Jr. High. Because of this I have never been comfortable in sweats and t-shirts, except for pj’s.
Unfortunately my Mom has never concerned herself too much with her own appearance because it just doesn’t matter to her, so she never had much style herself. As an adult I have struggled to find my own style and LET GO of random items off the clearance rack! I think I’m getting there though. I’ve found I just have to be more thoughtful and selective about what I choose to purchase and wear.
I have one friend I’ve had for a long time and she has influenced my fashion the most. She is one of those people who has always had style, even as a young girl. I feel so fortunate to have her in my life.
My Daughters, of course! They do like to try and put my in clothes which are a wee bit too tight or those “hip-hugger” jeans (I didn’t like them in my hippie days either). But for the most part they have stepped up my wardrobe and made me part with they “least-favorite outfits in trade for some new in style one. They take great care of me. I also try to obey the rules of “What Not to Wear”.
I am still searching for someone to influence my style, which is why I read your blog. Although I don’t believe I have ever committed any horrific crimes against fashion, I have never felt free to dress true to myself for fear of what others may think, or for fear of drawing too much attention. Upon turning 29 a while ago, I decided that this would be MY year. A year devoted to figuring out what I like to wear, and then wearing it! I don’t really know what I’m doing, but it’s fun to try new things and figure it out – even if it’s by trial and error.
I glean advice from What Not to Wear, Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style and, now, You! My husband has also encouraged me to wear colors that “do something” for me (like add color to my face, not draw all the color out of it!”. My roommate in college helped me step into the world of “fitted” shirts, leaving behind the big, frumpy clothes I was most comfortable in.
The devil on my shoulder was being a modern dance major. Going everywhere in an eclectic mix of cut-off sweats and t-shirts over tights and leotard–maybe a long sleeve T tied around the waist? Ugh.
The angel is modern architecture. I love clean lines and it does my body good.
I would have to say my mother, growing up I remember going to the library with my mom where she would borrow books about fashion. Do you remember when knowing what season you were was a big deal? I was a “WINTER” and from then on my mom was always telling me what colors look best on me, she always dressed us girls in classic pieces which I find myself not being able to stay away from…which means I don’t often have trendy pieces of clothing in my closet but love them on other people but get afraid to incorporate them in.
I would say that for me it is more what I am really into at the moment then a certain person. In high school I was very into modern/simple style because I was very much into academics. Then in college I wore a lot of athletic clothes since I ran every day. Then I went through my bohemian stage. Art School=free spirited= lots of hippie stuff. Now I am feeling more grown up and feminine, and I think my clothes reflect that. I wonder what will be next. . .
Sadly, it’s my kids! I wear what I wouldn’t mind getting spit-up on. If I love an article of clothing so much that I’d get mad when it’s ruined by everyday life with kids, then I’ve told myself not to buy it. Someday, when they’re grown, I’ll let loose. But for now, it’s the mommy uniform!
I have a good eye for lines and colors and so putting things together has always been fun for me. But I stay pretty classic in my style.
“What Not To Wear” is always a fun watch (for the advice AND the funny comments), and I’ve always “looked up” (stylewise) to my sister and even random strangers — if I like something that I see on someone, I’ll remember it and work to replicate the idea.
Again, I’m much better at the simple, classic things… the foundational pieces I guess? I would love to be braver when it comes to mixing textures and prints and other crazy fun things like that. I ADORE some of the pieces you show on here, (umm a cephalopod cardigan? Yes please.) and I’d love to be able to incorporate some things like that into my wardrobe.
If I had the body to carry it off, I’d love to follow the example of Lorelei Gilmore, a character from the TV show “The Gilmore Girls.” She had great fun clothes that kept her looking young but also could be counted on for some sassy business looks.
My major fashion influence has been Banana Republic. I worked for BR for a number of years, and I loved seeing the new fashions arrive each season. This experience left me with a lasting appreciation for thick cashmere sweaters, a well-draped t, and stretch wool suits. As I’ve gotten a bit older, I find myself continually gravitating back to their classic styles. Give me a dark pair of jeans, a white boat neck t, and a black cardigan, pair it all with colorful flats, and silver hoop earrings and I am one happy mama.
I would say nature AND nurture…I loved flouncy skirts for as long as I could remember, and my mom would sew, and loved making me the skirts I craved. at 5 I had a little flowered dress from Sears (with matching drawstring purse) and when I outgrew it mom bought me on the next size up.
I’ve lost A LOT of weight over the past few years and am indulging in pretty skirts. Anything femenine, vintage or romantic. In high school I had two 50’s skirts that my mom wore in high school too. If I see a skirt that reminds me of those I have to buy it!
through years and years of trial and error I’ve learned to trust my husbands opinion of my clothes. He knows me, my taste, my body and what looks good on me. When I go shopping, I take him with me. He’s definately the one person that has influenced my fashion the most.
Time has influenced my style, I think most young girls are slaves to what society tells them to wear (I teach high school so I see the horrible trends over and over again). As I grew more comfortable with “me” I grew into a style. Also have children has altered some of what I do and do not wear. As a side not I found your site over the weekend and FELL IN LOVE! I spent an afternoon (read – put a movie on for my children so I could read all of what you have written) reading back posts and am considering a look book. You pretty much rock…
Growing up I was always very independent – especially when it came to what I wore. But, like so many other readers, I had children and that all changed. I am slowly getting back into taking better care of me and remembering how much I love anything different from what everyone else is wearing. I bought a huge bright pink flower pin to wear on Easter! That was a big deal for me…I loved every second of wearing it!
There are many classic ladies that have influenced me over the years. For current favorites I adore Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker, Emily from the “Some Girls Wander” blog and of course you yourself. 🙂
I think magazines/media has influenced be in both good and bad ways. Only lately have I realized that I’ll often buy something because in my head, I know that it looks “good.” I know that it’s something that would be approved by Glamour, or What Not to Wear, or such-and-such stylist. But sometimes I don’t actually stop and think about the most important question of all – do I feel like myself in it, or do I feel like a random magazine girl in it?
I’m trying to be more conscious of my choices, and why I choose the clothes I do.