A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style

I just finished reading A Guide To Quality, Taste and Style by Tim Gunn. Although it was a fun read, the information was not that useful for me.

My favorite line in the book is that if you wouldn’t want to run into an ex-lover in what you are wearing, get rid of it. He stresses fit, finding a fashion role model, and posture. My physical therapist would love him. He reminds the reader to open up the chest and bring the shoulders down, same advice my PT gave me.

An interesting comment in the book is about the current trend for adults to try to dress like teenagers. The author notes that in times past boys moved from short to long pants, and girls got their first high heels. Children looked forward to moving into “adult” clothing as an indicator of their transition into adulthood. Today with adults wearing the same thing as children (men in shorts and women in flip-flops), there is not that important moment in a child’s life. I can relate to the significance of that moment. I came of age in the days before pantyhose, I can remember the first time I got to wear a garter belt and hose instead of ankle socks. Even though I am nearly 55 years old, I have never moved into an adult wardrobe, except for work. I am currently searching out my “adult” look. I am finally ready to grow up.

Golden Girls

I have been watching TV while sewing lately, including reruns of the 1980’s sitcom, Golden Girls. I have always thought of the characters as being older women. I was watching an episode that gave Rose’s age……….55! I’m nearly the same age as that character. What is even worse, I am dressing like Rose! Am I really out of date or is this a classic style for a romantic woman in her 50’s? I just don’t know.

I have always had a problem of not dressing to match my personality. When the Golden Girls was first on the air I worked for an insurance company that dealt with brokers who rarely came into the office. After literally years of correspondence with these brokers, they asked us to send a photo of the staff at our office. They then guessed who we were. At that point I dressed in the 1980’s power suit and had my hair cut short. The brokers guessed that I was my secretary who had long curly hair and had a very bohemian style.

I have always had a problem deciding how to dress modestly, but with my own style, which is very romantic. I have had even more problems with this as I have gotten older. I decided to look at the styles shown on Golden Girls, as each of these women had their own style. I am a cross between Rose and Blanche. My clothes have multiple personality disorder.

Extravagant Impatience

One of my favorite blogs is the Walk with Me blog at Christianity Today. Renae Bottom had a great blog entry on aging. Please take the time to read it.
http://blog.todayschristianwoman.com/walkwithme/2009/05/extravagant_impatience.html

Before I started caring for my parents full time, I would get totally frustrated when I would try to help them, but would get only complaints. Renae’s article helped me understand for the first time why they were not happy with my efforts.

I am getting set in my ways. This article was a real wake-up call to be more flexible.

What Not To Wear

I have been “reading” What Not to Wear by Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine. I put reading in quotes as this is really a picture book on style. The photos clearly illustrate the principles of what not to wear for different figure problems. Although the information in this book is good, I really don’t like the writing style of the authors. If you are a visual learner, this book is appropriate; however, be aware that the language used in this book is rather coarse.

What I learned:
1. I should not wear a trench coat, as they are not flattering to a large chest and waist.
2. A large cuff bracelet will make my arm look larger.

Plus Style

I finished reading Plus Style, The Plus-Size Guide to Looking Great by Suzan Nanfeldt. What a great book! I am all inspired. This book is very comprehensive and stresses fit, something that has been overlooked in the other books that I have read.

What I learned from this book:
1. People make a number of value judgments within 7 seconds of meeting a new person based on their appearance.

• Economic Level
• Trustworthiness
• Level of Sophistication
• Economic Heritage
• Educational Heritage
• Educational Level
• Social Position
• Level of Success
• Social Heritage
• Moral Character

2. Using prints in clothing needs to be carefully thought out.

• A regular pattern that fills the available space will make one appear smaller than a widely spaced pattern.
• Use pattern to balance proportions.
• Match the “personality” of the print to the style of the garment.
• The smaller, more subtle and muted the print, the more sophisticated and enduring it will be. (Think of the wild prints of the 1970’s).

3. A skirt must be longer than it is wide to be properly proportioned, so a shorter skirt needs to be tapered at the hem.
4. Rules for a capsule wardrobe:

• Use 4 or 5 colors maximum, 2 neutrals and 2 accent colors.
• All colors should work together.
• The patterns should coordinate.
• The styles and scale should be compatible. Can the blouse be worn under the jacket.
• Each piece should be appropriate for the same lifestyle function.

5. Catalog your clothes by clothing type, garment, season/fabric, color, what else it works with, and any accessories that will work with it.