I have friends with stunning personal style. Aubrey has this air of modern über-hipness permeating everything she wears, as well as the way she decorates her home. Dana, who always looks polished and posh, finds amazing designer clothes at thrift stores and garage sales, and sometimes sells them on eBay. Both of them have an innate ability to wear just the right thing and exude total hotness. Kind of like those figure skaters who make it look so easy you watch them and think, "I could do that." Yeah, and fall flat on my face trying.
In spite of the fact two of my favorite shows are What Not to Wear and Project Runway (which I love because I sew and for the drama), I personally operate in a mostly fashion-free zone. I have occasional moments of adequacy if I make a big effort, like when I dress up to go to church or out to dinner. For the most part, however, my personal style could best be described as retro ghetto chic.
What is retro ghetto chic? It's all about cheap function. At any given moment, my outfit will have at least one item puchased at a thrift store or at Costco, and may also include hand-me-downs or items purchased off the clearance rack at some not-haute retail outlet such as Fred Meyer. Right now I'm wearing pink sock monkey pajama pants (a gift), black shearling slippers (Costco), and a brown Old Navy t-shirt (lately from Value Village). In all fairness, I got up less than an hour ago and haven't showered yet, but the only likely change (besides clean underwear) after I shower will be swapping the jammy pants and slippers for some black pants (Value Village) and red sneakers (clearance rack at Marshall's).
But I don't want your pity. Because those red sneakers are Skechers.
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7 comments:
I am sorry Katie, this post is hardly worth commenting on. Other than it seems you need some reassurance. I've known you my whole life and I seriously doubt that you are Style Challenged. Of course one must define "style". I personally find myself to have lots of style. However, this has nothing to do with what any one else considers style to be. It's about me and what works for me at any given time. Come on, other than the obvious need for fashion houses to make tons of money, there is also the need to change up the trends based on the changing needs of divas the world over. Well, the same thing applies to those of us with personal style. We occasionally change things up due to our everyday needs. Rememeber, style is fun unless it's not. Don't beat yourself up by comparing yourself to your fabulous friends. They and I know that you are quite fabulous indeed.
hear, hear dory! she said it all, katie. you are fabulous. and just so you know: i am wearing an old navy pajama shirt from christmas last year and a hand me down sway&cake pair of lime green pants with my hair in a ponytail. blech. for me, style is something i always strive for and achieve at great efforts. believe me, it's anything but effortless.
I don't know you but I have met Aubrey and I can say that anyone standing next to her would feel intimidated :)
But then again, Dory is right. You shouldn't compare yourself to your friends...heck, I know I always end up losing :P
Dory is right, and that's the cool thing about sisters: they remind you when you're being silly and call you on it. Which is why I posted my little addendum--so she would know that I knew that yes, I'm being a goof and am in reality totally secure in my retro ghettoishness. In fact, stay tuned for my latest sewing project that shows just how in touch with my retro self I really am!
Me too, Katie. While I was sick during the holidays, I watched a What Not to Wear marathon. The advice works for most of the people and I like the show in general. However, watching one after the other made me realize that each person was given almost the same NY-centered advice only slightly adjusted for her body. I guess the principles are good, but mostly it's just fashion and highly time, corporate and location sensitive, and there doesn't seem to be much about personal style that's very innovative. We laugh at what looked "good" 10 years ago and 10 years from now we'll laugh at this, too. Personally, I've never felt comfortable wearing the layers or the pointy-toed shoes (any of the 3 times in my memory that they've been fashionable). As for the structured jackets, I've never been willing to have one tailored for me so they're always too small in the shoulders, the sleeves are always too short, and they're always too hot. Fortunately, I had a career where these kinds of things weren't important, and in fact, a little funky was more appreciated than conformity. Now that I'm retired and living in Tucson, most of the year I can wear almost nothing, just like I did in Texas for the first 30 years of my life. Hooray!
Katie, You are so cute!Although, I feel the exact same way. It seems the style that I feel represents me will only fit women who are like a size 8.
So I compromise. As for right now I am wearing black sweatpants and a polka dot dress shirt.hahahaa! I am hoping to lose some weight and get a whole new wardrobe. I could use it!
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