Friday, December 28, 2012

Miller Time Friday - Starting to Define a Style

Happy Friday All!
As we draw close to the end of the year, I am starting to think about next year, my hopes and dreams. I am also thinking about refining my style even further, something which you all know is a big challenge for me.

On January 14th I will be 50 years old.  This has come as a bit of a shock to me, since I basically still feel like I am 20!    It has also been an epiphany of sorts to me over the last few months, probably reinforced by my dad's death, that in my 50s I want to OWN myself fully, every single aspect of my life.  No more waiting for dreams, no more trying to be something that I am not.  And clothing most definitely fits into that category.

You know I am a magpie - attracted to all things glittery and colourful.  But this year, I have decided to be a bit of a hummingbird.  I used to think that hummers eat constantly, but since having multiple feeders, I have discovered that they also just like to sit as well, and if they have a dedicated source of good food, they are less frantic.  So in 2013, my wardrobe is going to become my dedicated source of good food!  And I will be the judicisious hummingbird - choosing my new flowers VERY carefully!  I will likely be getting some help to do this, but in the end, what I really want is a closet of a significantly smaller number of items which all go together, look fabulous on me and make me feel like I am wearing the clothes, versus me wearing Jenna or Gayle's clothes (do any of you resemble this remark, too?).  I still really like J Crew, I just want to be judicious in what I purchase there.  And I just don't want to chase my style, I want to define it fully myself and then only take what I need along the way.

In the spirit of this I decided to take a quick look at the few outfits of 2012 that I blogged here that I loved and which you seemed to like, too.  This would seem to me to be a good starting place for defining my style:

1) Identify your signature colour!  Pretty much anything with blue in it made me feel good.  But some colours, like the pagoda blue or a royal blue, really made my heart sing, especially if paired with simple silhouettes.





But pink appeared to be pretty good as well:


2) Simple is good



3) A good accessory or boot makes an outfit:



4) Boring suiting is okay, but add elements, like your signature colour, that really make it pop:


5) Sometimes you don't need colour


6) Sometimes you can jazz up pinstripe and look cute:


7) Dressing tonally makes sense when you are short and well endowed up top..



8) Show your legs:








9) You can go a little bolder if you don't make yourself a circus sideshow:



10) Invest in classic pieces



11)  Every once in a while, really let your colours show:


Club Fairy Shoes



12) and finally, simple and elegant dresses are a thing of beauty:





 So I think I kind of know where to start.... How about you?  Are you thinking of changing things up in 2013?

****************************

On the 4th day of Christmas WMM gave to me:

Some stained glass from Notre Dame Cathedral!



This picture reminds me that, even in beautiful places, you have to open a window and let the light come in.  If you aren't seeing all kinds of beauty, you are missing the Big Show!

Have a lovely day and Dani, since it is the holidays, I am going to bring leftover turkey along with a big bottle of pinot noir!

Have a safe day our there!















34 comments:

  1. Rita Wilson, eat your heart out ;) Those are gorgeous outfits, WMM! I, too, feel like my style is evolving, and like I am chasing some undefined style goal. I am trying to be more realistic about what I actually wear vs aspirational shopping. Also, the bargain shopper in me has a hard time turning down great deals, even when they aren't the best choices for my figure--a good goal for me to work on in 2013 :).

    You are so tiny, and your tailored, simpler pieces really show that off. I think the outfits I like best of the ones you posted combine your love of color with clean lines. Great choices! May you and yours have a healthy and fabulous 2013!

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    1. Thanks Wendy! I think that has been one of my crew-lade issues - seeing something for a great price or on someone else that looks amazing, but which is not me! I end up with a closet that doesn't feel like me! Or look good on me!

      I actually found it quite interesting to see the outfits! I hope you and yours also have a most wonderful 2013!

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  2. Yes, you've got it! You look wonderful in the more simple looks, and it does't have to mean boring, all of the ones above work really well with your proportions.
    I know ...50... another 18 months for me but I'm feeling a wind of change already, turning 40 meant nothing to me but 50... well it is time to take stock and get into to the Rodin position.

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    1. Tabs - I am sometimes in the Rodin position, sometimes in the fetal position!

      My only sadness is 2 boxes of JC still en route from several weeks ago! More returns!

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    2. Closet guilt is not time well spent, sucks all fun out, skip it. And those two boxes are a top spot to start being a hummingbird. :-)

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  3. This is the good part. No compromises. No buying things because you can't resist the price, no buying things that wear you, instead of the other way around. Yes to small periodic weed-outs, thus avoiding the trauma of major purges. Yes to critical eye in 3-way or carefully angled 2-way mirror. Yes to good underpinnings. Yes to good shoes, fewer but better. No shopping when bored or desperate. Yes to Happy New Year, yes to smiles, yes to love.

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  4. Yes, these! One thing you didn't mention but that you've included here is texture. In look #1, the skirt. In #3, the boots, in #4, the suit has texture. In #5, the skirt. In #8, the blouse. In #11, the pants. In #12, the second dress. The textures (and the boots in particular) make a plain outfit or a simple silhouette interesting/special. You've done a great job incorporating texture into your wardrobe, it suits you!

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    1. Good point Cate - I find I do like me some texture! I am not sure if it was intentional incorporation however! :-)

      Am feeling quite good as I have a big bag for consignment!

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  5. TRUE BLUE Love Tabs, WFF, Cate! Seeing some kind of closet connection in that glorious stained glass window. Even with the most vivid, complex, artful collection you really need to look carefully let in some simplicity, basic shapes and light.
    WMM totally agreed you need to concentrate on clothes that let your gams, hair, smile, eyes, twinkle toes and personality shine.
    The past few months were a switch up for me and I kind of felt like I lost a bit of myself along with my corporate style. But, I eventually found a modified uniform that worked for me and IRL subway, cat, babysitting, coffee networking. If I head back to a more formal office in 2013 I definitely want to keep more elements of the casual and the fun during the week - colour, accessories, walkable heels etc.
    The two best finds from 2012: 1. Sticking mostly to sound investments, Brora sweaters & tights, two great coats bought early in season, my first pair of Chies, cashmere Tippis. 2. Finding all the great cheerleaders and OOTDs I could copy from my closet here - FFM and her weekly picks, shared Schoolboy selection, you and blue, Dani and her colour stories, Tabs shops closet before big night out, xoxo's discerning eye, abc's multiple outfits from one piece, ajc mixing in prints and taking colour to work...(many others I've missed, but they get credit and you get idea.)
    Here's to a refreshed and discerning 2013. (Or as we say out east "Git 'er done, my girl.")

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    1. Oh, I had to add two more - Ema's simple chic that is never dull and Gigi's never-cut-corners reviews.

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    2. GF - great points! I am still struggling with what to get rid of! A couple of things I wasn't sure if I would like better if I lost the 10 pounds (probably 15 now after Christmas!) so I tucked them away. But you know - there is always something! And what I have really learned is if there is too much, you hardly wear anything! Go figure!

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    3. Thank you Get Fresh, you made my day!

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    4. Isn't our GF the best - she is like a dose of sunshine that always makes me so happy!

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  6. I agree with Wendy - the simple, tailored lines look lovely on you and I especially like the trench!

    My b-day is on January 6th - let's hope that there are no storms or blizzards on our b-days! :)

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    1. LR - you are the Three Kings Baby! You must be grand indeed!! It snowed like the devil here last night - a real blizzard - I think we got 2 feet of snow!

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    2. My half-birthday is on January 6th and in Italy it is the day of the "Befana", which is an old lady (sort of a witch) who comes visit your house (sort of like Santa) and leaves coal if you have been naughty and gifts if you have been nice. I always loved that I am a half Befana!

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    3. I have never heard of a half birthday! Does that mean that my half-birthday is Bastille Day - JUly 14th? How cool!

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  7. What a good idea to have a look at your best outfits. I love this. Don't worry about your JC returns, I've got a return box downstairs at the moment too, and I'm waiting for 2 more orders to sift through and probably return. My New Years resolution is not to be an ordering fool, Fred makes a good point about not shopping when desperate or bored, I must heed this!

    I feel a change coming as well. I went through my closet yesterday and took out every item that I haven't been wearing due to comfort, wearing clothes with silk linings and cashmere sweaters has made itchy, poor, non-breathing fabrics completely intolerable. So many of my frocks have an acetate/poly lining and I end up not wearing them, it's ridiculous.

    I am so looking forward to your wardrobe journey this year my hummingbird friend!!
    As usual your plan for Miller Time is perfect! And I've got the champers chilling!

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    1. Dani - I am with you - I find the linings as much a pain as anything. And really - how much do I need? I need some, but if I keep passing things by, that is a definite sign! Plus, with my potential upcoming changes, I may not need quite as much dressy anyhow! The purolater man will miss me, however.... We've gotten so close....

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  8. WMM, first of all I am really excited that your birthday is January 14th because this is also my photographer's birthday! It will be a big one for her too, she is turning 10! Now I know why I feel a special kinship with you ;)
    The outfits you picked would be my favorites too, everything blue, tailored, clean line and limited color palette. I agree with others, you are tiny so you cannot fit too much on your small frame, monochromatic makes you look leaner and taller and texture of the boots echoes the texture your hair brings to the outfit and most important, your bubbly personality does not need many embellishments :)
    Love to join you on your journey, I am planning similar post for Monday.

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    1. Oh - that is so great - your photographer is a really good photographer - obviously very creative! I love it that we share a birthday!

      I have cleared out so much! I have never thought of my hair texture in relation to my clothes! I learn so much from you folks!!!

      I will definitely need a friend for the journey! On to the yellow brick road!

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    2. ps - AJC - I am having trouble leaving a comment on your site today - am I doing something wrong?

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  9. What a great list! Can you please email #9 to Gayle Spannus at J.Crew?

    Being very particular myself I support more judicious shopping. Your collection of fabulous outfits is a great reference for building on your personal style in 2013. I see a great pattern here - tailored skirts, trousers and dresses that flatter your shapely legs and balance proportions with the jackets and sweaters on top. Of course the right color can make all the difference and you have a wonderful sense of color in these outfits.

    Here's to a stylish new year!

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    1. Ha! Do you think Gayle would care? She does sometimes suck me into her vortex of colour and delight, kind of like a circus sideshow barker: "step right up folks, see the colour and bling all mashed together!! Give me your money and I will give you the same crazy mash-up!"

      thanks for the great suggestions!

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  10. I love that you're taking stock by reviewing outfits that worked and then analyzing the elements with a sylist's eye.
    I'm turning 50 exactly 6 months after you and I'm getting a head start on freaking out. I need to get my body in much better shape and then focus on the wardrobe I want to own. Sadly, looks I really like aren't ideal for my shape, so I feel like I compromise a lot. This year I've been focused on "less is more" and I feel good about it. More $ in the bank for when that perfect piece comes along and enough to wear for daily life.

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    1. Hey Julie! I will let you know how it feels so I am dropping off the fifty cliff a little sooner. On the other hand, I would like to see 50 as a chance to renew and re-invigorate myself. could I be having a mid-life crisis? Likely! Well I am going through my wardrobe with the precision of a surgeon (I think) and there have been some casualties, since like you, in my fantasy world, I am 5'8" and shaped like Twiggy!

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  11. I think that going through old outfit pictures is really one thing where having a blog helps in understanding what works and what doesn't. Sometimes I stumble across an outfit and think "What was I thinking" or "Wow, this looks great!". I think you look great in skirts, the skirt outfits that you posted are my favorite ones (especially number 2 and 3). I like color on you, especially shades of cobalt blue.
    Good luck with your "resolution", I think you are in a good place. I hope I will also have a clear vision when I turn 50!

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    1. Hi Ema! I find the blog has been really helpful in identifying what works and what does not! It can be both rewarding and humbling! I like skirts a lot - I do struggle with making sure they don't cut me off visually. I guess I am still learning that trick!

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    2. What a delight to see you in all your glory. Have only been following for a bit over a month so most outfits were new to me. Fifty is around the corner and I have told my hubby I will not be in town on my birthday. I plan to be out of country. I forced myself to wear everything in my closet over the past three months. Quite humbling. A lot of them I winced and refused. Off they went to goodwill. Quality, tailoring, comfort (not just fat pants), and style for my body as is (not 10lbs less) will be my shopping motto this year. Wishing you health,wealth, and wisdom for this and all years to come.

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    3. Hey BB! You are SO right - I took everything out of my closet that wasn't flattering, was too tight, was too loose or was designed for someone who was not me!!

      I am doing the same thing - if I don;t want to wear it tomorrow - shouldn't be there!! I wish I was out of the country in Greece or the Caribbean, but I will be here in all of our frozen glory!

      Thanks so much for your great comments!

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    4. Blue Booby you are so fun! Not just for the spectacular profile shot of the Blue Booby brassiere either, BB your comments are spot on, what a great idea to force yourself to wear all items, wincing and goodwill bag part of the program. Happy Birthday to you as well Blue Booby, I hope you have a lovely trip!
      Wendy if you do go to Greece last minute may I tag along please.

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  12. Hi WMM! I'm so sad to have missed Miller Time, but had an extremely busy day yesterday, so it couldn't be helped. I plan to be there next week though! I'll bring the chocolate dessert I just shared on my blog so you can try it. :)

    I think the plan you have for your wardrobe in 2013 is perfect. All the comments/suggestions that have been made are spot on, and I agree with all of them. The outfits you picked are also some of my favorites, and I especially love numbers 2 and 7.

    My second born son is also a January baby, with his special day coming up on the 10th. :)

    Do you have any special plans to celebrate your big 5-0 birthday? If you do go to Greece last minute, then I want to tag along with you and Dani!

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    1. Hi FFM! Thanks for the good advice. Another January baby - we are a hardy lot I think! no plans yet for birthday. I must come up with some soon!

      If I get to go to Greece it will because i suddenly become a gazillionaire, so of course you can come along! would be awfully fun!

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Kindness is a virtue...