Tags
challenge, clothes, dress, fabric, fabrics, fashion, patterns, projects, Seamless Pledge, sew exhausted, sewing, Stevie Nicks, style, style over 40
I am a studied contradiction when it comes to style. Currently, I don’t consider myself to be very stylish OR have a style of my own. I want one! Honestly, I LOVE clothes. I would like a closet full of them. Up until now though, I have never really focused on it.
*(I googled SLOB Images and basically came up with heavy older men in wife beater shirts with a beer in their hand so decided NOT to add a sloppy, fashionless pic here- but you get the idea right?)
I am not even close to being stylish, not for lack of desire- more for lack of cash AND because I have been in that era of my life where I was focusing on other things. Like my kids and surviving! I had a brief few years where I worked in retail. Millers Outpost (The Fashion Answer at that time- lol), I was single and 18, and a nice chunk of my money could go to dressing myself. Alas, it didn’t last long because I was married a few years later and welcoming child number one. My brief spell of shopping and wearing cute clothes was over for me. And never lasted long enough to develop ANY sense of style really.
Well, my kids are all practically grown up (here is me with the 2 eldest), I have started sewing again, and I WANT a wardrobe. I want a stylish, fun, classy, wild wardrobe. Not black on black or black on denim which is what most of my wardrobe consists of.
And if you noted the adjectives I used to describe the dream contents of my closet you may see one of my problems.
The fact is I cannot determine my “style.” I cannot figure out what I should focus on and frankly where I should even begin! Two things I DO know.
1. As I pledged to NOT buy ready made cheap clothing (or even ready made expensive clothing!), I have to MAKE this “stylish, fun, classy, wild wardrobe.” (Or thrift it!)
2. AND, I need to figure out WHAT my closet is going to be filled with. And that seems to be my biggest issue!
To accomplish this I started combing the internet. (Key words- Stylish women over 40… What not to wear at 45…. etc) I DO know what I like. But now that I am in my later 40’s (cringe), can I still sport some of those styles I am attracted to? There are so many young looking clothes out there that are FAB but should just be worn by my oh so beautiful, cute, trendy daughters. Not me. 😦 Frankly, I think the above picture pretty much shouts- LAURIE- Do NOT wear this! The below picture? Ooo- I LOVE the skirt! But I should stay away from the midriff baring lace top. 
Sigh. Super big Sigh… Waiting for “my day” means I have missed out on a lot. But I am not ready for polyester elastic -waisted pants and track suits. (Hey! Are black velour “track suits” still in fashion?)
Question for you– Can I have an eclectic wardrobe? If I bounce from Romantic Country to Bohemian to Classy to an edgy (but classy) rocker chick look, can I even say I am developing a style? It seems to me that when you google a person, they tend to be typically dressed in a “look” that suits them. (good plan of course! I want everything I wear to suit me!) And they are ALWAYS in that same look.
But oh! I crave to dress like Stevie Nicks some days. I just adore her free wheeling, lacy, flowing, old fashioned bohemian style. On the other hand I have always adored Jaclyn Smith’s style. Clean, crisp, classic and she is so gorgeous it all looks amazing on her!
How about Country. Lately I am lusting after boots. I would love to own 4-5 pairs. A basic black cowboy boot, a brown suede pair and a fancy pair of wild and colorful ones. (Not to mention a classic pair of black knee high ones too!)
And Rocker Chic. Wanna know a secret? I OWN a pair of biker boots. Black Harley Davidson’s… I feel quite awesome when I put those on with a pair of jeans. Can’t you just see a flowy romantic blouse like this with a rockin’ pair of biker boots and jeans? OR, should I put away the boots and white lace so I don’t become a cliche. I do NOT want to be a cliche or ever on an episode of “What Not to Wear.”
What about when I want to don a Madmen style dress… or imagine myself in a Steam Punk Skirt or Edwardian blouse? I LOVE those looks too! Isn’t that velvet coat and blouse amazing?!
After writing all this down and combing Pinterest and numerous style blogs and images on the net, I am starting to think my Style is not only eclectic but discombobulated. SHOULD I be wearing a white eyelet country skirt with a pair of boots, or a black top hat and steam punk skirt? Maybe I SHOULD stick to velour track suits?
Well sheesh- I don’t know. BUT I think I want to FIND OUT!
My biggest quandary? How the heck am I going to mix all the above styles to make a style of my own that flatters me and makes me feel great? Can I rock a boucle navy jacket with a white chiffon shell, slacks and spectator pumps one day and a bohemian maxi dress the next?
And even MORE of a quandary? Can I SEW all of this? Where do I start? Not sure yet, but I am going to embark on “My Style Adventure.” Because I need to, and want to. After all, we only have one life to live, and after neglecting that side of me for so long, I wanna get out there and create really cool clothes. Clothes I can wear, and feel good in. Clothes that can fill my closet with awesomeness. AND clothes that will fit my every mood and whimsy! And frankly, if we have just one life I wanna enjoy the rest of it feeling good about myself!
Hahahahaha- I crack myself up sometimes… BUT I AM going to do it. I am going to do my best to sew some classic basics and then start adding in some of the wild fun things I want to wear. And I will keep you posted on my progress!
Take care peeps. I apologize for the break I have taken. Work, life, and several other things have knocked me a bit off the path BUT I am getting back on it and hope to be able to share this latest adventure with you…I have missed you all and will probably need to read 2 months worth of blog posts from each and every one of you to catch up on what you are doing!
xoxo
~Laurie
Sew Exhausted 
I hope you have a blast on your style discovery… Style it’s about feeling confident to what you wear and have fun. Wear what makes you happy
I love looking at clothes- and there are so MANY styles out there. I think that is good advice- wear what makes me happy! 🙂
I say you can wear a little of everything! I have a rather eclectic closet myself – I tend to dress for the setting/situation more than anything. (I think it’s sort of a side effect of being a costumer.) I like all kinds of looks and styles. I suppose the most consistent thing is retro details in most of my clothes.
Wear what you like and don’t worry about having one “style”. =) Even celebrities don’t really have a specific style – they just seem to because they know when there will be cameras and they dress for them.
Never thought about stars being camera ready with their signature style… Good to know I am not the only one who likes lots of different looks!
Don’t apologize for taking a break – life happens! I’m very interested in your new adventure since I seem to be in a similar place right now. I had built a uniform of sorts for work (pants, top, cardigan usually in black or gray) since I have to get up very early and have a long commute. A funny thing happened though since I started sewing this year. Now I want to wear stylish things instead of my usual boring clothes. I’m also trying to figure out exactly what that style is. I can’t wait to see your progress (and possible borrow some of your looks)!
Thanks Shar… Can I ask what/ Where your Blog is? IF you have one? I admit I would be very curious to watch you as well! (maybe even borrow some of YOUR looks! 🙂 )
I don’t have a blog (maybe someday), but I post regularly to my Flickr account under Shar_L. We could be each other’s cheerleaders! (I need all the help I can get).
I am off to find you on Flickr… 😀
Found ya… you have made some great clothes Shar! I will do my best to figure Flickr out… lol
Love all those looks – you’re a great style picker – but as someone who has passed the 5 decade mark, I have to agree with no midriff-baring if one is beyond looking like the model in your photo!
Oh I definitely don’t need to be wearing ANYTHING midriff baring… And I am sure I will end up
finding that some looks I like just won’t suit me anymore…
First off, Miller’s Outpost? Lol!!! That takes me back!! As far as your style goes, make it your own. You don’t need to be stuck in one fashion genre. Just pick pieces that you like and make it work. I found that going through my closet and weeding out clothes and finding what I like and writing down what I need (like shirts to go with skirts!)was helpful. I have a going list of what I’m going to make and work off that. I’m working on my self made wardrobe right now, but as I wear dresses 90% of the time,it makes it much easier to put together outfits. Have fun and I’m looking forward to seeing your makes! I know you’ll look awesome in whatever you create!
Thank you Tanya! And yes- Millers Outpost- I figured I was already dating myself with the Jaclyn Smith and Stevie mentions anyway.. Ha ha. I like the idea of a list. It is going to be a BIG one though! Guess I will take it one garment at a time. 🙂
This sounds like a fun adventure! Have you considered spending some time in stores trying on ready-to-wear things just to determine what styles suit you? It would be a shame to spend a lot of time sewing something up only to find out the end result isn’t flattering. I’m excited to see what you come up with!
That is very true. A waste of time AND fabric! Definitely a good idea. I figure I cannot do a hugely drastic style change- as in I doubt very much I could carry off a full Stevie look but a skirt, OR jacket, or shawl? I think with the right other pieces I can do ok. Definitely like your idea of trying things on though. It is true I have found things that no matter how much I like them, once I get them on they do nothing for me. Sad but true!
We all have that problem… I think hi/low skirts are so cute, but they make me look short and stubby. Let’s not even discuss midriff baring tops…
I’m very eclectic when it comes to clothes. I like to have fun, combine classics with grunge, quirky with conservative. – enjoy your clothes. It’s fun!
I like the idea of combining and am looking forward to putting together some great outfits- Altho I am sure there will be some flops along the way. Guess that is all part of the learning process…
Why not eclectic? I live in suburbia, where the accepted SAHM uniform is tees and yoga pants. Ugh. I have a closet full of pieces that I love, that don’t always work together (always room to make something to go with that odd piece), but offer lots of options for each day’s events. I say sew up an adventure and to hell with the cost. I’ve wadded a lot of fabric and as far as I’m concerned, it’s all part of “sewing school”. 🙂
Guess that means velour IS out and tees and yoga pants are IN… LOL… Actually I am looking forward to DRESSING and looking great every day. I do not plan on wearing velour… I am looking forward to the adventure… Welcome to “sewing school.” 😀
If it helps I always thought you looked very stylish and way younger than you say you are. I think it is as much about how you wear the clothes as what you wear, and I would agree with what Rachel said about wearing what makes you happy . However I am probably the last person to offer advice as I am still discovering my own style. Learning to sew has definitely been very liberating in helping me escape wearing things just because they are in fashion. If I am investing the time in making something I want it to be something I love and wearable for longer than just one season. I do think that the looks you have mentioned can actually work together. You could totally rock a Stevie Nicks/Boho/Rock Chick with a touch of Jaclyn vibe. Have fun with it and see how it goes.
You are too kind! Thanks Tara! I am almost 48 but have been blessed with good genes- I sure hope it continues! … I really like what you said here about investing in something now that you sew- and NOT wearing things because fashion dictates we should. What a great way to put it! I too would way rather make something that I love that suits me and wear it for a long time then buy a cheap little something that will end up in the rag bag a year from now. Well said! … Now I am going to go and think about HOW I can put together that rockin’ “Stevie Nicks/Boho/Rock Chick with a touch of Jaclyn vibe!”
Are you familiar with the site “Already Pretty”? If not, you should totally check it out:
http://www.alreadypretty.com/
I will check it out! Thanks!
I completely relate to this! My kids are pretty much grown too, and my closet says “Styled by Old Navy.” Not the look I was going for and now I’m hoping to add a little more of me back in…as soon as I figure out what that is. I’d say based on the things you’ve shown here, you’re well on your way. Good luck!
Thanks Staci… We will see how it all pans out. I have to say the planning sure is exciting. Can’t get too many ideas all at once though or I am overwhelmed. So, to that end I am TRYING to only think ahead by 2-3 outfits!
Well, to answer this question: “Can I have an eclectic wardrobe? If I bounce from Romantic Country to Bohemian to Classy to an edgy (but classy) rocker chick look, can I even say I am developing a style? It seems to me that when you google a person, they tend to be typically dressed in a “look” that suits them.” Yes! I think often ‘style’ is mistaken for ‘fashion’. Having a sense of style means that you take the ‘fashion’ and make it your own, regardless of the trend or type or look.
And, I do know what you mean about being a ‘certain age’ and can you get away with wearing certain things. I am in the same boat. And, I know, I know, people say ‘oh, doesn’t matter how old you are, age is not a crime, etc. wear what you like’. And, although I agree with that in theory, I do believe that there are many things I wore in my teens and twenties that I would never wear now. Not so much because my body has changed, but because I feel very ‘young’ and maybe even a tad like I’m trying to re-live my youth, somehow. And, I think there is nothing wrong with re-vamping your style to match your differing life stages. I mean, we are older, we are wiser, we know things that we only wish we did when we were 22, so why not use that to our advantage and alter our style accordingly?
I have some inspiring quotes for you now, my dear. Sit back, relax and enjoy!!:
“Fashion can be bought, style one must possess.” Edna Woolman Chase
“Remember that always dressing in understated good taste is the same as playing dead.” Susan Catherine
“In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.” Coco Chanel
“You musn’t be eaten by the kimono, you must eat the kimono.” Hanayagi Kenshu
And, my personal favourite, by a woman “of a certain age”:
“Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful.” Sophia Lauren
🙂
Can I just second this? (except the age thing but I will probably get there eventually :)) Make and wear things you like and love wearing, it will make you feel good and when you feel good you will look good!
Hear hear! 🙂
I have been preparing a blog post on this very topic! Of course you can have an eclectic style! That’s the fun if fashion and expressing yourself with clothing! I am the same way…I have so many different favorite styles that I like to try them all depending on my mood for the day! Have fun with your clothes!