Jacket: Hannan, Jeans: AG, Sunglasses: Efva Attling
One of the best things about a good interviewer is that they ask question or make a comment about you that cause you to pause and reflect. Yesterday someone made a statement that I was a very visual person. I found this momentarily startling because I have always been, and always consider myself, to be a woman of words. When I stopped to reflect on this for a moment I realized that somehow my mind has made a shift. Where before I used to read and then make a picture, now I see a picture and it inspires me to write. Truth be told it is more likely a back and forth between images and text that produce an image that probably tells my story better than I can with words.
I find now that when I buy my ever-ending supply of independent fashion magazines it is always the photography that pulls me in and gives me an inspiration or a new idea. The text has become more of an afterthought. Compared to my digital diet where images are streaming by so fast you can hardly take them in, photographs in a magazine that are thoughtfully produced demand I sit quietly with them for a moment before moving on to something new. And so we add another dimension to the processing of information: the difference between what you take in slowly and what you take in fast. Slow is like a full and satisfying meal, fast is like snacking. I find I need both forms in my daily diet.
One of the best things about reading a good interview of someone else is that how that person might respond will also make you reflect. The question posed was how do you really learn about fashion? The answer by “doing it” and by looking at photographs. When I was trying to come up with a topic for my dissertation one of the activities I loved the most was independently doing the research and exploring topics I did not know much about. It was not the classes I enjoyed but this free, unstructured, unfacilitated time of pure exploration. I believe it is the last time I felt pleasure in an academic task other than teaching. My foray in the study of the subject of fashion makes me feel this same sense of play through the “doing” and my excavation of independent fashion magazines. My blog is the place where out of everything I am doing now, I feel the most myself. The photo today inspired me to write about when I feel the most comfortable, full of pleasure and most like me.
A big part of that is you and the kind of conversations we have. So once again let me say how I am grateful to have you in my life and as company during the exploration.
What are you wearing when you feel, “most like yourself?”
Fitted, textured neutrals, without a doubt. The pleats on that jacket are wonderful.
I love this question because the answer is knowing who you are (and who you might like to be and as the post is about "feeling like yourself". So here is an exercise I did. Name four characteristics that express who you are/or see yourself becoming. Then look at a garment you own and ask if that garment conveys that quality or characteristic. If not re-cycle. I use this whenever I am styling or shopping. So for me I like to look cool and intellectual. The jeans and hoops are cool, the jacket is complex and thoughtfully designed and is black so that is intellectual and the shoes are like the ones worn by the nuns who taught me and were the smartest women I knew. The orange wall is because I felt comfortable and warm.
So the secret to being smart is to be smart about what feels right to you. And then it will show.
Fitted, textured neutrals, without a doubt. The pleats on that jacket are wonderful.
You look stunning…and smart. How does one carry off ‘looking smart’? Tips?
I love this question because the answer is knowing who you are (and who you might like to be and as the post is about "feeling like yourself". So here is an exercise I did. Name four characteristics that express who you are/or see yourself becoming. Then look at a garment you own and ask if that garment conveys that quality or characteristic. If not re-cycle. I use this whenever I am styling or shopping. So for me I like to look cool and intellectual. The jeans and hoops are cool, the jacket is complex and thoughtfully designed and is black so that is intellectual and the shoes are like the ones worn by the nuns who taught me and were the smartest women I knew. The orange wall is because I felt comfortable and warm.
So the secret to being smart is to be smart about what feels right to you. And then it will show.
Lyn. noto que se conuce muy bien demasiado bien. Y creo que pocas veces se equivoca en que ponerse o vestirse .A mi me cuesta mucho avanzar a pesar de que tengo bastante edad y el tiempo que no hago cambios y atrevimientos ya no puedo recuperarlo , pensando que otro dia sera porque ya quedan cada vez menos dias.
Lyn. noto que se conuce muy bien demasiado bien. Y creo que pocas veces se equivoca en que ponerse o vestirse .A mi me cuesta mucho avanzar a pesar de que tengo bastante edad y el tiempo que no hago cambios y atrevimientos ya no puedo recuperarlo , pensando que otro dia sera porque ya quedan cada vez menos dias.
Something that I have made from fabric I love( and sometimes have bought on my travels). NEVER black, usually colourful and always including my jewellery .
I was a technical communicator for almost all my working life (statistics, occupational health, law, accounting, personal finance etc). At the tail end of my career I became a more visual person. It started out with trying to use more diagrams and graphs.
I am now a great fan of the new breed of visual communicators. Check out the books of Lynda Barry, Mike Rohde, Dan Roam and Sunni Brown.
I forgot to mention that I luckily discovered Edward Tufte’s work very early on. He is so famous for his visual presentation of statistics. Check out his beautiful books.
Lyn : quisiera saber la marca de la chaqueta, no consigo leerlo bien .¿es posible?
Lyn : quisiera saber la marca de la chaqueta, no consigo leerlo bien .¿es posible?
I think I’m falling in love. Your manifesto speaks my language…I’m in that motherhood phase you refer to somewhere as being a period when you didn’t have time to devote to clothing. I’m word-oriented, academic, investigating ways of being intentional, creative, and sustainable with my wardrobe. I have been trawling the web with a growing sense of alienation from the near universal silhouette and limited assumptions of the fashion world, focused on the elongated pre-adolescent form, as though Twiggy was always the muse of western design. And yet before fashion’s Youthquake in the Sixties it was the younger generation that was invisible . How things have changed! Surely we’re about ready for a shake-up. Thanks for putting yourself out there. I hope to join you in the not-too-distant future, in my world, if not in the blogisphere.
Hi Lyn, question for you if I may? Do you ever have an off day? – you miscalculated and just feel your clothes on a particular day are wearing you rather than the other way around? Hugs, Kat.
Hello Lyn,
I find so much of myself imbedded in your blog. I’ve pondered my 4 words for a while, yet remain with only 2 so far….’relevant’ and ‘resourceful’. I wish to remain approachable and engaged as I age as I feel I am far from done growing and contributing. I feel most like myself in 2 very different getups. Riding tights, with leather half chaps, fishing vest, helmet, and whip…this is worn when I work and ride my horses…a more personal, soft, and spiritual me. The other outfits are minimal dresses with designer boots/sandals and my own OOAK jewelry. I use alternative materials (steel, concrete, steel, plexiglas, vintage buttons) mixed with silver, gold, copper and enamel work to express my love of architecture, contemporary design, and inventiveness. It often draws people into conversation with me and can melt away age differences and stereotypes of gray haired ladies. Lyn, many thanks for providing a place to speak and listen for us.
Hello Lyn,
I find so much of myself imbedded in your blog. I’ve pondered my 4 words for a while, yet remain with only 2 so far….’relevant’ and ‘resourceful’. I wish to remain approachable and engaged as I age as I feel I am far from done growing and contributing. I feel most like myself in 2 very different getups. Riding tights, with leather half chaps, fishing vest, helmet, and whip…this is worn when I work and ride my horses…a more personal, soft, and spiritual me. The other outfits are minimal dresses with designer boots/sandals and my own OOAK jewelry. I use alternative materials (steel, concrete, steel, plexiglas, vintage buttons) mixed with silver, gold, copper and enamel work to express my love of architecture, contemporary design, and inventiveness. It often draws people into conversation with me and can melt away age differences and stereotypes of gray haired ladies. Lyn, many thanks for providing a place to speak and listen for us.
Lyn!
This jacket is amazing! Perfect for transition into Spring.
I have a question for you- what magazines do you seek inspiration from?
I am finding that our traditional Vogue’s and Elle’s are just not the same and that its all so mainstream and pop culture oriented.
Ps- I would love to connect. I’ve just started my blog and admire your style!
Best,
Zabrina
http://www.sentimentalistpalette.com
Lyn!
This jacket is amazing! Perfect for transition into Spring.
I have a question for you- what magazines do you seek inspiration from?
I am finding that our traditional Vogue’s and Elle’s are just not the same and that its all so mainstream and pop culture oriented.
Ps- I would love to connect. I’ve just started my blog and admire your style!
Best,
Zabrina
http://www.sentimentalistpalette.com