Day 98: Putting it All Together, Part 2

So, I probably sounded a little "self-righteous" in my post yesterday. Didn't mean to...just so excited about figuring out some things that are very much needed in my life.

I know from my color analysis with my grandmother that purple is a really good color on me. I also look good in navy blue and Kelly green. Sadly, I can't remember anything else!

I prefer navy blue as my "go to color". If I had to choose between navy blue and black, I will choose navy blue every time. I do not have a "little black dress" in my closet, but I do have a "little navy blue dress" in my closet. The colors at my wedding were purple, yellow and navy blue....all 3 are favorites of mine.

What I learned from reading these books is that I have to start somewhere...I am never going to give a polished look (even if that look is jeans & a t-shirt) if I don't practice. Practice is a huge key to learning...but that is for a different post. :)

Since the majority of books suggested that when shopping you should start with color & then look for the other features (lines, textures, etc...), I decided to start my practical journey of style in the same vein.

In the past, I have bought based on if the item fit me and had the required v-neck (for shirts & dresses). I didn't really think about anything else...thus why I sometimes have nothing that co-ordinates or why after a couple of wearings realize that an item just doesn't work for me (usually too uncomfortable...comfort is really important to me).

The other thing I learned is to buy outfits. If I buy the shirt & pants at the same time then no wondering if an item will "go together". I am also going to start investing in tailoring.

And finally, I have to accept who I am in pictures and then move on...my, "yes...and?"

So...a recent photo of me (yep, that is right, I am now going to regularly bore everyone with pictures of me in different outfits, but really, how else am I going to learn?)

photo taken by my oldest daughter.

So, I like each piece individually. The skirt is one of my favorites. I guess if I was to follow fashion rules or body rules, the skirt doesn't work for my height & figure...but I like the skirt so it stays. The skirt is comfortable, the floral design is pretty, but not too big nor too busy. It is also a long, full skirt which I prefer to wear now that I am a mom. When I attend church a long skirt makes more sense if I have to "get down" to my children's levels. I haven't had to "wrestle" with them at church for some time, but I still fill prefer the long, full skirt for the simple piece of mind...I won't be showing something by accident since I am fully covered. Plus, I have always like full skirts.

The purple knit sweater is one that I have had for a long time and normally wear with a different skirt, but I felt like the purple co-ordinated well with the skirt. The off-white top is a short-sleeve, button up shirt that I love.

Yet, I do not like all the items together.

1 - Too many buttons. It was hard to get the buttons in the top, the sweater & the skirt to all line up and stay lined up  (something that is important to  my anal self).

2 - I had to tuck in the top because it was longer than the sweater, but it looked odd have the top hang below the sweater.

3 - I felt like every time I moved, the sweater & top were headed in different directions..thus no longer comfortable.

4 - Since I had to tuck in the top, I could not leave the sweater open...I have a short waist and the tucked in top emphasized the short waist & just looked odd to me.

5 - Finally, I look too much like a mom. Yes, I know, I am a  mom. I want to look modest, clean, put together, but I don't want to look matronly...I want to look stylish. I don't think this outfit did it. Was it a bad outfit? No. Just not a home run.

Not to worry! I am trying lots of different tops with this skirt and/or sweater. I know the "perfect" outfit is out there!

Happy Walking!