Tales of a Middle Class Clothes Pony

A Few of My Favorite Things

2009-08-26T11:27:00.000-07:00

To prove that I practice what I preach, I am devoting this post to my own style realizations. Below are some of the things that were LOVE pieces when I pillaged my closet. I have included notes below to tell you a little bit about that I love about the piece and what that love tells me about my style. Please excuse my lack of photography skills.

I have had this dress for about twelve years and it is still one of my favorite things. As a redhead I usually avoid orange, but this piece is more of a hot coral that is so wrong on me, it's right. The cut and fabric are impeccable. The rounded hem is slightly shorter in the front, making it just a little unusual. This dress plays on my love of good construction and quirky details. The color keeps it from being too simple and I can dress it up or down, accessorize it for winter or summer. Strappy sandals make it warm; black tights make it cool. It never fails to get complimented when I wear it.

I am a firm believer in the power of the LBD (little black dress). My all time favorite is actually a jersey tank dress, but this is a close second and my current staple (the tank dress is too big). It is also jersey, a material I love because it is usually washable and the drape can flatter your figure like nothing else. This piece is a little shorter than I usually wear, but I think it's balanced by the relatively high neck. I am a firm believer in the sexiness of tastefully showing skin in only one major area. If you look closely, you can that it is not just sleeveless; the dress has a little inset sleeve that caps the shoulder. Again, just one unexpected detail takes a simple style to another level.

Every couple of years Leopard print reappears on the radar. However, I am of the mind that when done tastefully, it should always be part of my wardrobe. I have three different leopard dresses, one I've had since I was 16. It's too short to be age appropriate, but it looks killer over fitted cropped black pants. The dress above is about 6 years old and is the exception that proves the rule that I shouldn't wear cross-front tops. The tailoring is such that nothing falls out, partly due the high waist. With the slight flair of the skirt and fitted waist, the dress shows off my figure perfectly and I love the flirty little bows on the shoulders. The chiffon keeps the print from being too severe and the pattern has an organic feel to it. Elegant, yet fun.

Before you get the mistaken impression that I have a safari in my closet, let me clear some things up. I do like leopard when it's done well. Giraffe can be fabulous, but I've yet to see anything worth my funds. As for zebra, in general I find it to be troublesome. If not done well, it looks very cheap. Plus, you have to deal with the stripe issue: is it going to make you look wider. However, this dress is a rare exception. The stripes are done well so that they elongate. But the real killer here is the design: the cut, with the v-neck, fitted waist, and slightly flared skirt fits me like heaven. It's made out of jersey and hugs me without being tacky. It literally fits like someone looked at me and made the most flattering dress possible for my figure. If it came in any other color or pattern, I would buy it.

This dress is a relatively new addition to my closet and I am obsessed with it. I love the Asian print and the extreme length. It's screened mesh lined in gold, which gives it a slight sparkle. My husband loves the fit, which is body conscious without being tight. And it helps that I am exactly the right height to wear it: two inches shorter and it would drag, two inches taller and it would be awkward. It represents my love of fit and ethnic prints, especially Asian.

If you haven't figured it out by now, I love prints. Even more than that, I love mixing prints. This dress has the fun quirk of having an a-symetrical hem and neckline. Adding my own printed flower pin detail in the same tones is very much Me. Cynthia Rowley talks in the book Swell about how fabulous it can be to have things just a bit off. I usually avoid being matchy-matchy if at all possible because it just isn't my style. So I'll throw on a mixed pattern accessory or pair of heels just to keep it interesting. In this case the muted colors allow for that little mix without looking tacky.

I include this dress not because I still wear it, but because it is one of my LOVE posterity pieces. There is no reason not to keep a few pieces you love even if you know you will never wear them again. This dress was worn to my first Prince concert when I was 18. You may notice that it is similar to some of my other favorite things, even as dated as it is: the v-neck and the screened mesh. Honestly, f it were minus the red trim and about two inches longer, I would probably still wear it today. As it is, it has place of honor in my closet.

If my closet seems dress heavy, that's because it is. I love wearing dresses more than anything. That does not mean, however, that I am sans separates. This piece was an ebay score that is so beautiful in person, sometimes I just look at it. It is completely sheer, which makes it a super versatile piece. I can wear it over a black tank, as a jacket with that LBD above, or over my red Cure shirt for something really funky. The embroidery is like Swiss Miss with an edge and the cut is unique. It is one of those pieces that turns up the volume of whatever else you happen to be wearing.

I have a confession: I love rock t-shirts. In fact, it's almost an addiction. Cher, David Bowie, The Cure, Prince . . . not to mention my love of literary rock star shirts: Jack, Charles, Hunter--love them! But this Kinks shirt is my all time favorite. The color is amazing and always makes me look healthier (blue can do that). The design is just a touch, well, kinky. Made by American Apparel, it is super soft, perfectly fitted, and has just a slight scoop to the neck that flatters me. I love to mix these types of shirts with fun printed skirts.Another variation on a classic t-shirt, this one features oragami pleating that is thankfully popular right now. The hang is casual yet chic and the color is vibrant. Also notice the v-neck, something we now know is one of my signatures.This shirt is my lucky charm. The print is youthful, but sophisticated and varied enough that it doesn't look dated (the shirt is about 8 years old). I love the ruffle detailing and the of course the neckline. It looks great with jeans and even better with a black pencil skirt.

This is another example of a t-shirt I love. The cheeky message ("I wish I was a Jaguar") and play with animal print make this so much more than just a gray tee. It doesn't hurt that it is soft as the bunny is shows.

Out of all my skirts, this is perhaps my favorite. The color didn't translate well in the picture, but the soft lavender is a perfect fit the the soft tulle without making it seem costume. Again something that transends seasons depending on styling, this skirt is a favorite go-to piece that always makes whatever shirt I pair it with seem a bit more special.These pants are included to demonstrate how even a basic can be something you love. In this case, these tailored black pants have a satin stripe that make them a little most exciting and can be dressed up with a blouse or down with a tee. The tailoring is fab and the details just enough to make them unusual. You are looking at the best $20 I have ever spent. This vintage carpet coat was just hanging out in a thrift store waiting for me. Some people love it, some people hate it. I can't imagine winter without it. The pattern, the weight, the plushness, the dramatic collar--it is the perfect vintage gem. It does need a new lining before winter, so I am thinking a royal purple would really pop. This is another piece that is just so me I can't stand it.

So what did I learn about myself? I love vintage inspired or vintage pieces, amazing patterns and prints, quirky or flirty details, v-necks, fitted waists, a-symmetrical, rock t-shirts, dresses, jersey, and good tailoring. But this is only one part. Coming up we will see how the details pull it all together.

Who Loves You?

2009-08-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

“A woman's dress should be like a barbed- wire fence: serving its purpose without obstructing the view.”
Sophia Loren

The simple part of rebuilding your closet is figuring out what you love. The harder part is finding out what loves you. There is nothing more tragic in fashion than seeing a women wearing something ill-fitting or non-flattering just because it's the trend. I want to run up to them and scream: "Please stop! There are so many other things in the world that would look good on you!"

The truth is there is no certain formula for flattery. Magazines try desperately to create one, publishing their annual swimsuit guides to help you find the best shape. Or telling you over and over that wrap dresses flatter everyone, especially curvy women. Here's the truth: they don't.

I am a curvy woman. And I'm not using that, as so many fashion magazines do, as a euphemism for plus-sized because I'm not. In my best shape I am a 6, sometimes as 8 depending on the cut. The curvy comes from the fact that I am busty. It makes shopping hard because my waist doesn't fit the same size as the bust. It also makes wrap dresses unflattering and unstable. I have to have security in my tops and a strategic safety pin just ends up pulling. So I am exception to the universally flattering rule. Which is tragic because I have a thing for Diana Von Furstenberg wrap dresses. They just don't love me back.

Finding what loves you is a long process, but a worthwhile one. Once you get through it, it will make shopping so much easier. Here's a lose plan of attack:

Start with your own closet. Look at those things that you love because of the way they make you look. What about them do you love? What features do they highlight and what features do they camouflage? How do they compliment your lifestyle?
Try without the buy. Go to a department store and try on a variety of cuts, silhouettes, and styles. You should have some knowledge if the things like a-line, sweetheart neckline, etc. if you did your research homework in part one. Try on a variety of styles of the staples you know you love and need--pants, shirts, sweaters, dresses--whatever fits your love and lifestyle.
Don't stop with clothes. Try on shoes in with a variety of heels. Strappy, wedge, platform, flats--what flatters your legs and works with the way you live. Look at jewelry--what chain length looks best on you with the types of necklines you wear? Are you a bracelet person? What metals work best with your skin tone?
Go to a respectable lingerie shop. Some Victoria's Secret stores have bra experts, but some of them are less than specialized. Wherever you end up, have a fitting (I know it can be embarrassing to some, but it will change the way you wear clothes). Have them explain to you the correct way a bra should fit and feel. Seriously, the correct bra can change your life and most women wear the wrong size. (I was a fitter at VS, but it is something that should be experienced rather explained so I just say "Get thee to a bra shop!")

During all this trying on, take notes if possible. What have you learned about yourself and the best clothes for you? You can take a friend with you during the process, but I must give a word of caution: only take a friend if their are somewhat fashion knowledgeable and constructively honest. It doesn't help to take someone who is too nice to tell you honestly what works and what doesn't; on the flip side it doesn't help to take someone who is overly critically (mom?). Rather you want someone who, when they tell you that they love the dress, can be specific with things like, "The waist is flattering and the length shows off you legs in a tasteful way."

The point is to figure out what looks work for you. From there, you can start to shop for things that you love that love you back and avoid wasting money on trendy items that may or may not flatter. Sometimes the trend will be perfect for you. Great! That means that something you love will be easy to find. (My love of studded black metal accessories is being rewarded this season.) If not, it will make shopping a challenge, but at least you won't end up with a closet full of last year. Your closet will always just be you--fun and fabulous and full of love.

Out of Moth Balls: Shop Your Closet

2009-08-10T19:34:00.000-07:00

“I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes. I had one thousand and sixty.”

Imelda Marcos

Sometimes it feels like I have that many shoes and sometimes it feels like I don't have any. It all depends on what outfit I'm trying to work with. And, yes, I frequently build my outfit around my shoes.

We forget how much stuff we accumulate. We forget the free t-shirts, the impulse buys that were so on sale we couldn't resist, and the dresses that we're always 5 pounds away from fitting into. We get into ruts where we feel like we have nothing to wear, where everything feels old, boring, and uninspiring. We forget what it means to have fun getting dressed in the morning (especially if our morning starts at 5 a.m.) and we forget what it is to walk out the door feeling vivacious, sparkling, and even sexy. We just forget.

It's time to remember. Set aside an afternoon or even a week of afternoons depending on how vast your wardrobe is and start going through it. Work through piece by piece and with each dress, shirt, sock, scarf, etc. ask yourself if you really LOVE it. Was it something you would have worn during the wear only things you love week? Pull out all those pieces you LOVE. Take pictures of them and make notes about what you love in as much detail as you can. Included in this should also be those sentimental pieces that you love too much to let go of. In my case I still have the dress I wore to my first Prince concert. I will never wear it again because it is too young for me, but I love it and want to keep it for what it represents. It goes with prom dresses and the shoes I wore to my undergrad graduation. Set all the LOVE items aside. (If you have a spare bedroom or hall closet, you can move the love stuff in there.) Now look at what's left behind. What do you see?

If you see an empty closet, you rock. You love getting dressed everyday and should consider yourself lucky.

For the rest of us, consider why the things left behind aren't with the items you love. You might think, "Well, it's a red tank top. How much can you love a tank top?" You'd be surprised. I have several tank tops that I adore. I have work out pants that I can't wait to wear for my next jog. You can feel amazing and love wearing anything.

Now here's the hard part. It's time to prune away the things that are clogging up your closet.

Start by taking out anything that has holes, tears, stains, or fading. Can it be repaired? Is it worth hiring someone or doing it yourself? If the answer is no, toss it. Make a pile of things to be mended, but don't put them away. Keep them out so you will remember to get the pieces fixed.
Next take out items you haven't worn in the past year. Why haven't you worn them? Are they someday outfits (outfits that don't quite fit or you haven't had occasion to wear)? If it's a someday outfit you LOVE, then by all means hang on to it for the time being. If it's a someday outfit that you just feel like you should keep because you haven't worn it but it doesn't make you happy, give to someone else.
Now consider what's left. Probably some of these items are what many of us call staples: plain t-shirts, black pants, any clothes that might be required for a vocation. Consider these staples. Why don't you love them? Because it is completely possible to love staples. As a rule, I don't wear white t-shirts because they don't flatter me, but I have one I got years ago that is so soft I just love how cozy I feel wearing it with pj pants. You can love staples. So what don't you love about yours? The cut? The fabric? The color? If it's something you have to have for work, hang on to it (we'll work on replacing it in a couple of weeks). Everything else, pass it on. Even if it's something you bought in the last year; if you don't love it, it's time to part ways.

Once you've worked through all of this, it's time to move on to phase two: Figuring out what loves you. This phase helps pinpoint what flatters you and how you can work it into the style you love.

Check back in a few days for my post on TV fashion in honor of the return of Mad Men.

Until then . . .

Style well.

Learning the Literature: Reading Up on Style

2009-08-10T13:47:00.000-07:00

“Fashion is more usually a gentle progression of revisited ideas.”

Bruce Oldfield

One of the most interesting things about trends and fashion is that, unlike technology, what is hot in fashion is rarely, if ever, new. It is always just the reemergence or reinterpretation of something that has already been explored.

Take this seasons magazines, for example. I will, without shame, admit that I regularly read InStyle and Elle. Sometimes, if I'm feeling really impulsive at the checkout stand, I might even grad the People style issue.Vogue is a rare purchases, mostly because I actually read other magazines for intellectual purposes and I don't have the time or the patience to weed through the billion adds in Vogue's novel length each month. Anyway, InStyle is much more focused on celebrity style as opposed the more runway honing of Elle. But both magazines are hawking harem pants, studded leather, and Debbie Harry Redux this season. I imagine you could pick up a magazine from 1983 and get the same vibe. But now suddenly it's new again, according to the magazines, and we American women should rush right out to buy it.

Give me a freakin' break. Harem pants are stupid now and they were stupid then, in my humble opinion. And while I am a fan of Debbie Harry's look and studded leather, these aren't things that have particularly gone away or fallen out of the mainstream. This is the problem with just focusing on fashion rather than style--you end up wearing things that may or may not be you just because.

Then why do I both reading the magazines? As I mentioned in an earlier post, runway trends and magazines are a way to see what will be arriving in stores near you. Sometimes it's good news (studded leather is always fun in my book) and sometimes it's bad (ahem--Harem pants).

So pick up a couple of fashion magazines and go through them with an editorial eye. Fold down the pages like you would in a catalogue of things you love and then add the notes to your style journal. What catches your eye? Try to avoid looking at prices and designers (it's actually pretty easy to do with Elle because the print is tiny and at the bottom of the pages) and just focus on the aesthetic. What do you really really love?

The next part of this assignment may take a great deal more time. If you are not familiar with iconic women and styles, now is that time. Books have been written on the style of women like Jackie and Audrey. There are also about a billion websites that can help you. Some people to consider:

Louise Brooks
The Duchess of Windsor
Katheryn Hepburn
Grace Kelly
Jean Harlow
Beatty Davis
Audrey Hepburn
Coco Chanel
Jackie Kennedy
Cher
Diane Keaton
Liza Minelli
Edie Sedgwick
Patti Smith
Janis Joplin

Of course there are many more and I will speak of them in coming posts, particularly modern icons who are coloring our world today. As you look through images of these women, write down anything that inspires you. For example, I love love love Joplin's ability to mix ethnic prints and still look sexy. I also love Audrey's classic black anything and fabulous ballet flats. Do all those things work together? Who cares? I'm writing down what I love.

Look for the final step, shopping your closet, coming in the next few days.

Look, But Don't Touch: Fantasy Shopping

2009-08-08T09:02:00.000-07:00

“A fashion is merely a form of ugliness so unbearable that we are compelled to alter it every six months.”

Oscar Wilde

Always the wit, one might need to remind Mr. Wilde of that little Biblical adage about glass houses because by accounts and photographs, he was a dapper man. Be that as it may, he does make an interesting point about fashion. Every year, no, every season we climb all over ourselves with what is in fashion. The ridiculousness of it is that sometimes what ends up being in fashion isn't flattering (on anyone), practical, or even tasteful. Does that mean it isn't fun? Not always. When I talk about shopping magazines next week, I'll give a brief discourse on my thoughts on the fall trends.

In a perfect world, we could just ignore trends and wear whatever the hell we wanted. But unfortunately, trends dictate what we'll be seeing in stores; everything from the shades of blue available to the cut of jeans. Meryl Streep makes a really great point about it when she discusses the 'two identical blue belts' in The Devil Wears Prada. High fashion, runways, magazines, designers . . . they do affect us, even when we shop at Target.

How does this fit in the plan of wearing what you love? After your week of only wearing what you love you should have an idea of what appeals to you and also what you have in abundance. (I never realized how many black t-shirts I have until I did this project--more on that in a later post.)

So for Step Two: Window Shop Without Buying

Set aside several hours for yourself, whatever you can spare. You may have to do it over several days. Select three or four stores as your stomping ground: one or two you shop at the most, one you shop at on special occassions, and one that you never shop at because maybe the pricing is too high. Don't set yourself up for failure; pick places that, to your knowledge, generally fit your lifestyle and taste. For example, I would never go to Talbots because their clothes really aren't my taste, for the most part. Set up another section in your journal and start by putting a few notes as to why you are selecting your stores. Here's my sample entry:

Regular Stores: Kohls and Target--These are my go-to stores because they carry a wide variety of brands and styles, they frequently run sales, they are usually priced within my budget, and they tend to have nice trickle-down versions of trends.

Special Occasion Store: Dillards--I wander through here when I'm looking for something special or something I can't find at Target or Kohls. It's not a regular because the prices can be steep, but they do run good sales at the end of the season. I found my current favorite LBD (little black dress) on their sale rack: marked down to $25 at 70% off. Their clothes do tend to be nicer than say Target.

Never Shop: The Boutique--this uber tiny little shop is in a shopping center with high end stores for antiques, jewelry, as well as a salon. I went in once, years ago, but the prices were pretty steep. They don't run sales and the selection is limited. Most of all, you can't really browse there with a small child.

With an open mind, wander into each store, looking for nothing and looking at everything. Don't even bring money of any kind with you. (If you find something you love, you can come back for it--a later part of the double-shop plan.) Let your eyes wander and go to what attracts you. Remember, you aren't shopping to buy; you're shopping to admire. Don't look at price tags if you can help it (I have a hard time with this part). Instead, if something draws you to it, look at the details: what colors attract you? what patterns? does it have embroidery? beads? do you drift more to separates or dresses? what fabrics draw your eye? do you tend toward chiffons that imply layering or jersey knits that imply simplicity? what cuts do you like? plunging necklines? boatnecks? full sleaves? cap sleaves? (if you don't know what those are, you will soon). If you aren't too self-conscious, make notes in your journal. Try not to write down designers if you can, just focus on those types of details listed above. Concentrate on what you love. For example:

Black dress: chiffon overlayed babydoll dress with button details and collar, billowy elbow-length sleeves, mid-thigh length, ruffles on the bottom. A girlie dress that would be prim except the black chiffon makes it sophisticated and just a bit naughty.

Back at home, review the things you wrote down. What do they all have in common? Do you find yourself drawn to intricate details or are simple shapes more interesting?

Take all this into consideration and then move on to Step Three--Next Week's Learning through Literature.

How Deep is Your Love: What I Love to Wear

2009-08-02T07:28:00.000-07:00

"I wear my sort of clothes to save me the trouble of deciding which clothes to wear.”

Katharine Hepburn

Although not everything she wore was my particular style (I just can't pull off many menswear inspired pieces), Katherine Hepburn is one of those great broads who wore clothes like she meant it. Granted, we generally only see publicity and production stills of her and I have to believe she looked disheveled every once and awhile, but I'd rather believe she always looked impeccable. I love that in this quote she makes light of her 'sort of clothes' when they are in fact a style still reproduced today: YSL and Annie Hall should have both written her a 'thank you' note on nice stationary for making trousers and masculine details so chic and feminine.

The point is, her style, for the most part, was organic to her. She wore what she loved and what she was comfortable in. Isn't that what we all want? I mean, sure we'll suffer for fashion, but do we really want to? I don't. And honestly, if something is uncomfortable, in the long run I'm just not going to wear it as much.

So how to pinpoint what you love? My random little rebuild program has no real scientific background; I'm just doing things that seem logical to me. And figuring out what I love, really love, is a four part process.

Part One: Wear what you love for one week.
Part Two: Window shop without limits.
Part Three: Look to literature.
Part Four: Shop your own closet.

Over the next few blogs I'll be sharing what each of those steps entail and what my own personal results were. So here we go . . .

Part One: Wear what you love for one week.

What it entails: For one week, wear what I call an 'ex-factor outfit' outfit everyday. In non-Amber speak, that means wear something that you wouldn't mind wearing when you run into an ex-boyfriend/girlfriend, the most bitchy/popular girl from high school, or that snotty lady from work. That doesn't mean busting out the strapless dress for grocery shopping. It means assessing what you love to wear that is also appropriate for the various aspects of your daily life. Write it down in a journal, and I mean everything: what you were doing that day, what the weather was like, what you wore. Then go back and note why you loved the outfit. Here's a sample of my entry:

Sunday, August 2, 2009
Activities: Grocery shopping, movie with Mom, playtime with daughter, dinner out with husband, light household chores
Weather: 100+
Clothes: Denim capris with gold trim, black tank top, gladiator sandals, light brown sweater (for movie), gold Libra symbol necklace
Notes: The capris have stretch so I can still play with the baby, but the gold trim makes them seem a bit more special. The black tank has a v-neck that is flattering on me. I didn't need a fancy top because it was a casual day and the jeans had trim. I love the sandals because they are so comfy, yet intricate. The sweater is light enough for summer and has a flirty cut. The necklace is a piece I like to wear because it seems more personal to me. I was super comfy all day and felt like I looked put together without being overdone. Good day!

Look at the key words I used: special, flattering, comfy, intricate, flirty, personal, put together. I didn't chose them on purpose, they were just the words that came to mind when I wondered why I liked the outfit. Notice I didn't use brand names or pricing. I went on feelings.

You will be amazed what a week of dressing with the ex-factor will reveal. Not only will you get a feel for your lifestyle, you can start to understand what really appeals to you in the real world.

Next Up: Window shopping without limits!

Thanks for reading!

Looking into the Abyss

2009-08-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

"Fashion is what you adopt when you don't know who you are.” Quentin Crisp

And so Mr. Crisp cuts to the quick of the matter in a few brief words. Don't mistake my intent; I adore fashion. I still remember in junior high chosing to read Seventeen over Teen because the clothes were edgier and the spreads more editorial. I didn't express it in those words at age 13, but I did respond to Seventeen's display of clothes as part of an artistic moment rather than items for sale like a catalogue. They weren't selling garmets; they were selling an experience. That perhaps, in a vintage floral dress with ten strands of pearls and a partially laced pair of ivory Converse, my prom would not be just dancing with some friends and a tolerable boy at the local Hilton. Rather, it would be a magical woodland experience. (Magazines always love to shoot evening wear in the forest--allusions to forest setting archeytpes? Absolutely.) And rather than being the awkward, invisible girl that no one noticed or cared about, I would be the edgy, stylish siren who was suddenly demanded notice.

Of course that didn't happen. My prom dress was unique, mostly because my mother refused to shell out $200 bucks for the variations of sequined fitted dresses our town's local evening wear shop pedaled. Instead, my dress was made from intended Halloween fabric--a shimmery pale green and silver one shouldered gown that was the only one like it in the room, not that anyone other than I cared. The experience wasn't there, but in some way, the dress was.

My life in its own way is a story told through clothes. Not intentionally, of course. There are those special pieces that I hang on to even though I know I will never wear them again: the green prom dress, the tiger striped slides I wore to my college graduation, the cranberry handkerchief dress I wore for my first Valentines day with my husband, a black and white silk-screened mini-dress with red marabou trim from my first Prince concert, my wedding dress . . .

More than those trappings of special occasions, my clothes have also represented who I was at a certain time, or at least who I was trying to be. There was a period in college when I tried desperately to emulate Audrey Hepburn's simple chicness. I never made the mistake of trying to fit my size 8 to 12 (depending on the year) curves into gamine style, but I did adopt her very simplistic style. Almost no patterns, lots of black, lots of separates, very simple. And I did look put together most of the time. However, looking back, it wasn't much fun getting dressed in the morning.

Much of that changed when I started watching "Sex and the City." Like I would assume a large number of women, I am influenced by popular culture. Not that I tried to copy Carrie's style, but it did make me remember that fashion can be fun. The only trends I really took away from it were flower pins and mixing patterns. And I still love both of those things.

I will admit here and now with no shame: I love clothes. More than that, I love clothes, shoes, handbags, and makeup. I like jewelry to some regard, although rarely is a piece of jewelry on the top of my shopping list. It is with pride that I admit to having a reasonable working knowledge of fashion history and well as current designers. Once upon a time I used to be able to flip through InStyle and name who designed all the pieces without looking at the caption. Although, I haven't done that in a while, so I'm out of practice.

So what is the point of all this, you may ask. The point is, I looked in my closet the other day and realized that of the large number of clothes I have, I only really love wearing about 1/3 of them. The other 2/3 I either don't care or actually don't want to wear. For some reason I find that depressing. And I intend to do something about it.

The thing is, if I were Madonna, or a Real Housewife of (insert city here), I could just buy whatever I wanted whenever I wanted and not worry about it. I could toss out last season's stuff without a thought. But I'm not. I'm a mom with a challenging toddler, loving husband, and a mortgage payment. Up until now, I tend to buy things because they strike my fancy or they are reasonably cheap. But that has landed me with a closet full of just okay stuff that I don't necessarily love wearing.

Now I know that everyone tells you to just invest in some uber-versitile, well made pieces rather than buying trends. I agree with the last part. Some trends I do love and don't mind buying a few cheap pieces of (I am currently in love with Old Navy's dip-dyed maxis and I am just tall enough to wear them), but just the same well-made staples? That just doesn't sound fun.

So where to go from here? The first is to access what I really love and why. The second, what loves me back and why. Then I need to look at how it comes together, how I maintain it, how I keep it fresh.

I am setting out on a journey. My goal is not fashion, but style. Along the way I want to look at some of my favorite style moments in various mediums, as well as finding new and wonderful places to invest in fun, fabulous, and income appropriate clothes. My hope is that somewhere out there in cyber-space are other women who are real sized with real incomes who want all the Bradshaw fun without having to kill themselves financially.

I invite you along. Who knows where we'll end up? And isn't that the fun of it?