Wednesday 22 January 2014

Wardrobe Architect - Week 1

The first task in the Wardrobe Architect project is to look at how different aspects of our lives and personalities have an influence on our personal style.  Read Sarai's full post here.


I thought I'd answer on a blog post as the ones I have read so far have been really interesting! Check out Helena and Becky's if you haven't seen them already.

History
Probably the two biggest things that have influenced my personal style were going to university and having a baby.

At school I didn't have a lot of confidence due to a bit of bullying (nothing serious but enough to make me keep my head down and not be noticed by being different). Looking back, the clothes I wore were mainly copycats of what my friends wore.  When I went to university I got into the indie music scene and started wearing clothes to look different and stand out.  It was around the time of grunge so think DMs with floral dresses, combat trousers, band tshirts, shorts/cutoffs with tights, parkas and checked flannel shirts (a la Bridget Fonda in Singles)

Source:  Projections
When I had a baby i seemed to lose my personal style all together. I suppose this started (pre-sewing) with a lack of interesting maternity clothes and ended up as a very blah wardrobe. I went back to work quite a bit heavier than before and dressed to blend in.

Philosophy


Probably the philosophy that has the most bearing on what I wear is a dislike of fast fashion. I hate the cheap and nastiness of the clothes and recent events in textile factories have really made me think about how the high street produces clothes (and not just the cheap places either). I used to just avoid the very cheapest places like supermarkets or Primark but when places like Gap or J Crew are involved with these places it's hard to know where to shop. The only low-paid sweat shop I want to wear clothes from is my own sewing space!

Culture
Source: Ayay.co.uk (this really made me laugh - that statue always wears a traffic cone!)


I grew up in the west of Scotland not far from Glasgow where there was (and still is) a very strong culture of reverse snobbery - the "who does she think she is?" effect. As a result, some people look down on people who want to look different and so a lot of people look the same.

I also find that when i go back there (my mum still lives in the town where I grew up) I see far fewer people wearing "trends" or dressing to stand out.  Probably the exception is students.


Community

Source: ourmommyhood.com (look at these glamorous mummies!)

At this stage in my life, lots of friends have at least 1 child if not more. Several don't work (and therefore have financial constraints on clothes shopping) but jeans and tees are often the order of the day.

By contrast where I work is extremely trendy. The average age is about 25 and most of the women are very slim and look great in everything.  There's no dress code so anything (including jeans) goes. 

I ddon't want to look trendy but I do want to have my own style and look.  But balancing this idea of practicality and style is very important for me.

Activities


Source:  workingmomsagainstguilt.com

As I said above, I need a wardrobe that works both for home life with 5 year old and work life in a trendy but casual office.  My main non-work activity is sewing and through that I have met lots of lovely ladies (yaay Spoolettes!) who often have a clear look and style and I think that is so important when you sew. When you can make anything in any colour I think you need a style to narrow it down and focus.

I have a small child and a limited amount of time So for that reason I need to focus on clothes that are easy to care for (hand wash means not worn in my house), that can be worn with flat shoes, and are practical for everyday life. Separates and knits are important and I have done a pretty good job of filling out my wardrobe with these this year.

Location
 
Source: map-of-uk.co.uk
I live in the south East of England.  The weather doesn't require very specific clothing although it does rain a lot so things that can be worn with boots are good - sandals tend not to be worn much! Tights are essential probably from about September to May, so the skirts and dresses that get worn the most are ones that work with and without tights. A jacket or coat is usually necessary and I tend to layer with cardigans to deal with the range of temperatures from home to outside to train to air conditioned office.

Body
Source: Clkr.com

This is a big one for me. One of the reasons my personal style fell by the wayside was weight gain. I have always gone up and down in weight. I lost 60lbs a couple of years ago and felt much better about myself. It's amazing how much more confident I feel, even speaking up in meetings etc. I have put a little bit back on which I am currently working to lose (that'll be a lifelong battle right there!).

I am coming to terms with my frame as something I can't change (obvious right?). I have a large frame with broad shoulders and hips. I am tall so it is relatively proportional.  My top half is not too bad. Since having N I carry a bit of extra weight on my stomach (I never had any extra weight there before).  If I gain it goes on my hips and thighs. My hips are fairly in proportion. My thighs are not. I definitely have what Tasia nicely calls strong thighs! My legs are ok. Wow, I managed to critique my body without being too negative - that's a first!

This has been interesting - looking forward to the next task!

16 comments:

  1. Wow Joanne. Great insight into your life and self. For a lot of it you could be describing me, I can relate to lots of what you wrote. You sound like you have it sussed now.

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    1. thanks maeve - it was more insightful than i expected. i knew a lot of it but didn't connect to wardrobe choices.

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  2. Great analysis! I think you hit it spot on with your point that those of us who can sew need to have a clear look and focus. I too have found I need to be very aware of what I actually wear, what works for my life, and what I actually need; to make a clear plan and stick to it so I don't end up flailing around and making a bunch of totally impractical things just because I got distracted by someone else's versions of them LOL. Definitely also helps to be realistic about what suits you and your body too - it's a shame when you spend a ton of time making something that just doesn't feel good because it doesn't suit you :)

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    1. thanks! - i do exactly the same. ooh pretty dress made by someone who lives in australia, must make one despite the fact it is october in the uk. planning works well for me too, and it really speeds things up as i have the notions etc i need.

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  3. This is so interesting to read! I love how it's all broken down and it's an exercise I'll do myself. It's strange as I can relate to a lot of what you've written; particularly the post baby body thing. I'm in awe of the child my body produced and that it was me who grew and gave birth to him. I'm still coming to terms with the permanent physical changes and still trying to loose the weight.
    I agree that sewing has given me a better sense of my own identity and how I want to look. Through a bit of trial and error I also knows what works in my life although I do still indulge in "fantasy life" sewing now and then!

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    1. Thanks Vicki Kate - I'd love to hear what you come up with. Having a baby changes so much (obviously) but you don't really realise that even if you lose all the weight your body will be different to how it was before.

      And fantasy sewing is good!

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  4. This is really interesting, Jo. I haven't really been following the Colette posts because I'm not doing this myself (I think it might be worth doing in future, just not this year), but I really enjoyed reading this. It was lovely to learn more about you, but also to discover your thought process. I never really thought having my son changed me that much. I am very fortunate in that I never had any trouble losing weight (although I hear you on the tummy being a different shape. A C section scar doesn't help either!), but now that I think about it, I *did* struggle a bit. There were certain things I wore previously that no longer seemed to fit my life, or that I just felt stupid in - heels for instance. But I also just decided, for some reason, that I needed to appear more "grown up" in the clothes I wore. And now that I've dug out my old maternity wardrobe, I do question some of the things I bought and wore - which weren't even me at the time! This pregnancy I am resolved to keep my style as true to me as is possible - this is why I am aiming to make as many of my maternity clothes as I can.

    Sorry for giant comment. I guess you have struck a chord! :)

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    1. thanks helen - it made me realise things about myself i hadn't considered. i know what you mean about feeling that you need to look grown up! look forward to seeing your pregnancy wardrobe!

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  5. It was very interestig to read. Our take on history, culture and philosophy were quite similar, as well as the challenge of having kids, both on your body and lifestyle.

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    1. thanks helena - yes, we are quite similar (and i've read a few similar comments in replies on the colette blog too!)

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  6. This has been really interesting Jo! Your post-baby changes really struck a cord with me- all I feel like sewing and wearing is jersey. Not to mention that wovens would mean redoing my hip, waist & bust measurements!

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    1. oh the joy of jersey! it's so handy for easy fitting even if your weight changes!

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  7. I really enjoyed reading this. I look forward to seeing how your style develops!

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    1. thanks laura - have been reading up your replies too! finding it pretty useful!

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  8. Wow, such a thorough and honest analysis, well done. I wish I could be as honest about my style as you are!

    Your comment about reverse snobbery really struck a chord with me too.

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    1. thanks sally. you have great style tho - i guess you on;y need to do it if floundering a bit (like me!). isn't reverse snobbery a weird thing? particular to certain parts of the UK i expect - i can't imagine is existing in, say, the US

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