A reader wrote in asking me to explain how to adjust your grooming to the expectations of the culture around you, regardless of if the culture is a nationality or a subculture like goths. This subject is very complicated and individual. On one hand, can it be done? Absolutely. But it so rarely *is* done….
Category: Uncategorized
When Self Evolves, Style Evolves
If you are in the midst of a personal style makeover, you might find that parts of your overall style that you did not expect to change will start to evolve. You’re allowing another part of your personality to come to the fore, and you may find that your tastes (and cravings) start to change….
Clothing Communication 3: Line and Fit
Line and fit affect how your clothing communicates formality and sexuality. Let’s take two pictures as an example – two red outfits, about the same length, accessorized similarly: The suit on the left is more assertive than the dress on the right. It…
Tools: Mirrors and Cameras
If you’re going to effectively communicate anything, you have to be able to step back and evaluate your communication. When you’re communicating visually, that means you need to step back and see the whole picture. The selfie has been demonized because we all take so many of them to share with our friends, but it’s…
Clothing Communication 2: Color Theory
Color communicates emotion. If you don’t believe me, kindly pick up a marketing manual. All businesses use color to convey a message when they advertise themselves… why shouldn’t you? Really – why shouldn’t you use the same tools that businesses, costumers, and public figures use? You surely don’t think that wealthy people are unaware of…
Clothing Communication 1: Acceptance
The first thing to work on when you’re learning to speak with your wardrobe is simply accepting that getting dressed is an act of communication with anyone who can see you. For actresses, this is understood, for the rest of us, this is uncomfortable. And so it is to film that I shall send you…
Humans judge on appearance
It irritates me when we needlessly replicate social science studies – especially when we do so on the backs of children. This popped up on my FB feed this weekend. https://www.facebook.com/NowThisNews/videos/1094289017327888/?pnref=story The idea is to expose how horribly lookist that we are, in order to shame us into acting differently. I’m all for treating people…
Admire, don’t acquire
Susan walks in the room, all long legs and raven hair, in an LBD and delicate jewelry, all eyes on her – including yours. You’re feeling a little blah in your dress, it’s definitely not getting the attention that Susan’s is. You compare yourself to Susan, and the next day run out to buy the same dress,…
The Other Senses
Most of the focus of a fashion and sewing blog is visual. But sight is not the only sense by which we are perceived, particularly by our husbands. Today I’d like to consider the other senses: Touch, Smell, Taste, and Sound. Touch: The texture of your clothing, your skin and your hair is of primary importance in…
Vintage without Whimsy
How do you wear clothing made from 60yo patterns without looking like your clothing is antique? – Accessories. This is the biggest thing. If you wear a pillbox hat or a fascinator, gloves, stockings, red lipstick and kitten heels, you’re going to look vintage in blue jeans. Accessories set the mood of an outfit. So…