Week 2 of the Wardrobe Architect has been another interesting journey for me. I liked processing how I feel in my favorite garments, what garments don't evoke feelings of my best self, and creating collages of images which depict those "best self" feelings.
In thinking about style icons, I discovered that could not think of someone. Style Icons? Who's style do I love? Who do I want to dress like? Think, think, think. I'm drawing a blank.
You see, there isn't just one person, one style that says me better than what bits & pieces I collect to call my style. I gather my loves together and call that my style.
Often, my Mom & friends influence me. But, my style and love of color are very different than what they like. In fact, they're usually my first audience to shock. And shocked they are. I used to think that if they didn't like it, then I shouldn't either. Again with the backward thinking that I had to have approval to be me! It can be a little scary to stand out so boldly. But it also has it's benefits. :)
In thinking about style icons, I discovered that could not think of someone. Style Icons? Who's style do I love? Who do I want to dress like? Think, think, think. I'm drawing a blank.
You see, there isn't just one person, one style that says me better than what bits & pieces I collect to call my style. I gather my loves together and call that my style.
Often, my Mom & friends influence me. But, my style and love of color are very different than what they like. In fact, they're usually my first audience to shock. And shocked they are. I used to think that if they didn't like it, then I shouldn't either. Again with the backward thinking that I had to have approval to be me! It can be a little scary to stand out so boldly. But it also has it's benefits. :)
From Where I Stand in the Garden. Photo by Gwen Gyldenege
What do I love and who inspires me?
| Actors/Musicians/Dancers Juliet Binoche Johnny Depp Doris Day Melissa McCarthy Yard Dogs Road Show Rachel Brice Meryl Davis (DWTS) Amber Riley (DWTS) Amy Purdy (DWTS) Movies Glass Bottom Boat Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Sherlock Hocus Pocus Mr. Selfridge Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries Populaire Chocolat Romantics Anonymous Legally Blonde Stone of Destiny I watch LOTS more. Only listing what inspires me. TV The Mindy Project Larkrise to Candleford Wild at Heart Doc Martin (Louisa) Almost Perfect (Red-head) Pushing Daisies Land Girls Bomb Girls Burn Notice (Fiona) Royal Pains (Divya) Characters and Fiction Pippi Longstocking Aramina Spookie Garden Spells Practical Magic The Secret History of the Pink Carnation Plus way more than I can list. | Outdoor Lifestyle Surfers Hikers Climbers Ultimate Frisbee Water Polo & Swimming SUP Beach Life Travel & Adventure Sunset Magazine Yogis Kino MacGregor Beach Yoga Girl (Kerri Verna) Laura Sykora David & Karen Ufer The entire collective of amazing yogis who regularly post to Instagram Brands REI Athleta Lucy Oilily Boden Ralph Lauren Roxy Chacos Keen L.L. Bean Olukai Patagonia Black Diamond K2 (I dreamed of working here when I was in Engineering School) Quilters, Bloggers & Designers Tula Pink Happy Zombie Jettshin Kathryn Alexander Enfants Terribles Sewing Clothes Kids Love Farbenmix Diane Ericson The Tilton Sisters |
Ultimately, it all comes down to feeling good, laughing, or rejoicing when I interact or observe any of the aforementioned.
Is that list a marketer's dream or what?! Talk about a profile. ;)
From Where I Stand I'm Always Finding Love. Photo by Gwen Gyldenege
What I find interesting is that during this exercise, I realized, that up until the last few months, I've been avoiding dressing in my favorite clothes or just-made-wild-garment-that-I-giggle-just-looking-at ... because:
- People feel uncomfortable around me when I'm wearing them or they express their own fears as a back-handed compliment.
(The way another person feels about me is their business, not mine. If they are afraid, that is an issue for them to work on, not me. I do not need to take on other people's problems to get them to like me. And when I did, they usually hated me because I became an emotional basket case and they felt super great like they hadn't a care in the world.)
- People tell me I "should" dress up or I'm around people who are dressed up and feel out of place.
(couldn't stand out, could I? Or could I..... yes I can.)
- I read other bloggers posts and see what they've made and think it beautiful. Then turn critique on myself - "Why can't you be more like that?" or "The only way you'll succeed is if you follow their method, color choices, garment choices, blah blah blabbity blah." Which is immediately followed by, "I like what they make, and they look beautiful in it, but I wouldn't wear it, or it's not my style. Ho hum. I guess I better conform to succeed. Bleahhhhhhhhhhhh. This sucks." And then I stiffle my own creativity.
(Oh for serious? Gwen, really.)
- The fashion world and people I've surrounded myself with in past imply that an athletic style or "jeans & T-shirt" are not "a style". So why bother because people won't think you're actually a fashionista.
(Hello?! Wasn't there a Sporty Spice for a reason?)
From Where I Stand I'm ok to be me: colorful, multi-pointed, and easy like the oak leaf. Photo by Gwen Gyldenege.
Do those things stop me today? Infrequently. But, when they do, I know there's a gem of an opportunity to dig and understand my own fears, then bless and release them.
It hasn't been until starting the Wardrobe Architect that I have allowed myself to live in the world of effortless athletic color as a real, honest-to-goodness style and fashion statement. So fashion world and arm-chair fashionistas who would rather critique than live, I am a style!
It hasn't been until starting the Wardrobe Architect that I have allowed myself to live in the world of effortless athletic color as a real, honest-to-goodness style and fashion statement. So fashion world and arm-chair fashionistas who would rather critique than live, I am a style!
So who am I?
What is MY style?
What to I want and love to feel in my clothing?
What is MY style?
What to I want and love to feel in my clothing?
From Where I Stand Richly Purple, Green, and Being in My Presence Evokes Feelings just as the Scent and Sight of Lavendar does. Photo by Gwen Gyldenege.
I am Surfer Girl chic.
I am Sound to Mountain.
I am Day to Night.
I am Work to Play.
I am Yogi.
I am Dia de los Muertos.
I am a Story.
I am Sound to Mountain.
I am Day to Night.
I am Work to Play.
I am Yogi.
I am Dia de los Muertos.
I am a Story.
I am a Character.
I am Pippi, Araminta, Mindy, or any one I wish to be.
I am Magical.
I am Playful.
I am Adventure.
I am every Bright Color of the Rainbow.
I am Abundance.
I am Profuse.
I am as Colorful as the Flowers I so dearly Love to Photograph.
I am me. Just me. Lovely me. Full on.
I am Pippi, Araminta, Mindy, or any one I wish to be.
I am Magical.
I am Playful.
I am Adventure.
I am every Bright Color of the Rainbow.
I am Abundance.
I am Profuse.
I am as Colorful as the Flowers I so dearly Love to Photograph.
I am me. Just me. Lovely me. Full on.
Ultimately, I've decided these words best describe my core style.
| Colorful Happy | Sporty Comfortable | Multi-tasking Effortless |
And my dear hearts, when you think of yourself and your style, please remember...
Today you are you,
that's truer than true.
There is No ONE alive
that is YOUER than YOU!
-- our beloved,Dr. Seuss
RSS Feed
