If I could sum up my clothing style in one word, it would be: comfort. Now, I’m not always running around in yoga pants or pajamas (although I did that quite often in my freelancing days), but if something doesn’t fit or sit right on my body I feel really uncomfortable.
But if we’re completely honest, I do feel most comfortable and powerful in my workout clothes.
I tend to err on the side of classic; trendy things generally make me feel out of place. I mean, I’ll try some hot pink lipstick when I’m feeling like making a stylish entrance and having some fun with fashion. I like to dress up for events, but most times it leaves me feeling exposed and anxious — quite the opposite of comfort. Oh, speaking of comfort, this 30-something is basically all flats, all the time now. I love colors. I love prints. Most times I have zero clue how to put them together. I experience decision fatigue on a nearly daily basis, and Pinterest helps me get out the door looking somewhat-presentable. Otherwise, I’ll buy entire outfits because I know they’re pieces that work well together.
I think most importantly: I know what looks good on my body shape, I’ve had my colors done (I’m a Winter!), and as I’ve mentioned in another post this month, I have a great tailor to make sure things FIT properly.
For today’s Blogger, May I? the ladies want me to Show Off Something [I’ve] Created… and, well, I got nothing. To be honest, I just finished a late-night class session. I have three assignments already due tomorrow (ack!), and I’m feeling like that week completely got away from me. But, I’ll get this post done today, dammit.
I envy other’s DIY projects and artistic abilities. I tried to paint a bathroom once — only one wall — and ended up with paint on the ceiling, the tile floor, my slippers (and subsequently everything else I walked through afterward). I can’t cook creatively (or even from a recipe, for that matter). The closest I got to actually DIY’ing something is making a Pinterest board. If you want to call it creation: I can write a 12-page paper in just a few hours, with several citations and a 100% grade. That’s my true talent.
And I created this space here — that’s something, right?
At the end of last year, I took part in The Happiness Conspiracy, and it was an opportunity to do something creative while meeting wonderful women and plotting our revenge on unhappiness. I loved those sessions because it forced me to do things that I wasn’t very good at. We painted, we colored, we did decoupage collages (is that the right word?), and even some black-out poetry. I miss the opportunity to be creative-provoked.
My neighborhood is filled with inspiring, supportive and successful women. One of those neighbors is a consultant with the UK-based company House of Colour. House of Colour has consultants around the U.S., and Julie is here in Pittsburgh — right in my neighborhood — helping women look and feel their best. And she does it through the power of color!
Let’s face it: I have always needed a little help with dressing myself. I don’t really “fit” into any of those pre-determined body fruit shapes; I’m long where I should be short — short where I should be longer. I can’t even figure out the shape of my face (maybe a heart? oval?), and I’ve only recently realized how important it is to accentuate my waist. Regardless of my ignorance, I knew I needed an appointment to sit in Julie’s studio to determine my colors. She categorizes this in “seasons,” which was done using a series of fabric drapes in various colors to determine my skin’s undertones first (on my clean, no makeup face). Once it was determined I had cool undertones, she continued placing and removing these drapes, placed over a white smock, to show the real life effect certain colors had on my face in natural light. As the session progressed, it became much easier to see what colors were either emphasizing my features or making me look sallow, “washed out,” and tired. The results were undeniable. WHO WANTS TO LOOK THOSE ANY OF THOSE THINGS WHEN YOU’RE 30-SOMETHING?!
Results: I’m a WINTER.
Which means I’ve been an Ice Princess all along… Muah-hah-hah
I have blue undertones, when I always thought I was yellow. I definitely went in thinking I’d be an Autumn (if based on nothing more than the current collection in my closet and the colors I trend to). No wonder warm tones and makeup and hair color wasn’t working for me, and I worked doubly hard to “warm” my skin and clothing, which had the complete opposite — I’m a COOL tone. Embrace the pale, Mel. Also, HELLO, my color profile includes Pantone’s Color of the Year: EMERALD.
After determining my season, Julie also put some makeup on me — and I definitely played up the dramatics with red lipstick. Yes, I — who “can’t wear red” — was wearing red lipstick. Well, I CAN wear red, it’s just I need a blue-tone red. She went through all 36 colors in my season (yes, 36!) and rated each on a star-or-check system and also on a percentage of saturation, based on placement of the color in the garment (head-to-toe, accent, accessories). What I was also impressed with was the ability to match several unique colors together and have everything look perfectly matched; it’s all about making sure the shades are within the same season and have the right tone.
There was so much valuable info — and I went home with a small binder of all my swatches and checklist to help me shop and dress (and clean out my closet)! I’m so lucky to have Julie’s color services right outside my door (but she’ll also come over and help separate/clean out closets based on your color analysis or can go shopping with you AND will soon offer styling sessions). This session will definitely save me money in the future and hopefully prevent my hoarder-like tendencies to keep things-in-my-closet-that-I-never-wear-yet-maybe-will-one-day. Truth is, I’m not wearing these items because I likely don’t look good in them.
Buh-bye browns and oranges. It’s like you don’t even want me to root for my favorite football team anymore.
