color, pattern, texture, shine....

several weeks ago i was talking with my bbf ( best, best friend) about my desire to get new clothes.  here is how the conversation went:

flo: i want new clothes, i have nothing to wear!!
bbf: you have more clothes than anyone i know.
flo: (sheepish grin) yeah i know, but i am sick of wearing the same thing all the time.
bbf: ha!
flo: i guess i should switch it up, not buy new clothes just mix them up differently.

so today i walk my kiddos into school and stop in at 2nd grade to visit some of my favorite teachers, this is where a challenge was laid down. how long can i go without purchasing a new item of clothing and not wear the same thing twice?  i can wear some of the same pieces but they can't mixed together in the same combination.  ok, this will be fun.  i have tons of work clothes; skirts, dresses, sweaters, blouses some of the items i rarely wear, others i wear too often. alright game on! 

this should be an interesting and eye opening challenge for me.  as with everyone else, i think that i get stuck in ruts; clothing, food, exercise (or lack there of), music i am listening to, types of books i am reading, interactions with my kids after school.  this year i am attempting to do more things that bring joy to my life.  fashion is definitely one of those things to brings joy to my day. 

for a couple of years i worked for a clothing designer, Carol Anderson.  that was a great experience, i learned loads about how to dress myself and others, although i am better at myself.  what parts to accentuate, and how to do that in a fashion foward flattering way.  i can be very daring with my combinations, but since i work in a professional office, i need to keep it somewhat toned down.  when i had television (i have not had cable since June and i don't miss it a bit!), i was a huge fan of "What Not To Wear".  there is so much to learn about how to put outfits together.  i love fashion magazines, but they are so expensive i don't usually buy them, although i always buy the September Issue of Vogue (it was also a great documentary, if you love fashion check it out).  i find that InStyle also has a lot of usuable information for the regular consumer.

i personally don't think that you have to spend lots of money on clothing to look fashion forward and "put together".  i have found some of my favorite items of clothing at the goodwill, i am actually wearing one of them today.  i NEVER try on clothes at the store.  i am pretty familiar with my body and can generally look at the cut of something and know if it will work for me.  sometimes it is a huge bust and i can't stand what i've purchased but i hold onto it.  i NEVER return things.  stupid i know, but usually i can make something work and if i can't, well i pass it on to someone who can.

my personal rules about clothes...
1.  you should be comfortable in what you are wearing.  if you are tugging and readjusting frequently you just look silly. 
2.  your outfit should be interesting to look at, hence the title of this post color, pattern, texture, shine.  according to Stacy London these four things are essential to an interesting outfit.  i don't always get this correct, but i try.
3.  3 colors are more interesting than 2.  i am a huge fan of an all black outfit, but i love color and try to wear it as often as i can.

so i am not sure how i am going to keep track of what i have worn other than i will have to write it down.  maybe i will post weekly?  since i was handed the challenge i have been wondering if it starts today or should i include the whole week?  i will include the week, since most of what i have worn this week, i haven't worn in ages. 

monday: black, crew neck, pointelle sweater, CAbi applique skirt, slouchy suede black boots and cream and gold fleur de lis trench coat. (this whole outfit is CAbi, the designer i used to work for. her clothes are incredible!)

tuesday: i volunteer at my kids school, not an "office" work day for me

wednesday: navy blue knit dress with 2 different colored purple stripes, dark grey fishnets, purple flannel peep toe pumps and my navy and cream floral trench coat. 

today, thursday: camel colored suede skirt (my thrift store find), teal short sleeve cowl neck sweater, cream floral long sleeve tee, brown floral tights, brown leather belt and boots and my brown faux fur coat.

friday: to be decided....  

i wonder how long i can do this?  my prediction is 3 months.