Putting on my Game Face

Draft:

Earlier Drafts:
These high-heeled Mary Janes are my go-to when I need a boost (literally and figuratively).
I own a lot of items with big floral prints, including this skirt.
To "fall up" my favorite summer dress, I paired it was a purple cardigan and these grape tights.
The seahorse necklace is one of my three sea creature necklaces.

Composition:
purple top (Marshalls)
black and white skirt (The Limited)
purple tights (Hue)
high-heeled Mary Janes (Michael by Michael Kors)
seahorse necklace (gift from boyfriend)

Usage:
The end of the semester - aka insanity - is upon us!  I'm in the midst of seminar papers right now, and my writing attire is pretty similar to Liz's.  However, last week, I had a (forced) lull in the writing frenzy for two big meetings, one with a professor to discuss my paper in a field that I am not super familiar with and one with my advisor to discuss exams, reading lists, committees, etc. - you know, just my entire life for the next few years.  I wanted to bring my game face to both of these meetings, especially the second one, and I wanted to up the style factor in order to do so.

Anne-Marie talked about this issue before, though her "game face" was for slightly different circumstances.  Since I wasn't planning on writing or reading for long periods of time that day, comfort wasn't as much of an issue since my schedule didn't allow enough time to hunker down in a cozy work spot.  So I pulled on a skirt, tights, and high heels.

I really like the color purple (the hue and the book, actually), and I thought it would be fun to go with a purple-themed outfit.  Colorful tights aways make me happy, and I like the contrast they make with this neutral skirt.  The outfit served its purpose, and I felt great that day.  And my professors noted that she liked my tights (and my paper's thesis - whew!). 

As I look at this outfit again, I think a belt would look good here.  I'm not a big belter, though I think with Liz's influence, I'm increasingly drawn to them.

Apologies for my somewhat scattered post; my thoughts are in another word document.  Good luck to all of you at this busy time of year!

Prompts:

• What's your "game face" (game outfit?) look like? (yes, I realize that Liz asked a similar question recently, but really, that's the theme of this time of year)
• When do you need to put on your "game face"?  When you write?  For big meetings?  For big departmental benchmarks?  For all of the above?

Change and Predictability

Draft:

Composition:
black wool sweater (Loft)
grey trousers (Gap)
black patent heels (Nine West)
stud earrings, my latest favorites (Juicy Couture)
chain and fabric necklace (Icing)  -- Yes, it's shedding on my collar! It's definitively not high quality.
nail color (OPI "You Don't Know Jacques!")

Usage:
In response to Liz's complimentary post about my supposed ability to "manage uncertainty," today I'm sharing one of my most predictable ensembles.  Why?  Because, now that I'm spending more time in the classroom, I'm learning why experienced teachers like Liz prefer the manageable expectations of simple, go-to outfits.  For the first time, I get it.  Sartorial predictability is comforting when daily dynamics entail enough fluctuating factors.

Wearing this uncomplicated look took my mind off the clothes, allowing me to focus on instructing.  It didn't require the perpetual readjusting of layered garments, and it didn't necessitate the tugging on shorter hemlines or lower necklines.  The minimal jewelry and monochrome palette were less distracting for both me and, hopefully, for my students.  Which makes me think: there might be ways in which sartorial choices can detract from our abilities.  (Ah ha! An epiphany!  Don't laugh, I'm slow on the uptake.)  Sartorial boldness doesn't always allow for professional and intellectual boldness, that is.

Normally I subscribe to the opposite view.  I think, if I challenge myself intellectually, pushing myself to read new literature and entertain bold ideas, then why not also challenge myself sartorially?  Especially since, as this blog and your own attest, we consider issues of aesthetics an important component of education.  In the world of the mind, we like trying on new thoughts, and we welcome encounters with the uncomfortable.  Evolutions of knowledge and opinion are generally good things; they often indicate growth.  So it follows that we would consider personal style evolutions good things too; they can also indicate growth.

Cutting and dyeing my hair or pairing seemingly incongruous garments -- both enable experimentation with new articulations of myself.  Even if I don't adhere to them permanently or even long-term (as in the case of my cinnamon hair hue, which is merely a demi-permanent dye, I should tell you), at least I can test the waters.  How did Aristotle put it?  "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."  Perhaps it's the same with sartorial choices: dabbling in a hairstyle, or a print, or a bright color, without necessarily permanently accepting it into our self-concepts, is productive if only because the courageous choice allows us to think anew about the social spaces we occupy.  It's a worthwhile initiative, I'd say, to challenge ourselves aesthetically.  That's why I quite like blogging alongside you guys, and why I welcome the occasional dramatic hair transformation.

For now, as long as my substitute teaching endeavor lasts, I'll be entertaining choices on Liz's side of the style fence.  I have quite a bit to learn about, as she says, "preparing, preparing, anticipating, and preparing."  For me, resisting spontaneity will be a grand -- and worthwhile -- sartorial adventure.

Prompts:

•  How do you "prepare, prepare, anticipate, and prepare" sartorially?  I have no idea what I'm doing, so I'd welcome your strategies.  I've begun laying out ensembles the night before work -- does this count?
•   Liz asked this question yesterday, and I think it's a good one: how do you get yourself out of a rut?  How do you challenge your patterns of style?

Dresses as Skirts

Draft:

Earlier Drafts:
I posted the photo at right when I wore this dress alone during the summer, and I also wore this dress for my master's defense.

Composition:
faux turquoise beaded necklace (Kohl's)
turquoise cardigan (Old Navy)
brown stretch belt (Kohl's)
blue embossed cotton dress (J. Crew)
teal mary janes (Seychelles)

Usage:
Last week, when I posted the look at right, Katie of Interrobangs Anonymous wrote "Alright, lady, time to spill your shirts over dresses layering techniques. I'm amazed at how you keep pulling it off without there being any weird shapes or bulges."  I'm happy to oblige!  Today's look is not really a dress-as-skirt look, since the top of the dress is still clearly visible, but I did use one of my dress-as-skirt "techniques" to style this monochromatic-ish look, so I thought it would be a good time to share them all with you.

In both the look above and the one to the right, I've used a "fold under and belt" technique.  Above, I folded the cardigan under, positioning the fold at the desired place, and then used the belt to hold the cardigan in place and mask the transition from cardigan to dress.  At right, I did the same thing with the white button-down, but since it was under the cardigan, I just had to make sure the white shirttails didn't hang out beneath.  (I tried it that way too, but I didn't like it as much.)  I do actually think there is some detectable bulging in each look, but not enough to look weird, IMO.

The belt is also key for the looks below, which I'd describe as examples of the "fold up and belt" technique.

In both of these cases, I put a top over the dress and folded about a one inch cuff at the bottom of the top.  I continued folding up until the shirt reached the desired position, and then I put the belt over the top of the cuff to hold the shirt in place.  I started trying this because I liked the color-blocked dresses I saw everywhere this summer, where the skirt was one color, the top was another, and there was a solid belt-like elastic stripe through the middle.  To save money, I figured out how I could create a similar look with pieces I already had.

This doesn't work with every shirt, though.  I had to choose a shirts that weren't too long, or the cuff that goes under the belt would have gotten too big and bulky.  I also had to carefully choose shirts that were thick/dark enough and cut in such a way as to obscure the top of the dress beneath it.  At right, for example, I actually wanted to wear a brighter blue tee, but since it has a scoop neck, the brown bits of the v-neck dress were peaking out.

This doesn't work with every belt, either.  The thicker and stretchier the belt, the better it will work to keep the cuff in place without looking weird or feeling uncomfortable.  This brown belt works perfectly for this type of thing, which explains why it's featured to heavily in this post.

The looks below don't really incorporate any technique at all.  All I've done is layer a top over a dress.

This simple layering technique works for me because I tend to favor dresses cut in simple, sheath silhouettes.  This allows for any number of tops to be put over the dress and prevents any weird bunching from going on.  While this works best when the skirt is also fairly form-fitting, I've been surprised at how many dresses with full skirts that I've been able to use with all of these techniques.

Today's first look is a good example of a full skirt working for layering.  I really love this dress, so I was excited to find another way to wear it.  Skeptics might suggest that I didn't need the belt, but I liked how moving up the waistline with the belt allowed the skirt to move like it does when its worn alone.  Since the distinctive heel of my teal mary janes is wooden, I thought the brown belt might also help draw attention to that feature of the look.  This ensemble also prompted a friendly conversation with the woman who rang up my items at the grocery store, so I'll consider it a success!

Prompts:

• Which is your favorite "dress as skirt" look?  Do you have any other ideas for how to make this work?
• How have style blogs helped you to re-think your styling techniques?  It never even occurred to me to try mixing clothes in this way until I began posting pictures of myself online, but I love how it makes my wardrobe feel more versatile and fun.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Draft:

Earlier Drafts:
After buying this linen blazer in Savannah, Georgia, I dubbed it one of my wardrobe workhorses.
These western style treads helped me kick off boot season.
This brown tote is too large for dinner outings, but perfect for airline travel.
These frames make me look like my mom.

Composition:
olive green strapless jersey dress (Cannot remember!  Likely snagged at TJ Maxx, since I bought it with my sister, and that's where we normally shop together.  After years of wear, it's tagless.)
linen blazer (Gap)
boots (Steve Madden)
brown tote bag (gifted via Target)
necklaces and green cocktail ring (F21)
frames (United Colors of Benetton)

Usage:
I have a hunch this ensemble was subconsciously inspired by one of my former English teachers.  It's uncanny how I've mimicked her in these photos.  Long, drapey base layer, slouchy jacket, layered jewelry, thick-rimmed frames -- even the way I'm standing in the left most photo, tall and with my weight on my left foot, recalls her usual stance at the front of the classroom.  It seems she's made an impression on me.  Do you ever find yourself adopting others' mannerisms or dressing styles as your own? 

My outfit may have been incidentally inspired by my teacher, but it was prompted by a plane trip to Texas.  Yesterday morning I hopped a flight to Austin, hot on Clare's heels.  Over the next few days I'll be visiting various family members and attending Austin City Limits Music Festival for the second time.  I'm so excited!

I'll cut to the chase, though:  I chose to wear this dress not because it's the most figure-flattering garment in my closet (it's obviously not), but because wearing it feels like being wrapped in a cozy blanket.  Which is exactly how I prefer to feel on a chilly, non-stop airplane ride.  I added the blazer for warmth -- and because it didn't fit in my suitcase -- not for aesthetics.  And the boots?  I wore them for practical reasons, too: I don't enjoy sporting open-toed shoes while jet-setting, and I especially dislike having to traipse barefoot through airport security.  So, yes, my feet are swathed in thick, unattractive (yet comfortable!) cotton-blend socks inside those booties.  Since my flight departed at 7 a.m., I'm hoping no one but the airport security officer saw them.

Assembling an outfit based on practicality is a departure for me, as is wearing a frock for airline travel.  I normally wear pants, as you can see here and here, but I kind of dig this new look (especially sans blazer).  What say you?

Prompts:

• What's your favorite item to wear for airline travel?  What's your footwear of choice?
• Have you ever worn a dress while traveling?  How'd it go?  Do you prefer the one-and-done ease of a dress, or the comfort of pants and jeans?
• About that first question: have you ever found yourself subconsciously mimicking others in your dressing habits?

Jeggings and Ageism

Draft:

Earlier Drafts:
I wore this cardigan with loafers I'm trying to love.
I could have worn these yellow wedges, instead of strappy gold heels, with this ensemble.

Composition:
slouchy grey cardi (Target)
black cami (Gap)
jeggings (Lauren Conrad for Kohl's)
yellow wedges (Nine West)

Usage:
One of the few things I've enjoyed about unemployment is the freedom it has given me to experiment with clothing.  Not currently bound by office dress codes, I'm able to invent my own sartorial standards.  I've toyed with lace and (faux!) fur and bright tights and prints.

But I might draw the line with jeggings.

Although I fashioned a pre-autumn outfit around my newly purchased leggings + jeans hybrids, I'm still skeptical of them.  What purpose do they serve distinct from leggings or skinny jeans, after all?  I plan to wear mine only with long tops, as I would leggings, and I find them convenient for tucking in boots, just like skinny jeans.  They might provide a measure of extra warmth in chillier weather, but, beyond that, what's the big deal?

To be fair, I'm enamored of the concept.  Leggings in a durable fabric?  Genius.  We won't have to wear tights under these babies, for sure.  And why should we sacrifice a laid-back jeans aesthetic because we desire a body-hugging profile?  Points for creativity.

Still, only months ago I poked fun at undergrads' propensity for jeggings.  These pants seem to be favorites of the 18-and-younger set.  Perhaps that's why, whenever I sport my own pair in public, I receive glances of camaraderie from girls half my age.  This is not good for someone like me who already bristles at the slightest implication of ageism.  I fear that sporting clothing that is inherently coded with (negative?) age-related associations only invites the sorts of perceptions I mean to deflect.  So am I too old for jeggings?  Or, would it be wise for me to refrain from wearing them given my sensitivity to age-related discrimination?

Last week, E. of Academichic asked a related question of skinny pants, the broader category under which jeggings fall.  Her post inquired into the professional connotations of such trousers, and I think that, for young females, the issues of career expertise that E. noted are inextricable from issues of age.  Being young and dressing fashion-consciously certainly opens one up to risk -- risk of being branded as inexperienced professionally.  So is it worth it?  Granted, we'd all like to wear whatever we wish and imagine ourselves demolishing monoliths of prejudice, but, when it comes to it, do we eliminate certain garments -- like jeggings, perhaps -- from our sartorial repertoires because of their negative age-related connotations?  Do we avoid clothing because it looks "too young" or "too old"?  Are there garments which, in your opinion, should be subject to such age-related restrictions?

For me, this discussion rings of a line from a Bing commercial: "Moms who wear jeans to match their teens' jeans." What's at stake with this critique?

Prompts:

• Do you avoid certain garments because of (negative) age-related connotations?  What are they, and what message do you think they convey?
• I'd also like to ask the inverse: do you choose to wear other garments because of their (positive) age-related connotations?  What are they, and what message do you think they convey?  For example, I've written about my appreciation of blazers.  Frankly, I think they make me look older.
• Why do or don't you make style choices according to age perceptions?
• Most specifically, are you wearing jeggings this season?  Why (and how) or why not?

Dressed Up Comfort

Draft:

Earlier Drafts:
I sported this cardigan with my black shift.
I channeled Emma from Glee in this skirt.  (New season starts tomorrow!)
This necklace was one of my few purchases this summer. (Regarding that post: I did try to revisit Camera Lucida, but someone either lost our library's copy or refuses to relinquish it, and ILL is too much of a pain.)

Composition:
hoop and bead earrings (gifted: thanks D!)
clear acrylic beaded necklace (Kohl's)
black tank (Target)
purple cardigan (NY&Co)
black and white print pencil skirt (NY&Co)
black leather flats (Nine West)

Usage:
Can you tell I took these photos in the evening?  What gave it away?  The bad lighting?  My moderately disheveled appearance?  The bad photo quality in which my head appears blurred, but which nicely approximates my fuzzy headspace after a long day of teaching and taking classes?  Suffice it to say, it was one of those days where I was patting myself on the back for having chosen flats.

When I posted my first day of school look, Brooke commented: "I'm always so envious to read that you feel 'comfortable' in those types of clothes. I'd very much prefer to stand up and teach in gym clothes or jeans and a tee shirt. I always can't wait to get home and hop into my leggings and tees. Have you always felt comfortable dressed up, or did you adapt to it? I'm hoping I'll adapt soon!"  I've got a lot to say in response to this great question, so here goes.

As I touched upon briefly in the comments to this post, I think there are two components to the "comfort" I associate with an outfit, those being a) a type of psychological comfort, and b) a type of physical/bodily comfort.  Most times, I think there's a large overlap between the two, because I tend to feel physically comfortable in things that make me feel psychologically comfortable and vice versa.  Sometimes that's not the case, and for me, psychological comfort always trumps physical comfort.  I find yoga pants to be very comfortably physically, but I rarely wear them outside the house because I regard them as pajamas, and I'm not psychologically comfortable wearing my pajamas in public.

So now that I've tried to clarify what I mean by "comfortable," I think I can address Brooke's question more directly.  I did not always feel physically comfortable in professional attire.  And, I think, I had to learn to take myself seriously as a professional before I felt psychologically comfortable in these clothes, as well.  But life taught me to feel comfortable in these clothes, in both senses of the word.  I started teaching high school at 22, and I was frequently mistaken for a student.  I think this happened because I was fresh faced and because people think of my build as small.  Being told I looked like a high schooler was maddening, and though some people suggested to me that I should "take it as a compliment," nobody ever said it in a complimentary tone.  They said it in a tone of surprise and/or condescension.  So I took offense.

I always wore what I felt were "grown up clothes" to teach.  Unlike other teachers (young and old), I didn't wear jeans, t-shirts, or hooded sweatshirts with the school's logo on them.  However, that didn't seem to differentiate me adequately, so I made the conscious decision to dress more "business" than "business casual" while still retaining my own personal style.  I rarely wore heels, because I stood in front of my students all day, but I invested in trousers to replace my khakis, cardigans to replace my cable knit sweaters, blouses to replace my polo shirts, pencil skirts, and wrap dresses.    It didn't make a huge difference with my students; I think that because they spent so much time with me, they learned to respect my authority fairly quickly.  However, it made an absolutely noticeable difference with my fellow teachers, the administrators, and especially the parents.  The rude and inappropriate comments stopped almost entirely.  The parents were more willing to listen to what I had to say.  (They used to ask me how old I was so frequently that I finally resorted to this response every time: "Old enough to have completed the degree which qualifies me to teach your child.")  My principal actually told me, "I used to think you didn't write referrals because you were a pushover, but I've realized that you don't write them because you address behavior problems adequately in your classroom."  I think all of these changes were directly related to dress.  These clothes say: I mean business.  I know what I'm doing.  I have my s*** together.  I take my work seriously.  I am a disciplined person and I expect others to demonstrate self discipline, too.  All of those things were true before, but my business casual clothes did a less effective job of communicating them.

As a result of this change, I began to feel more psychologically comfortable in these clothes.  Nothing angers me more than being underestimated, so when I realized that I could take concrete actions to disallow that kind of underestimation, it was like I had found the golden ticket.  I've always been aesthetically attracted to clean lines, tailored silhouettes, crisp collars, pressed fabrics, and the like, so while the clothes didn't initially strike me as physically comfortable, the transition was a fairly seamless one.  Now, these clothes feel more me to me than more casual ones.  I learned how to shop for clothes that fit these categories and were physically comfortable, too.  This involved embracing stretch materials, trying on a thousand pairs of trousers until I found the perfect pair, and learning to buy the item that fit best instead of the one that said it should be my size.  At this point, I actually don't understand why anyone thinks jeans are more comfortable than a perfectly fitting pair of trousers.  (Pencil skirts, I'll admit are not ideal, but only because they tend to ride up when you're sitting down for an extended period of time, which I never do when I'm teaching.)

And this is making a long post even longer, but I've been giving a lot of thought to my MA defense episode since writing this previous post about it.  I can't help but wonder if, on some subconscious level, I dressed less professionally for that event because I didn't feel like I had earned it yet, so performing professionalism didn't feel quite right.   This is stupid, because I certainly had earned it, but it's also kind of predictable, because I've encountered much more self-doubt as a graduate student than I ever did as a high school classroom teacher.

In other words: I feel psychologically comfortable in these clothes because they make me feel like other people take me more seriously.  Because I am invested in wearing clothes that facilitate that reaction, I'm committed to finding clothes which do so and are physically comfortable.  However, I don't think I could have worn them with any real confidence until I felt legitimately ready to take on the type of respect I would be afforded when dressed in them.  And if you're still with me on this one, thanks for following along.  One of the things I love most about this blog is that it gives me a space to think through these things in more depth.  Thanks so much for the question, Brooke!

Related Posts:
Recently, A-Dubs shared her own frustration about being underestimated, in her case because of gendered and disciplinary assumptions, and she also responded by resolving to "up the profesh-factor."
Sara wrote an excellent post in which she interrogated the widespread assumption that dresses are necessarily "dressy" or atypical as daily wear.
(don't we have brilliant blogfriends?!)

Prompts:

• Do you also see "comfort" in dress as a combination of psychological and physical comfort?  Does one trump the other for you, or are they equally important?
• Do you think I've pidgeon-holed myself too much by relying on "professional" clothes for psychological comfort?  I'm starting to think I have, so I'm committed to learning to take myself seriously in more casual clothes, both IRL and here on the blog.
• Have you found that your style of dress has made a significant difference in the way people respond to you?
• Does it sound like I'm on a power trip?  In the interest of full disclosure, I kind of am.  As a young female, I find again and again that no one is going to take me seriously unless I demand it.  Thoughts on this issue?

Submission Sunday: Caitlin

During Wardrobe Workhorse Week we pared down our closets to our best-loved items, so we're thrilled to continue the scaling-back party with a post from Anne-Marie's lifelong friend (and new blogger!), Caitlin of Frosting and Bows.  Caitlin, who studied Studio Art in college, has a knack for styling only-the-best accessories into creative combinations.  Here she shares her Four Must-Have (and Budget-Conscious!)(and Versatile!) Items for Fall.

 

Caitlin Says: It's difficult to nail down my four must-have items for this season because I am absolutely in love with so many trends.  The only thing I can say for sure is that the pieces here are things that I cannot live without, period.  I like to experiment with my wardrobe and accessories.  And it gives me a sense of adventure to put something on that I think no one else in the world will have.  This is why I like to shop at thrift stores, vintage clothing lots, you name it.  Not only are these vintage trinkets a steal in cost, but they are also easily placed alongside my upcoming wardrobe for fall, and I will show you how.  Take a look!
 
Composition #1: A Chic Jacket
yellow and black houndstooth jacket (thrifted, $25)
tank (F21, $15)

pocketwatch (gifted)

chain (thrifted, $17) 

Draft:

Usage:

I have blogged about this jacket because it is so newsworthy!  I bought it two years ago at a vintage clothing store which is no longer here.  I paid $25.00 for it, and I wear it with everything.  I think it is, hands down, the best investment I have ever made in an article of clothing.  It goes with everything from jeans to black pants, and it also serves as a suit jacket if you are in the corporate career world.  It is stunning!  Like many of the things in my closet, it didn’t cost a fortune and no one would ever know it.  I am sure at one point in time it did, but not for me! My advice for anyone going "thrifting:" find pieces that echo your personality, but don’t spend over $25.00 on anything, unless it is in mint condition.  Word to the wise.

Composition #2: A Red Bag

red messenger bag (Liz Clairborne via TJ Maxx, $14)

shoes (Steve Madden on sale, $40)

scarf (Marshalls, $20)

Draft:

Usage:

This bag is my must for this season because of the intense red and the easy carrying.  It is all about comfort for me these days, and this bag fits me to a "T."  I wear it around with jeans, and, in this case, with a jersey dress and scarf.  Find one in a similar style or different color -- they are hot this fall!

Composition #3: Boyfriend Jeans
jeans (Gap, on sale)  

Draft:

Usage: 
A slight exaggeration but, these jeans are the most comfortable things I’ve ever put on.  Really!  I wear them with t-shirts, with tank tops out on the town, to the grocery store, with heels, with sandals, with ankle booties.  It is actually difficult to mess up this pair.  I purchased these at Gap on sale.  They are almost too good to be true.  When I get dressed nowadays, I try not to think so hard.  It should be about ease.  Throw on what makes you feel happy, comfortable, and powerful.  It’s all about attitude.

Composition #4: Big, Statement Jewelry
faux pearl multi-strand necklace (F21, $18)
heart necklace (gifted, Frantz Diamonds in Roanoke, Va.)

all other necklaces (F21) 

Drafts:

Usage:
Jewelry makes a statement in a big way.  It can transform your most drab frock into an exciting new discovery in your wardrobe.  I happen to love this new trend of huge pieces.  It makes choosing what to put on so much easier.  All you have to do it layer and keep layering chunky pieces.  If you are at a loss of creativity, check out any J.Crew magazine.  All the spreads include large rhinestone necklaces or pearls, or both with a wide range of outfits.  You will never have to decide between your pearls or your rhinestones ever again. One more thought, if you don't want to go out and buy several mismatching pieces, just take apart old necklaces and mix and match those.

Prompts:

• Caitlin says getting dressed "should be about ease," and should make you feel "happy, comfortable, and powerful."  How do you keep your daily styling habits effortless?
• Do you own these or similar items?  How do you style them?
• Thrifting divas, what are your strategies for finding gems like Caitlin's houndstooth jacket?  Where do you shop, and when?  How much do you spend, on average, on vintage finds?
• What are your must-have items for fall?

WWW: Wedges, Necklaces, and Belts

Thanks for joining us for Wardrobe Workhorse Week!  In my previous WWW post, I featured genres of items, but today, for our final write-up of the series, I'm celebrating three (okay, four) specific pieces that make my wardrobe work.

Composition: Chunky Wedges
brown leather wedge sandals (RJ Girl)

Drafts:

Usage:
A teacher once cautioned me against overusing the word "love," but I can't resist: I love these wedges, I love these wedges, I love these wedges.  The buckles on these clunkers add just enough edge to the prettiest outfit, and they create interest in everyday ensembles.  They're also surprisingly comfortable.  Believe it.  Although not as "classy" as Liz's black wedges, and therefore likely not classroom appropriate, these neutrals are my go-to kickers for after-school and weekend outings.

Composition: Statement Necklace
turquoise bib necklace (via ShopMamie)

Drafts:

Usage:
Many of my outfits are deficient in the jewelry department, and that's because I'm awkward with accessories.  I haven't (yet!) mastered the adornment game.  Fortunately, my childhood friend Caitlin of Frosting and Bows is adept at creating and composing such trimmings, and she's preparing a Scholar Style Guide guest post for this Sunday!  Stay tuned!  In the meantime, I rely on this turquoise bib necklace to embellish my summer clothes.  Its color, length, and shape make it virtually fool-proof -- perfect for an accessorizing newbie like me!

Composition: Go-With-Everything Belts
black belt (via ShopMamie), brown belt (Anthropologie)

Drafts:

Usage:
Speaking of accessorizing, I only began belting my clothes after stumbling upon these pair-with-anything items of waist-wear.  At the time I wasn't intentionally shopping for belts, but there they were: on sale, calling out to me.  I decided to give 'em a shot.  Since purchasing these black and brown numbers, a world of dressing possibilities has opened up.  And like Liz, who has long advocated belting, I often feel sartorially "finished" with a cinched waist.  (Perhaps, as Katie's post on "ladylikeness" suggests, I feel more feminine with accented curves?)  Recently, I've experimented with narrower, braided belts, but these two remain my favorites.

Prompts:

• To you accessorizing pros out there: what are your secrets?  I need tips!
• Are there any clothing combos you wish I would try?
• Wardrobe Workhorse Week has reminded me of the many versatile items in my closet and convinced me that I don't need to shop as much as I think (or want!).  What have you learned about your closet during WWW?

Too Many Clothes?

Draft:

Earlier Drafts:
One day this sheer, short-sleeved number screamed, "Wear me with olive green cargo pants!"  So I did.
I wore this multi-chain necklace with a fedora.  And also with clothes.

Composition:
white button-down with sleeves (Gap)
sheer button-down with ruffles (thrifted)
multi-chain necklace (Talbots)
pink pearl ring (gifted)
mother of pearl bracelet (gifted)
grey pencil skirt (Talbots, gifted)
nude heels (Guess, a recent eBay score)

Usage:
Last month my mom gave me this fabulously-fitting grey pencil skirt, and I immediately began scheming up outfits for it.  Thing is, I sort of forgot about it after that.  It's been hanging among the other skirts in my closet, sandwiched between I-wore-this-once-four-years-ago and This-threadbare-thing-has-a-memory-attached.  It got lost among never-wears, I guess.

A shame, right?  Because this stretch-cotton number is a great length, and it fits me well, and it sits at an ideal spot on my hips, and it has a sheen that allows me to dress it up, but it can also be dressed down.  Also, it's basically my favorite color in the world, can you tell?  I'm almost camouflaged against the paint shade on my wall.  (Whaddiyaknow, the walls in my living room are one hue darker.  Practically color-matched to this skirt at Home Depot's Paint Center, I'd say.)  So, yes, it's a crying shame this winner of a garment has been, until yesterday, forgotten among clothing toward which I feel half-heartedly.

Which is why I started thinking, Maybe I own too many clothes.  Actually, this thought did not occur to me independently.  Reader/friend Mackenzie - you might remember her insight from this post - steered my thoughts in this direction when she sent me an email that went like so:

I'm finding such an interesting energy between your blog and some of the more DIY or eco-consciousness-focused clothing blogs I follow. ... One thing I'm always struggling with, and which seems to be in the background of the Scholar Style Guide discussion lately, is -- how many clothes are too many clothes?

Great question!  It's one Liz, Katie, and I ask ourselves regularly, especially because we have limited funding and tight closet spaces.  Before now, we've responded to this issue indirectly.  We feel strongly that the "Earlier Drafts" feature in our posts upholds principles of thrift and creativity by allowing readers to track the ways we recycle our already-have garments.  And recent posts, like Liz's report on her shopping hiatus and Katie's analysis of pieces she already owns, also demonstrate our work-with-what-we've-got mentality.

But we don't want to stop there.  No, we're inspired by posts like this one from Young House Love that take closet editing seriously.  Like Sherry at YHL, we believe it's possible and worthwhile to pare down one's wardrobe to a few well-loved essentials.  That's why we've declared next week Wardrobe Workhorse Week!  We're devoting five days to items without which we'd consider our closets incomplete, and we're hoping to answer Mackenzie's question along the way.  The idea is to trim our sartorial fat: celebrate the items we love and donate/consign/discard the items we don't.

Join us, won't you?  We'd love to hear about the clothes you can't live without.  If you'd like to hop aboard the WWW train, comment on this post by September 5.  See you next week!

Prompts:

• What do you think: how many clothes are too many?  How do you know you've reached the limit?
• How do you decide which items to keep and which ones to lose?  Tell us about your methods!  Better yet, join us for WWW!  During September 6-10 (next week!) we're inviting you to celebrate your all-time favorite wardrobe reliables with us.  RSVP here!

A Sentimental Romp(er)

Draft:

Earlier Draft:
I wore these wedges with a pleated linen skirt that I never iron but should.  Which is ironic, because I didn't iron today's outfit either, and I should've.  These shoes must render me incapable of starching and pressing my clothing.

Composition:
chambray romper (Swell, on sale!)
assorted blues beaded necklace (Talbots, gifted)
monogrammed silver bracelets (gifted)
blue wedges (Target)

Usage:
Well, it took me all summer to locate a romper I liked at a decent price, and here 'tis.  Let it be known that I do not typically spend an entire season shopping for a single item; after a while, I either call off the search or purchase a version I don't particularly adore.  So this find is especially successful.  I like that this all-in-one outfit doesn't make me look too juvenile, and I also appreciate that the smocked elastic waist and bust prevent fabric puckering.  That's my principal beef with other rompers: many of them boast back zippers, a feature which causes the seams to lay oddly across my lower back and booty.  Earlier this summer, Katie and Liz wrote about their one-and-done look of choice: the cotton jersey dress.  My one-and-done pick?  This comfy over-/cover-all derivative. 

Good thing the temperatures will remain high for a few more weeks; this garment will have more wear time.  The weather's rewarding my unusual shopping sobriety with delayed gratification, I'm pretty sure.

Yesterday I wore this outfit to run errands, the most important of which was mailing a care package to my youngest sibling, my college freshman sister.  She began classes yesterday, and, from what I can tell, she's enjoying herself far too much to bother updating me.  This is a good thing.  Even though I'm teary-eyed that she's so suddenly grown-up, I'm excited for the growing-up experiences she'll have over the next four years.  Ten bucks and a bottle of nail polish say she's not thinking about books right now, but even so, I hope she'll catch the learning bug for a subject she loves and grow to find higher education positively delicious.  My time in graduate school, learning among talented educators, and my short months of interacting with you thoughtful blogreaders have convinced me that more than a few of my sister's professors will feel just as you do: energized by the new school year's potential.  And I'm equally confident their excitement will be contagious.

Prompts:

• Has your shopping endurance paid off this summer?  Tell us about your purchases!
• For nostalgia's sake, what's your favorite back-to-school outfit ever?  Here's mine: a floral-printed pink tunic tee, coordinating leggings, pink lace-up Keds, and a Princess Jasmine bookbag.  Topped off with a side ponytail.  Third grade, baby.

Audrey Might've Worn a Fedora

Draft:Earlier Drafts:
This strapless top's silhouette is surprisingly versatile.
These heels "go" with e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.  But I've said that already.

Composition: 
fedora (Target)
black strapless top (ShopMamie)
multi-chain necklace (Talbots)
black Audrey pants (Gap)
nude suede heels (Seychelles via Piperlime)

Usage: 
This week Katie reassessed her closet and determined that her attraction to floral prints may indicate that she's a more "ladylike" dresser than she realized.  Liz noted that Katie had previously described her style as "easy elegance," and asked if Katie considered the terms "ladylike" and "elegant" synonymous.  Their exchange was helpful to my own thinking because, although this week I've grappled with the definition of "ladylike" and danced around the idea of elegance, I hadn't speculated about the ways in which the two meanings may intersect. 

Months ago, noted photographer and illustrator Garance Dore published a post entitled "What is Elegance?" on her personal fashion blog.  I like Dore's definition of this frequently-used, often-abused term, for it emphasizes conduct over clothes and decorum over dressing habits.  It encourages me in a You're-Never-Fully-Dressed-Without-a-Smile sort of way.  People can be elegant with or without the "right" style savvy, she suggests.

Rex Harrison's character Henry Higgins learns a similar lesson in the 1964 film My Fair Lady.  When his efforts to refine Audrey Hepburn's street-smart protagonist Eliza backfire, Henry realizes that Eliza's je ne sais quoi renders her more elegant than any of his rules of form.  She is dignified despite, not because of, his insistence on social and sartorial graces.

I mention this film because, not-so-ironically, it derives from the same Mad Men era we've been discussing this week.  Consistent with the social undercurrents of 50s/60s fashion, the movie's very title challenges the notion of femininity.  For starters, it's possessive, suggesting that the fair female in question might be owned by, or at least indebted to, her teacher/admirer.  Therefore, it also implicitly asks, when exactly does Eliza become a "lady," before or after Henry instructs her in navigating high society?

I think the meanings of "ladylikeness" and "elegance" might intersect here, at the concept of social shrewdness.  Dore's characterization certainly esteems "politeness," "attention to others," "poise," and "a sense of culture" as primary qualifiers of elegance.  And media evidence from Audrey's classic films to Frank Sinatra's 1950s tune "Luck Be a Lady" demonstrate that, for women coming of age in these pivotal decades, "lady" likely had similar connotations.

If this is true, are these terms simply equivalent to "ethical conscience" or "social awareness" or something like it?  Do they mean being kind or even genteel enough to get along in society?  What implications would accepting these definitions have today?  As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm interested in sorting through these ideas because so far next season's fashion marketing has depended on them.

Even if we don't reach any conclusions on the terms, I'm glad our posts this week have sparked such lively conversations about the development of feminism and the resurgence of vintage fashion.  We're energized by your insightful comments, comments like Mackenzie's: 

"I'm with you that 'ladylike' is a difficult word to use in grappling with your clothing ... But the silhouettes themselves? Rock, rock on. Not wearing something because of its previous connotations of bondage is just as much a form of bondage ... Let's all wear what makes us happy and only call it 'ladylike' if we are ready to be called 'ladies' in whatever we wear."

Prompted by Mackenzie's suggestion to wear what makes me happy, I've compiled an outfit inspired by Audrey Hepburn's monochrome look in the 1957 film Funny Face.  I've thrown in a fedora to gesture at Sinatra, too.  The overall ensemble is my nod to his confident swagger and Audrey's gamine boldness.  How does it resonate with you?

Thanks for the great discussions this week!  Have a happy weekend.

Prompts:

• How do you define "elegance"?  "Ladylikeness"?  Do you think they're synonymous?
• Why do you think Audrey Hepburn is regarded as a fashion icon?  What does she represent to you?
• How do you think our style mindsets are like or unlike those of the 50s/60s?
• More practically, this one-size-fits-most fedora business is not working for me.  Is this hat supposed to cover my ears?  How are you guys wearing them?

A Method to the "Mad Men" Madness

Draft:

Earlier Drafts:
These earrings prompted me to reconsider the size and quantity of my accessories.
These woven sandals acted as casual alternatives to my flip-flops.

Composition:
navy and taupe patterned top (Levi's)
taupe striped wide-leg pants (Old Navy)
woven sandals (Target)
pewter earrings (Fossil)

Usage:
One way to adopt a trend is to practice its principles.  My budget might prevent me from investing in a trend's specific styles, but I'm learning to participate in it by instead embracing its methods.

Here's what I mean.

This week our posts have referenced the 50s/60s-era throwback styles which seem to be gaining momentum as the fall fashion season nears.  We've mentioned Mad Men several times in relation to this sub-movement because the award-winning television series is largely responsible for the vintage resurgence.  The ensembles featured on the show are indeed jealousy-inducing, but because contemporary iterations are currently out of my price range, I haven't purchased any.  Thankfully, while dreaming up ways to participate in the looks the show has revived and still maintain my financial integrity, I stumbled upon this clip on the Mad Men website.

(Under the "Videos" tab, click on "Mad Style."  Then select "Mad About Style: Dresses.")

In it, Janie Bryant, the show's costume designer, and Simon Kneen, Executive V.P. and Creative Director for Banana Republic, chat about the semiotics of the female cast members' frocks.  The clip offers a peek into the construction of the Mad Men sartorial vibe, and it also gives insight into the more general early-mod revival.  Of particular interest, however, is that two minutes into the blurb, Kneen reminds us of a post-WWII-era principle of dressing:

"In those days, they would talk about 'building a wardrobe.'  It was going to do you probably for five or six years.  People would alter their dresses.  They would change their hemlines.  Fashion is a little bit disposable today, and people are looking for newness."

Kneen's observation is a poignant one, as it reminds us that women did not always begin anew with trend-conscious wardrobes every season.  Instead, they modified their old wardrobes to suit.  The takeaway for me?  I need not always buy new - that is, buy more - in order to look new.  Sara at Orchids in Buttonholes elaborated on this topic yesterday in a post which refuted the "dress better by buying more" sentiment by advocating what I think is a 50s/60s-era spirit of thrift.  Her post convinced me that my budget - and my creativity - would benefit if I imagined my garments as having longevity.

Truthfully, I'm slow on the up-take with this one, because other blogfriends have been testing the recycled wardrobe waters for months.  Tania at What Would a Nerd Wear just completed a "30 for 30" month-long challenge, in which she simultaneously declared a shopping hiatus and challenged herself to repurpose 30 pieces she already owned.  Liz began a similar challenge yesterday; she has limited herself to two back-to-school purchases, and she's maximizing their wearability by styling them in more ways than one.

As for me, today I'm reviving a very old pair of trousers by styling them into a new look.  I normally wear these striped pants to work with wedge heels and a button-down, but pairing them with flat sandals and a loose-fitting top gives them a more relaxed feel.  What's more, repurposing them will save me from purchasing some out-of-my-price-range versions currently featured as "New Fall Arrivals" in my favorite shops.  A bit of economy goes a long way.

One caveat: it's possible that following this Mad Men-era principle might pose a Catch-22 situation.  Common advice often dictates that a sustaining wardrobe must be an expensive one.  But "investing" isn't always a euphemism for "splurging."  At least, I don't think it has to be.  Sometimes "investing" can simply mean "maximizing" or "getting creative with what we have."  After all, I'm always investing something in my clothing, whether it's money or creativity.  For now, the latter suits my financial situation best.  So, in this way, adhering to a tenet inspired by the current trend allows me to participate in one of its ideologies, even if I can't afford its clothes.

Prompts:

• Does this principle resonate with you?  How are you practicing it personally, and how have you observed others participating in it?
• Can you think of other fashion trends that have sparked worthwhile dressing principles?  I have a hunch that my husband's obsession with thrift stores originated with some haute couture movement in which he takes little interest, for example.
• Besides restyling, in what other ways would you suggest I maximize my wardrobe?  I've considered taking a few items, like this skirt, to a seamstress for some dramatic alterations.  I know others of you are more daring in your sewing projects.  Please tell us about them!

Home Away from (Academia) (Home)

Draft:

Earlier Drafts:
I found this charming, oversized blazer on sale in charm central, Savannah, Ga.
A turquoise necklace in the bib style?  Count me in.
I've worn these sweet yellow flats with a spectrum of hues.

Composition:
strapless floral dress (ShopMamie)
linen blazer (Gap)
turquoise necklace (ShopMamie)
yellow flats (Target)

Usage:
Liz coaxed me out of hiding yesterday for a dinner and shopping date.  Given that I have spent the past week hibernating in T-shirts and devouring stacks of chick-lit novels, I was grateful for the outing.  I washed my hair and wore real clothing*.  It was awesome.

Equally awesome?  My hiatus from the computer has helped me feel at home with myself, stylistically and otherwise.  When I last posted, I was preparing to paint the very last room in the townhouse my husband and I had purchased in October and delayed updating 'til May.  Since that post, we've committed ourselves full-force to final renovations.  Now we're feeling at home in our first place, among our own furniture, with our own art hanging on the walls.  We sleep better at night, we host friends more often, and we devote dinners to real conversation, not to rattling off To-Do lists.  Nevermind that our second bathroom is still tiled floor-to-ceiling with dragonfly-inspired ceramic work.  It's fulfilling to feel ownership of something, flaws and all, I'm remembering.

Since reading - and relating to - Katie's candid post about body insecurities, I've become convinced that transferring my home ownership lessons to my clothing choices would revolutionize my self-perception.  Katie mentioned that wearing identical bridesmaid dresses invites body comparison; likewise, I've noticed that living in a neighborhood of nearly-identical brick townhouses invites neighborly property evaluation.  That's to be expected.  But the similarities between my street-mate's house and mine inspire me to make my space unique.  Even though I appreciate the hostas in her front yard, say, I enjoy my unruly azaleas because, well, they're mine.  They represent several Saturday mornings of my own sweaty, T-shirt-tanning diligence.  (I feel like there's a Robert Frost poem about this.  The property-owning and hedge-trimming, not the farmer's-tanning, I mean.)  What if I dressed my body out of a similar spirit of appreciation and pride of ownership?

For me, Krista's guest-post about maternity wear sealed the deal on this sartorial lesson.  I love that she dresses to celebrate her baby bump, reveling in her stage of life and appreciating her body's capabilities.  Even though I'm not in a baby-making headspace these days, her wardrobe advice for expecting moms makes me feel confident about dressing for my circumstances.  Admittedly, I've been stressing over composing professional outfits while I'm away from academia.  Right now I can't make the pseudo-professorial clothes work, not only because I'm no longer in the environment, but also because my heart's not in it.  I'm in a different place now, and Krista's post reminded me that it's okay.  I'm beginning to appreciate my body for its replace-my-reading-plan-with-DIY-projects accomplishments, and I'm starting to dress like this post-grad school phase of life is home.  For now, at least.  It feels pretty good.

*This dress might function best as a beach cover-up.  I'm still deciding.  For now, as long as the temperatures remain scorchingly high, I feel bold enough to go city-street public with it.

Prompts:

• How do you best represent yourself during life transitions?  Do you find that your wardrobe choices change dramatically, or do you take comfort in keeping your wardrobe choices consistent?
• What's your take on the body = house analogy?  Veteran homeowners, do you find that owning a house makes you appreciate it in different ways?  Have your property-owning responsibilities affected the way you dress?
• From reading your blogs - it's great to catch up on your lives after being away! - it seems like many of you are also rethinking self-perception through clothing choices.  Please share the sartorial/life lessons you've learned this season!

High School Lessons: Look Good, Feel Good

Draft:

Earlier Drafts:
I wore this dress by itself here, and this outfit is basically a replica of this one I wore earlier in the summer.

Composition: 
eyeglasses (Kate Spade)
royal blue v-neck tee (American Eagle)
gold tone chain necklace with brown beads (H&M)
brown cotton jersey dress (Old Navy)
gold tone bangle (Ann Taylor Outlet)
tan heeled sandals (Born Concept via Marshall's)

Usage:
My favorite high school English teacher is the first person I can remember who told me that what I wear might make a difference in how I think about myself.  She did so by encouraging us to dress up on test days.  The advice, as I recall it, went something like this: "I know you kids like to wear 'comfortable' clothes when you sit down to take a test, but studies show that people who dress up on test days feel better about themselves and thus perform better on the tests."  I don't know what "studies" she was talking about, and it's entirely possible that she made that up, but I have come to adopt the principle behind her statement as truth anyway.  Most of us who blog about our style choices ascribe to some version of the "Look Good, Feel Good" mentality, and I can certainly make the connection to how dressing "up" for an exam could help one maximize one's ability to perform well on said exam.  We all dressed up for our high school teacher's exams (maybe we thought she'd grade us down or something?) but I've also been dressing up for exams ever since.

Today I was tempted to show up to class in shorts and a t-shirt (I told you, I'm getting used to this casual thing!), but instead I challenged myself to put together a new, "pulled together" ensemble because it was a test day in my German class.  I realize royal blue and brown as a color combination are not particularly modern or exciting, but since I have brown hair and blue eyes, I always think of these colors as ones which "go" with one another.  Plus, I had to wear a top dark enough and the right shape to cover up the dress underneath.  And while this isn't a very "dressed up" outfit for me in the grand scheme of my dressing history, I have been avoiding all accessories lately due to the heat, so putting on the belt, necklace, and bangle made the outfit feel polished and made me feel test-ready.  (Though the bangle came off as soon as I started trying to write.  How DO you ladies manage to get through the whole day with bracelets on?!)

And since Katie bravely acknowledged the presence of some insecurities yesterday, I want to follow her lead by talking briefly about my hair.  Another thing I liked about this ensemble is that it actually worked my hair into its cohesive look-- I think my mane of brown waves work with the brown belt and skirt on bottom to create an interesting frame for the blue tee.  I've been trying all summer to embrace these waves, even though their unruliness runs contrary to the put-together-ness I normally associate with myself.  But some days I'm just not buying it, and I want to revert to my old blow-dry-then-straighten hair frying ways.  I'd consider this a "good hair day," but some days I grow so frustrated with all this hair that I'm tempted to shear it all off and return to a chic short do a la Anne-Marie.

Prompts:

• Is there any advice you got in high school that you still follow to this day?  Why do you think it has endured?
• Do you find that you feel more on top of your game mentally and emotionally when you look "put together," or do you feel just fine in whatever you're wearing?
• Do you want to share your own hair woes?  Feel free.  I promise you that any thought you've had about your own hair, I've already had about mine.
• Have you submitted a look to the In Professorial Fashion Wonder Woman Pose Conference yet?  I'm trying to show you my best WW pose here on the left--  what blue eyed brunette doesn't sometimes want to channel her inner Lynda Carter? (When I was a kid, I used to punch out the bottom of disposable cups and slip them over my hands to make WW wristbands.)  If you haven't checked out IPF, please do-- in addition to D-Med and A-Dubs who frequently comment here (thanks ladies!) they just introduced E-Jo, who poses with her dachshund! : )

Body Insecurities

Draft:

Composition:
royal blue bridesmaid dress (Exquisite Bride)
silver heels (BCBGMaxAzaria)
chain and pearl bracelet (gift from bride)
on nails: OPI Russian Navy Matte

Usage:
Apologies for my extended absence.  Due to several factors - including, but not limited to, traveling, recovering from the constant motion of this summer, and my general laziness - I haven't been in this corner of cyberspace.  However, there is one other reason that made me a bit gun-shy regarding posting.  You see, I've been going through a small bout of body insecurity. 

It's funny - after writing those words, I feel like I've betrayed some of the general precepts behind this blog and others like it.  After all, we've discussed loving our bodies just as they are, and we've celebrated our varying shapes, sizes, and styles.  In fact, one of the things that I love the most about the fashion blogging community is the body-positive environment it presents.  However, this atmosphere of body confidence, while refreshing and something I wish to see more in the media, also creates a space where discussing insecurities about our bodies, the things that we may occasionally wish we could change, becomes taboo (at least it seems that way to me).

Now, the type of body insecurity that I'm feeling right now is nothing extreme, consuming, or even particularly acute.  Just a run-of-the-mill occasional dissatisfaction with the way I look right now.  Pangs that I think everyone feels at one point or another to be thinner or curvier, to be taller or shorter, to have a smaller nose or longer legs, to have more muscles or thicker hair, etc.  These sporadic desires to just be different are, I think, natural and human.  When they become all-encompassing and cause people to take drastic, self-destructive action (as opposed to healthy steps - like if you want to lose weight and you start eating healthier versus developing an eating disorder) or when they really cause self-esteem to plummet, that is when body insecurity becomes dangerous.  Otherwise, I think it is just part of the ups and downs of life.

The reason I chose this particular outfit to post has nothing really to do with the outfit itself.  I actually think this dress looks quite nice on me.  The color really suits me, it highlights my curves, and I really liked the jewelry the bride gave us.  One thing, though, that bridesmaids dresses do is invite comparison between women.  When four women are standing together wearing different outfits, the eye may not naturally take in their varying shapes and sizes as much as it does when they are wearing the same dress.  The four women wearing this dress did, to some degree, represent different shapes and body types.  However, I was definitely the biggest one of the four - not to say that I am large because I am not - but next to three other women wearing the same dress as me only four sizes smaller, one notices it more.  Or rather, I noticed it more. 

Please note: this is not what "set off" any insecurities.  Nothing in particular acted as a trigger.  Just part of an ebb and flow of my ever-changing self-image.  I'm not worried about it, and I know it will soon pass.  I can change what is in my control, and I must accept what is given.  I will never be a size 2.  My nose will always be a bit larger than I want it to be.  My hair will always be baby fine.  But change that and you change what is uniquely me.  And I don't want to give that up.

Prompts:

• What do you feel insecure about?
• How do you overcome insecurity about your looks or really about anything at all?
• Has blogging changed your self-image at all?  Does it make you more confident about your body? (I think it has in my case).