I love it, but will I regret it next week?

I did not realize until late yesterday afternoon that the photo on my last post was indicative of the degree of incoherence that would be found in my prose.  When I read my own post the next day, with the attention of posting again, my first urge was to do so serious editing.  Then I felt that I should really just delete the whole thing and start over.  But I hate to do that.  Better to walk away.  Better to leave it up with a pointed reminder to myself:  "don't do this" or "the dangers of writing on the verge of exhaustion".

Of course I do tend to ramble on in a barely coherent fashion when I am talking, so at least I passed the "write the way you speak" test.

Or perhaps there is some common thread between my writing and my clothing choices:  I have  a great deal of trouble editing.

Yesterday I intended to write about this outfit.  The top is a dress I bought from Eileen Fisher after reading this post by Une Femme. I remembered that I wanted some long graceful tops and was having trouble finding something.  It would really have to be at least 32" to cover my butt, and I remember Sandra Betzina saying that I should wear 35" long jackets.  I saw this dress.  I have a few Eileen Fisher pieces, but not many.  Most of them do not flatter; the pants are mostly too short. But I figured that UPS is my friend, and it could always be sent back.  Besides I would rather try something I can send back with little effort than spend precious time making something I wasn't sure I would like.

When I first put it together I liked it, but I had doubts. I wondered if the dress over the pants was too "hippy dippy? Perhaps it is bordering on some kind of "middle-aged tunic-wearing, I've put on a few pounds so I'll just add a couple of long scarves and give up" kind of look?

But I like the wide low neckline with the necklace.  I like the long soft flowing length. The fabric is light and quite cool on a hot day. The way the dress kind of floated a bit when I walked made me smile and feel pretty. And I like this length (35") on me over pants.  I was quite comfortable and happy in the outfit all day.

I realize the cotton/lycra pants are a little stiff, and it might look nicer with narrow silk or a very light wool. Or would that be too much float and flow, heading me into Bea Arthur in the Golden Girls territory?  If I make softer pants will I regret it?  Is it worth the effort?  Am I going to look at this photo next week or even next year and think "what was I thinking".  Will I look back and say "the long downward slide started there, with that outfit, I can see it now".

I admit that have always defining my style.  I know what it isn't more than what it is.  My clothing choices are probably mostly boring, but I do like things that were more ethnic, sometimes artistic, sometimes dramatic:  I like unusual jewelry, ethnic pieces but also spare modern pieces, big cuffs.  I like cowboy boots.  I also like Manolos.  

I love elegant clothes and beautiful fabrics. But I don't really feel I can pull off the full-blown polished classically elegant look. Perhaps it is the hair, which always does its own thing.  Truthfully I like letting the hair do its own thing, I find it more appealing than perfect polish.  I suppose my penchant for flippy hair and sitting on the floor do not quite go with the elegant socialite look.

I love long skirts and bright bright colors.  I love ethnic prints.  I also hate the full blown gypsy-boho-artistic look on me although I can admire it on others.  

But I don't always manage to mix the pieces together well. What I think looks like a bit of incongruence looks to others like a mistake.  And I am not confident enough to quell that inner demon. Perhaps I have just reached a point where I am tired of making boring choices.  Perhaps I am tired of letting what I think other people want me to be shape what I wear.  But at the same time, I am not quite ready to embrace the inner me without some concession to how I appear to the world and some concession to those inner demons.  Perhaps it is just time for me to come out of the sartorial closet and play.

 

Comments

[Cheryl Rubenstein]

You look great. I love the longer trapeze shape that is becoming a staple of Eileen Fisher. Now that my body is"mature" I look for things that hide flaws, look more sophisticated and can be worn with pants,skirts, and jeans. You have on that "magic" top. The two pieces in the photo are great by themselves...but also the beginning of a fabulous layering wardrobe. And...why wouldn't you want to wear this (or a more casual equal) every day? And....Phooey on the person telling you you are too tall for this. I have a similar EF top I plan to use as a pattern to make a top out of felted sweaters for winter. Dahling....you look maavelous!
Cheryl

[Mardel]

Thank you for all the lovely comments. Yes, I think the lightweight pants should be quite narrow. I will probably end up using them a lot.

Grace, yes it is sold as a dress but I was figuring it would be tunic length, and you touched on one of my fears. I have a dread of the maternity look on someone past the possibility of maternity. I think the dress look would need slightly wider pants to the floor over heels on me, and I would have to make the dress. Although actually I see a lot of young girls around here (taller and much slimmer than I) with dresses that are obviously as short on them as they are on me, doing the dress and jeans look.

Materfamilias, yes, I love draping scarves but have a terror of crossing that line of the aging gypsy draped in scarves.

[materfamilias]

OH, there is so much here that I recognize from my own thinking -- I admire the polished in others but still want to hang on to my more mussily-styled hair, etc. I really like this look on you, and to me, the proportions work well -- if anything, I'd try for a slightly more fluid fabric but keep the pant narrow, even more so than these perhaps -- just as MarilynB says above. I like the way you've accessorized simply yet with flair, and you've avoided the temptation to drape with scarves. Bravo!

[MarilynB]

I like this look on you. I do think that a silk or lightweight wool pant would work as long as you keep the width of the pant similar or even a little less than the pants in your picture. I like your choice of necklace and your hair is perfect for you. If you like the way you look in your clothes that will carry over to how others see you.

[Grace]

That tunic does not look knee-skimming on your tall frame. It reminds me of pregnancy tunics--an unfortunate period in my fashion life.

The dress over pants look works when the top looks like a dress. You are too tall for this top. I think it could work if the top were 5" longer.

I like the shoes.

[Miriam]

Your outfit gets a thumbs up from me as well. It looks very current with a relaxed sophistication vibe. In the photo, I especially liked how this pant flowed into the shoe. I like your idea of a silk or lightweight wool pant as well. Don't regret the look - just enjoy it now.
Your flow of thoughts had me smiling in this post - taking me mentally in very familiar places. Keep writing- it's good exercise. :)
Miriam

[Susan]

No - no! It is not too hippy dippy or a giving up look at all! That is a very classy look and a comfortable look also! You certainly don't want to dress that way every day but I really think it looks great. I'm struggling too with things that look good but still somewhat stylish at my age (a-hem, ripe 50's) - anyway I think that outfit looks great and am adding it to my list of things I want to make. Thank you for the inspiration!
Susan (fabricluver)