Daily Outfit: 10/18/11

by Sal on October 18, 2011 · 5 comments

Leopard sweater, thifted – similar
Orange skirt,  Banana Republic  (no longer available) - similar color (orange)
Brown boots, Jessica Simpson Angie in Nutella Leather
Belt, from a pair of shorts - similar
Bracelets, thrifted and gifted
Watch, Skagen
Earrings, repurposed vintage - similar

Today, I worked a half day at my old day job. It was intense and surreal for a number of reasons, and I’ll be heading back on Thursday morning to pitch in once again. It’s been about six weeks since I left, which feels like an eternity and like a heartbeat. Weird.

It’s getting colder and wetter and also colder, but I still refuse to don a pair of tights. I’m just not ready. I’d forgotten how marvelous it is to dress without having to worry about what color you want your legs to be that day.

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Partner Conflicts Over Sartorial Choices

by Sal on October 18, 2011 · 64 comments

It’s POSSIBLE that a certain husband dislikes this dress. Rather strongly. And said husband is generally spot-on when it comes to what works and what doesn’t for my style and body. But he’s also extremely open-minded. Often times he’ll hate something on first glance, but then compliment me when he sees it worn in the context of a fully styled outfit.  That’s what I expected to happen with this dress. I bought it in New York back in February, brought it home, showed it to him, and he didn’t like it. Trotted it out MONTHS later as part of this ensemble and felt smashing in it. I asked him if he’d changed his stance. Nope. Still dislikes it.

And that’s completely fine. And I’m perfectly happy to keep on wearing it.

I think every woman occasionally butts heads with her partner about sartorial choices. Sometimes – as is often the case with HM – it’s a question of styling. A hated item in the context of an awesome outfit may become less hated. But sometimes your partner just really, really dislikes a garment or accessory and no amount of creative styling will change that.

In those cases, I feel that you have three choices:

• You can wear the item when your partner isn’t around.
• You can abandon the item altogether and possibly resent having to do so.
• You can realize that partners don’t agree fully on everything, and don’t need to.

Dressing is as much about feeling good as it is about looking good, and if wearing a garment that your partner dislikes makes you feel good, you should wear it. You should! And if your partner continues to dislike it, yet wearing it continues to make you feel good, well THAT says something. Because all of us care how our partners perceive us, and the vast majority of us want to be considered beautiful and desirable. So when we’re willing to shirk all that for a specific garment, that means the garment has a value that goes well beyond outside opinions.

Another factor that plays in here is the idea that your partner may see something you don’t. The garment is unflattering, out of style, or fits you oddly and you’re just not seeing it. I look back at photos of myself in clothes that my mom HATED on me, and realize she was right about nearly all of them. It’s a risk to dress against a partner’s wishes. But, again, dressing isn’t just about looking good, it’s about feeling good. And if we wore nothing but perfectly-pressed, figure-flattering clothing all day every day we’d all be extremely grouchy and unpleasant beings.

If your partner hates your entire wardrobe, you may want to have a sit-down. If your partner hates an errant maxi dress or pair of wacky pants, find a way to make your peace with that. Partners disagree. And wacky pants are awesome.

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Voet Leg Bandeaux Review and Giveaway

by Sal on October 17, 2011

Looking to spice up your boots looks? I’m giving away a set of three lace leg bandeaux, and you can click through to enter the contest!

PLEASE NOTE: You must click through and comment on the official contest post to qualify for entry. Do not comment on this post or photo.

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Daily Outfit: 10/17/11

by Sal on October 17, 2011 · 16 comments

Hot pink cardigan, Opitz – similar
Tee, Banana Republic  ages ago – similar neckline
Skirt, courtesy Karen Kane
Boots, Diesel Go-go (no longer available) - similar - more Diesel boots
Cuff, Seasons on St. Croix - by HollyHawk
Earrings, Infrared Studio

It’s possible that I forgot to apply one of my hair products today and, therefore, have hair like a fluffy newborn chick. But maybe not. Hard to say.

Pencil skirts are grand, but they can be a bit restricting. I seldom need to do split-leaps on regular working days but, ya know, big strides can come in handy. I run late to things. This little number is made of some sort of mesh-ponte hybrid that makes it feel like a tube of sweatshirt material, and I’m kinda loving it. Though I still kept my split-leaps to a minimum today.

I never thought I’d be drawn to tie-dyed clothing again. Ever. Years of rainbow-hued tees made from buckets of dye and well-placed rubber bands had scarred me. But in darker colors and black, the pattern seems so arty and funky right now. I’ll probably confine my tie-dyed garments to this vest and today’s skirt … but who knows? Maybe I’ll be hauling out the RIT and rubber bands on weekends to come.

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