Dressing Elegantly: Comment Response

 
Margaret brought up some good points in a comment to my last post, and I felt it would be worthwhile to discuss the issues she raised in a separate post.

The comment from Margaret:

“These are great, Nicole, but I don't think I would wear the same skirt two days in a row. I would probably mix it up more than you have here bottom-wise. I also think you might want to incorporate one more pair of shoes that's not black to give a teensy bit more pizazz. I know you started out with these set pieces and the person you're designing for said she already wore a lot of black, but I would get really bored with just these color choices. Red is a power color for sure and I have no problem with how you've used it here. I would just add other colors as well to get out of this sterile environment that's going to get very predictable in a really short time.”

> Regarding the wearing of the same skirt two days in a row......the days can be switched around in order to avoid this, but really, no one looks at what you are wearing on the bottom half if you look well-dressed overall.

The skirt itself is a neutral, which makes it even easier to wear two days in a row. If it were a bright color, or a bold print, however, you probably couldn't get away with this without people noticing it, as it would be too memorable.

> Regarding the addition of an additional pair of shoes in a different color....adding shoes that aren't black is a great idea if they incorporate black, such as in an animal print. I do provide additional options in my next post, which is about expansion of the  basic wardrobe by adding other pieces.

One caution. Adding a shoe in a color such as red will accomplish several things but probably none that you were hoping for. A colored shoe (with no black) will shorten your legs visually (making you look shorter), and make your entire look less elegant. It can also go along way toward creating a "fashion victim look".

The core wardrobe is intended to be exactly that. If you create a core wardrobe out of more than a few colors, you won't have a wardrobe that can be worn repeatedly without a lot of additions. You also will fall short of looking elegant.

So what does the term "elegance" mean in fashion? The dictionary defines it as follows:

Main Entry:

el·e·gance 

1 a: refined grace or dignified propriety : urbanity
   b: tasteful richness of design or ornamentation <the sumptuous elegance of the furnishings>
   c: dignified gracefulness or restrained beauty of style : polish <the essay is marked by lucidity, wit, and elegance>
  d: scientific precision, neatness, and simplicity <the elegance    of a mathematical proof>
2: something that is elegant

Elegance in your appearance means to keep your clothing simple in it's design, usually/frequently monochromatic, although you can include a bit of another color. Elegance is always comprised of primarily timeless style. Elegance will cause people to notice how well you look, not necessarily what you are wearing. 

Thank you to Margaret, who very likely commented not only on what she was thinking, but what others of you were also thinking. I very much appreciate her sincere input!!

The options post will be up on Wednesday.........I am trying to keep up with too many things, and I apologize for the delay!

Related Posts:

- Fashion Tips: How to Pull Together a Smashing Wardrobe for Work
- Fashion Tips: How to Pull Together a Smashing Wardrobe for Work | Part Two

Technorati Tags: fashion, style, elegance, women, fall 2008, wardrobe, shopping, fashion tips

Comments

[Margaret]

I hadn't thought about the skirt being a "basic" and therefore not as memorable as a patterned or colored skirt is, so thanks for the smack upside the head telling me to "quit thinking like your mama, dammit -- THINK for yourself!" -- I needed that! :P

I can't wait to read the expansion pieces post. I'm sure there will be tons of cool tricks I've never thought of before.

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[Christy]

Gotta say, even if it *is* worn a lot, I love that skirt. You're right, it would work as a basic with nearly limitless options up top, so it's a definite good choice. And I love the boots.

[Beamer]

I wore a skirt once and got it on backwards. Very embarrassing. Luckily my wife caught before I went out in public.

Beamer

[Margaret]

Beamer -- you owe me a keyboard now you rat! You made me spit coffee all over it!

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[nicole]

@ Margaret.......I think you give yourself too little credit! :)

@ Christy.....glad you like it! I love both of those pieces also. :)

@ Beamer.......OMG, I almost fell out of my chair. ROFL! :)