WIW: a few outfits & breaking my own rules

Here are outfits for the last few days, warm to hot weather for us here. . . .

1-3 (worn to work): linen trousers (NYDJ, Wylie, in sand dollar); ivory, blue and taupe tee (made by me); pewter belt (Fossil); pewter sling-back Mary Janes (Fidji); jean jacket (AG, Robyn). I took the photo after work, so the pants are quite wrinkled! Gotta make peace with the crease, right? I'm fine with it and love linen trousers, when I'm in the mood for them.

4 (worn to work): olive and ivory checked drop-waist dress (Caslon); olive 3/4-sleeved cardi (Halogen); black sling-back Mary Janes (Think! Aida).

5-6 (worn for a day off and piano lesson): blue and white pincord-striped shorts with white twill tape trim (Eddie Bauer); ribbed tank with blue and white tie-dye-like star design (Eddie Bauer); navy linen knit vest (made by me); silver dangled hoop earrings (Marjorie Bauer); silver and blue bracelets (Lucky & and gift); cream platform sandals (Naot); navy and tan satchel (Dooney & Bourke).

On the olive dress outfit: I broke my own unwritten rule; I did not wear anything that I made, even though I was dressing for work (I try to wear something I've made, since I work in a store, selling sewing machines). I bought this dress a few months ago and had not worn it yet. I was thinking of returning it, but I thought it's pretty late to do that, since it's on sale now and probably close to getting moved out to the Rack. So I pulled off the tag and wore the dress. My main reason for not wearing it is that typically I'd wear a dress to work rather than to hang around the house. And I couldn't figure out how to pair it with something I had made. So, I broke my little rule. It felt odd doing so. Still, I think I might need to break my rule once in a while, to get more wear out of some of my clothes. I guess that sounds pretty obvious, huh? Do you have any artificial stipulations that you put on yourself when dressing? If so, how rigid are you about them?

Thoughts and suggestions welcome!

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14 Comments

  • Peri replied 9 years ago

    I always look at pictures first and my instant reaction was "oh I love that dress!". Funny that was the rule breaker. It looks so much better on you than on the model! Not kidding! 

    I like the other things too, but pic #4 is my favorite!

  • Jenava replied 9 years ago

    I love linen trousers, too!  Peace with the crease, indeed.  The drop-waist dress is so cute on you - an item I absolutely cannot pull off!  I also love the addition of that sleeveless vest in #3.  I feel insipired to look for this type of third piece myself.  Great for summer and very stylish.

    My rule, which I am not very rigid on, is to avoid wearing black near my face, as it is one of my worst colors.

  • AJ replied 9 years ago

    Oohhhh, I don't think I've seen you wear a drop waist dress before! Looks FAB!!

    Like the soft colors of outfit 1 on you. I'm baby stepping my way to peaceable creases by trying out linen shorts this summer. :)

  • Adelfa replied 9 years ago

    I love how the colors of your tee blend with your linen pants.

    I dimly remember you posting about this rule thing a while ago. I think rules work better if you're not too rigid, or you might want to rebel. For example, my doctor told me to go on a high fiber low fat diet, and I then mystified my children by baking brownies, which I hadn't done in a year or two!

  • kellygirl replied 9 years ago

    These are terrific! Love the linen pants wrinkles and all. The drop waist dress is phenomenal! What a fab piece on you. I love that you broke a rule too :) 

  • Gigi replied 9 years ago

    Lovely, as usual! I love the last outfit especially, with the vest. I guess it seems edgier than the others?

    As far as the rule thing goes, I always keep in mind that rules are to help me; they're not an end in themselves. So if a rule isn't helping me in a given situation, the rule should probably be set aside temporarily.

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    Although your self made clothes are fantastic, an occasional exception is completely understandable. Terrific week - I love the vest!

  • Runcarla replied 9 years ago

    Like Peri, I did a quick acan of the pics and thought "love the dress outfit" then read the post! I'm loving your WIW posts very much. Your use a lot of neutrals, and subdued colours, in your well crafted and elegant outfits. Your choice of styles/patterns and fabrics for the self crafted garments makes your outfits unique, and really does elevate your look, though.

    E or racheylou (in a post by E) once referred to 'restraint of line and extravagance of fabric' when referring to the use of gorgeous fabrics. I think your style fits this description.

    The only 'rule' that I am trying to follow is to 'care' about putting together an outfit that is appropriate for the day's events...either for work or for casual. This translates into no yoga pants' on weekends!

  • fuzzylogic replied 9 years ago

    I love each and every outfit on you, Firecracker!

    I can see why you would want to wear something that you had made to work- but if your outfit gives someone inspiration to create something I think that's pretty special, too!

  • Thistle replied 9 years ago

    Fab outfits. I really like #6 especially.

    And I like that. Restraint of line and extravagance of fabric.

  • celia replied 9 years ago

    You made that Tee in #1? I think I saw it before but every time I see it it still amazes me how gifted you are.
    Your outfits look so good on you. Really love your style.
    I understand your 'artificial' rule, I don't recall a precise one at the moment but I know I do that a lot.

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    Love them all - but LOVE that tshirt you made in the first pic! Perfection with the semi-tuck. Interesting about breaking your own rules - you have broken your rule with panache! Well done! Love it! You look so great in all of your outfits. I can't believe you wear something you made every time you work... (or used to ;)

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Peri, thanks! I'm feeling better about keeping the dress.
    Jenava, that's a good rule for you, and I also like that it's not too rigid. One thing that strikes me about your outfits is how well you wear the colors you choose.
    AJ, you are right. I have not worn a drop-waist dress for several years, definitely pre-YLF. I've been thinking of making one. Good plan, trying out linen shorts.
    Adelfa, I did post about this rule a while back, and you had a very insightful question for me: whether I wanted to keep the rule but perhaps be less rigid about it or whether I wanted to break away from it. After the feedback I got about it before, I do feel like it's a useful aim to have, and I see it as a challenge to myself--a kind of fun challenge for my work dressing. You are right, it seems I could be less rigid about it! Looking back, I see I was thinking about creating work capsules, especially some including my own creations. Well, that was a good idea that didn't happen! Ha ha!
    Runcarla, thanks for that wonderful description, "restraint of line and extravagance of fabric." I can see why that stuck with you, as another sewist! I love your rule, too! I'd say I share that one for dressing on my days off.
    fuzzylogic, excellent point. I often use my ready-made garments as examples; e.g., "this machine will do this kind of stitch," or "I sew this type of fabric with this machine."
    Thistle, kellygirl, Gigi, Shevia, jackiec, thank you!
    celia, thanks, and good to hear I'm not the only one! (Actually this tee is new, too--I have one in a similar fabric, different style, though.)

  • replied 9 years ago

    I love the dress for you!

    All these looks are great, and you are perfectly suited to show people what they can accomplish on a sewing machine!

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