recently i wore...
I’m making a more concerted effort to capture at least a handful of my outfits each month, although to what precise end I don’t know. Partly to appreciate what works for me, partly to “walk the talk” since I go on about clothes so much that it seems odd to not show myself wearing any. And years from now, it would be great to have some pictures to look back on to see whether I’ve changed how I dress, and decide whether there is such a thing as enduring classics, as Jess of Empty Emptor articulately questioned here.
Speaking of looking back, one outfit here is a throwback to my university days – the denim mini. I more likely wore it with sneakers or flip flops then, and lugged a canvas tote full of books and notes instead of a fancy purse. Wearing such a short skirt feels odd now, even though the style itself doesn’t feel dated to me. I suppose even if a style doesn’t date, clothes do get irrelevant. I’m keeping the skirt anyway; and some part of me thinks I haven’t seen the end of it.
Denim skirt aside, this outfits are pretty typical of how I dress all the time. I keep the number of layers to a minimum - actually I avoid them as much as possible. I spent at least half my day outside of the office so much as I love jackets, scarves and knits, those get pretty little wear and I have learned to minimise my investment in such items. T-shirts are my favourite thing but I try to keep that to once a week for work, since admittedly I only got away with that in the past with very relaxed bosses.
What do you guys think of outfit posts? People seem to like them, but I'd like to know why.
Comments
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They are very pleasing to the eye, in the sense that there is a tangible unity....the clean lines and simplicity....very soothing, which I can't for the life of me explain!
i think the visual catalogue over time is very interesting as a project. the consistencies reflect things about ourselves, no?
I used to like outfit posts (those that are really editorial looking) when I started browsing blogs. But these days, I tend to avoid those that have endless streams of images but not much of meat. I like it when the writer shares a thought and then uses a picture or an outfit to illustrate his/her point.
Out of the many reasons why I love reading your blog, one of it is because it is always consistent. You seem to have found your edge in this big nebulous idea called style and I like the fact that it is not always about acquiring a new item, although I love many of the items you have picked out for yourself!
ps. So nice to see your "fancy purse" in action!
I think my outfit wouldn't vary too much from yours if I live in Asia. Over here, it's just so cold most of the time that I invest more in jackets and coats rather than dresses or tees.
LN: I feel the same as well, although personally I prefer blogs that mix it up with other things. Also, agree it's a relief to see others who shop on the same budget!
helin: I guess we all need fresh ideas from time to time, even if it just reminds us of what we already know.
lapindelune: Thanks, it's interesting been interesting for me to see what I end up with after a few weeks. I actually think, I really enjoyed that, why dont I wear it again?
I do have some out of character moments, but they haven't surfaced recently. Sometimes I break out some loud prints. Like, twice a year.
miss sophie: I can't explain it but I feel the same way too, although I never have a problem seeing them on other people's blog. Maybe it feels like too much "me" for me.
I agree, I like being visually confronted with consistencies. Often it takes a bit of reflection to spot them and I am interested to see what I end up with.
Holly: That's an idea, although personally I wear things one way most times...I'm not much of a creative stylist.
I'd like a small wardrobe as well but a certain quantity is needed to ensure clothes don't wear out too quickly as well, and that's a problem for me here because it's so warm that clothes need frequently laundering.
editor: I've noticed that as well, which made me curious.
Pret a Porter P: Thanks! And your are right, most of my shoes are some kind of beige, or maybe some gold, and grey, and cream. I find them the most versatile for my needs.
"Also, I think we all like to know how “real” (outside of fashion/celebrity/commercialized bloggers) people dress and shop." -- exactly
Eileen: Thanks! And yes, that fancy purse sadly doesn't get much weekday action. Not quite right for work!
Ammu: Thanks! I love that top as well, and there is a bit of the thrill of the new still lingering so I have to resist the urge to wear it every week.
Katherine: Thanks! I think the rhythm you've set on your blog and that's actually encouraged me to mix it up a bit.
Anna P: Thanks! I did feel like this was necessary as well, to bring together all the random things I talk about and express them.
Chocolate, Cookies & Candies: Actually no one requested this of me, hahaha. Pretty much something I just wanted to have a go at.
I long for the need to invest in jackets and coats because they're so beautiful. But my wallet is probably happier here.
They're very coherent with your points and thoughts expressed throughout your blog and I guess it's part of the appeal for outfits post: the (need of) authenticity. No matter the blogger's style.
It's so easy nowadays to pile up the trends and the "it"-things that seeing how people whose life don't revolve around the way they look and yet pay attention is refreshing.
I'm not a fan of outfit posts, but I like your aesthetic. I think it depends on balancing the content, if the blog is well thought out and written and ultimately whether I like the blog. I actually started out not doing outfit posts, but I got so many comments, emails and questions that I relented. I wouldn't want to do them on a weekly basis but here and there it's nice to mix it up.
I will say it feels very odd to take them and post them. Not sure I'll ever get used to that.
Lindsay K: Thanks!
I just take my pictures hastily in my laundry room, haha, so it's not as much work as the ones you took in lovely settings.
Jade: I;m quite voyeuristic as well, I love looking at what people wear and do, although I don't like it when it's just outfits. Like you, I like looking at them as part of someone's life.
Someone like Pret a Porter P does a great job with outfit posts because it's always tied to a fascinating source of inspiration such that the final outfit is more than just tastefully together clothes.
Camille: You said it so well. I love looking at old photos of of my mum and grandma and hearing my mum's stories about the pictures. It's fun to imagine what I'd say about my own pictures some day.
To everyone who commented: Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts, it's really interesting to see how everyone interprets such pictures. Much for me to think about when I do such posts in future!
petrichore: Oxfords are quite warm for summer weather; actually none of my shirts are made of the traditional oxford fabric, I always go for lighter cottons and linen.
I'm just accumulating outfit photos and seeing whether it becomes a post...it's interesting to see what patterns emerge over time, and also it's a rush to see a favourite outfit from last month. It makes you feel excited about your clothes again and that's a good thing in these shopaholic times!
Sonia: Thanks! I have my out of character moments...perhaps I'll capture one soon!