Program Notes
 |
| It helps to have a professional photographer… |
I’ve been trying to take some WIW (What I Wore) “re-enactment” shots but have decided to set this aside for the immediate future. Mostly because I’m in one of those style moods where anything more complicated than jeans (or a dress) and a jacket just feels too contrived. And you’ve seen my jeans and jackets. 🙂 Honestly, all I want to wear right now is some version of this:
A uniform is great for simplifying one’s life and maintaining a coherent signature style, but doesn’t make for very interesting WIW posts. But I’m also resisting posting WIW’s because (and this is something I’m noodling and will expand upon in an upcoming post) nothing looks “right” on me, at least to my own eye.
Developments: I’ve been approached by some lovely companies and will be placing more ads in my sidebar within the next few weeks. BUT, I’m not accepting sponsored posts, and will continue to fully disclose if I’ve received any products gratis to review. (This doesn’t happen often, BTW.) Unless otherwise stated, any products I review and/or recommend are items I’ve purchased myself.
Hope you’re having a lovely weekend!
~
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 United States License.
Stay in touch
Sign up to be notified of new posts and updates from une femme d’un certain âge.
Interesting. I’ve realized that I’m feeling distant from some aspects of “style blogging” at the moment, and thinking about why that is so. Numerous reasons, and if I find time (ha!) I’d love to think them through in a post. Perhaps you will? Although I recognize that you’re just speaking of WIW, not “style blogging” more generally. And I also recognize that, for myself at least, this may well be a passing mood. . .
As an “everything” writer, I enjoy reading about fashion & style, whether it is one, the other, or a bit of both. And meanwhile, I love the 50s photo with the swing in that swing coat. Something so delicious about that period and the classic lines…
As I’ve posted, I’m conflicted about WIWs, both in providing and responding. One reason is that I am an unrepentant “uniform” dresser, too. Your observations are always so keen, I’ll take any kind of post you are generous enough to give us!
I just used your packing post. So very helpful. Merci beaucoup.
Just used your packing post–so very helpful. Many thanks.
I’m dense today. What is WIW? I go through times when nothing looks right on me. For me, it is usually weight related. The good news is that after a very stressful year, I’m losing weight. I’m hoping that more clothing items will start looking okay on me. I also like the concept of a uniform.
Agreed. What is WIW?
Sorry, “WIW” is “What I Wore.”
Thanks for sharing this. I cut back on my WIW’s quite a bit, b/c I found them rather repetitive, and that is life!
As I want to limit my wardrobe to things I wear regularly, the uniform concept is appropriate. I see nothing wrong with jeans, white shirt and a jacket. Today I went to a birthday brunch in a black dress accessorized with a red leather ‘string’ bracelet and my watch. Period. For me simple is good.
Like Duchesse, I enjoy whatever you post. Don’t feel like you have to post WIW shots unless you want to!
Old Navy has some great skinny jeans–ROCK STAR style–no iron shirts at Brooks Brothers or Eddie Bauer–the jacket/sweater is much harder–take a look/try —part of my uniform too
IMO, the outfits are the easy part, but getting the photo is the problem. The only photographer I know is myself and it is difficult to do it alone and get a good shot. My dear, dear friends and I have taken pictures of ourselves on different occasions, but somehow I am always missing the top of my head or somehow the most unflattering part of my figure is enlarged. My friends are sweet and have many, many strengths, but photography is not one of them. My husband is hilarious and does not have the patience to do photos. I am lucky if my head is in the shot. If by accident my head appears, I am laughing so hard that the shot is ruined. I hope you have better luck than me as I would really like to see some of your outfits.
P.S. I LOVED the leather jacket picture you posted. You looked so lovely and the jacket in that muted shade of green was just gorgeous. I wanted to go to France and buy one myself. That will have to wait a year or so. Meanwhile, I can enjoy looking at yours and trying to imagine a similar look on myself!
I think it is a good thing when blogs evolve and it is your site …so whatever is a good “story” for you to share and your audience to enjoy in some way is great!!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Enjoy your blog and haven’t posted before.
I love uniform : white/black shirt, fabulous dark skinny jeans , ballet pumps plus or minus jacket and with an Hermes shawl or scarf .
I wear shirtdresses if we ever have nice weather.
End of ….for me my other clothes look boring by comparison !
A coat cut the way the one in the picture is helps as much as the photographer. I can commiserate about the WIW posts. I teach entirely online in the summer and could go a couple of months without getting dressed at all. I’d say your “uniform” is an excellent one.
I’d rather take my chances on whatever else you think up to write about than be subject to contrived WIW posts. Nothings peeves me more than so-called outfit posts that look like something the person cooked up specifically so they could do an outfit post. The biggest place I see this is with killer shoes. Right, you wore those all day and you’ve got that nice smile on your face.
I want that swing coat Tish…how much fun to wear that! Look forward to the WIW posts…:)
Jeanne xx
Sorry, I have done it again! Apologies for incorrect name..must remember not to comment so early in the morning. It’s that over 50 brain at work….very slow today… 🙂
I’m not upset by you not doing WIWs. I like your brain and your resourcefulness and some of the pieces you come across. Your voice most of all. Do them or not – it’s up to you is my feeling.
Over my way, the WIW posts are a way to a) save the time it can take me to write a longer thoughtful piece b) overcome my cultural/emotional bias against “showing off” c) allow me a playspace that has caused to me to Wear Color! and Dresses! and other things heretofore unmentionable. We’ve all got our particular row to hoe. Just glad you’ve not gone off blogging altogether.
I rarely do the WIW post, partly because I don’t like having my photo taken and don’t want the blog to be all me, me, me – and partly because like yourself I tend to have a uniform which would get a bit tedious for readers. Having said all that, I do have a photo Mr TNMA took in NY that I keep meaning to post! I also quite like using other images to accompany my writing. And I’m sure I’ll continue to enjoy reading your blog, however you care to illustrate each post.
I would love to read your thoughts on the “nothing looks right” issue and how you work on that because that’s what I’m going through this past year. I try to shop, but buy nothing because it just doesn’t look right. After awhile I have to think I’m what doesn’t look right, not the clothes.
Am I too picky? Is it the 5 extra pounds? Am I mad I don’t look like I did 5 years ago? Is it my hair?
You may mean something different entirely, but if not I’d love to read your much more articulate ideas on the subject and how to work through it.
My life is spent mostly in jeans since my retirement. However, I think that how we accessorize can make a difference in how our “uniforms” look. Just a simple scarf, necklace, bracelet or brooch can change the whole vibe of an outfit. I love seeing that because it can inspire me to use something I have in a different way.
What works on the east or west coast doesn’t necessarily work in the middle of the US. I still find it interesting to see how others dress to fit their own lives.
I too have a hard time getting pictures taken now. I’ve been pondering this issue and have come up with a solution of sorts for myself. When things get back to normal here, I hope to share more about that.
I´ve noticed, that it is mostly those, who never show their own WIW´s or pictures of themselves, who crave to see pictures of others. Not liking it. Nor do I in general wish to place pictures of myself on my blog, as people have seen me already. Sometimes I like showing some clothes I find interesting – just laid down – to give a possible inspiration.
So, it is perfectly ok for you to do whatever you please.
Honestly, the WIW posts aren’t what bring me to your site. Your stories, your frustrations, your witty views on how the world has evolved, and how you have, too, are so much more interesting. Lessons on packing, how you interact with your colleagues in sartorial and age differences, and your travel posts…those, dear Pseu, are what make your blog fascinating.