Fashionista

Melanie B Cee posted some new questions recently, questions she got from Rory.

It looked like it might be fun so here I go!

Q1] How important is colour in your life? Very important. Color is life. I like neutral walls and floors, with maybe an accent wall, but lots of spots of color is a necessity. Just as in my dress, I’ll anchor with neutral pants or skirts, but the top has to have some color or a brightly colored accent scarf.

Q2] What is most favourite colour to wear?  Blue. Any shade of blue. Purple. Red. Greens, any shade. Pink, but it has to be bright. Pastels are rare in my closet.

Q3] Is there a colour that you wear that brings the best out in you and in others – in so far as compliments? Probably blue. It accents the color of my eyes. But I pick my colors by what I like rather than what will get me a compliment.

Q4] Are you a person who likes to overdress for the day or are you a follower of the credo, less is more? I think I’m mostly less is more. Unless the mood to be a little outrageous strikes.

PQ5] What are five of your best items of clothing that you simply couldn’t be without? [and l don’t mean underwear/socks]  Best or favorite? Favorites are jeans, leggings (lined for winter), sweatshirts, long cotton shirts, an occasional bit of glitz.

Q6] Do you dress for the season, as in colour wise, or just throw on whatever is warm and practical?  I wear pretty much the same colors all year round. The weight of fabrics changes with the seasons.

PQ7] If you were going for an evening out and the dress code was ‘smart casual’ what is your ideal outfit and why? A maxi skirt or long pants, probably black, maybe with a collared shirt and wrap or shawl – with bright colors, of course. Because that would be comfortable and would meet my concept of smart casual.

Q8] If you were having to attend an important meeting or appointment and the dress code was smart – what would your outfit be then? In the days when I was working, that would mean heels (although as years went by, the heel height shrunk), straight skirt, blouse or, in winter, turtleneck, and blazer.

Q9] How many pairs of shoes do you own, and what is the breakdown [as in casual, smart, evening, leisure] I’d have to go count. Until a couple of years ago, I had probably ten pair of high heels – left over from my working days – the number because I’m hung up on color coordinating. Now, the closest I come to it are a few pairs of “smart but casual” wedged heels – two pair of ankle boots, another in a sandal. A couple pair of leather casual slip-on shoes. Several pair of sandals – that really need to be sorted through because I tend to wear only a couple pair of them. Probably some more that I don’t remember. Oh yeah, a pair of sneakers, a pair of clogs (sneaker-like), and a pair of cool (as in temperature) walking shoes. I don’t own any dressy shoes, because I don’t have a dressy kind of life.

Q10] Do you have classic clothing, or classic items in your wardrobe that you have had for years and never go out of fashion if so name three? That would again go back to my working days, when I had a variety of straight skirts, some dressier long pants, lots of turtlenecks and collared blouses, with blazers or other smart jackets. The closest I get to classic now is sweatshirts – largely tunic length, and tunic length collared shirts. Over leggings or jeans. Last year I bought several new items because I realized that most of what was in my closet was very many years old, and with my spreading girth not so well fitting anymore.

Q11] Are you into plain colours, wild colours or outlandish designs or a mixture and which do you favour more? A little of each, although very little of anything approaching outlandish, maybe only slightly trending.

PQ12] Do you have a favourite quote with regards fashion or design – if so what is it? Are there quotes about fashion or design, other than “less is more”? I guess that means my answer would be no.

Q13]  Knee high socks, ankle socks, shin socks or no socks? Seasonal – in winter, knee socks (preferably bamboo, soft), in spring and fall, ankle socks, in summer, no socks.

Q14] Can you see the connection between colour and music and if so does it influence your dress code for the day in any way? I’d never thought of this. I’d say no, I don’t, although if I were asked to paint what I thought when listening to music, I’d probably paint softer colors for ballads or folk music – some music would probably want me to go dark – happy songs would be brighter colors. Blues – soft, maybe even a lot of neutrals. Rock or hard rock or rap – don’t want to listen to it thank you.

PQ15] If you are going out somewhere special and want to listen to some music to put you in the mood whilst getting dressed up, what do you listen to? [Provide link please]  I don’t listen to music when I’m getting ready to go somewhere. I don’t listen to music all that often – it’s usually dictated by my mood – and when I do I’m usually ready to go back to quiet after a couple of hours.

Q16] How often do you buy new clothing for the season or the year? If I’m heeding the warnings my budget gives me, not often. I’ve over indulged a little in the last couple of years, so what I’ve got now needs to last for a long time.

Q17] Remember tie-dye from the 70’s was it a thing you followed, bought into or worse, how do you feel about it now? I think it’s fun, but I’ve never gotten into it. I looked, I touched, I walked away.

Q18] What is the brightest coloured item of clothing you have in your wardrobes/drawers? See my favorite colors above – blues, purples, greens, reds, some funky prints.

Q19] What is the most expensive item of clothing that you have in your wardobe? How often do you actually wear it? A pair of funky long pants I bought at a boutique when I was visiting a friend in Santa Fe, NM. They’re fun, meant for warmer weather, but don’t get worn as often as they should based on the price, which really wasn’t outrageous, except I’m a budget shopper – you know, Ross for Less and that kind of place.

PQ20] Are you deleting any questions, if so which ones? Not so far, and since there’s only one more, I think it’s safe to say no.

Q21] Is being ‘fashionable’ important to you, or is being comfortably attired  more so? Well, I’d rather not look stodgy or frumpy, but comfort is the primary concern now. Comfortable and as classy as I can be with my lifestyle and wardrobe.

To summarize, I don’t think I’m a fashionista at all.