Remember earlier this month when I wondered what would happen if I scooped up my entire wardrobe and tossed it out? As you know, I did - sort of -toss it out - although not everything went but most everything and especially the garments I wasn't wearing. That left not much and now that I'm feeling reconnected with my essence well... hmm... not a lot of that matches any more either.
I'm thankful for the wardrobe plan that I'm working with. I doubt I'll take all those clothes on the cruise but just the fact that they all work well together will fill in the blanks of my rather empty closet with a cohesive wardrobe not only for my holiday but for every day. I won't end up walking around n-k-d. This is good.
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This feeling is FABULOUS - to recognize my style again and to have the confidence to say yes that works and no that doesn't. I've been connecting the dots and making sense of things that I once knew but had let go of. I can see the path forward with a vibrating inner confidence that I'm really enjoying.
Above is my "type four" windbreaker with my new make-up and earrings. I haven't worn earrings in over twenty years. It's so strange and yet feels just right. In this image, I'd just returned from a walk so my hair is a little windblown and even so one takeaway from the DYT info was why I prefer smoother hair around my face, texture toward the back, and straight pointed as opposed to curly texture. This is the windbreaker that I referred to yesterday - type four color, a center opening with mirrored parts, parallel lines, and black with silver teeth zipper accents. It took me three years to find this windbreaker at a price I was willing to pay. I was being VERY picky.
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The Great Stash Clearout spontaneously happened while I was pulling the fabrics for the wardrobe plan. Focusing on finding the intense or shaded colors that worked best for me simultaneously separated out the toasted, tinted, or toned ones that didn't. The four bags above left are on their way to the second hand store and the basket above right is of natural fibers that can be over-dyed and painted. The looks red but is really a rust-orange fabric at left - that is really a linen curtain panel - is saying pull me back out and try over-dyeing me. I will but it's the only one getting back in stash. I'll throw it in a purple dye bath along with the lilac denim shirting on top of the basket and see what happens. I'm hoping the denim will end up workable with the wardrobe plan.
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For the last couple years, I've been struggling with how to blend my preference for wearing clean, simple, clothing with my love of creating detailed pieces and desire for uniqueness. It feels like I've made that click. The t-shirt above is simple, clean, basic. It's what I would call an essential that would be part of a core wardrobe. I have way too many of these types of t-shirts and they are far from creative or exciting. There are ways to shake that up without going beyond what works for me.
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This knit top really appeals to me and yet I haven't sewn the pattern. The dot that connected with this one is that it's too busy for me - too much fabric, too much movement, and too "frilly" if I can use that word. Smooth is better on my body.
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This version is much better. I'd do a few things differently to make it even more appropriate like eliminating the gathers at the shoulder and evolving the ones at the waist into pleats. The information I listened to advised against asymmetrical designs for type fours. I disagree. It's about what kind of lines that are present and how they mirror and run parallel to the other lines in the garment and about balance and proportion. Asymmetric and dramatic seem to me words that would go in the same category.
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The top above left is fitted, asymmetric, simple, smooth, and dramatic. It matches my energy by being all of those and one-of-a-kind-ish and non-cookie cutter. The straight design lines in the neckline are mirrored at the hem and the focus on one side is balanced by the openness on the other. A pleated waist detail would create straight, parallel and mirrored lines. The top is too long for the model. Carrying off something like this requires proportion and balance. Only fours are this dramatic.
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Two of the questions going forward for me will be is there too much shape or detail and is there not enough shape or detail. This design of Marcy's above is probably more than I could carry off without eliminating some of the drape and...
![]()
... these ones are a step beyond the basic t-shirt with some room for individuality but not an overwhelming presence. These are ideas I could play with.
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While working on the tucking the grey t-shirt last week I enjoyed he process of creating the tucks - the artistry - but when I stood back and looked at the results, I couldn't imagine myself wearing the garment plus I felt that the curving tucks took away from the asymmetry of the hemline. They were too busy in contrast to it's simplicity.
The linen dress above left caught my interest with its clean, linear simplicity. It reminds me of the Vogue pattern design that is linear, mirrored, diagonal, and very type four dramatic which is interesting since the dress has an innocence about it. I recognize that I am drawn to linear tucks but not so much to curved ones. That's good information.
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If the finished garment hung just like the illustration, the above waterfall jacket could fit into my style. I have several sweaters like this that I really enjoy but - as I said to Neufy in the comments yesterday - I think it depends how much waterfall there is as in is there too much fabric and on having correct proportion and balance. In the illustration there are horizontal, parallel, and mirrored lines and the danger of being just a bit too much. As simple as it looks, wearing something like this successfully is a lot harder than wearing something like...
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... this which still has that waterfall aspect but not nearly as much fabric. This is great pattern for playing with when a four is feeling boxed in and wants to expand their horizons a little. I could get away with the above BUT... definitely not...something like...
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... this Issey Miyake piece. WAY TOO MUCH FABRIC. Too much fabric is something I need to pay more attention to. Often when I'm fitting a garment what I'm doing is taking away excess ease and length because they overwhelm me. LOL - it's so fascinating and I could go on and on and on because I'm on my favourite topic but that's probably enough to let you know that I'm SO EXCITED about the dots I'm connecting.
I checked into the guarantee to see if I could return the on-line course and besides the frustrating return policy of mailing something back across the border at my own expense, the criteria includes did the course impact you. It'd be hard to say it didn't impact me because I feel like I'm vibrating with energy in the right direction and - for the first time in a long time - back in line with myself. I'm so excited to sew not only the basic essential pieces in my wardrobe plan but also to learn how to be my most creative within the simplicity that appeals to me. YES YES.
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - sunshine several days in a row
I'm thankful for the wardrobe plan that I'm working with. I doubt I'll take all those clothes on the cruise but just the fact that they all work well together will fill in the blanks of my rather empty closet with a cohesive wardrobe not only for my holiday but for every day. I won't end up walking around n-k-d. This is good.
This feeling is FABULOUS - to recognize my style again and to have the confidence to say yes that works and no that doesn't. I've been connecting the dots and making sense of things that I once knew but had let go of. I can see the path forward with a vibrating inner confidence that I'm really enjoying.
Above is my "type four" windbreaker with my new make-up and earrings. I haven't worn earrings in over twenty years. It's so strange and yet feels just right. In this image, I'd just returned from a walk so my hair is a little windblown and even so one takeaway from the DYT info was why I prefer smoother hair around my face, texture toward the back, and straight pointed as opposed to curly texture. This is the windbreaker that I referred to yesterday - type four color, a center opening with mirrored parts, parallel lines, and black with silver teeth zipper accents. It took me three years to find this windbreaker at a price I was willing to pay. I was being VERY picky.
The Great Stash Clearout spontaneously happened while I was pulling the fabrics for the wardrobe plan. Focusing on finding the intense or shaded colors that worked best for me simultaneously separated out the toasted, tinted, or toned ones that didn't. The four bags above left are on their way to the second hand store and the basket above right is of natural fibers that can be over-dyed and painted. The looks red but is really a rust-orange fabric at left - that is really a linen curtain panel - is saying pull me back out and try over-dyeing me. I will but it's the only one getting back in stash. I'll throw it in a purple dye bath along with the lilac denim shirting on top of the basket and see what happens. I'm hoping the denim will end up workable with the wardrobe plan.
For the last couple years, I've been struggling with how to blend my preference for wearing clean, simple, clothing with my love of creating detailed pieces and desire for uniqueness. It feels like I've made that click. The t-shirt above is simple, clean, basic. It's what I would call an essential that would be part of a core wardrobe. I have way too many of these types of t-shirts and they are far from creative or exciting. There are ways to shake that up without going beyond what works for me.
This knit top really appeals to me and yet I haven't sewn the pattern. The dot that connected with this one is that it's too busy for me - too much fabric, too much movement, and too "frilly" if I can use that word. Smooth is better on my body.
This version is much better. I'd do a few things differently to make it even more appropriate like eliminating the gathers at the shoulder and evolving the ones at the waist into pleats. The information I listened to advised against asymmetrical designs for type fours. I disagree. It's about what kind of lines that are present and how they mirror and run parallel to the other lines in the garment and about balance and proportion. Asymmetric and dramatic seem to me words that would go in the same category.
The top above left is fitted, asymmetric, simple, smooth, and dramatic. It matches my energy by being all of those and one-of-a-kind-ish and non-cookie cutter. The straight design lines in the neckline are mirrored at the hem and the focus on one side is balanced by the openness on the other. A pleated waist detail would create straight, parallel and mirrored lines. The top is too long for the model. Carrying off something like this requires proportion and balance. Only fours are this dramatic.
Two of the questions going forward for me will be is there too much shape or detail and is there not enough shape or detail. This design of Marcy's above is probably more than I could carry off without eliminating some of the drape and...
... these ones are a step beyond the basic t-shirt with some room for individuality but not an overwhelming presence. These are ideas I could play with.
While working on the tucking the grey t-shirt last week I enjoyed he process of creating the tucks - the artistry - but when I stood back and looked at the results, I couldn't imagine myself wearing the garment plus I felt that the curving tucks took away from the asymmetry of the hemline. They were too busy in contrast to it's simplicity.
The linen dress above left caught my interest with its clean, linear simplicity. It reminds me of the Vogue pattern design that is linear, mirrored, diagonal, and very type four dramatic which is interesting since the dress has an innocence about it. I recognize that I am drawn to linear tucks but not so much to curved ones. That's good information.
If the finished garment hung just like the illustration, the above waterfall jacket could fit into my style. I have several sweaters like this that I really enjoy but - as I said to Neufy in the comments yesterday - I think it depends how much waterfall there is as in is there too much fabric and on having correct proportion and balance. In the illustration there are horizontal, parallel, and mirrored lines and the danger of being just a bit too much. As simple as it looks, wearing something like this successfully is a lot harder than wearing something like...
... this which still has that waterfall aspect but not nearly as much fabric. This is great pattern for playing with when a four is feeling boxed in and wants to expand their horizons a little. I could get away with the above BUT... definitely not...something like...
... this Issey Miyake piece. WAY TOO MUCH FABRIC. Too much fabric is something I need to pay more attention to. Often when I'm fitting a garment what I'm doing is taking away excess ease and length because they overwhelm me. LOL - it's so fascinating and I could go on and on and on because I'm on my favourite topic but that's probably enough to let you know that I'm SO EXCITED about the dots I'm connecting.
I checked into the guarantee to see if I could return the on-line course and besides the frustrating return policy of mailing something back across the border at my own expense, the criteria includes did the course impact you. It'd be hard to say it didn't impact me because I feel like I'm vibrating with energy in the right direction and - for the first time in a long time - back in line with myself. I'm so excited to sew not only the basic essential pieces in my wardrobe plan but also to learn how to be my most creative within the simplicity that appeals to me. YES YES.
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - sunshine several days in a row
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
- Leonardo Da Vinci