Emma Dime had me over on her blog as a Lovely Lady. Check it out here. This photo was an outtake from the shoot – we have this cat in our neighborhood that we call Orange Cat but it turns out his name is actually Blue. We like to watch him from our breakfast nook – some days he's chilling on the driveway in the sun, other days he's being attacked by blue jays or chased up trees by big scary dogs.
Orange cat and lovely lady-ing aside, I also thought I'd share a little more here on having a limited wardrobe. Here are a few keys and tips for rocking a minimalist closet:
• Signature / Statement Pieces – for me right now it's my Blockshop scarf. It's always on my neck whether I'm wearing a puffy down vest or a tailored leather jacket
• Great Accessories – like my vintage Ray-Bans
• The Little Details – freshly polished nails or a pop of lipstick can go a long way in making you feel put together
• Quality Staples – having fewer clothes makes me want to spend more on investment pieces like a solid pair of jeans or a jacket that goes with anything
• The Hair – I think hair is one of the first things people notice about personal style – so from having a shaved head to a nest of dreads and anything in between, if you feel good about your hair you're going to feel good about everything else
• You Are Not Your Clothes – I love fashion and I think it's a great way to express yourself and connect with others but know that you are not your clothes.
Anything you would add here?
My approach to style, and my answer for those who think it's all nonsense, is that I think everyone's outside reflects their inside. I wear tons of color because I'm a loud, bubbly, vibrant person. Even when you don't put thought into your clothing- that shows outwardly that you have different priorities or that your lifestyle doesn't include much energy for allotted for style.
ReplyDeleteI really like reading about your limited wardrobe, Kathleen- not just because you have great taste, but it also challenges my above theory. Thinking about expression/creativity through constraints gives me plenty to ponder. (And brings to mind uniformed years in school!)
You are a lovely lady, indeed!
ReplyDeleteThis list is great. I started my closet purge when we moved in August. This month I'm onto the second draft. I want to have a Laura uniform...
For me, the uniform is about bright tights to go with badass boots (still searching), and v-neck t's that go with everything.
Also: I don't miss any of the things I got rid of. It's just made space for me to find a few more perfect fit items.
Your street cat is a clone of our street cat... We call him Garfield as he looks like he chugs the lasagne down by the plate-full and looks like him too. Ours seems to have super-cat powers tho, I've seem him doing this weird hypnotising other cats in to submission thing where he rowls at them for a bit, stares them out and then wanders off and the other cat just stands there staring in to space. Maybe between Hypno-cat and the Zombies it might be time to leave this village while we still can?
ReplyDeleteAgree on the statement pieces, sometimes worry about getting stuck in a (rather stylish but all the same) rut tho.
Loving that outfit missy, looking good!
Great reminders. I recently spent $150 on a new pair of jeans (a lot for me!), but so far it's been the best investment. I've worn them at least 5 or 6 times without washing them, and they haven't stretched out at all. (Hopefully I'm still happy with them after that first wash!) I definitely feel more put together and confident when I'm wearing my signature shade of red lipstick, too. Doesn't matter what else I'm wearing - it changes the whole look.
ReplyDeleteI'm slowly working on paring down my current wardrobe. So much of what I have is old and worn now anyway, so I look forward to having less on my hands.
We have a neighborhood orange cat too - every winter I get worried that he's be gone by summer and every summer it's still there.
ReplyDeleteLaura - I have found myself missing a few things (mostly dresses for events) when things like an event rolls around. But it's not so inconvenient that its worth hanging on to clothes for years and years.
ReplyDeleteNicole & HelloSarah– Ha! I think there's an Orange Cat on every street. My friend Claire and I have been referring to them as "Orange Cat of Walker Street" and so on. Game of Thrones style. Ha.
SarahE - I LOVE fashion and am aligned with you in thinking that it is a great way to share on the outside how we feel on the inside.
Cassie - Yes! I would rather have one pair of $150 jeans than 3 pairs of $50 jeans. I should do another post soon about embracing the old worn out stuff too. But there's a difference between wearing some old, but quality, pieces versus Forever21 clothes that are falling apart at the seams.
You are SUCH an inspiration and influence on my daily decisions now it seems. Isn't that crazy? I don't even know you..well in real life anyway. From the choices you make regarding limiting your wardrobe (I am tryyyying...it's so hard, but I know one day I'll be up there with you) to being more adventurous, and to treating my body with the food it deserves...you are an inspiration miss.
ReplyDeleteThank you
Excited to start reading Emma Dime now. :)
ReplyDeleteI dying to read a post on how you decided on life coaching training, and even more specifically Martha Beck's program.
I too have a limited wardrobe, I found myself wearing the same things over and over so I have created a uniform for myself. I love Tucker blouses and Uniqlo jeggings. You pretty much can't go wrong with this combo.
ReplyDeletewww.FripperyVintage.com
I'm still trying to pin down a uniform and am slowly trying to purge my closet. I do the whole, "Oh, this is cheap, maybe I should buy it!" thing. No good.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I love your nails and rings and feathers. Are those feathers attached to your hair or your ear? Where'd you find them?
Absolutely agree with you - specially on the hair and clothing statement.
ReplyDeleteShaved, straight, curled, fro, red, blue, brown... I've had it all (and dreads are on my list).
I absolutely love your style and how eclectic it is.