A New Year; A New Set of Clothing Resolutions

Resolutions for my closet have been easier to keep than any others. I have had a minimalist 2015 and I imagine that 2016 will be similar. Or should I say "should be" because my clothing 2015 purchases were functional and so my mother's voice tells me that this is something I should strive for in 2016 as well. Although I recognize that this is the most practical, I am not excited about this approach.

I spent the last nine months in France and believe it or not, bought fewer items of clothing here than I do when I am in Canada. The problem this year was the Canadian dollar which was dismal against the Euro. My only significant accessory purchase was another Lancel purse and that was at the beginning of my stay.

My resolutions are in keeping with a re-use, re-purpose, reduce theme:

Resolution Number 1: To update my clothing through some method of reconstruction rather than buying new or to de-construct pieces and then put individual pieces to other uses.  I have done this with jewellery and so it should be able to be done with clothing.

Resolution Number 2: To update my creative skills. I have a number of basic skills in knitting and sewing and crafting generally. I would like to learn techniques that will allow me to create something that I would actually wear, other than my jewellery. I have re-used and re-purposed in my jewellery making and now it's time to expand. This resolution should help with my first one.

Resolution Number 3: To give up one something when I buy one something new. I have had this on my resolution list for the past few years and I never have actually continued with it. I started admirably at the beginning of the year when the resolution was fresh in my mind but then have easily forgotten to continue. This year I hope to target my "give-aways" before I even go out shopping. 

I will keep this list short this year so that I can concentrate on fulfilling three resolutions instead of forgetting ten.

I'd love to read about your clothing or closet resolutions . . . it's easy to comment . . . 

Happy New Year . . . wishing you success, prosperity, health  and loving relationships in 2016.

ITSO . . . In the Style of . . . Audrey Hepburn in the Holiday Party Season

Who is it that fashion circles are watching for holiday party wear? Maybe the contemporary women who are being watched are not as important as those who they are emulating. The post regarding "Women Who Changed Fashion" is one that presents a perfect cross-section of those who influence what we are wearing in 20(?). Visit the Bazaar website post on Women who Changed Fashion.

Right now, Jessica Alba and Olivia Parma have embraced the sentiment of Audrey Hepburn in two particular looks for the 2015 holiday season and in turn, their looks are easy to copy. 

Image Source: Getty/ESPB/Star Max
Retrieved December 18, 2015
from POPSUGAR, photo 3 of 32.

Jessica Alba is wearing a red co-ordinated top and skirt with a white tuxedo blazer. (Retrieved December 18, 2015 from Popsugar (photo number 3 of 32).

This is so easy to copy. Of course it doesn't have to be a top and skirt, it could be a little red dress (remember Audrey Hepburn enhanced the popularity of the little black dress) This is a look that could have been worn 40 years ago or 10 years ago. Jessica Alba is wearing it right now and so could you. It would be a good choice because I am sure that you could wear it next year and it probably would be just as fabulous.

Notice the shoes - a nude heel that blends perfectly with any colour of dress you choose. Remember my Jimmy Choo peep toe nude heels, circa 2011. They could easily be worn with this outfit and no one, except for you and me, would recognize the vintage.

Image Source: Getty/Jamie McCarthy.
Retrieved December 18, 2015
from POPSUGAR, photo 5 of 32.

Olivia Palermo: What's interesting here is that you could buy the basics, black pants and a long black top, from the grocery store but it's the statement necklace, the cuff and the clutch that make the outfit. (Retrieved December 18, 2015 from Popsugar (photo number 5 of 32).

Notice the shoes: You can't see them. There you have it, a black nondescript heel that simply blends with the outfit.

Audrey Hepburn's jewellery may have been more understated but the black trousers and simple black top are reflections of her look.

Featured styles, especially during the holiday season, are often sequinned gowns that are pretty much reserved for the the kind of functions many of us seldom, if ever, attend. Perhaps it was Audrey Hepburn's everyday style that influenced these two looks but they are two looks that any one of us could pull off during this holiday season.

No matter what you decide to wear, have a Bonne Fete - Happy Holidays!

Flats vrs. Heels

Closet Content Analysis: Shoes in my Closet

Choices: Flats to High Heels

You can never take too much care over the choice of your shoes. Too many women think that they are unimportant, but the real proof of an elegant woman is what is on her feet.

— Christian Dior

First off, M./Mr. Dior, let us remove the gender specific language. In fact, "too many (people) think. . . " that shoes are trivial . . . "but the real proof of an elegant (person) is what is on (his or her) feet." Bon! Yes, exactly. For me, relative to the female gender, I need heels to feel elegant. I was often asked at work, why I wore heels. My response simply was "because I can". Too many women, of a particular age, have foot problems and I don't. I have worn heels, wear heels, and will continue to wear heels as long as those tender tootsies of mine can handle it. 

When I was asked about how it was that I could wear such high heels at work, and I had the time to respond, I sometimes was impertinent . . . "Listen . . .  I have been an insulin-dependent diabetic for over 40 years, I have worn glasses since I was seven years old, I have worn hearing aids longer than I can consciously remember and my feet . . . well they are perfect! From the neck up I'm a wreck! Damn, I'm going to wear heels until . . .  until I can't and that hasn't happened yet!"

I can't concentrate in flats. 

— Victoria Beckham 

Nude Jimmy Choo Open Toe Heels purchased in 2011. Photo by JoyD.

From my posts you would think that the only pair of heels I own are my nude open toe Jimmy Choos. Yes, I do own others but these definitely are my favourites and they still are, even though I bought them in 2011.

My lifestyle has changed and so there are more flats in my life but I still love the heels!

Photo Source: JoyD on http://PhotoCollage.net
Disclaimer: The ballet flats in the upper left corner are not mine, nor are those my feet. Thanks to Aiden Joel from Calgary for the pic since I did not have a photo of the one and only pair of ballet flats that I own. All other shoes are mine (a small sample) and have been worn by me over the past ten years.

Brian's Black Friday Purchases

I have written about Brian's "latest" purchases before in a September 2015 post and since we've just passed Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I thought it timely to let you know what his most recent "latest" purchases have been. I think I'll make a "buy nothing" resolution for Brian - "I will buy nothing on Black Friday except for Tory Burch flats". I think he might be able to live with that one.

Enjoying the Arizona sun in Tory Burch Minnies. Photo compliments of Brian Davis, November 2015.

For those of you who have not visited this site before, Brian is my "ballet flats" expert. The reason I emphasize ballet flats is because not only does he know a lot about them, he also wears them. After collaborating on several posts with Brian, I have realized that a male wearing ballet flats is probably more common than most would think. But why he has become the expert on this particular blog is simply that I know nothing about ballet flats and I needed someone who did. I write; Brian comments, I acknowledge and ask questions, and voila, he is the resident expert on ballet flats. 

The three pairs of Tory Burch flats are a Black Friday purchase made by Brian. The black Minnies are to replace his black patent Eddies that were just over 3 years old. Grey Minnies and a pair of Revas finish off his purchases. 

Tory Burch Minnes. Photo by Brian Davis, November, 2015.

Tory Burch grey Minnes. Photo by Brian Davis, November, 2015.

Brian's newest Revas. Photo courtesy of Brian Davis, November, 2015.

I've written about Brian and his ballet flats before:

Brian's Newest Tory Burch Purchases 
Yellow Not So Mellow
For the Love of Reva and Eddy
In a Man's Closet: Ballet Flats
Ballet Flats: Gender-Less