Wardrobe Therapy's Questionnaire

Better late than never - right? Getting started on the Wardrobe Therapy hosted by DrWende . It's already on week 4 but I will try and catch up but may still fall behind - with life in general it seems with me. I really need a proverbial kick in the wardrobe tushie! Ok, here are my answers to the questionnaire...

1. Thinking primarily (but not necessarily exclusively) about looks, who's your favorite performer of your own gender and species? Why?
I can’t pick just one, as I don’t think I would want to be all ‘that’ type of look. But a combination of a few, that’s more like the style I would like to meld into my own quirky attitude.

Audrey Hepburn for her feminine elegance, classic style with simplicity.

Stevie Nicks’ dramatic gypsy like frocks and she oozes with sexy.

Giadia De Laurentiis has a relaxed fresh classic yet modern-ness about her.
(Good movies, good music, and good food!!)

2. If you could live in any historic era with a really good clothing budget (as well as soap, toothpaste, and delicing as needed), when would you choose?
Well, I love the look of the Victorian era dresses and bustle skirts, but just the thought of wearing a tight corset makes me cringe. I also love the early 1900’s, and the ‘Gibson Girl’ hairstyle. I guess it’s the feminine qualities for those two historic eras I like the most. But in all reality I would choose now - as we have the freedom to wear what ever we like, unlike the past where women could not have worn pants if they pleased.

3. What's your favorite painting or other form of visual art? Why?

Red Poppy by Georgia O’keefe – When we lived in Italy every summer wild red poppies could be seen everywhere. I loved living in Italy and red poppies always remind me of that time.
Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh – how could a torchered soul paint such a hypnotizing painting. Even though he was so emotionally crippled the painting speaks to so many and in so many different ways.

4. What is your first memory in which clothes are important?
In school and how most of the other kids had name brands and I didn’t. Thinking back now it’s so silly – you can’t base your self worth on brands and fads. Oh, and my brothers were twins, mom always dressed them in matching but different colored shirts as in striped polos one would wear the white/blue and the other would wear white/green - you know how parents always dress twins.

5. What is your favorite garment ever? Why?

The dress I got married in. We didn’t have a traditional wedding, we got married at the courthouse with a friend as a witness. A cream white spaghetti strap sheath dress and cropped jacket with a lace collar that I purchased on sale just a few days before. I was so scared, this was a life changing moment and I almost did not go through with it, but now looking back I am so glad I wore that dress and made the choice to marry my husband!

Oh second fav is the red, black and white cowgirl outfit I got for Christmas in my much much younger years. It was fringetastic! It had a hat, shirt, skirt, boots and guns with gun holster. I made a mighty fine cowgirl!!!

6. What is your favorite garment in your wardrobe right now?
Does it have to be clothes? I have a great pair of orange cork wedges I am gushing over right now. Ok, I’ll fess up – clothing wise there really is not anything I would call my favorite, maybe that’s why my wardrobe is lacking some style.

7. What is the worst clothing purchase you can remember making?
Again with the shoes - Back in the 80’s a pair of clear plastic heels with gold trim – what a fad purchase! Also in the 80’s an ankle length gray twill sailor skirt it had ginormous white buttons, it was totally not me and was so unflattering. I tried to make it wearable by shortening the hem to at the knee, but it was a failure.

8. What's your most embarrassing clothing-related memory other than a bad purchase?
In high school while hanging out at the mall with on friends trying to look cool in my new white jeans I received my monthly gift (if you know what I mean). Luckily I had a good friend with me and she loaned me her jacket and we called my mom to come pick us up. I tied the arms of the jacket around my waist and was petrified someone would notice while waiting to get home as soon as possible. Utter humiliation I tell ya!!!

9. What body part (no more than three!) are you proud of and expect compliments on?
Oh, well I have to pick?? Come on really I have to?? Can I say finger nails? I can grow them fast and keep them groomed. Not a good one huh?! My legs. When I was younger and thinner I would wear mini skirts and shorts. I am not so proud now as back then and not as thin anymore, I am always on the look out for jeans in the right length. I have always been told I have pretty eyes, but I just don't know about that. Yep, it's sad - I really am just putting down answers that do not answer the actual question. I have to say I don't have a body part I am proud of and this also is part of my self esteem issues.

10. What body part (again, no more than three!) seems to require management, if not coaxing, cajoling, and sometimes outright begging if it's to please you?

I could say back fat, large hips, big thighs, ample derriere and large feet - but who doesn't cut themselves down in those areas?  The most offending area is my belly. I have always had a belly even when I was stick thin. But lately I have to make sure things do not cling in that area.

11. If you could dress however you wanted all the time, what might you include?
Classic styles and solid colors adding a quirky element. I love lots of pearls with jeans and a v-neck tee. Sometimes adding bright colored shoes or artistic print top with relaxed but structured skirts. And most importantly comfortable!!

12. If you could shop at any store (or from any designer), which would you choose?
Ann Kline, Rebecca Taylor, Antonio Melani, Vera Wang. But really I don't know if I would change where I already shop, more so than making the right decisions for my body and personality. Then again if I felt more confident I might venture into some of the little indy shops in the area.

13. Where do you ordinarily shop now?
JcPenneys, Dillards sales, Avenue, Walmart (yuck) and Ross. Sometimes you can catch me at the thrift stores.

14. What clothing, accessory, or prettifying need (if any) do you enjoy shopping for?
Shoes, love love love shopping for shoes! Nail polish too! I am a girly girl and love shopping for jewelry, looking at makeup and shopping at Ulta.

15. Which one do you most loathe shopping for?
Bras!!! I need some but just can’t seem to find a brand that is comfortable and supportive. Also bathing suits, but this year I found a lovely swimdress that makes me feel pretty.

16. Do you consider yourself low-, medium-, or high-maintenance?
At one time I was high maintenance, but after being a mom and full time work I now am more of low/medium-maintenance. When my husband and I were dating it would take me forever to get ready, but now I can be ready in less than 30 minutes. I have kind-of let myself go, and think that this is also affecting how I feel about myself.

17. What are the two most frequent occasions that you dress for and how would you describe them?
Working weekdays in a small office, where the dress code is business casual and Fridays are jeans day. At work I am behind a desk most of the time and constantly staring at the computer screen.  Relaxing at home on weekends and trips to the beach, which I usually wear shorts/jeans and comfy tops. I live in Florida so the heat is something I deal with constantly.

18. What was your favorite Hallowe'en costume ever?
One year I dressed up as a deer hunter. (oh, I wish I could find a picture to show!) I piled on turtle necks and camo pants with an orange vest, hiking boots, hid my hair in a hunting cap, used black eye makeup to make a 5 o’clock shadow, carrying a toy wooden shotgun and a large toy stuffed deer. No one knew who I was! It was so funny!

19. What do you see as the current problem(s) with your wardrobe and/or look?
I always grab items that make me feel sloppy and invisible. I have some issues with my self-esteem I need to work on. For some reason I am afraid to show who I am and put myself out there in my choices of what I wear.

20. At the end of WT, what lovely compliments do you want onlookers to give you?

Not necessarily do I need compliments, but it would be nice to know that others around me think I am ‘put together’, style/fashion appropriate, and pleasant to look at so to speak. But it wouldn’t kill me if someone did compliment me on my quirkiness. Oh and the hair, I forever long to have ‘envy hair! but darn I don't think changing my wardrobe is gonna' help the crazy-mind-of-its-own hair?

Boy that was hard - my head hurts now.....