So this is my first Season watching Project Runway.
Yes. I was living under a rock before.
I’m enjoying it for the most part. I love the designs and the way they come up with projects and the challenges.
The drama and squabbles and tears (mostly from the men :) – not so much. But hey. Reality TV. What can you expect?
Anyway, a couple of weeks ago the designers were given the challenge to design for ordinary women (non model-size-0 women). Tricky.
But there was a twist! They brought in the women’s Husbands and Boyfriends and asked THEM about their Significant Other’s style.
They asked them questions like:
How would you describe your ladies’ style?
If she were going to go buy clothes where would she go?
What colors do she like for clothes?
Would she wear an off the shoulder top?
Does she wear short skirts? Pants?
You get the idea.
It got me thinking about my style. Which up until the last few years has been all over the place. I think having kids pretty young, then all the “mom” years, developing a personal style wasn’t very high on my priority list. It was more a combination of – “If it’s on clearance, then I can make it work” and “If it hasn’t been spilled on, I can wear it out.” (Maybe you’re a super stylish mom of little ones. That’s awesome. I wasn’t. ;)
Not that I don’t still shop sales and clearance racks (I’m not crazy – or rich) but now I’m trying to be choosier.
Just because it’s on sale, doesn’t mean that it works for my “look”.
I’m still trying to develop that “look”. I love eclectic, funky styles, especially vintage looks, all on the slightly conservative side.
And I’m trying to work towards weeding out the things in my closet that don’t fit (some of which I look at and wonder what on earth I was thinking when I bought it??).
I’m also trying to find outfits and looks that I like for inspiration, then I can keep those outfits and color combinations in mind when I am shopping. It helps refine what I’m looking for.
Pinterest is awesome for that.
It’s helping me think about color combinations and looks that go together. I would never have thought about pairing a yellow purse with teal and gray – but I love it!
On a side note – after watching that episode of Project Runway, I wondered how well Mr. F.T. knew my style. So I asked him a few of the same questions they asked on the show.
Here are my questions and his answers:
If I were going to go buy clothes where would I go?
“Target and the outlet mall most likely but you’d want to buy clothing at Anthro.”
What colors do I like for clothes?
“Pink and other light colors.”
Would I wear an off the shoulder top?
“No”
How would you describe my style?
“Cute. Conservative. Layered.”
He did pretty well!! I was impressed. ;)
I’m by no means a fashion expert. I’m still in the remedial phase. But I’m working on it. ;)
What about you? Do you have a strong fashion style?
How well do you think your husband/boyfriend/friends know your style?
OH Bev, we both were under that rock! I am sooo hooked now tho. Do you watch the old shows? That is what hooked me, there was a marathon running. I love it because a whole series is done in about 3 weeks, so no waiting for the next week to come. This cast isn’t my fav. I think I have about seen them all now and I have only been watching since Aug I think. In November they are bringing back old favs to compete against each other so I am really excited to see my favorite designers. As for clothes I think we are alot alike their too, I think alot of moms are. I just ran across a new to me blog that does ‘what i wore wednesday” I’ll try to find it and send it to you, she puts great looks together! I think What Not To Wear was instrumental in helping me think more about what I wear. And lastly, LOVE to watch PR put together those clothes, I never knew how they created patterns, it’s interesting, isn’t it! Ok, longest comment ever! Wish we were sitting down with a cup of coffee discussing this! :)
mmmhhh. my style is a little bit of this, a little bit of that. i like total black. but then i get the itch for some color; and for some days in a row i’m into that color. Sometimes i like minimal looks, then i get bored and i’ll go all over the places with decor. So i would say: i don’t have a style. I have moods! :)
After watching that episode, I asked my hubs the same questions and he also did a pretty good job of describing my “style” – I asked him if he would ever want to design an outfit for me and he just laughed, ha! :)
The outfits you featured in this post are all adorable! :)
I don’t even know what my style is. For the last many years I’ve worn tons of hand-me-downs. I’ve made them work, but they haven’t really been me. You know? Now I’m trying to buy things a little bit at a time. I’m not working, so I don’t really need dressy clothes, but I did buy two maxi dresses and I LOVE them. I usually wear jeans, a t-shirt top and a sweater. That’s pretty much my ‘uniform’. In the summer it’s a skirt and t-shirt. I really like the GAP. I shop their clearance. My other favorite store is Target.
~FringeGirl
I’m so sad to say my style is “clearance”. And it’s all over the board! :( This post is making me thing what I really like. I love the outfits you posted! Maybe this fall is time for a serious overhaul. I wish I had a personal shopper that could help me!!!
I’m always trying not to fall into the “clearance” style rut. My other big downfall is never splurging on a whole outfit. I buy a jacket thinking I want to find a cool shirt or pair of shoes to go with it, and then I don’t end up buying the rest of the outfit until the jacket is to worn to wear out.
PR is my husband’s and my guilty pleasure! We’ve been watching since Season 1, as it started when I was majoring in Fashion Design and Merchandising in college!
My husband knows my style pretty dang well, he does really well on the rare occasion that he buys me clothes. My style is colorful, comfortable, modern, playful and classic. I’m a big fan of knit dresses, and my look often has a throw back to styles of the past. I’m not super fussy, my accessories are often simple. I’ve always wanted to pull off a “Statement” necklace but whenever I’ve tried them they’ve always felt like too much!
Also? Polyvore is a great site for style collaboration.
I don’t watch Runway. I have caught a few episodes, but I don’t have that kind of patience.
As for style, yeah, I think I have “me” figured out.
I like full skirted dresses, capris, cardigans and sparkles. No Orange (it makes my skin look weird)
(You should see some of the stuff I find! Sequin tanks and circle skirts, I ADORE Land’s End cardis! So pretty and a Million colors!)
I love your outfit pix. Very fun, stylish and comfy looking. What an wonderful mix!
Fashion can be so fun :) I love your sample outfits!! Those are all some of my favorite colors :)
I love your fashion sense! I also love how crafty you are and how you give patterns for knock-offs, especially the Anthropology stuff. Until recently, my only online experience was at work. Now that I am unemployed, and bored to death, I could spend all day online looking at all the crafts and home design. I just started Pinterest, but I have no idea how you put the outfit collages together. Really, really cute.
–Terry
I think my husb knows my style pretty well. Casual, simple, with a touch of elegance. But I still manage to pic the wrong clothes (that are on sale)…, then give them away. I got rid of most just recently, and start from scratch, pretty much. Since I work from home, I don’t need much clothes.
Thanks for this post – you make me feel like I’m not the only one who has struggled with being ‘stylish’ while being a mum – I have 2 little ones and I’m still nursing my baby so everything is stretched and stained. My style (my uniform!) is jeans and ballet flats. I would love to buy some nicer stuff, but the reality is that we just don’t have the extra cash. I look at those fashion magazines sometimes and I think ‘who actually buys this stuff’ and I have to remind myself that hardly anyone does.
We don’t have Anthropologie here in Australia, I will have to check out their website seeing as so many people talk about about it. We also don’t have Project Runway here (unless you get our version of cable). I am missing out! We also only have one GAP store in Melbourne and it is quite far from my place so I never go there.
I am learning to create different looks with my jeans/flats combo by adding different scarves, cardigans and other accessories. I am definitely someone who looks best in earthy colours, so I try to stick to that when buying clothes.
I so love the outfits you selected! Great style eye :) And I love that I actually have several of those items – made me giggle!
Bev, I love Project Runway…which may seem a little funny since I am anything but fashionable. Perhaps it’s my way of living through others!
BTW, I think your style is darling.
xoxo
I’ve heard about the show but never watched it. My style? ummm…jut barely out of maternity, big baggy frumpy, and if i could just find something cute that fits (without having fits!). Yeah, I’m still in the “I have two toddlers and I’m doing really great if I can get a shower, and oh, by the way, am I wearing matching shoes????” phase. Maybe my fairy godmother will find me and transform my closet some day. Until then I’ll just keep stealing my husbands t-shirts (because of course my laundry needs to be done!)