I am on a continual quest to find and refine my personal style. There are glorious moments where I find an article of clothing that is absolutely, positively, beyond-a-shadow-of-a-doubt ME, and I wear it with confidence and the delight that can only come from knowing you got if for $1.78 at the local thrift store…And there are the moments – all too frequent, when I have “nothing to WEAR!!!” that fits my standards of style and femininity and practicality and comfort, and – don’t forget – budget.
That’s why I was so excited this week to find some blogs devoted to just this subject. Some have really good articles, some consist entirely of images of what’s “in” right now – great for inspiring new combinations with what’s in your closet already. All of them had good reminders of why and how we should dress in our own personal style. And that’s my goal – not to be chasing what’s “in” this week and frustrating myself ’cause I don’t have the time or money to create “the look” myself, but to create a wardrobe with classic and signature pieces I can call all my own.
So, here for you to explore, are all the links I have in my new bookmarks folder – “Fashion Blogs“:
Christa Taylor’s Blog
You’ve probably got this one bookmarked already – she posts regularly on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I hop over there occasionally to see what’s hot and what’s not. 🙂
They are pricey (as most of these modesty boutiques are) but the inspiration is free!
My Wardrobe Today and Wardrobe Oxygen
The first is Allie’s personal blog; I love the subtitle – “It takes so long to get dressed each day I might as well journal it!”
The second is her public blog, about which she says, “I feel that every woman can achieve personal style no matter her size, lifestyle or budget. I offer simple solutions for a woman’s wardrobe, occasional vendor or product reviews and answers to reader question.“
This gal is right on when she writes, “As I have gotten older I have stopped worrying about bumps and lumps and faults. People usually notice the lack of self esteem or self-consciousness way before chubby ankles!”
I especially liked the following three because they are written by moms. I simply can’t spend as much time in front of that mirror as a single gal, no matter how good the advice! Practicality has to be right at the top of the list as a mom, and these ladies are in the same season as I find myself…
Charming the Birds from the Trees
This is my new favorite blog! Her post labels include “French Chic”, “Commitment to Loveliness”, “Finishing School”, and “What I Wore Wednesday”. And she’s a mommy to two – just like me! 🙂
Chick in the Country
This is our blogger friend Polly’s other blog. She has inspired me repeatedly on several subjects – especially when she ‘shops’ in her own closet. I’m delighted she has a blog dedicated to fashion.
Style for the Stay at Home Mom
I have a lot of back reading to do on this blog, I believe! Her personal style statement has me hooked – “I wanted to follow-up on my last post by reinforcing the fact that your style statement needs to be a reflection of you and appropriate for where you are in your life. My style statement, I will project an image of a sophisticated and elegant MOM, means that I will try to always dress in a way that I think a well-dressed mom should dress. I did not say “sophisticated and elegant New York fashion designer” so my clothes will not often (if ever) look like those featured in The Sartorialist. Your style statement should put you at ease and should help guide you. It should never be a burden or make you feel like you need to live up to another person’s idea of what “well -dressed” or “stylish” means.“
If you have any favorite sites or blogs dedicated to style and fashion, please do post a link in a comment so I can add them to my list!
fashion blogs are overcrowding the internet with everybody just posting their favourite designers and models all over the place. this time, i want to do a fashion blog that includes an eclectic combination of everything that is hip
Thanks for all the great links, Trina! I've added them to my blog reader.
Being obsessed with vintage fashion, one of my new favorites is http://www.lulusvintage.com/ It's got some really smashing outfits and hats.
—Clare
Really like what the SAHM lady said about making sure you keep up with the laundry and ironing so you know what you already have. **SMACK** how many times have I bought something just like what I already own?!? Looking forward to more of your flower pics.
Another fun site is voguepatterns.com. They have a seasonal magazine it looks like that addresses some of the current trends & corresponding sewing patterns, as well! http://www.voguepatterns.com/indexmag.htm
Trina (& Anja & Olivia!)
If you haven't found them already, I think you'd love Style.com's podcasts on iTunes. You can download (for free) snip-its of each season's top designers' runway shows, from New York, Paris, to Milan. It's an easy way to catch the latest trends from your favorite fashion icons.
Based on the links you are showing as your web favorites, I'd recommend you do an iTunes search for Style.com Spring '08 podcasts of:
– Alexander McQueen
(50s goes modern)
– Bottega Veneta
(50s goes modern)
– Carolina Herrera
(very traditional)
– Christian Dior
(40s goes modern)
– Diane Von Furstenberg
(beachy feminine resortwear)
– Donna Karan
(50s safari)
– Matthew Williamson
(boho chic / ethnic)
– Proenza Schouler
(boyish layers with feminine skirts)
Another fashion site I could see you loving is Wiki's vintage pattern directory: http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page. Once you decide which fashion house(s) you identify with best, you can search for some of that house's original fashion designs here – and make them at home!
I'm still struggling to fit some of my favorite Spring trends into my 9-5 business suit wardrobe, by here's some things that I love:
– ethnic/cultural influences from the Mediterranean coast (a blending of spanish gypsy culture meets greecian meets african meets beach culture meets modern bohemian)
– edgey romanticism (rockstar/punk paired with flowing layers & ruffles on colorful impressionistic, Monet-like prints)
– borrowed-from-the-boys suiting with strong, feminine tailoring in accenting shoulders/waist/hips
– modernization of 30/40/50's jazz style & J.K.Onassis
With this are a lot of blending of seemingly opposites:
– neutral & bright jewel-tone color palattes
– earthy & futuristic patterns/textures
– tailored suiting with teased-out hair
– feminine dresses with punk heels or gladiator sandals
Spring seems like a fun season for clothes, but I'm saving my clothes-shopping money for fall. I can't wait for the English countryside to hit the racks…
cvo
Awww, so glad you like my blogs! Thank you! Because you linked to me I was able to find your wonderful blog!
As for other blogs, another you may want to check out is The Space Between My Peers. Her posts are along the same lines in regard to style that is feminine, budget-friendly and realistic. 🙂
Hey – love your new little baby widget.
Thanks for the plug – a couple of these recommendations are new to me.
You are an inspiration to me too — one of my favorite posts was your corduroy JCrew skirt project.