If I thought it was daunting to go through my closet yesterday and look at how things looked on me, today's axe had to swing as well: Colors.
Most of my clothes are of the hand-me-down variety. Very tasteful. Nicer than anything I could ever imagine. But from my very pale very blond friend. I, on the other hand, have gigantic almost-black eyebrows and dark brown hair. It took me a long time and much scrutiny to figure out what the undertones in my skin are. Warm, not cool.
So, I need to be wearing browns, creams, corals, olive...those sorts of colors. Not black. Not white. Not violet. Not blue.
And black has been my staple! Almost all my shoes, cardigans, artsy looking wrap, velvet tops...all in wash-me-out black.
And a great deal of violet and white. Colors that look just perfect on my friend. And Hideous on me.
No wonder I feel "ridiculous" so much of the time. I look in the mirror and I just don't fit myself.
Wednesday's are "family day" at the thrift store. Half off on most of the tags and 99 cents on all the others.
I procured a dress that will be turned into a brown skirt (to replace the numerous black ones I own), some tops in cream, brown, coral and one red one (in the right shade). And a long brown duster style sweater! And a linen summery at-home dress...also in a correct color.
Needless to say, these things actually look good on me. Oh, shock! I no longer feel ridiculous. And trying them on was a revelation: It's much less depressing to try on clothes when you pick the right styles and colors to begin with.
And it was all only twenty-one dollars. Thanks to the sale day at the thrift store.
Most of my clothes are of the hand-me-down variety. Very tasteful. Nicer than anything I could ever imagine. But from my very pale very blond friend. I, on the other hand, have gigantic almost-black eyebrows and dark brown hair. It took me a long time and much scrutiny to figure out what the undertones in my skin are. Warm, not cool.
So, I need to be wearing browns, creams, corals, olive...those sorts of colors. Not black. Not white. Not violet. Not blue.
And black has been my staple! Almost all my shoes, cardigans, artsy looking wrap, velvet tops...all in wash-me-out black.
And a great deal of violet and white. Colors that look just perfect on my friend. And Hideous on me.
No wonder I feel "ridiculous" so much of the time. I look in the mirror and I just don't fit myself.
Wednesday's are "family day" at the thrift store. Half off on most of the tags and 99 cents on all the others.
I procured a dress that will be turned into a brown skirt (to replace the numerous black ones I own), some tops in cream, brown, coral and one red one (in the right shade). And a long brown duster style sweater! And a linen summery at-home dress...also in a correct color.
Needless to say, these things actually look good on me. Oh, shock! I no longer feel ridiculous. And trying them on was a revelation: It's much less depressing to try on clothes when you pick the right styles and colors to begin with.
And it was all only twenty-one dollars. Thanks to the sale day at the thrift store.
Comments
I'm also attempting to rescue some of the white things I have with a dye bath of Tan rit dye. Worst case scenario, it looks bad and I'll get rid of it anyways. Best case, I can save some of my comfiest tops.
In other news, I always thought you looked very cool and bohemian... and your picture looks good too.
I read "Colour Me Beautiful" about 20 years ago and discovered to my chagrin I would never look good in salmon pink but, on the other hand, it was a relief not to look jaundiced anymore either.
Anyway, I'm so happy! Good for you!