"You must have the courage to try new fashions and the discretion to reject those that are unsuitable or adapt them to suit your image. I have a friend who wears nothing but shirtdresses, in every fabric, weight, and color. Even when the chemise came in, she stuck to her guns and found a shirtdress version of it."
--Anne Fogarty, Wife Dressing: The Fine Art of Being a Well-Dressed Wife
Oh, yes! Excellent advice. I've found a bosom friend in the surplice style with the flattering cross-over bodice.
ReplyDeleteBut the shirtwaist is catching my fancy this spring...And there's a vintage 1960 pattern with elbow sleeves and inverted skirt pleats that's just begging to be made up in half a dozen different ways!
Anna, is Mrs. Fogarty speaking of her friend as one who doesn't have the courage to try new fashions or one who has the discretion to reject those that are unsuitable to suit her image? Wasn't sure which it was.
ReplyDeleteI adore "Wife Dressing"! I'm half-way through and loving every second of it!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous: I'm not sure of it either!
ReplyDeleteI believe she is complimenting her friend--am I correct about that, Anna?
ReplyDeleteThat's a great little book. I found it last year in the library and enjoyed reading it very much!
I've still yet to find my signature style:)!
Krista
Krista, I'm not so sure it's possible to have a signature style. For many years I wore jumpers, and I began doing it at a time when they were popular. It was a signature thing for me, I suppose - but styles changed. I kept wearing them, however, because I really liked them. But, after a while, things change so much that you suddenly feel yourself to be left WAY behind. I perhaps was not as flexible as I could have been; if I had adapted it to suit my image, as Mrs. Fogarty says, I may have been able to continue.
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely a comfortable and sensible wardrobe - all interchangeable t-shirts and jumpers. I was never without something to throw on!