Style Doppelgangers

aaack! My blog closet is so behind my real life closet i've been flummoxed and a bit paralyzed when confronted with the idea of a new post. For the last week or so i have been thinking over how to present my outfits, wardrobe planning, culling, mini-challenge, and new made garments in a coherent and engaging manner. The topic reliably makes me feel muddle headed and tired, so I've faced the fact that there's no suave, organized way to 'catch you up'. The only option is to dive on in, post with abandon and let the chips fall where they may!

This look didn't photograph all that well. But it was fun and practical to wear. My new schedule (dropping hubby off and picking him up at the transit station morning and night) has affected my dressing routine. I'm out in the early morning cold, when i'm creaky and slow on my feet. Evenings at the transit station are also cold and can be windy as well, but i enjoy the opportunity to park the car and walk about a bit, or sit and read at the little square with fountain, watching the commuters whisk by and the locals walking their doggies while waiting for the 70X to deliver Mr. E.

I am much more limber and perky in the evening than in the morning. Thus, i'll 'dress' in the late afternoon for my evening outing and wear the same ensemble the next morning. It's much easier for me to get motivated at that hour, and i enjoy being 'fresh' for the most public part of my day. Of necessity these looks are very warm, so i'll often change again as the day warms up.

My nightly jaunts have brought home to me the value of a warm hat for fighting the chill. This hat is lined with faux fur which makes for a toasty topper!  My scarf is a gauzy wool, and this leather jacket blocks the wind so none of the wooly lining's warmth goes to waste. I received a charming and unexpected compliment the evening i sported this look. As i took a brisk turn around the live/work complex which abuts the BART station, a mysterious stranger ambled into view. A silhouette revealed an Australian drover's duster with capelet over the shoulders, cowboy hat, bootcut jeans over chunky boots, all in midnight black. As the stranger drew closer i took in his scraggly beard and piercing, level gaze. He looked me up and down (much as i was taking in his own sartorial flair), and then.....

.....tipped his hat. He didn't say "Goo-day ma'am", but his respectful message came across all the same. It's rare to find yourself confronted with a sartorial doppleganger, much less one of the opposite gender. We both wore jeans, leather, hats, well-constructed leather footwear, the whole in dark colors and dramatic silhouettes.  The fact i glimpsed my style twin whilst wearing pieces that had been with me for as long as 17 years made the moment even more piquant.

 Well, this is what happens when i take myself in hand and venture out to get a pair of plain, dark hued socks. Nothing that will take center stage of any outfit, that's the plan. Just nice, practical cushioning and coverage.....well, in my defense i didn't run across any socks which fit that description. And yes i did look! I'm sure a suitable pair will show up soon enough.

In the meantime, i've named these two Valerie and Jean. Reveal your favorite style doppelgangers in the comments. Happy Weekend and see you again, soon!