Friday, December 14, 2012

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!

11 comments:

  1. Oh I like that look. Love those socks!

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  2. Great style doppelganger story! I don't think I have one, I'll have to contemplate. Love those socks, special enough to have their own names : >

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  3. It's like the opening scene of a Western, with one of you just stepping off the stagecoach.

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  4. Dashing (as always!) :)

    And you don't necessarily have to catch up, you could just pick up from where you are now and leave the in-between a böank page for us to fill in from clues!

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  5. Hi Marla! thank you :)

    Hullo prttynpnk! heehee, all you need is one pair as long as they're awesome ;)

    Hi Patti! i would be surprised if you did have a style doppelganger (same with Vildy and elle, too!) So i'll be fascinated if one does come to mind!

    i have never named any socks before. But the resemblance was just too striking ;)

    Hello Vildy!! yes, altho there was a bit of fog/steam around so also like a train station - we were mixin' memes :)

    Thank you elle! and of course you are right. But there is that stubborn part of me that just won't let it be.......so i gave in.

    Have a warm and safe Saturday, steph

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  6. Love the way the bands of the socks and mary janes echo the band on the hat. Elle

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  7. Super socks!

    I'm out in the early morning chill walking the pooch and really pile on the layers. I am so grateful god created Kashmir goats, and rich folks who donate the good stuff to St. Vincent de Paul.

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  8. oh, Elle, you know i hadn't even noticed that myself! of course you're right, and it is fun - thank you :)

    Howdy P!!!! 'super sox' to the rescue - w00t! those goats are the most. it's so feckin' cold around here these days - mid to low 30's F ain't much for a lot of people, but we are sensitive California girls and we aren't built for that! i piled on a bunch of stuff in the house yesterday - i was warm but to tell the truth i had trouble moving my arms....bundled up to the point of immobility. I need to up my 'warm' game, stat!!

    Happy Day, steph

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