Viva BiBa!

 A couple of weeks ago, Mr. E decided we should take advantage of  'the last nice weather before winter' with a long weekend on the Monterey Peninsula. So we spent a couple of nights at The Gosby House along the main drag of historic Pacific Grove. On our last morning there i got up, got it together, got mobilized, and headed out to check out the small boutique Nest - just a couple of blocks away from our lodgings.

Well, for one reason or another Nest didn't open at the posted time. Not one to waste a beautiful morning, i walked around the block. A friendly open door flanked by two huge plate glass windows drew me into BiBa. I immediately was drawn to the space, the art, the clothing and asked the lady working there if she minded if i took some pictures. She asked why, i said 'I have a blog......', and one thing led to another. I departed almost an hour later with marvelous pictures, a lot of new, fascinating information about the women's clothing business, and the story of a powerful friendship.

 Paging Audi, Audi to BiBa STAT! Can't you just see our girl in this adorably funky look?

As a blogger, i really appreciate the opportunity to share thoughts, events, places, with my readers. Blogging is a great way to do this, to keep in touch with like minds all over the world.  And 99% of the time, i am fine with blogging as a way to do this. But the time i spent in BiBa was different - i can't tell you how much i missed all of you when i was there, how often i felt frustrated that at least a few of you couldn't be there with me - to see the space and the clothing, sure, but even more to be able to speak with Mona Kelly, a manager and buyer for BiBa. I hope this post, and the one to follow, gives you at least a taste of what my visit was like.

All of us have read and heard about the 'small, highly edited, flexible wardrobe' composed of 'Clean & Contemporary European-style Fashions and Accessories'. Well, that last line is printed on BiBa's business cards and concisely describes their philosophy. They stock up to date, functional, every day wear for the professional woman on the go. Nothing fussy, nothing musty, and most importantly pieces that will physically last and carry over style-wise from year to year. This is that fantasy boutique you dream about - you come back anytime, for basics or a focal piece, and they have what you envisioned only better. It's on trend but not at all "trendy", and blends seamlessly with your existing wardrobe. Even nicer, you won't see yourself coming and going.

Here's an example. Look at how this table is laid out - each piece has something special about it, but is in no way over the top. Choose any top and any bottom from this table for a great look with no drama. Choose any one piece for a slick update to your current wardrobe. Take those Not Your Daughter's Jeans made up in a subtle tone on tone leopard. Pair them with anything you'd wear with regular jeans for a witty take on today's animal print craze. At the same time, it's subtly enough done that you can sport them in future with no worries about embarrassing 'fall 2011' associations. BiBa hits a perfect balance in their individual pieces, and display them in a way that makes shopping make sense.

 Check out the top stitching on the jacket shoulder - subtle details that take a piece from basic to style standouts

This piece is my personal favorite - a silk leopard print scarf with a beautiful cerulean blue accent. The fabric, hem, and print are all high quality. The blue is brilliant - adding color to an animal print makes it very personal as well as flattering (that blue will make brown and blue eyes sing). Animal prints with color are also very current. It's a brilliant way to wear a trend while making a unique personal statement. And buying from BiBa gives you another way to remain unique - they only buy five of each piece. They also feature brands from the UK and Canada not generally found here in the USA. In fact, i often thought of Smoking Lily and Sheila of Ephemera during my visit.

Buyer Mona Kelly looking effortlessly chic in a four year old frock from Donna, a Canadian company

How did this magical space come about? I spent at least half an hour speaking with the very generous Mona Kelly, who told me the story of BiBa. BiBa today reflects the style of one woman, and also a friendship. Mona's friend Elise Paton started BiBa about a decade ago to bring Elise's Swedish style sensibility to the Monterey coast. Very clean, modern, unique, well thought out design and good, lasting quality were the touchstones of Elise's vision. Meanwhile, Mona had sold her restaurant and was looking for what next to do with her days. As these things unfold, Mona began working a few shifts at BiBa, part time.

As time went on Elise Paton began to mentor Mona Kelly. Slowly but surely, Elise tutored Mona on style and the clothing business. First, Mona learned how to put together an outfit - for display and for particular clients. (As an aside, today Mona exudes effortless chic. She is the last person you would think had to learn one thing about personal style. I like to think this means there is hope for anyone!) Then Elise brought Mona along on buying trips. Mona also learned about quality and how to tell which garments will last - she remembers Elise turning pieces inside out, examining the fabric and construction, tugging on the seams.

 Beautiful, spacious dressing area. Who wouldn't feel gorgeous in these artistic surroundings?

Over the years, Mona and Elise grew closer as friends as well as professionally, Mona learning more and more from her mentor Elise. A little over three years ago, Elise became very sick pretty quickly. This November is the third anniversary of her death. Now, as Mona buys for BiBa she strives to keep it true to Elise's vision. She is proud to say that her clients let her know she is succeeding in respecting Elise's vision. It was really moving to hear Mona recalling her friend Elise, Elise's vision, style, her focus on the practicalities and how Elise expressed all in BiBa. Mona's love and respect of Elise and her accomplishments shone through. I felt so fortunate that Mona shared this part of her life with me.

 BiBa's superb curation

 it's hard to create an awkward outfit when the selection you choose from is this well thought out

As it happens, my timing in visiting BiBa was excellent (thank you Mr. Eccentric!). BiBa honors Elise Paton's vision and continues it in a way that makes sense today. True style evolves, so BiBa continues to change as well. A couple of weeks ago, sparked by Pacific Grove's Friday Night Art Walk, BiBa clients approached Mona with worried faces, concerned that this treasure trove of reliable closet upgrades was - gasp! - changing direction. If true, customers had some serious research to do!

Well, it's not true. BiBa will continue to be the place for clean, contemporary, European-style fashion and accessories. But you will be able to find something a little more - luxurious, unique, colorful, artistic.....something that explains why in the world i kept thinking of Sheila, of all bloggers, as i took photo after photo.....here's a hint:

Coming up, a special 'Featured Artist' exhibit at BiBa!

BiBa

Clean & Contemporary European-style Fashions and Accessories
831-655-BiBa
211 Forest Avenue
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
bibawest@sbcglobal.net

Fall Is Here!

Fall is here with a vengeance! Temps in the forties, brisk winds, frost warnings....in keeping with my 'Frosting vs. Cake' epiphany, i'm doing my best to remember how to stay warm without using tons of visible layers. Undershirts, wool socks, long sleeved knits, wool tights are all coming into play - but not making an appearance!

Jeans are also uppermost in my mind. They are warm, with enough spandex they do not bother my legs, and they are a great foundation for a smart casual look. The trouble lies in finding ones that fit, that flatter, which are not completely encrusted with beads, embroidery, metallic gewgaws more fitting an aged yet flirtatious hermit crab than a stylish woman of a certain age.

For the last few months i have been plotting constructing my own jeans. I found a pattern (McCall's The Perfect Jean #5894 by Palmer & Pletsch), found fabric, did my pattern fittings and plunged on in. As i type, i am sporting the finished product!

You'll have to wait a bit for pictures of the jeans all sewed up and in an outfit. But i wanted to show you a bit of what is involved in custom fitting garments to your figure. I took these photos after i had partially constructed the jeans and had pinned the inner and outer leg seams. In both pictures the right side is the one i have altered from the original fit. My aim was to decrease the bagging and tugging on the back of the thigh. The difference is fairly distinct - in both cases the leg on your right has a smoother fit. In the end i sewed a closer fit than that shown here. The next time i make this pattern i will make an alteration in this area before i cut into the fabric, which should result in an even smoother line.

Here you can see the alterations i made to the inner and outer seams of the back pattern piece. In each case i've taken in less than half an inch width, but the difference in fit is quite noticeable. I've been reading stylist Kendall Farr recently and in her experience and opinion fit is the foundation of personal style. Yet we rarely read about fit in style blogs and fashion magazines. You don't hear about the thrill of having pieces personally fitted at the tailor's.

I agree with Ms. Farr about fit, and this state of affairs is a shame as far as i'm concerned. It takes time and fuss to really nail fit in your garments. But it is possible to do so and it makes a world of difference in how your clothes look, and more importantly, feel on your body. Wearing clothing that fits your own individual shape is a completely different experience than the pinching, pulling, and wiggling associated with today's standard off the rack fare.

It can seem way too daunting to jump right into custom-made clothing.  That's just for the very rich, the privileged, the fashionistas, the anyone-but-me. Frankly, you don't need to have every garment designed for you from scratch. But i do challenge you to start small......move the buttons on your shirt cuffs to just the right spot. Hem that wrap dress to your most flattering length, even if it's a difference of only one inch. Stretch out those shoes that are just a wee bit too tight. Pick one or two little projects, just a few dollars or half an inch. Try it out, then see if you can honestly say to me that you can't tell the difference.

Jacket: Peruvian Connection
Scarves: own design
Jeans: Levi's Curvy fit (discontinued)
Boots: Dansko
Handbag: Isabella Fiore
Hoodie: Free People
Jeans (in process): McCalls' 5894 Palmer & Pletsch 'The Perfect Jean'

Template Experiments

hi! Just trying out some templates that allow for larger/wider/more detailed photos. I've become progressively more frustrated with the way my previous template disallowed any picture format save portrait-style. Whatever template i choose will allow more freedom in terms of photograph format.

Input welcome!

Using Brights As Subtle Flavor Instead Of A "Pop"

Here's two outfits featuring the same citron colored Fila layering top, worn on the same day. The one on the left i wore for my morning constitutional. Upon returning home i thought it would be fun to use the same piece to create a more color oriented look. I was also in the mood to wear the coral blouse as a vest - the way i first saw it worn by Bev, The Style Underdog.

I was very struck by the way the citron really pops when placed next to it's color wheel opposite (coral) but the very same color is so toned down when worn next to a cool neutral. In the first outfit the citron livens up the grey look without the color 'popping'. If i wore this same citron in a warm, khaki outfit the citron would become much more lively because the warmth of the khaki would give it a 'boost'. 

The general color guideline is to wear all warms or all cools in any outfit and i find this is an excellent idea. But i really like the way that the colors work in the first look. The citron warms up the palette and adds interest to the look without screaming "Bright Color Here!!!"  This approach increases the flexibility of 'brights'. You can take the traditional route and pair them with other colors in the same temperature for ultimate impact. Or, mix them with colors of the opposite temperature to create a little life in a neutral palette. By the way, these pictures were taken less than an hour apart - the color changes of the citron top have to do with the way the surrounding colors affected it's influence on the camera sensor and our eyes.

Secret message to Bev: i miss you and i think about you and your family every day.

Life has been very busy around here! Winter is here big-time, witness the Halloween storm on the east coast. Mr. E decided to take advantage of 'the last sunny weekend' and a super bargain bed and breakfast rate and we spent a couple of nights on the Monterey Peninsula.  Oh it was gorgeous! But a wee bit last-minute!

Happily, part of the hecticness has been The Dashing Eccentric related. I had a fascinating conversation with a boutique owner touching on friendship, mentoring, creativity, and business. I was fortunate enough to photograph the fruit of a local artist's collaboration with a clothing designer and a lingerie manufacturer. Rumors circulate about a possible guest post. A product review in progress has the potential to point readers towards a custom-fit clothing at a great price. I've even been doing writing on the Emily Cho material.

So what am i doing typing this instead of getting crackin' and whipping out those fascinating future posts? Beats me! I'll sign out now, and you all have a great weekend!


Citron top: Fila
Grey Hoodie: Free People (gift)
Grey Jeggings: Target Mossino
Scarf, Skirt, Coral Top: own design
Trainers: Merrell
Boots: Bass Lamont
Belt: Hobo

Dear Mrs. Eccentric: Can I be your Case Study?

Susan Olding models a perfect casual look

  I've been active on the You Look Fab Forum for a while now, as many of you are - Gracey, it was a treat to see your thousand watt smile as a little avatar there yesterday! A while back forum member and professional writer Suz asked for my help in pinpointing/refining her style. This case was unusual for me and a first - Suz had no photo, just a verbal description of her memories of a couple of favorite outfits from years past:


"Outfit One: perfect fitting jeans (a true rarity, back then!), short houndstooth jacket (rather large houndstooth, not tiny), low heeled black ankle boots, black turtleneck, statement earrings. (Note: I had short hair.)
Outfit Two: A heavy silk two piece dress. Sleeveless (or maybe cap sleeve?) boat neck tunic on top, with a lightly gathered but slim midi skirt, in a soft blue grey.
Associations to Outfit One: clean, classic, mod (the boots, the turtleneck), androgynous, simple, (touch of) bold (jacket, earrings), textured (jacket), structure (jacket).
It’s a “dressy casual” formula look as per Angie; you would think it would be easy to duplicate it again and again. (Yet I have struggled over the years to do so).
Associations to Outfit Two: clean, elegant, simple, soft, understated, classic, drape.
WHY did I love outfit one? I felt free, as if I could move around easily and fit effortlessly into almost any environment. Despite being dressed very classically, it somehow felt as if it had a bit of an edge—perhaps because some of those pieces were quite current at the time.
WHY did I love outfit 2? Primarily drape of fabric, texture, simplicity, and colour.
Additional note: I believe my short hair added a tiny bit of "edge" to the dressy look of the silk outfit, despite its otherwise completely classic style."

Needless to say i was thrilled to be asked. It took me a while to come up with some insight as to what Suz seemed to be saying with these looks and how she could use them to go forward. But the penny did eventually drop - you can read my analysis below.

I've included a few pictures of Suz and some of her recent WIWs. Partly of course you're curious as to what she looks like - completely adorable! As all these looks pre-date my analysis, you can see she didn't really need to hear what i had to say. Student outstrips teacher as she explodes the 'recipe' to wear a jacket as a 'classic base' piece and wear a sweater, scarf, or skirt as her 'artistic statement' focus. Suz is starting from ground zero here, as well - she recently lost a great deal of weight, enough to require a complete wardrobe overhaul.  She's had no interest in style or fashion for the last decade or so, either. Suz shows how much you can do in a little time with smarts and determination!

My analysis follows. I hope you find it interesting!!!!

Susan Olding at Writer's Fest

It's not that exciting of a name, but 'artistic professional' is a great start as a style statement. Evaluating your two favorite looks it seems that the bulk or base of the look is made up of classic/professional type pieces of elements, with 'artistic' elements on top, as the 'frosting on the cake'. This is a great approach for you to take regarding your professional life, as the professional elements reassure your audience that you are reliable, stable, competent, etc., while the artistic flair reflects your role as a writer and the more fluid nature of your professional duties.

In these two looks i see the classic/professional elements as: emphasis on perfect fit and proportions, quality fabrications, attention to grooming (great, well-maintained hair), neutral & subdued colors, simplicity of color palette/texture/pattern/details.  The artistic elements would be the statement earrings, 'edgy' hairstyle, heeled ankle boots (the love of my life), and the bold jacket (larger graphic pattern).

Both outfits provide the 'pulled together' effect of a suit without actually being a suit. This, again, fits perfectly with your style statement - professional yet artistic. You acknowledge the usefulness and appropriateness of a suit, but prefer to 'create' your own rather than wear another's creation. But for quite a while i was a bit flummoxed as to how this provided any key to generating further outfits or new directions for your personal style. The obvious places to go would be two-piece dresses and wearing turtlenecks and jeans with jackets and ankle boots. But that's boring and overly formulaic.

Susan Olding models straight-up artistic style

Then I remembered a concept I ran across in Jennifer Robin's book Growing More Beautiful: An Artful Approach to Personal Style. She recommends adding a 'third layer' to outfits in order to create a more finished 'look'. So, to a tee and jeans, add a cardigan or jacket or a scarf or even statement necklace or earrings.  This third item can either tie the two pieces together (a print scarf which contains the two colors present in the tee and jeans) or provide the focal point for the look (your houndstooth jacket). Aha! The lightbulb turned on!

The underlying pattern or 'formula' you could work with goes like this. You are looking to create 'made up suits' (that's what i've called them for years, don't know why!) with this recipe: take two classic basics in quality fabric with perfect fit.  And add an artistic 'third layer'. Season to taste with wonderful, edgy, artistic shoes, jewelry, and scarves.

What does this look like?  Using your turtleneck and jeans from outfit one, you could add: a lighter colored faux fur vest, studded leather belt worn in the jean belt loops or over the vest, camel ankle boots and bold gold hoop earrings.  Or, using the same 'base', go with a cropped silver jacket like Angie's with black patent higher spike heel booties and a chunky, multi-strand pearl necklace.

To vary your base, you could swap out the jeans for a knee-length, denim straight skirt while keeping the black turtleneck.  Jumble a big silk scarf in autumn colors around your neck and pull on a pair of cognac tall boots. For a change to this look, simply swap the turtleneck for a white button down skirt for a brighter look.

If you wanted to pursue this type of dressing, here's some guidelines on pieces to look for.  First, 'base pieces': for tops, try tees, button down shirts, turtlenecks, simple blouses, shells, cardigans. For bottoms: jeans, trouser jeans, trousers, denim skirts, straight and a-line skirts should all work well. For your 'base' pieces the important points will be to really pay attention to fit, proportion, quality fabric and construction. Pieces that overwhelm your frame or come across as shoddy will undermine the 'professional' aspect of your style.

Then, you will want pieces that can 'carry a look'.  These articles will convey the 'artistic' part of your style message. Jackets, vests, scarves, cardigans.....in this category you again need to pay attention to fit and proportion so that you are not overshadowed by your clothing. A helpful technique is to compare the scale of pattern and detail elements to part of your body. When looking at a paisley blouse, for example, any patterns where the 'paisley's are bigger than the palm of your hand will likely overwhelm. If you're considering a polka dot scarf, one where the dots are about as big as your eyes will bring them out - larger and the scale could look too big for your body. If you're interested in this concept, and it could be very useful to you as a person of smaller frame, it is covered in depth in The Triumph of Individual Style by Carla Mason Mathis and Helen Villa Connor. Again, quality fabric and construction are always worthwhile, though in this category i feel you can have a little fun as long as your base pieces are great. People expect artists to get a little creative, after all ; )

photo, stylist, model: Susan Olding

 In order to get some focus to this part of your wardrobe, creating an inspiration file of some kind will be very helpful. You want to hone in on the color palette you prefer and which flatters you, as well as the type of silhouettes, textures, patterns, and design details that you love. It's especially wonderful (and time-saving) when you can find designers or stores that provide pieces that work for you (basic and artistic), so keep an eye out for them.  And as fun as collecting inspiration can be, do not neglect getting out there and trying things on - a BUNCH of things!  It's very trixie to envision how clothing will look on us before we try it on, even more so when we're out of practice.

It is also important to keep in mind the 'background' which your base pieces will be providing when choosing your statement pieces. Angie's great silver jacket is the star when paired with a black turtle and jeans. But tossed over this concoction of complete sequin bombardment, it would quickly pale.  If you are providing a quiet background, quieter pieces will shine. This also allows you to create looks which rely on a great accessory to provide the focus. I welcome this approach on casual occasions or when it's very hot. A great fitting white tee and denim skirt can spark when paired with a silver alligator belt, big gunmetal pearl studs, and pewter metallic gladiator sandals. In a look like this, the accessories provide the 'third layer'. 

As a rule, when you allow accessories alone to provide the third layer the outfit will come across as very casual. On the other end of the casual/formal spectrum are structured jackets. Jackets also have professional, authoritarian connotations. So when you use them as the third layer the outfit becomes more professional and formal. A cardigan is less structured, and so less formal. By playing with the casual-formal balance created by your third layer, you can go show up at the great majority of your life without worrying about varying your 'base' all that much (unless you want to!) Having and using a 'recipe' like this for your dress also helps create your own unique personal style.

Others are much better at coming up with catchy, descriptive 'style statements'. But i hope this is clear and helps you with your style journey!

The Siren Song Of The Bob

Well, between my last post and this writing i trimmed my hair back to a much more flattering look. Whew, that's better!  Today i'm posting a couple of looks that show how i was looking while experimenting with growing a short bob. This compulsion to attempt an above-shoulder bob knocks me sideways periodically. In theory it sounds so wonderful - and a great change, as i've never worn it before.  Whenever i 'try on' a bob, be it a wig or a sketch on a photo, it looks fresh, flattering, breezy.......

But the sad truth is that any bob sculpted of the hair actually growing out of my head is less successful. This first look gives you a feel for it (this was a 'good' hair day). Kinda fun, kinda zany, kinda like every other middle aged lady in Berkeley with kooky glasses and statement earrings.

 But there are plenty of days when this hair.....just wants to do it's own thing. Over the decades i've found it's best to honor this head of hair's wishes, as trust me it will have it's way. Days when it looks like it does in these pattern mixing pictures. The hair itself looks fine, i suppose, but the overall 'do ain't doing much for my looks. And forget about this hair adding any style.  At best, i feel this iteration of my hair doesn't detract too much from the look. At worst, it is ...... messy and unflattering.

Which is not what i want from a hairdo! When i cut my hair short a few months ago, i loved it. But the shape was very similar to the way i'd worn my hair through my twenties, which felt a little weird. And i have been very experimental, hair-wise, through the years. I started thinking it would be fun to have 'more' hair, the bob is a classic, the mock-up bobs look so great....so i let my hair grow out some, and it started to take on a bobbish shape.

Now i will demonstrate to you the brilliance of taking a bunch of narcissistic outfit pictures. This post didn't happen until a month after i'd taken the pictures, and i couldn't help but notice how great my hair looked compared to what i was seeing in the mirror. Then, i decided on a whim to take a little video. In order to upload it, i had to look up my YouTube account - man, my hair looked awesome in the Outfit Checklist video! It even has a wee whiff of 1950's movie star about it. What the he77 was i thinking?

I am a woman of action. Snippety snip, i cropped my hair short again. Taking photos of yourself day after day, for months, nay years on end, may well be narcissistic. But if it keeps me having fabulous hair, bring on the personality disorder!

re: the outfits. I got a couple of unsolicited compliments on the pattern mix of the second look. They were especially nice to hear as they were from people who like clothes but aren't really 'into fashion'. I continue to notice how a wardrobe just 'falls into place' when you focus on pieces that flatter your own physical aesthetic and which express your own personal style. The Liz Claiborne dress is getting close to ten years old, while the Pleione blouse is fresh off the racks. Different designers, different eras - but both 'go' with my coloring, build, lines, scale. Thus, they 'go' with each other. It's a situation straight out of the theories found in The Triumph of Individual Style. Don't let the steep price of a newer book put you off - older copies are much more affordable and the information is just as good. And there's always the library!

Jacket: CAbi, thrifted
Blouse: Europa Blouse by LaFred, made by me
Skirt: own design, inspired by Hot Patterns Slouchy Fly Front Skirt
Shoes: Clark's

Dress: Liz Claiborne
Blouse: Pleione
Belt: DKNY, thrifted
Sandals: Aerosoles
Jewelry: own design

Style Blogger Confidential!

 I've noticed over my time as a reader and author of style blogs that there's a nice little controversy over 'how to get the most truthful picture' of an outfit. Should you 'pose' or not, what about camera angles, showing your face, etc. Most people who hold very strong opinions in this discussion seem to feel this way because of two ideas. The first is that they want accurate 'feedback' (from other's eyes or their own) on how the outfits looks. Does it flatter their physical form? In order to accurately judge you need to have an accurate image to work with. They feel that exaggerated poses, cropping part of the body, etc. will distort the image. The second idea seems to be that it is possible to get an 'accurate' image of how all outfits look on all bodies via still photos. This second idea appears to be related to a belief that it's important to be 'honest' when presenting your physical image in a photo.

Some of these beliefs are moral or philosophical positions (that you should present an honest image of yourself in photos) and some are practically provable (the camera never lies). Cameras 'see' objects in their own particular way. They record some things and not others and thus are constantly editing. We've all had the experience of certain colors looking very very different in a photograph than in real life. As it turns out, cameras are performing similar but more subtle distortions on all the objects in our world.

This does not mean that photos can't be wonderful tools for evaluating aspects of our appearance. I think they are a god send! But my personal belief is that it's important to keep in mind that cameras and photos are one tool among many - mirrors, friends, video. Seeing as we can't view each other in real life to judge our various 'OOTD' pix against the outfits in real life, i thought i'd post a video for you to compare to some stills of the same look.

 To help you understand what i'm talking about, i'll tell you what i did. I used my regular little camera to take a few run of the mill still photos. Then, i took two video clips using the same camera in the same position.  Finally i switched back to still photo and took some detail pix.  This camera isn't a video-alone cam, so the sound is weird (i've no clue why the sound of the radio goes up and down) and the re-focus as i move toward and away from the camere isn't lickety-split.  I did not download the biggest file possible to YouTube, so a bit of clarity is lost.  But not enough to influence what i'll point out to you next.



Compared to the still camera pix, the video downplays the pearl necklace and plays up the waist. Looking at the still photos I'd be tempted to call this a 'waist-surrendering' look. But when i'm on the move, the top moves as well and showcases the waist. The earrings and chain belt move a lot in real life and the video catches this (of course the still camera cannot - unless i really slowed down the shutter so these items blurred). Also, the video captures the glasses sliding down my nose, me pushing them up, me making faces, radio continually on in the background.

Is one of the media 'more accurate' than the other? I can't say. Probably both together give a better feel of how this outfit looks on me. I will also note that other types of clothing (very floaty fabrics for example) will 'look' much more different in still photos than they do in real life. I hope this post gives you a little more insight as to how you can use different techniques to evaluate your own looks. Also, maybe it gives you a feel for all the information you might be missing when you only have a single still picture by which to evaluate an outfit.

re: my hair. i've been growing it out a bit, thinking about trying an a-line bob.....but after seeing pix and video from my earlier, shorter look i'm cancelling the bob (which has never worked in the past) and going straight back to my earlier, much more glam look STAT!!!

Top: Cubism
Belt: Betsey Johnson
Skirt, necklace, earrings: own design
Sandals: Aerosoles