Personal Plumage

Time for some fun! For those of you who have followed this little 'ol blog for a while, you know that I do like to do the occasional "wardrobe" post. While this is certainly not a personal fashion blog, I enjoy sharing my wardrobe choices with you readers. The way that I dress is an integral part of my creative expression. I love to try new things. A few years ago (maybe five years!) I discovered Wardrobe Remix on Flickr and thus began the outfit photos. 

I found that it was a fun way of documenting what I wore for various occasions, or, as was usually the case, on an ordinary day! I have found, as I get older, that the urge to document what I have seen and done is very real. I, more than anything, want something to look back on when I am old and feeling nostalgic. While I am not always that great at keeping up on all of the photo organizing, editing, filing, etc, etc, I still try to make a valiant attempt.

This above outfit was worn to go out with a couple good girlfriends for excellent food (if you live in the Oakland area I highly recommend getting yourself down to Boot N' Shoe Service) and divine cocktails. Yes, the top is a bit risque, but it was worn with a large drapey black scarf and the above jacket. And, I felt great in it, which is really the key to making any outfit work!

This outfit was worn on a bit of a hodge-podge day. I dropped in to see my boyfriend at a local record swap/poster sale he was selling his posters at and then it was off to lunch with a friend who was visiting from out of town. I kind of love texture and prints and love to mix them up. The cardigan I recently purchased from Mod Cloth and it has quickly become one of my "go-to" layering pieces. It's dark navy color and it's generous dose of lace make it very versatile in my wardrobe.

This outfit was a fun one to put together and was basically built entirely around the hat, which a friend made for me in exchange for one of my handmade necklaces. You can't really tell in the photo, but the top has nearly the same shade of green in the center of the cheetah-like spots as the hat. I wore this to deliver more jewelry to two shops in the city, Needles and Pens and Urban Bazaar.  

Dressing has truly become an art-form for me. This new year has led to a lot of reflecting on my part about what I wear and why I wear what I wear and I will say this: I'm hoping to branch out a bit more this year. Shake things up a bit. Wear that amazing feathered headpiece of mine, mix patterns in new ways, experiment with accessories and try things I want to try but then decide not to because I'm simply being shy. I used to be much more bold with my fashion. 

The last few years have found me taking a bit of a step back from the boldness. But I think I have tried many things in the last few years that I would have never worn as the younger me. . . I think maybe I had to play it safer in order to feel comfortable enough to try new styles/pieces/accessories, etc. This year I'm hoping to merge all of that playfulness I had when I was younger with my more newly found eclecticism.

And while that is not really a new year's resolution, it is a heartfelt intention.