02 Apr Does Your Wardrobe Fit Your Lifestyle?

Happy Monday ladies!        * image courtesy of Google

I hope you had a Happy Easter. I think about the times we celebrated Easter, eagerly waiting to come home to find out hidden baskets. We would go to my mom’s church, the Ukranian Church with the blue domes in the Southside of Pittsburgh. I loved the smell of Paska, a traditional Eastern European bread we would smother with butter. All the traditions, I miss. We tried our hand at Pasanky, the handpainted Easter eggs, which are done so meticulously, one really appreciates the art form. Ah, I could continue to reminisce, but I am planning on talking about our closets ( wardorbe) and how it fits our lifestyle. Does your wardrobe fit or reflect your lifestyle?

As I child, I always liked wearing dresses, and I have a fond memory of a floral light blue dress I wore in 4th grade. I have always love the ease of a dress, the way a dress is free flowing and doesn’t encumber the body. I wore dresses and skirts in high school, later in college, with a vague memory of ordering from a Speigel catelogue. I think at the time, I just liked how a dress made me feel, more stylish, than my denim wearing friends. I think that is just how i felt, that, and i wasn’t crazy about the feeling of jeans.

Now, as an adult, I graduated with a Master’s Degree in Music and Education, so I knew the public school wouldn’t allow denim or dressing “down’, with the exception of a field trip or a “casual Friday.” My closet would consist of dress skirts, dresses, and tailored pants, but mostly dresses. It was easier to get dressed in the morning, that way. I would also wear more practical shoes, flats or a low heel mostly. Where were Karina dresses ( wrinkle free ) then? No-ironing, that would have been nice! I also wish Jambu would have been around when I taught in the classroom, as they would have been more comfortable than what I wore.

When I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, I couldn’t teach, and also quit the private music lessons I had at my house. Because of the pain, i couldn’t work a 9-5 or predict whether it was a good or bad day. Instead, this is what prompted me to start Elegantly Dressed and stylish blog.

My days now, are working on this blog, photoshoots, editing photos, writing. I am at home. I also have other interests in addition to blogging and have begun to play my guitar when I feel well. The point is, I don’t have to dress up when I go out and meet a friend, have an appointment, or go out with my husband. I just enjoy it and it makes me feel more put together when I am dressed well.

I have changed just over this year, to think in more of a casual realm. “Casual” doesn’t mean “sloppy” , “boring”, or “tired”.I love a put together look and favor color over wearing black. I love colors that work well with my copper hair, and find that dressing should be a creative way of reflecting my personality.

With EDS, i found jeans to be constricting and uncomfortable, as I had leg sensitivity. i just stayed away from them, prefering softer fabrics. Now, there are so many styles of denim, I desire a look, that isn’t necessarily trendy, but current and stylish. Denim is easy to pair with anyrhing and i have found several brands to be very soft and with stretch, so they feel inviting to wear. I tried on several pairs at Old Navy about a month ago, the 24/7 Rockstar jeans, that were said to feel soft and comfortable, like AG ( Alexander Goldschmied) Leggings. When trying them on, I may have whispered, “where have you been all my life?” as the price and the softness would be hard to be heat. Jeans would be great for a day at the vineyards, where we often enjoy spending time, as NC has an upwards of 90+ Veinyards, and we love to spend the day. Often times, I am on a blanket, in the grass, with my pups, or walking through the vineyard.

Jeans can be dressed up with heels, pearls, srtyled as I wish. I thin when I was younger, I always associated jeans with tee shirts, or very casual garb. Hubby and I also love to go camping, be outdoors, as well as see outdoor music concerts in the Spring and Summer. I still and always will love wearing skirts and dresses, and most of my dressing depends on my mood as well. I have just added a bit more detailed tops and blouses recently, and denim for those days I want to be a bit more casual in going out, but still be stylish. Add a blazer or a moto jacket and a formula develops for a chic outfit!  I love to add pieces to my closet now that work with my existing wardrobe, and find that some of my “teacher clothes” can be donated to our women;s shelter or goodwill.

So for me, whether I am feeling like i want to wear a dress, skirt or jeans, it is all about keeping my feminine, colorful look  true to myself.

Tell me, Does your wardrobe fit your lifestyle? What might you add or get rid of, why?

DO JOIN ME TOMORROW WHEN I HOST TURNING HEADS TUESDAY. A LINKUP WHERE YOU CAN PERUSE BEAUTY, LIFESTYLE AND FASHION BLOGS, JUST BY CLICKING ON THE THUMBNAILS! LOTS OF FUN, AND IT LASTS ALL WEEK, SO YOU CAN ALWAYS GO TO THE POST.

Have a great day!

Jess xo

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