Minimalism and Redundancy (a hard lesson)

I've always hated redundancy. I'd rather spend an hour mapping out the most efficient way to travel when running a variety of errands, than spend that hour in the car backtracking. I really enjoy thinking of ways to combine two needed things into one. But, this recently bit me in the behind in a big way.

In my last big clean out, I decided to keep only my stainless steel ear tunnels. I much prefer them over the other earring plugs I have, and so why have the others at all? I also took a trip, and on that trip, I left not only one of the stainless steel tunnels behind, but also my grey blazer. It may not sound like a big deal, until you realize that I only have that one pair of earrings and that one grey jacket. I have other outerwear options, but not in grey, and I've created my wardrobe in a way that it's important to have that jacket to continue the line of grey with my grey pants. I'll get them back eventually, but in the meantime, I'm down and out in the ear department and the grey long line department.

Really that should have altered my aversion to redundancy, but did it? Ha. Just a week or so later, my internal hard drive tanked. I wasn't worried- I had an external hard drive with a backup of my entire system, didn't I? I swear I set it up, but my external drive disagreed. My tanked drive is so busted it won't even mount. The location I'm currently in is so remote, and so prone to bad driving weather, that there is major wait time in between orders for various parts. So here we are, over three weeks after the death of my drive, and I'm waiting on more parts. I may never be able to rebuild all that I lost, and I'll spent countless hours trying. Thankfully I've got a janky system together that allows me to at least blog with you again. 

It's amazing how much of our lives we can have on a computer. When mine went down, I felt like I could only twiddle my thumbs. All of my books, movies, music, games, and other forms of enrichment and entertainment were gone. All of my personal projects and artistic projects involve my computer programs in some way. My smart phone allowed for a bit of facebook and pinterest time, checking for important emails, and that's about it. I've been at a standstill. I went through a withdrawal and threw internal fits and battled days of depression because I wasn't able to feel productive, nor take the sting out of that with entertainment distraction. In the end I might be better for the distance that has been forced on me, but it has still been a personal lesson on the occasional value of redundancy.

I know that in part my aversion to redundancy is a reaction to my family's celebration of it. This is a generational trend. My grandpa keeps his old, broken electrical razors. My dad has so many bottles of backup mouthwash that they expire. Broken, worn-out things are replaced and then kept. In case there is an apocalypse and we can somehow figure out how to mend the broken things or need to use the expired things? I see a logic to it, even as I feel adverse. I fear being burdened by too much more than I fear having too little. A sign of the abundance of my place and time. 

What I've learned is that careful choices for redundancy are wise. Certain "what if?" scenarios should be prepared for. I imagine that just what those scenarios are will vary based on the individuals priorities. I mind being without an earring tunnel pair more than I mind missing my grey blazer. I mind being without all of my computer programs and files most of all. Bedding is another good point of redundancy- not just in case you need to quickly replace your own, but in case you both need to quickly replace your own and provide for house guests. If you wear a style uniform instead of a varied capsule or full wardrobe, redundancy will be especially important to you. We define our own lines of necessity, and some of mine have shifted with this lesson.

Where do you value redundancy in your wardrobe or life?  

KLM Addition for Effortless and Exciting Style

In an ongoing effort to un-boring-ify wardrobes everywhere, I've created an easy approach that you can use to build an exciting outfit. Did I mention it's easy??

KLM Easy style addition by inaglassforest featuring a wide-leg trousers

*Apply the following steps to separate items.

Step 1. Choose a Color. I highly recommend you choose a flattering color and choose to wear in near your face. Why? A good color can make your face look even better than it already is. Awesome, right? At their very best, neutrals don't detract from your lovely face, but neutrals aren't able to enhance that lovely face. A flattering color near your face could mean a top, or the top of a dress or jumpsuit, or it could mean your outerwear, or a hat, or a statement necklace. 

Step 2. Choose a Print. Ya'll probably think I'm print obsessed. Well, I am. Prints are an easy way to add a lot of interest, and they can be found in every color, every type of garment/accessory, and at every price tier. They're basically amazing. Go big with a print dress, or isolate it to a small clutch or even the trim on a shoe or jacket. If your outfits seem blah, try adding a print somewhere. Ideally choose one that flatters your personal lines and energy, and if you're not sure what suits you, I can help as a stylist.  

Step 3. Choose a Texture or Design Interest. A texture means a noteworthy texture- something that stands out. A few ideas: lace, patent leather, organza, velvet, jacquard, brocade, tweed, angora, satin, mohair, suede, quilted leather, popcorn knits, corduroy, taffeta, netting.  A design interest might be a: wrap, knot, twist, tear, sheer panel, drape, bow, fringe, asymmetrical hem, one shoulder, cold shoulder, tassel, rosette.   

A Breakdown using KLM Style Addition
Outfit #1: purple coat (color) + stained glass shoes (print) + blouse with ribbon ties (design interest) and ripped jeans (design interest)

Outfit #2: green silk blouse (color and texture) + b/w midi skirt (print and design interest) + snake embossed black slip ons (texture)

Outfit #3: blue print jacquard top (color, print, texture, and design interest) + black wrap skirt (design interest) + blue booties (color)

We see a blouse that contains all three steps. The blouse is a wonderful blue, has a print, and has both a texture in the form of jacquard and design interest at the neckline in the form of a knot that creates draping. It's a lot, right? But the effect is far from overwhelming because it's all smoothly in one garment. You could wear a plain black pencil skirt and plain black leather pumps to create the rest of your outfit, but that would get a *yawn* from me. I chose to claim the blouse as a print (step 2) and paired it with a black skirt with a wrap and asymmetrical hem (design interest step 3) and blue booties (color step 1).

If you choose to take the blouse as a color, you could try to find another print that would work with it. I'm having trouble thinking of one that would off the top of my head. As an alternative, you could break the only rule (apply the three steps to separate items) choose to claim the blouse as both your print (step 2) and your color (step 1) and try to add A LOT of design interest (step 3) in your choices of bottoms, shoes, and accessories.

Outfit #4: silk pink blouse (color, design interest, and texture) + pant + leopard purse (print + color + texture) + pump with contrast heel (design interest)

This example flirts with the rule. It would be better if the pant had a little something going for it, but I wanted a tame example to show that you can follow the KLM equation and still put together a classic office look. The KLM equation works for whatever realm of your life you're dressing for. If your work uniform doesn't allow color or print, choose it for your coat and purse, or find (or diy) fun linings to your clothes so that you'll know they're there.

Outfit #5: flamingo dress (print + color) + red purse (color) + red bow sandals (design interest + color)

You can see that many times an item might have 2 or even all 3 steps going for it. When you're building an outfit, you'll have to choose which one of the steps that item will stand for. Don't forget to step back and make sure it's still all working together cohesively :) 

If you decide to try it out, I would LOVE to see what you come up with using my style addition! Please share it in the comments.

How to Wear Unflattering Colors Successfully

I think we've all been seduced by a color that looks bad on us before, and I know all too well that we all have something black in our closet, when it's unflattering on more people than not (and for people to do wear it, they often choose black when they'd be better served by choosing a color). Rather than pretend like we're only ever going to choose our best colors, I've come up with a few guidelines for wearing violation colors and neutrals to help it look less bad. 

My first recommendation is that you choose a flattering version of whatever color you're lusting after. Wild about hot pink right now but look best in warm muted colors? Try rocking your peachy-pink and see if that takes care of the lusting. Wanting to wear black but your bests are lights? Go for your deepest grey or taupe. If that still fails you, try the following:

Hot Pink and Ivory by inaglassforest featuring skechers shoes

Unflattering Colors

1. Do your best to keep it away from your face.
2. Keep it small, preferably a really small block. How about a ring? How about lining for a jacket so that there are only small and occasional peeks of the color?
3. Integrate it in a print that also contains colors that flatter you, still preferably away from your face.
4. Pair it with your best neutral. If you can pair the violation color successfully with a color that is flattering to you, so much the better, but if your violation color is truly far off from your best, you will probably have to focus on your best neutral. (For the illustrative image, imagine the person who is looking to wear hot pink is an autumn base in their personal coloring)

 

Unflattering Neutrals

Black and Light Green / Mint by inaglassforest featuring French Connection

I find that unflattering neutrals are more forgiving than unflattering colors, but don't think that gives you more leeway- I'd generally rather see an unflattering color than head-to-toe solid neutrals on someone, because at least they're trying to be visually interesting (sorry if that felt like a diss... you know I hate *yawn* looks!). 

1. Do your best to keep it away from your face
2. If you have to have it near your face, buffer it by having a super flattering color near your face, and in a large block if possible.

I tried to pick a harder example in choosing black near the face for a person whose best colors are light. I echoed a small amount of black in the show to help integrate it- it's a good idea to avoid a floating block of color/neutral when it's a violation color/neutral.

Annual Wardrobe Budget and Year-long Shopping Plan with Free PDF Planner

When you've determined your wardrobe's financial budget, space budget, and other considerations for the year, you can divide it up into your wardrobe needs. You could seek them all out at once and be over and done with it if you hate shopping and have the money to spend all in one go, but I'm going to lay it out from the assumption that you like shopping, or have to budget in an evenly distributed way. This approach will work with 10 Item Capsule wardrobes, so that if you don't have a wardrobe you love right now, by this time next year you could.

Financial planner Pete Dunn suggests spending just 5% of your take home pay on your wardrobe. If monthly your take home pay is $3000, that designates $150 per month toward clothing for you.

If your 5% is significantly less, that's ok. You can still have a fabulous wardrobe- it just might take a little bit longer (instead of buying one item each month, maybe you're shopping every other month, or maybe even just one really nice new item a year- it depends on your budget). It's important to buy the highest quality that you can afford, so that you can maximize your pay-per-wear ratio. If something is a good buy now, but falls apart in just a few washings, it will cost you more in the long run. The cruelty of it is that it takes more money to save more money, and not everyone can afford the up-front cost of high quality, long term money saving items. When this is the case, I recommend hand-me-downs and other low/no cost items that serve the function so that you can save more for replacements that serve the function, enhance your beauty, and are made to last. You can find some amazing and cheap items secondhand if you're able to put the time into regularly searching for them.

Once you have your wardrobe's financial budget planned, I task you with diligently sticking to it. You can carry over the budget if you don't spend as much as allotted in a month (i.e. if you have money left over), but never dip into the budgets for months that are yet to come. However great the item is, it's almost certain you'll find something just as good when you have the money for it. You might even find the same item on a better sale by then, so hang in there and be proud of yourself for sticking to your plan. You're reinforcing your willpower to follow through in all areas of your life. 

Because we're shopping to maximize cost-per-wear and hoping to find garments that will last us many years, we're best off shopping sales for high quality items during off-season sale times. Looking for a coat? Try the end of spring when things are warming up. Need sandals? The end of summer is the best time. You may not have the joy of wearing it often and right away, but because you're shopping with a long-term game plan, and because you're shopping to enhance your authentic beauty rather than trends, you're making a very smart investment that will bring you plenty of joy in the future. 

The items listed are for bigger items. You might want to designate a small portion of your monthly budget towards undergarments such as socks, underwear, bras, slips, shapewear, and the like.

Wardrobe Wheel of the Year
January         1. onesie (dress or jumpsuit)
February       2. top
March            3. bottom
April              4. top (sweaters might be on sale)
May               5. onesie
June             *coat, purse, pair of shoes, or piece of jewelry
July               6. top    
August          7. bottom
September    8. top
October        9. onesie
November   10. top
December    *coat, purse, pair of shoes, or piece of jewelry

The numbers (1-10) are to show what is counting toward a 10-item capsule wardrobe. The asterisks are suggested wildcard months for other major items. 

If you find the perfect pair of pants in January, feel free to swap months and try to find a onesie in March instead. 

Please enjoy this free one page PDF planner I made for you to fill in the blanks and create a year long budget and plan for your own fabulous wardrobe. <3

About Fantastical Beauty Subtypes and Marilyn Monroe

Let's talk about Fantastical Beauty subtypes for a minute. Subtypes, mentioned in this post, have generated a lot of interest, and I suspect a few misconceptions that we can clear up today.

1. Does everyone have a subtype?

Not exactly. A subtype is shorthand for conveying a specific established flavor. It's a way of further personalizing your type in a way that is still categorical. If you find the idea of finding your FB archetype (which of the 9 fantastical beauty types) enough of a challenge, or thoroughly satisfying as an end point in your Fantastical Beauty style journey, that is perfectly fine. You do not need to fret about a subtype- they are simply there to play with if you find it helpful and/or enjoyable.

2. How many subtypes does each archetype have?

In a fantasy archetype analysis with me, you are given a unique moniker (e.g. Nina: The Scarlett Siren). This in itself can be seen as a personalized subtype. It's a very specific vision within one of the 9 Fantastical Beauty archetypes. Because of this, the number of subtypes possible is essentially limitless.

Some of the established subtypes can be found in multiple base archetypes, but the end result is different. For example, a Maenad forest witch is different from a Nymph forest witch, because they emerge from the mood, colors, and style lines of separate base types (see the type guides for more on lines as well as the pinboards for more on base mood). 

3. Celebrity examples and subtypes?

Typing is a personal journey, and therefore it's extremely difficult to assign a base type to a celebrity, let alone a subtype. Celebrities are given distinct looks, often many different looks throughout their careers, and you rarely get the sense that you're seeing the core of the person. It can be fun to muse about their potential truths and archetype leanings, but this is done with a spoonful of salt.

4. Marilyn Monroe is a celebrity example who was requested in discussion of leanings and subtypes. Specifically it was asked that I do "A breakdown of Marilyn Monroe's looks--are they Seer leaning Angel or do they veer into being completely Angel? Can she have Angel as a leaning or would she be a specific sub-set within Seer?

Those of you in our Fantastical Beauty Facebook group know that it's usually better to call a line than a type (and when trying to help one another, we stop at a grouping of four potential types). Monroe's line is indeed Angel / Seer. We would have to be able to talk to her directly to call which side of the line her base truly is.

That said, for the sake of playing, I'd guess her to be a Seer leaning toward Angel. The Three Fates are a subtype possibility for both Seers and Angels, and that might be something to explore for her. In a modern Seer leaning Angel makeover, we'd return her to her natural hair color, let it grow a bit and add waves. We would follow the Seer type guide for at least 60% of her look, and adding up to 40% of the Angel guidelines. 

Part of the question was a request to breakdown not Monroe herself, but the different looks she was seen in- for various movie roles or otherwise. 

Looking quite Seer here in the red.

This (photo above) would be Angel.

It's hard to see here, but the above image looks to be Angel leaning Seer.

Which image of Monroe's (above or seen elsewhere) do you like best for her?

If you want to link Monroe images in the comments and have me comment on them, you're welcome to do so.