Monday Musings- Proportions and Sustainability
Happy Monday, ladies. Today I have some random musings that don’t tie up neatly into a category, but here goes.
I shared this photo last week, and a reader on Facebook commented that she would prefer the outfit with a black belt so her eyes would not stop and focus on the brown. That got me thinking about proportion and why it’s such an important component of a pleasing outfit.
Proportion
Not all of my accessory choices are tactical, but this one was. I have a long torso and short legs. Wearing a black belt that matches my top would visually lengthen my torso and shorten the look of my legs.
This tan belt is less ideal than a white belt (which I don’t own), but I prefer it to a black one that matches my top. The tan coordinates with my sandals, so the eye continues moving down my silhouette and is a lower contrast to the white.
More importantly, wearing a black belt comes closer to dividing my outfit in 1/2, which is less flattering than the 1/3-2/3 Rule of Thirds ratio. Are you familiar with the rule of thirds? It’s one of the best styling tricks petite women have to elongate the look of their legs.
Proportion is my favorite style tool, so it catches my attention before almost anything else.
Eye Cream
I haven’t used dedicated eye cream for as long as I can remember. I’m not sure that I believe all the talk about different size pores around our eyes and the need for special products. Do you? I do know the skin under my eyes is looking crepier and crepier these days, so I picked up this Tatcha Silk Peony.
There were tons of eye cream options at Sephora, and I got trapped by an enthusiastic sales guy who had encyclopedic info on many of them. I politely extricated myself from him and chose this Tatcha Silk Peony for several reasons. It’s small and won’t take up much space in my suitcase; it’s cruelty-free and contains great ingredients, including Camelia Sensisi leaf. Research has shown that the application of tea to the skin has beneficial properties like increased hydration and anti-inflammatory properties, plus may protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Sustainable Dressing and Project 333
Are you a fan of sustainable fashion? Do you find it easier to get dressed when you limit yourself to a certain number of items? I’ve never intentionally planned my wardrobe that way but find it naturally occurs each season as I reach for the same pieces repeatedly. When I buy better quality, it lasts longer, so I buy less.
I spotted Project 333 in the bookstore over the weekend and was fascinated. Project 333 is a fashion challenge that invites you to dress with 33 items or less for 3 months. I’m not sure it would work for me. What about you?
Thanks for reading, and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I’m definitely interested in learning more about Project 333. Last winter I did a 6 items for a month challenge and found it much easier than I expected. I did become a bit bored with my choices after awhile though. The 6 items didn’t include underwear, sleepwear, shoes and socks, or outerwear, but I limited myself to 2 pairs of pants, 3 tops, and a cardigan for an entire month.
My favorite eye cream is Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream. I think the name is kind of strange and the cream is a light yellow, which disappears after you apply. It is soft as silk and I feel it truly has made a difference around my eye area- less lines and more moisturized feeling. It is also “clean beauty”. I highly recommend it.
Thank you, Debbie. I’ve never tried that brand before. I’ll check into it!
I’m sure I could make 333 work (retired so my life is pretty casual, fairly well coordinated wardrobe), but I like a lot of variety. While I appreciate the virtues of a limited wardrobe, it just isn’t appealing to someone who enjoys wide variety and with an enormous closet.
That’s the rub with a capsule wardrobe. Variety is not included. You can get some with accessories but not as much as some women love.
ai’d like to hear more about the 1/3 2/3 rule.
Jennifer, I think we should take a serious look at Project 333. Or perhaps those of us who are interested could do this as a “project” and report back on our experiences. For me it seems like something I’ve been looking for and just didn’t quite know what it was……
I have had the daunting experience in the last few years of having to dispose of two entire households (during the time of Covid) of elderly relatives who saved every single solitary thing. It taught me something about possessions, “stuff” in general, and what’s really important that I have yet to completely apply to my lifestyle, but I am working on it. This Project just might be an eye opener, because even though I really enjoy all of the fashions, choices, and yes, having more classic quality pieces in my crowded closet, I’m terrible at editing them and figuring out what to get rid of. The thrifty gene seems to run in my family. Lol
I live with a man who does not like to get rid of anything, which motivates me to declutter and clear out. I admit my wardrobe gets less than it needs, so I will be making a concerted effort to whittle things down this year.
Your posts are always so informative Jennifer. I like the idea of Project 333 and have made a concerted effort the last few years to only purchase only what I love so that I will wear it. The challenge to whittle the number of items down to 33 ( how did the author come up with that number?) for 3 months is that our weather is so unpredictable especially during the transitional seasons. I do attempt to wear each item in my closet (except dressy clothes which rarely get worn now) at least twice during the season.
Jennifer, I think the tan belt and shoes looks great!
As for the 333 concept, with 4 distinct seasons where I live, it would leave me with too few options each season. Interesting idea for others, however.
Agree with Elizabeth on both issues as well as you Jennifer, re proportion. Super illustration BTW! That being said; as to ‘too matchy matchy’ with the belt and footwear; as all trends do eventually repeat themselves IMHO feel you will be seeing more ‘colour’ matching of handbags with footwear particularly for those of us whose style is that of classic. (Victoria Beckham is a master at doing such.) On that note; as to having a long or short torso and speaking namely for myself due to spinal compression (because of age), my torso is definitely shorter than once was so I have either resorted to wearing narrower belts and/or avoid large buckles if I do wear one. -Brenda-
I tend to like a little matchy/matchy with accessories. It’s easy to overdo, but I do enjoy it.
The author does actually refer to four seasons, in which you utilize 33 items for each season. Therefore, you do have plenty of choices. She also says that 33 items might not be enough for some people. I agree with so much of what she says; I’m still trying to put it into practice.
I know one of the commenters below considered the tan belt-tan sandals combination too matchy matchy, but, interestingly, I think prefer that combo even w/out considering proportion. For me, the black belt not only makes the skirt-top-cardi too matchy matchy, but makes to outfit way too stark, as would the substitution of a white belt. The addition of a third color removes the starkness and adds visual interest. It’s always intriguing to me how different our various aesthetic reactions are.
I share your long torso-short leg figure, so it’s nice to see photos of outfits that play down the one to one ratio.
I’d love to see you do a Project 333 series, if you ever decide to tackle it.
I like the tan too 🙂
I like the idea of three colors in an outfit. As someone with a long torso, I divided my torso subconsciously before I realized I was doing it. I did this both with color blocking and with belts in a contrasting color. I liked to accentuate my then- thin waist.
Proportions are everything, which is why I try to avoid V-necks. My neck is long already, and I don’t need anything to make it look longer. V-necks and scoop necks also seem to lengthen my torso, which needs no lengthening. Proportions are unique to each individual.
As for capsule wardrobes, this is what people in temperate climates are doing when they put their fall and winter clothing into storage to make way for spring and summer clothing. We need heavy winter clothing, lightweight summer clothing and everything in between. I make my own rules. I bring things out of storage when we have our predictably unpredictable temperature dips in the summer. I need a down-filled parka and -40°C. rated winter boots. We have seasons. Also, no one should tell me not to ever wear tights (reference -40°C).