What's your fashion style?

[ski diva]

Would you describe yourself as Patagonia or Prada? (style, not brands)

Recent discussions about the Sex and the City movie got me thinking about individual fashion sense and where we fit in. So how would you consider your style --high fashion or high adventure?

I don't get dressed up very often. Most of the time I'm pretty casual. Plus I'm not a great shopper. I guess I do okay, though I consider myself somewhat fashion challenged. I'm sure I could do with some help from What Not To Wear.

What about you? I know we all like to look good, but some people definitely pay a lot more attention to style than others. Do you dress up a lot, or are you like me -- usually in jeans? Do pay attention to the latest trends, or isn't that an issue? And do you relate to the Sex and the City babes, or is your style more adventure traveler?

 

[SkiNurse]

Well, I wear scrubs for a living...and I can only wear one color per hospital policy, so no fashion there.

On a daily basis, it is defintely shorts, tshirts, tank tops, jeans, lots of capris. And I buy most of my clothes from SAC, REI or the Gap....and most of the is from SAC or REI.

Many years ago, I used to "dress" more often. And recently, I had a friend get married, so that was fun to buy a new skirt & some 4 inch heels! Woo hoo! OK...my feet hurt like hell by the end of the night.

Even in my casualness, though, I still put on earrings, necklace, maybe a bracelet...and try to look "pulled to together" as my mom would say.

As far as makeup, unless it is that rare outing (wedding, professional dinner, play) mascara and a hint of blush, and that isn't even every day.

 

[bklyn]

When SATC first came out, I hadn't watched it. Friends discussing the show were debating who matched each character's personality. The only unanimous vote was about me - "You're the Carrie".

If I took pictures of my closets you'd understand.

 

[SnowHot]

I'd classify my style as sexy sporty.
I tend to buy stuff from the athletic area of fashion, that has a feminine, stylish tone to it.
An example is this pic of a prana sport tank and lole skirt.
Athletic, mobile, yet playful and cute.

I have a closet full of really nice, classic style dresses(labels) that rarely get taken out to play. Haven't bought anything new for that particular collection in a couple years.

 

[SnowHot]

When SATC first came out, I hadn't watched it. Friends discussing the show were debating who matched each character's personality. The only unanimous vote was about me - "You're the Carrie".

If I took pictures of my closets you'd understand.

I haven't seen your closet, but I've seen you, and I understand!! You are one, stylish athletic woman!!!

 

[Kiragirl]

definitely more patagonia style, but I do have some really nice suits for work-related events, and a few nice dresses

 

[Robyn]

For the most part I am either sporty or Ann Taylor Loft type style. I have a few dress up things though. Although, I do love me a pair of gorgeous heels.

I don't wear a lot of jewelry except for one gorgeous ring that I had made for my 30th birthday. It's a pretty large oval peridot set horizontally with channel set diamond chips (that came out of my great grandmother's anniversary band) and a tube set blue topaz on each side of the band. It's one of a kind but because of the different colors it tends to do well with more casual clothes as well.

 

[altagirl]

90% of the time I wear sporty stuff and jeans.

But once in a while I go on a kick to buy cute clothes and ridiculous high heels. I've been wearing heels to work more often in the past year or two - and I keep a pair of Keen sandals or something in the car to change into if I need to go out to a site during the day. But I'm a fan of Nordstrom Rack where you can go try on a bazillion pairs of shoes in your size on sale without having to deal with a salesperson... so I have probably 20 pairs of ridiculous, completely impractical 4" heels that I'm starting to wear to work more and more. (Usually with jeans, though...)

And I have a few cute tops that I'm not sure are actually fashionable as much as when I find something that flatters my shape, I wear it.

 

[Kiragirl]

4" heels, wow. I'm 5'2" and usually wear 2.75-3 inch heels (shoes or nice boots) or else no one will see me (except when I'm skiing under the chair, haha).

This brings up a question I was thinking about over the weekend... Do divas wear high heels usually, or do you think it affects the leg muscles/ligaments/balance/preparation for skiing?

 

[Jilly]

I'd guess that I'm a cross between the two. Work is business casual. And because I'm in construction, skirts don't cut it at a job site. I would never be taken seriously. So pants and blouse or T-shirt, or winter - sweaters. So much of that can be worn after work too. Weekends though are jeans, shorts, T-shirts etc. Most you won't know the stores I frequent as they are Canadian - Northern Reflections and Tabi and my favs right now, with a little of Mark's Work Warehouse thrown in.
For good wear, I've a few skirts, dresses, heels etc. But we haven't been anywhere since last fall that I'd need to wear them. Business suit is a must for meetings in TO or Architects, but not everyday.
That's why, I'm not one or the other.

 

[SkiNurse]

I don't wear a lot of jewelry except for one gorgeous ring that I had made for my 30th birthday. It's a pretty large oval peridot set horizontally with channel set diamond chips (that came out of my great grandmother's anniversary band) and a tube set blue topaz on each side of the band. It's one of a kind but because of the different colors it tends to do well with more casual clothes as well.

I've seen your ring and it is BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

[SkiNurse]

4" heels, wow. I'm 5'2" and usually wear 2.75-3 inch heels (shoes or nice boots) or else no one will see me (except when I'm skiing under the chair, haha).

I'm only 5'2" also, so it's not like the heels made me that tall...I was still shorter than all my friends.

And, the last time I wore heels that tall were for the last wedding I went to in 2001! But, they sure are sexy!

 

[Robyn]

I've seen your ring and it is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Awww, thanks! I think so too. And if anyone is ever looking for a jeweler to design a piece with let me know, I'd be happy to give you her contact info. And she's a skier as well! :D

 

[altagirl]

4" heels, wow. I'm 5'2" and usually wear 2.75-3 inch heels (shoes or nice boots) or else no one will see me (except when I'm skiing under the chair, haha).

This brings up a question I was thinking about over the weekend... Do divas wear high heels usually, or do you think it affects the leg muscles/ligaments/balance/preparation for skiing?

Believe it or not, I've been trying to wear them more for just that reason.

My calves/ankles are apparently way too flexible. My biggest problem lately is that when I land jumps on my bike, my rear foot flexes too much and it crunches my ankle bones on the front/top of my foot together and is really painful. So I have to wear an ankle brace to keep my right ankle from flexing as much as it does. (The left one does the same thing but since I typically ride with the right one back it flexes more on landing.) I WISH wearing heels would tighten up my achilles more. It apparently hasn't done it yet...

It's one of those interesting things where whenever I'm in physical therapy they always have an achilles stretch on the list of things for you to do after a knee surgery and I have to point out how flexible mine are already and they take it off my "to do" list.

Edit: and actually the ones I'm wearing today are more like 3". But I have some that are higher than this plus a platform under the toe, so I'd say they're 4". Which is silly - I'm already 5'9" - it's not like I need the extra height. I actually came in to work recently in an extra tall pair of shoes, went to grab the handle on the front door to the office and missed it completely because I grabbed several inches above where it actually was. Bwa!

 

[SnowHot]

4" heels, wow. I'm 5'2" and usually wear 2.75-3 inch heels (shoes or nice boots) or else no one will see me (except when I'm skiing under the chair, haha).

This brings up a question I was thinking about over the weekend... Do divas wear high heels usually, or do you think it affects the leg muscles/ligaments/balance/preparation for skiing?

When I dress up, I like to wear 3 inch-ish heels.
I don't seem to see much adverse effect from them, and can usually wear them for long periods of time.
I'm not a shoe whore, but I tend to buy good quality shoes, so they tend to be comfy and supportive in some manner.

 

[Pequenita]

Apparently, l wear 3-inch heels in the office. Don't laugh: I just wandered over to the copy room to get a ruler to figure out how high my heels are! I commute wearing flats, though -- I think I posted in the Dawning Chorus thread the week that I bought 9 pairs of flats from Zappos to try on and sent back 8 pairs. I'm in heels usually only when I'm at work, and there I'm usually on my butt, so I don't think they really affect my leg muscles too much. My ankles are strong, but they don't flex a bunch.

As far as my clothing goes, it's based more on the situation. I'm not a fashion plate, but fleece, down, and Pre-Cip jackets/vests are reserved for playing.

 

[tradygirl]

I feel like an amazon woman when I wear heels. Sometimes it sucks to be tall. Well, I guess I'm only about 5'9", but I don't like wearing heels higher than 2-3".

If I were to categorize my fashion, I'd say it was a mix between punk rock and outdoor sporty. I love wearing skate shoes, T-shirts, and boy cargo shorts, but I also like Prana and Patagucci. I love camo. Sometimes I wonder if I should grow up a little and stop dressing like Avril Lavigne, but it's what I like. Thank god I don't have to dress nice for work!

Although I do have a few summer dresses and skirts in my closet that make an appearance at random summer BBQs...

 

[num]

I wouldn't say I'm into fashion, as I don't care for trends or labels. However, I'm into playing around with color and texture. I wear a combination of things from thrift stores, sporting goods stores, my own designs, big box stores, and boutique stores. I have a quiver of looks that I like, and dress in whichever one suits me on that day.

I'm the same way with makeup. I don't do the staple natural makeup (foundation, mascara, etc) but when I feel like it, I play with colors. I love mixing and contrasting shades on my eyes. Sometimes I do lips, depending on what I'm going for at the time. Quiet eye makeup is so not my style, I either leave them natural or have fun painting them.

 

[Kiragirl]

oops, fashion faux pas, I went to measure my heels and saw that the right heel is a bit worn from driving. I'm now breaking out the permanent marker to fix that! [sneaks out of office to fix heel]

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Neat thread! Gives us insight into one another's respective locations.

My user name and location probably say a lot about my fashion "style" (or lack thereof?). This is LL Bean country. The most popular item regionally from therein being the rubber/leather mud boots of assorted heights. Because when it's not snowing here, it's usually raining. And when it's doing neither, it's usually pretty darn muddy underfoot. Therefore, urban footwear is not an option here. Ever. In fact, the only month of the year when athletic footwear will work is probably August - maybe parts of September. Otherwise, the ground is so rocky and/or uneven and probably slippery that anything without good, solid lug soles is bordering on dangerous.

As for clothing, it's all about warmth and waterproof here. So ski-related clothing (jackets, fleece, etc) can be worn about 8 months a year. Dressing up is rare. Weddings and funerals. That's about it. So I have a small, occasionally updated 4 season wardrobe for these events (and would rather not need to use for the latter...obviously, funerals are tough for all).

Far and away, the most casual environment in which I've ever lived. Rarely see women wearing make-up, even teens (and I see far less acne on them as well - coincidence?). Even rarer is jewelry. Watch, wedding band if appropriate, maybe earrings. Maybe.

I married a man about 1/4" taller than I am, so high heels went out of my wardrobe a long time ago, even when we lived elsewhere. Made no sense to tower over him, even though he is ego-less and didn't care. I did. But I did see, with my mom, how wearing them day in and out for years for work can result in very painful problems. She shortened her Achilles' tendons, and it took years to get them to stretch to the point where she could put her heel down. She also developed serious bunions but avoided surgery.

Around here, "good" footwear means putting on the pair of Merrell Jungle Mocs that aren't caked with mud!

Footnote: FWIW, I was born and raised in a very big city, where fashion did and still does "rule." No longer part of my reality.