Fitted Up #8, #9, & #10

We went to celebrate my fiancee's first day of freedom last month.  He was a caged animal for three months while he studied for the Bar, and then spent three painful days taking the Bar.  Therefore, very loud rap music, bad dancing (both my him and me), and lots of drinking was to be had.

Sweater: Kimchi and Blu,top: Papaya, skirt: Cosa Blanca Collection, shoes: Kelsi Dagger, rings: F21, cuff: Papaya, bracelets: F21, belt: no label from Black and Brown

Then last week I went to dye my hair platinum blonde, and went to a friend's wedding.

Cardigan: Monteau, Sweatshirt: HIGH GLOSS CLOTHING, Skirt: Forever 21, Shoes: Kelsi Dagger, Bag: Cambridge Satchel Company, Bracelets: Vietnam, Rings: F21 and H&M

Dress: handmade in Vietnam, shoes: Penny Loves Kenny, necklace: R.J.G., headband: Hot Topic, coat: J.Crew, lipstick: MAC's Lady Danger

By George, I think she's got it!

Draping class is not so bad anymore.  I just stood in front of my dressform and got to work.  I was able to complete my project before the end of class, unlike past drapes, and do it correctly!    It wasn't easy, but it wasn't at all overwhelming as it was before.  I also tried my best to not ask questions and just figure it out on my own, which is what you should always try to do first! 

The surplice bodice I draped: 

 

It was a disaster in the beginning because I got too scissor happy.  The multiple pieces of muslin I cut all ended up being too short.  Fortunately, I found this really cute pink, striped fabric in the scraps bin and was able to use it, making the project a bit more fun! 

I’m finally getting the hang out of it, although, pattern making is still very tedious.  After eight weeks of this class, I’ve finally gained some very valuable insights that anyone taking or will be taking a draping class should know.  They are as follows: 

1. Sit as close as you can to the teacher.

2. Use your iphone to film her demonstrations and instructions.
• It’s like bringing eyelash glue with you to a party.  You’re pretty sure your eyelashes are on tight, but you never know when they could fall so it’s better to just always have it.
• I film her just in case I get stuck later. Plus, filming helps you focus on the demonstration (read #3).

3. During the demonstration, watch her through your iphone screen.  
• This will ensure that you are filming her correctly.  It will also help you pay attention.  I know that when I am filming her, but not watching away the screen, my mind and hand tends to wander so I get really bad angles or end up filming the wall next to her.

4. Film her in short intervals, especially when there’s dead time (no instruction or demonstration).
• The short intervals will help when playing back the video to answer a quick question.  You do not want to forward through the entire 30 minutes just to find out where she placed that dart.
• I think five minute intervals are sufficient, but that really depends on how long (or short) and complicated the demonstration is.

5. Take short notes while filming and watching the demonstration.
• Yes, it sounds impossible and probably requires three hands.  Really though, it’s do-able. I hold my iphone with my left hand resting on my upper right arm while my right hand is writing. 
• And I’m not writing some crazy long paragraph describing every step in the demonstration. I have categories (left bodice, right bodice, back bodice, etc.) and write important numbers (measurements, seam allowance, etc.) or very short notes where the teacher specifically states, “remember to…” or “you have to…” just in case I might forget them.

6. After the demonstration, jot down any last minute notes.

7. Start draping right away while the demonstration is fresh in your mind.

8. Have confidence, accept the mistakes, and let it go. As long as you do each step correctly and it looks decent, just keep going.  You can always fix it later. 
• Don’t second guess yourself or try to make it look “perfect.”  Constantly fussing with it is a huge time and confidence sucker.  
• This was my biggest problem and it made everything worse.  The more I fussed with every little dart and fold, the more frustrated I felt.  The frustration ate away at my confidence, which affected how I worked.  I was a mess so my work reflected that.  It was this endless, overwhelming cycle. 

9. If you get stuck, take a step back and look at your dressform while remembering the instructions from the demonstration. 

10. If you’re still stuck, look back at your notes or ask for help.  Watching the video would be your absolute last resort. 
• Actually watching the video is a huge time sucker because you might have to watch the entire thing or watch multiple video files to find that one segment of the demonstration that will help you or answer a simple question. 
• Another downside is I get caught up in trying to do it just the way the teacher does it, instead of figuring it out myself.  You want and should find your own way!

Remember to have fun. Good luck! 

The Ultimate Style Icon

Ever since the Tragic Kingdom album, I have been obsessed with Gwen. We’re on a first name basis because we go wayyyy back. You guys remember this 1997 No Doubt article in Seventeen Magazine?

Well, I know it well and probably have all the facts and quotes memorized.  You know the plastic sleeve of a school binder where you can stick something behind it to display whatever you want on the front?  This very article was on my binder cover throughout 7^th and 8^th grade.  Sure, No Doubt's music was cool, but I was actually more intrigued by (and in love with) the cool, hottie lead singer whose style I wanted to emulate. 

That was, and still is, my favorite look of hers. What girl wouldn't want to have the best of both worlds? Be one of the guys rockin' it out onstage sweating and doing jumps and kicks, but also looking glamorous and put together at the same time? The red lipstick and pin curls oozed femininity, but the rocker/punky/sporty pants and shrunken wifebeaters balanced it out by giving her that tomboy edge. It's saying "I'm sweet and cute, but I don't take shit from anyone."

I watch all her old videos in awe because she nailed that look.  Her style compliments and enhances her public persona, which is what fashion is supposed to do, make you look even better than you already do.  Anyone else could’ve done this look and one of two things could’ve happen: One, she would look sloppy, costume-y, trashy, or tacky.  Or, two, be ignored because she does not have the charisma or sexiness to create the kind of impact that Gwen has in the fashion world.

I tried to do this look all through high school and I think I fell in category one (looking sloppy, costume-y, trashy, or tacky). I remember wearing a Forever 21 peasant top and slouchy army green fatigues that were low enough to show a little bit of tummy.  You know, just like Gwen: girly shirt and tomboy pants.  Unfortunately, in retrospect, the top wasn’t that cute.  Plus, I didn't wear make-up, wasn't allowed to dye my hair, and didn’t know how to style my pixie haircut properly so if I was trying to copy Gwen or even look the least bit cute, I didn’t come close.  Another time, I wore my kid brother's Christian preschool t-shirt--ironically, of course--that said, "I am wonderfully made";  matching yellow plastic pearl necklace saved from my My Little Princess board game that I wrapped around twice so it could be worn as a choker, and baggy carpenter jeans. I probably looked like I was going to a rave, rather than channeling Gwen's (tomboy glam) early look.

The look I was going for. 

What I probably looked like, except with a shorter shirt.

Even now, at 43, she is still amazing!  Even though she’s traded in her thrift store duds for more elegant, and refined designer labels, her outfits are still different and unpredictable, as always.  And she still looks chic and put together, as always.