Wednesday, November 27, 2013

I am not a rectangle. I am a woman.

                                                        The aftermath of Hurricane Ella: 




I've got to confess, I was excited and nervous for my Start Close In video styling session. Monday night  was a little emotional for me. I began to fully realize how very differently I see myself vs. how I really look.  As we explored shapes and styles and fit that were best suited to me, it was like little flashes of truth and inspiration bubbles started happening in my head!  I think I’m starting to connect the disconnect that I have with my body.

At the end of our three hours, I wasn't at all nervous. In fact, I was stripping down to my foundation garments with glee!  Ella helped me to see my clothes in a whole new way. Truth be told, she helped me to see myself in a whole new way. I already have great clothes and a good eye, I just needed to see the truth of my body. No matter how many basic black pencil skirts I own, if I’m not wearing them correctly, they are just a basic black skirt…blah, ho hum, boring, sad.
Until I create a waist, and...

I am not a rectangle. I am a woman.

As the evening went on, I was feeling like that moment when Stacy and Clinton give their client the $5000 credit card for shopping…except I didn't have to leave my house! The pile of donations grew larger…like peeling off baggy layers and as we explored my closet, she helped me to see the pieces that should be altered...not only for smaller size, but shorter length. And so the alterations pile grew larger too!

Remember when I fell in love with Collette  Laurel?  In my Laurel, Version Two post, I actually said "Now, is this the most flattering style for me? Probably not, but I have to admit I am crazy about the ease of this dress for summer. I can't imagine it getting any breezier for work or weekends" 


Ella would disagree.  Before:


After:



Before Monday, I would have disagreed with Ella. I had already taken in the side seams of this shift dress. And I need to take them in more. Add a belt and it becomes an even different way to wear the same dress.

So, I'm going to share more of our outfit transformations, because I am a total believer in wearing smaller clothes now!  And, because so many of us sew and have lost weight, I plan to explore and post about altering our own stuff and what a difference it makes. Expect to see some crazy before and afters!

Until then, I'm not going to buy another black pencil skirt. I'm going to make a floral pencil skirt. And I am going to go hog wild crazy buying belts and scarves! 

20 comments:

  1. Your Laurel looks great belted, and I really like the scarf with it too! It's amazing how such small accessories can change the look so much. Great job!

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  2. Such little additions yielded a great big change. You look wonderful.

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  3. Wow, what a difference, that is amazing and you look amazing. I can't wait to see more, you will be my inspiration.

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  4. You do look great! Although I have to sheepishly confess I still love...and wear.... rectangular dresses....

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  5. Accessories can make all the difference. Sounds like you had a fun time.

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  6. It's amazing how just a simple belt can transform an outfit ~ love this look on you ... J

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  7. What a transformation....you look crazy good!! I am a believer that accessories are so valuable, and are able to kick things up a notch!

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  8. Wowow. What a transformation! Accessories indeed can make or break an outfit. Make!

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  9. You look great! What a great experience. I would love to do something like this and it certainly drives home the fact that some accessorizing can give one a whole new look. Look forward to your future post around this subject.

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  10. OMG! I love it. I totally hear you on the disconnect between how you think you look and how others see you! I have a friend who says, I'm a girl with curves! Women should have curves - when did 'society' think we should be sticks?

    Can't wait to see more outfits. g

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  11. You certainly look sleeker - and that's a great thing.

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  12. Yes, you look quite different. I guess also you have to think about who the person inside is. I would feel very uncomfortable looking like this, but you look very happy, so it is a look that is right for you :), and from what I have seen of you, you certainly are quite outgoing. This sort of dressing brings that aspect of you out.

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  13. Lynne, thank you for being so public with your transformation. I've already emailed Ella - I want to know what you know! Your look fantastic!

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  14. Thank you for sharing this! What a fun time we had! I love how your personality and style and confidence really shine through now. That's amazing!

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  15. WOW!!!! You look amazing in the styled photo. You can tell how much better you feel about yourself. You look so confident and really look great! I might have to try something like this because I recently lost 30 pounds and am trying to figure out what to do with my closet :)

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  16. It looks like you had a lot of fun and came away with lots of new flattering outfits. I love the new look of the Laurel dress. What was the rational behind using a scarf in the same sort of print as the dress but in a different scale?

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  17. wow-you have shown an amazing transformation!

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  18. Lynne, I've just been reading the posts and comments at Ella's blog and saw the comments you left for her. How cool that you've had your own styling session! You look fantastic! You already had beautiful clothes and accessories and now look how pulled together everything is. Thanks for sharing your story. I'll be following you. :)

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