A Girl And Her Wardrobe

61 Comments

• rachylou replied 8 years ago

  My grandma did that. And I must say a lotta my dresses have the same silhouette. Btw... Love that dress of hers!

• abc replied 8 years ago

  I don't think I could. I need variety in my wardrobe. It almost seems like a way of taking the thought out of dressing like a nuns uniform or something?

• Sal replied 8 years ago

  Interesting.  She looks stylish....and I can see that by taking the thought and energy out of what to wear you can put these creative juices into other things.  

  Whilst I get that I don't see myself doing it, or not long term.  I enjoy mixing things up, trying new items, and whilst as I get older my perspective may change, I doubt a uniform would feel like me.  However I rarely duplicate, wear a bit of an inconsistent style.  I could see a couple of friends enjoying this though!

• Brooklyn replied 8 years ago

  Definitely not for me. I admire her because of it though. Definitely would free up a lot of mental space for other things.

• CocoLion replied 8 years ago

  Talk about a signature style!  She looks amazing.  I would love to see you adopt this dress. 

  But no, I could not wear just one dress.  As someone who wears the same thing to work (white button down shirt, black pants, black apron) I need variety to counter the monotony of my uniform.

• Bijou replied 8 years ago

  For me, variety is the spice of life and I like my clothes to reflect that.  I would be terrible at picking what "the one dress" would be, and can imagine me changing my mind within the first week of starting such an endeavour. I do admire the elegance of this dress though and think it would look amazing on you Deborah. 

• shedev replied 8 years ago

  I don't think I could.

• Summer replied 8 years ago

  Michelle is very beautiful, and she looks extremely self-assured in her signature dress style.  I've noticed that some women in the public eye also adopt this strategy - Angela Merkel and the late Margaret Thatcher come to mind with their preferred jacket styles made up in numerous different colours.
  I can see the benefit of this, especially if a particular garment is difficult to fit - for me that would definitely be dresses - and I do tend to stick with a few tried and tested silhouettes, but I think I would tire of wearing exactly the same style all the time 

• Astrid replied 8 years ago

  I'm not sure. The idea sounds tempting, but I don't think I ever had a piece of clothing so far which I loved enough to make something like this work.

  ETA
  It's a fantastic uniform btw. Much better than jeans and a black turtleneck or white tee. If I would need to pick I'd definitely choose a dress too.

• Helen11 replied 8 years ago

  It's a very elegant dress. Deborah , I think you should try it, if your dressmaker is willing to copy it.
  I don't think I could wear just one style all the time, though I have a basic mock-wrap dress I love and would love to have a couple more in different colours. I haven't even enquired about a dressmaker copying the pattern, I assumed it would be too expensive.
  I wore a uniform through school , so I appreciate it makes for easy decisions each day. But even the nuns ( here, at least) don't seem to dress in a uniform any more!
  Be sure to show us if you do get a dress made up : )

• MrsK replied 8 years ago

  I definitely couldn't do it. I love variety too much and I think one item type wouldn't work for all the different activities in my life.

  On a related note though, my friend from college is 2/3 through a year of wearing the exact same dress every day as a challenge to herself. She's a writer in Edmonton, Canada and has a blog about it, which is really good. 

  http://frockaroundtheclock.tumblr.com/

• Suz replied 8 years ago

  What a beautiful, elegant dress, and what a stylish woman! 

  I can really see you in this dress, Deborah -- or something similar. It fits right into your aesthetic and would be useful. 

  Wearing the same dress in different colours would be a twist on your approach of wearing different (but aesthetically consistent) items in (mostly) one colour (in your case, black). It is a different way of embodying drama and simplicity. And it has the advantage of allowing one to play with flattering colours, which for some people can give a greater feeling of variety than switching up the silhouette. 

  I also see the appeal of this kind of dressing. It combines the "uniform" and the "signature item" all in one. Talk about making life simple! 

  I love the way it sends a very clear message about who she is and how she wants to appear. 

  A huge part of me is attracted by this wardrobe strategy. Not necessarily "one dress" -- but a part of me would love to head in the direction of a uniform. The trouble is, I can't settle on what that uniform might be. Maybe because my roles in life are so varied? I do think that is part of my dilemma. My varied climate also plays a role. 

  This dress looks exceptionally versatile. And yet I wouldn't feel comfortable in it in many of the situations I encounter. The pub literary reading, the school run, the meeting with a student (or even the university classroom -- it would come across as ostentatious in that setting). It would also feel like "too much" for my work-at-home days. It obviously wouldn't work for fitness or gardening or snow shovelling or skating with my daughter or visiting my friend who lives on a farm; perhaps it's not fair to expect any uniform to do that. But those are a big part of my life. 

  I think this may be why a strictly limited colour palette (vs. a strictly limited silhouette) is the way most people go when they choose a uniform. At least then you can still choose the level of formality you need. And the clothes can be functional for what you are doing. 

• Lyn D. replied 8 years ago

  It looks like a great dress for your style Deborah!
  I will take all your beautiful jackets you will no longer need too ;)

• Deborah replied 8 years ago

  Mrs K I was reading your friends blog today!!!

• Deborah replied 8 years ago

  Quick thinking LynD;)

  Suz, the big question is how suitable it would be for various occasions as you say. The need to be appropriate, and in a sense assimilate to the various settings of our life. And of course she is an artist and probably moves in circles where her choice is appropriate and eccentricities are expected?

• Suz replied 8 years ago

  To tell the truth, I was wondering what kind of an artist she is. Because -- well -- she can't be wearing this dress to make art! Unless she covers it with a big old smock. ;) 

  I think this is more of a "self-presentation" dress. Not a "doing" dress, but a "showing" dress. 

  If I choose a uniform it would have to be a practical one. I care about the impression and outward presentation, but I care more about how clothes work for my life. 

  I enjoyed looking at Liz Withey's blog, though -- and her dress (or rather, tunic) seemed even more versatile and wearable. I certainly couldn't do as she has done -- wear (literally) one dress for a year -- but the dress she chose would have been an easier style for me to conceive of wearing every day. 

• Stephanie replied 8 years ago

  This is such a fun way to think about fashion - to be so comfortable with one's choice is certainly admirable. As someone who is still on her style journey and not yet sure of a true uniform or signature, I certainly couldn't choose one item and wear it all the time, but that's only because I don't know my style well enough just yet. Ultimately, if you find something you feel and look fabulous in and feel it is an embodiment of your personality and style, why NOT just wear it all the time? I really enjoyed everyone's comments on this thread. And PS - I could totally see you wearing something like this. 

• cheryle (Dianthus) replied 8 years ago

  There was a thread on lessons learned a month or so ago and one that came up on a few lists was not to duplicated an item in multiple colors because most people default to the favorite.  I am not sure if that would apply in such an extreme version of duplicates but it was my first thought.

  I do love the dress and it looks beautiful on the wearer.  I can see you wearing it well Deborah and also working with your style.  One question that came to mind was how this would work with the changing seasons and weather.

• Staysfit replied 8 years ago

  I have read about her before. I'm not sure where? There have also been articles about people wearing the same outfit every day, etc. I love the idea of a distinct signature style. I can see something like this still allowing variety because you can change up the shoes, or wear a fabulous necklace, bangle, earrings, or just keep it simple.

  I say I like variety, but the truth is I tend to wear the same silhouettes repeatedly. Finding the best personal version of a silhouette and duplicating it in several colors is appealing. Lifestyle would dictate ones ability to do this. it seems that to wear one dress you would need to review your climate and lifestyle and see if you could adapt it to all the situations you would encounter. I think you could wear this dress with a smock over it to keep it clean, with leggings and a silk shirt underneath to stay warm in the winter, etc. It looks like it could fit into most situations, although, I'm not sure I would wear it on a hot summer day to my sons soccer practice (for example).

  I think this particular dress looks like your style. I would love to see how it looks on you. It is simple, sophisticated and beautiful.

• Word Lily replied 8 years ago

  It's a beautiful dress! 

  I've worn the same silhouette each day for years. I'm branching out a little bit right now, but I don't think it's necessarily a reach. Maybe she wears it when she goes out, but has other clothes for when she's working around the house or making art, for instance.

  I'm guessing you could have the dress made in different fabrics to assist with a changing climate? 

• replied 8 years ago

  It's an interesting dress - looks better in some colours/ photos than others though.  (the ivory version looks a little "homemade" to me ) I am sure her lifestyle supports this type of uniform and it definitely has an artist vibe to it.  I can picture her wafting around big old high -ceilinged European art galleries  in it and looking incredibly chic:)  I could very easily imagine adopting this philosophy of dress if my life style supported it.  

• SarahTheWhite replied 8 years ago

  Wow, I love how she looks in this dress SO much! This is a very interesting question. I couldn't see wearing the same item this consistently across a span of years, but if I did find something so perfectly iconic to my style, I could see duplicating it to keep and use sparingly over the course of my life. I can definitely imagine falling in love with something that was perfectly "me" and wanting to incorporate the look in some manner forever. I think it would just come down to frequency of wear.

• retailgirl replied 8 years ago

  That dress is amazing and looks good on her. I could do the dress but I'd need variety! I was never pregnant but I always thought that if I were, I'd have dresses in black, navy, red, ivory, gray and maybe one other color ( all the same style) and use accessories to change them up. Ina Garten wears the same shirt, I read somewhere she has them made. The collar frames her face and is flattering to her.

• shiny replied 8 years ago

  YES, I absolutely could do this!!! Maybe not that dress, but I have one or two dresses I consider "power" dresses, because I always feel fantastic in them, and they are simple enough I can dress up / down / make them different with accessories so that I look different each time. I have duplicated these dresses already, in different colors. Honestly if the house caught on fire, these would be the items from my closet I'd grab... or would immediately turn around and replace. 

  Hoping my new MM LaFluer dresses fall into this category -- but I haven't been able to test drive them yet. 

• Carole replied 8 years ago

  Simple and elegant. A uniform that would cover every event in life would seem impossible, but evidently not. It seems this would free up so much time and energy for creativity...it makes sense! I'm curious about her..where she lives, what she does...very intrigued.

• Peri replied 8 years ago

  I think I would love to find a dress that worked for me, and that if I did I would love to just copy it in different colors and fabrics and be done. Dresses are the worst for me.

  But I couldn't do that one...or anything as distinctive. No matter what color it is, it does still look like the same dress. It is obvious in pictures, so imagine what the people in her life who see her all the time think about it. Im sure it is accepted in part because it is gorgeous and she is gorgeous, but also in huge part because artists are allowed and expected to be eccentric. Her dress is a piece of art. I don't think it would be as easy for the rest of us.

  Another eccentric artist (musician) example...Satie had 12 identical gray suits made. He would wear each one until it wore out and then toss it start with a new one. I guess he didn't like to shop!

• kkards replied 8 years ago

  i couldn't do this, but i do understand….after all i eat the same thing for breakfast almost everyday, and a variation of the same thing for lunch, Monday-Friday….it's just not that important to me that i want to have to think about/make a decision about….

• replied 8 years ago

  I honestly could.  I love the idea of a signature silhouette.  In fact, if I review my wardrobe through time, I often wore the same silhouette because it was flattering, comfortable, and suited my personality.  

  For example, I wear sheath dresses.  The sheath might have short sleeves, long sleeves, or no sleeves, but the length and fit are always the same.  I usually try to buy them in silk because I love the way the fabric moves against my skin.  Sheath dresses are a signature.  

  I could veer away from that signature, but I am never as happy or as comfortable.  I don't understand spending a lot of money on something that is just not me.  Sure it adds variety, but at the expense of an inner serenity.  

• Thistle replied 8 years ago

  Not a dress, no, not in my climate. Straight leg trousers and v-neck sweater/tee? Yup.

• Jenn replied 8 years ago

  I think the key here is that she does have other things in her wardrobe. The dress suits her, and she seems to wear it often, as a default, but she's not making an experiment or an art project out of it. It's just a signature piece for her. She seems to be perfectly at ease wearing functional studio clothing or formal dresses when the occasion calls for it.

  I think it seems sensible.

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• TraceyLiz65 replied 8 years ago

  It's a very wonderful silhouette and very artistic in nature, I can see why she is so drawn to it and why you admire it.  I myself crave variety in silhouettes as much as color.  Since fashion is my creative outlet and alas I'll never be an artist this make sense.  

• replied 8 years ago

  She reminds me of my artist friend who wears nothing but old jeans and a white oxford shirt.  It's her uniform.  I makes me think that an artist needs to free his or her mind of decisions like what to wear every day that drain off their creative energy so they can channel it into their work.  (My friend's last show was a series of identical white paper shirts, meticulously crafted.) 

• texstyle replied 8 years ago

  I don't think I'd enjoy wearing one style of garment all the time but the dress is stunning on her - though somewhat robe like.

• Vix replied 8 years ago

  Wow, M.O.D. looks perfectly at ease in this high-drama dress.

  Agree with all the thoughtful remarks upthread about the intersection of signature style + uniform being very appealing!

  Deborah -- given how similar a chunk of your silhouettes are, I could see this working for you for a good chunk of time --though not necessarily decades!

  About 80% of me could do this as I do wear "uniforms" (silhouettes I gravitate back to over and over), am a more classic dresser, and happily duplicate items in different colors.

  The "don't split wears by buying duplicates" warnings don't resonate with me, because I don't care if a color gets worn LESS than another, I just care if it gets WORN and proves useful. In fact I often think, "I wish I had X but with a variation in Y [color, length, sleeve type, heel height, print/pattern]."

  Keep us posted if you take the plunge. ;)

• Laura (rhubarbgirl) replied 8 years ago

  Oh good, she wears other things for actual working. The practicality issues were bothering me...

  I can see how this would work for someone who's a well-known artist, because presumably she has to go to a lot of openings and events, and an arty, drapey style that's sort of above/not about trends works for her profession and image. So she can change out of her everyday clothes and throw on this interesting dress in whatever color and fabric, and she's good to go.

  Somebody here was talking about the Simple Isn't Easy book recently, weren't they? They talked a lot about the idea of a uniform in that book, iirc, citing several fashion industry people like Grace Coddington, who only wears black and hasn't changed her hair since the 70s. I personally think that if you're a "regular person" with a regular job, the social consequences of being this odd would be noticeable. Even if you were great at your job, most companies and professions appreciate a bit of social grace and the ability to fit into situations without standing out too much, and clothes are one of the ways we do that in society. (Spend some time reading past blog posts and comments on Corporette if you don't believe me this doesn't still happen, and probably more to women than men.)

  There have been several bloggers who have done the 'wear one dress, or just a few, for a year' challenge and I think it's a little overdone at this point. But then, for most of history most people did have only a few outfits - it's only with the rise of industrialization that wearing the same two dresses over and over is no longer necessary.

• Greyscale replied 8 years ago

  I agree with Laura that this works best if your 'uniform' dress is very distinctive and artistic, and that only works if you're in a lifestyle that supports it. I would love wearing that dress though I doubt I'd carry it off as well. But something less avant garde would just end up feeling boring to me.

• replied 8 years ago

  I like the idea, there's a practical, simple aspect that reminds me of the traditional dress styles we don't have in the US.

  I agree with Suz about the "doing" wear versus "showing" and that would be a problem for me with this particular dress.

  But unless it was more commonly worn, like a traditional dress style, I don't think I could wear a single style indefinitely. The dress is something she chose herself, and I don't think I have that kind of certainty. Variety gives me an opportunity to redefine my visual presentation of myself and to get different feedback from different people.

• CocoLion replied 8 years ago

  As Thistle mentions this dress is not suitable to all climates.  I looked her up on Wikipedia and she is from Miami Beach, born and raised. A caftan-like dress like this works for much of the year. It's tropical after all. It would be suitable for a 2 months of the year in most other places.

• Adelfa replied 8 years ago

  I love the idea. I didn't read about her, but if she's an artist, she may not be seeing the same people every day. I think that could be different from working in an office. I can see myself going to (even) more uniform dressing as I get older. And retire. When I was 13 and found an outfit of Levis 501s, black leotard, gray hoodie, and tan suede Wallabees, I thought I'd found sartorial nirvana. That still is not that far off of what I wear today.

• unfrumped replied 8 years ago

  Well, I did something sort of like that but not so architecturally fashionable, and somewhat by not planning ahead.

  I found this LOFT dress first in gray on the sale rack, and the length and summer comfort factor were high, so I got it just for a fun sporty dress, then found the B&W, which I  hadn't even seen and was a little "dressier" and went well with black sandals, and had already cut the tags and worn it,  and THEN it came out later in this pink and black, which is actually a better face-color combination for me.

  They were all on sale, and each one works a bit differently with footwear, and toppers, and wearing different sweaters over to give a separates look, but still, it's kinda crazy and there will certainly be some wear-splitting going on and now it's already fall. Enough already--I may have to wear them for lounging!

• Beth Ann replied 8 years ago

  Fascinating woman, and great responses already from forum members!

  To me, this dress has a sort of "monk's robe" quality, although in a pleasing and feminine way. Or perhaps a Star Trek diplomat?  I looks ancient and futuristic all at once.  How can that be?

  As for myself, I think I could have duplicates of favorite items, but I crave too much variety and change.  As for your personal style, I could definitely see at least two of these in your wardrobe -- contrasting texture, fabrication, color, etc.  I think the neckline might need a bit of fitting to make it drape without falling off!

• Jaime replied 8 years ago

  She looks gorgeous in her dress/es and I think what Jenn wrote above it key. She is not glued to the dress but it is just an always useful default. I would not want to do this, but wouldn't mind a good default top in a few different colors - but even when I find one, I eventually get tired of it. And I would definitely try on that dress if I came across it.

• Mary Beth (formerly LBD) replied 8 years ago

  I think I could have one signature dress.   I look in my closet, and I see a lot of the same black pencil skirts with little variations, or the same sheath dresses, again, with little variations.  So the same dress or skirt or top in different colors, instead?   Sure, why not?  :)

• abc replied 8 years ago

  I wanted to chime back in and apologize if my response before was brash in any way. You could certainly pull off a look like this. It's just so far from my style that I have a hard time identifying with it so for ME the answer would be no way. But for you, maybe! It's worth a try. Very interesting conversation you've started here. I think Beth Ann put to words what I was trying to say but couldn't come up with the right words. Anyway - again, I apologize if I was too direct or rude!

• Deborah replied 8 years ago

  abc, you couldn't be rude if you tried:). You are always lovely and I did not receive your comment in that way at all. Appreciate your honesty, openness and wisdom always :)

• abc replied 8 years ago

  :-) virtual hugs to you!

• lyn67 replied 8 years ago

  This dress is a signiture piece for sure, she wears it beautiful, and from what I can see and imagine it would also suit you and your style, Debs!

  That said I believe it is not the only one clothing item she has, I googled her images and saw lots of other more conventional looks  she has, too. 

  She is an artist, so the dress fits her lifestyle and art, including the image she probably wanted to project of her wearing it. Feels  to me like her scrubs for identifying better with her art meanwhile trying purposefuly  to stay in the background (still keeping a big amount of personality) and  so she wears it when showcasing  her art to the public.

  She has a slim (and perhaps also tall?) frame and not really much on her bustline so dress fits her body easy and no fuss-which think is key for the look. 
  Thus to me it feels a little like of  an indian sari (and her facial and body features seems to complement the look) or even a poncho of our days,  kind of an armor with an unisexual vibe, trying to hide all her feminity. None of these are bad or anything, just trying to put down my deeper feelings regarding of her wearing that one special dress like an uniform.

• Deborah replied 8 years ago

  Sorry to delay in getting back.  

  Yes she does wear other things but the article I read said this dress was key to her wardrobe and as you can see from google, she wears it (in its variations a lot).  I have seen her in black skinny jeans and black shirt she is working and various special occasion type dresses for functions too. I think it was more the idea that fascinated me.

  Like La Belle Demimondaine said, I also have a very consistent silhouette that I wear so I could question why I need so many versions of it??  Immediate thought would be variety :)

  Beth Ann, I think it's the timelessness of the dress that really appeals.

  Denise I think she has lived in NY for quite a long time.  Not sure what the climate is there but I did read that she has silk versions, cashmere versions etc to cover the seasons.

  And I hadn't considered that this could be her "public persona".  I recall one season of The Voice (I think) here in Australia, Ricky Martin wore the same thing each episode (it looked like Rick Owens and was awesome!!) which I suppose was to create a persona or image that became familiar to the public.

  Funny thing, today it was warm for the first half of the day and I wore skinny black pants and an oversized black sleeveless top and pointy pumps. It cooled down at lunch and I had to go out again so put a warmer top on and ankle boots.  When I looked in the mirror it was the exact same outfit only warmer...

• Sara L. replied 8 years ago

  Personally I would get bored with one dress silhouette.  I get bored with clothes easily though and require variety in my wardrobe. I think it just depends on your personality and lifestyle whether one dress will work for you or not.

• lanijewelers replied 8 years ago

  Cute clothing.

• Elizabeth P replied 8 years ago

  I got off track by googling her, and got lost reading all kinds of articles about "her dress" and her art, etc.  Her art is incredible!  It's nice to see an artist be so recognized while still alive and producing.  Sad to say.

  She definitely wears other clothes, which is probably why this works for her.  She loves it. It's her signature dress, not her ONLY dress.  I think as soon as someone says (to me) "you have to do/wear this", I'd rebel and it wouldn't be fun anymore :) 

  My immediate thought was that the EF drape front dress would be a great one to try this with, if one were so inclined.  It's so comfortable, can be dressed up or down, could probably be duplicated in different fabrics... And a more practical length.

• catgirl replied 8 years ago

  No, but how cool.  It would be fun to do a post on what your "one outfit" would be if you chose to dress this way.  :)

  And thinking about other cultures like my own - many women like my aunts only wear a sari, which basically IS the same silhouette daily, but the variety in pattern and fabric and detail makes all the difference.

• Elizabeth P replied 8 years ago

  Sounds like a challenge Una!

• Isabel replied 8 years ago

  This question fascinated me. I read up on this woman and then did a google pictures search. I also went on Pinterest. I wasn't kidding when i said 'fascinating'. Since I am a SAHM, I have the luxurious life of being able to just ponder profound metaphysical questions. A thought experiment. : )

  It was not an easy conclusion...I mean I thought about it ALL day ! At first I thought that I could. Then I thought that I couldn't . Then I thought about this woman. She doesn't enjoy thinking about clothes. I do. She clearly feels that accumalating and focusing her creative power on her art is her main and only interest. And she enjoys it. For me to even try to go with with one dress is so contradictory to my personailty that why would I try it ? I have spent decades sometimes denying my true joy : it is not practical, it doesn't fit in, it is too reckless.....whatever. Wearing one dress ( albeit in may fabrics and colors ) would be to betray myeself and not acknoweldge what gives me some joy. So , YAY for her. No for me.

• Vicki replied 8 years ago

  Deborah, I'm thrilled you found this woman and are inspired by her.  I agree with so many of the comments here and whether it's a signature look or a uniform or even an experimental art project (wouldn't that be an amazing observation or documentary if it was so), I love her choice and the soft, creamy and luscious colors she has chosen.  The dress is timeless, beautiful and dramatic in all colors.  I can see why you were drawn to her style.

  I like the idea very much and yet I move between so many different silhouettes that I don't think I could stay with one look for very long.  There is that and the artist's life contrasting with real world living.

  You would be beautiful in this and I hope your dressmaker can create something you love.

• replied 8 years ago

  My mother used to make me several dresses out of the same pattern, but never more than 2 or 3, and I had a variety of dresses (from various patterns) in my closet. I liken it to wearing a tee or top, or even pants, that you love. You can have several identical items but in different colors and/or prints. There's nothing wrong with that. My problem, however, is that I would not be able to just have one dress made in different ways. I'd have to have different silhouettes. Variety is the spice of life.

• dashielle (Ann) replied 8 years ago

  I could and I did this Summer, with the EF sack dresses. I would wear one to work and change into one of the more festive colors when home!

• Kari replied 8 years ago

  I wouldn't want to feel limited to just wearing one outfit type-I love variety-BUT I can choose a dress that would work for me easily. If this one were made with variety-elbow length or long sleeves, maybe pussycat bow blouse, midi skirt, etc-it would be very versatile for me. (They have other colors for this exact dress but I really don't need any more sleeveless dresses!)

• Laurie replied 8 years ago

  I have, and still do this.  About 8 years ago, I made a DVF style wrap dress.  Was so comfortable and so convenient, I made about 9 of them in the same kind of fabric (silk jersey), just different prints.  All I did was change up the shoes, jewelry and handbags. And that's what I wore to work every day.

  I still do the same thing now, but instead I have found a particular dress manufacturer that makes a faux-wrap draped dress that works well for me.  Again, different colorways and always a print.. at last count I have 10 of them in the same exact cut  - different prints and colors. Dresses work for me because they are comfortable and I don't have to think much about them. I put them on and I'm done for the day.  No fussing or tugging or re-arranging.  I do have about 30 handbags though!

  No one at work has ever commented on it to me, but now I kind of wonder if people think "she wears the same style dress every day!"  Though now that I think about it more - I don't care what they think :)

• Ginger replied 8 years ago

  One dress... possibly. With variations of fabric, maybe sleeves or details, hem lengths... If the dress fit well and felt good, and there was some variation, I think I could manage it. This is actually very similar to what eShakti does.

  This one has 5 neckline, 8 sleeve, and 8 hem options.
  http://www.eshakti.com/shop/Dr.....-CL0037623

  Currently, this one is in 3 colors, with 8 sleeve options and 6 hem lengths.
  http://www.eshakti.com/Product.....=CL0032312

  Or even this shift dress, with 10 neckline, 8 sleeve, and 3 hem options. That's a lot of variation.
  http://www.eshakti.com/shop/Dr.....-CL0037697

• mrseccentric replied 8 years ago

  What a fun thread! Deborah, i'd love to see you in that dress - with your trademark incredible accesorizing as well, natch.

  I've become more and more 'uniform' in my dressing over the years. I am very picky, with tons of practical requirements, and consistency in my style is one of my top three priorities. So uniform dressing makes sense.

  I also sew - and making up multiples has many advantages. In the last couple of years i've made five version of two very similar dress designs both by Marcy Tilton. As Ginger points out, especially when sewing from scratch one can get a ton of variety out of using the same basic design - thru adding/subtracting various elements and also by varying the fabric.

  The first two dresses and the 'frock coat' are Vogue 8876, the last two dresses are Vogue 9112. Most people would not think 'OMG she's wearing a uniform" but - i am! (pics 2 and 4 are the same dress - the back of that design is just gorgeous!)

  However, when not in a print dress you'll likely find me in a white blouse and dark/black skirt.

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