When people give me clothes and jewelry, it's more than just a gift. They are giving me emotional support. Compassion and concrete encouragement. The depth of those gestures are profound and reach me at my core. I can't express to you how grateful I am for such kindness.
There are people who read my blog who don't have blogs of their own. I usually learn about them when they surface and say hi. Jazmin is one such friend. She announced her presence two years ago and, since then, we've been corresponding by e-mail and letters. Jazmin is a sweet, lovely woman living in Boston.
The bracelet, necklace, rings and belt came from Jazmin. The cute crocheted top is from my local boutique ($10) and my red bra thingie makes another appearance. The skirt was a gift from a friend two years ago and the wildly-attractive flats are new ($15 at Nordstrom Rack).
I wanted this outfit to reflect my warm feelings toward my friends. Can you see that? I realize now, looking at the pictures, that this outfit has way too much color. But sometimes our emotions trump aesthetics. Sometimes how we feel matters more than how we look. Sometimes we just want to express our love for friends and life and go wild. This is one of those times for me.
Do emotions ever affect how you dress?
Ooh! Congratulations on your gift from your lovely friend!
ReplyDeleteI disagree- I don't think this outfit has too much color. The coral shirt you are wearing goes really well with the reds and browns in your skirt because your belt ties it together. Your skirt in turn goes with your tights. It's like a sequential geometry proof!
Ok the more I look at your skirt the more I love the colors in it. Bravo Ally, I think this outfit is one of your standouts. :D
P.S. if you would like to be twitter buddies, I'm Couturgatory on Twitter :D
Oh, I got distracted by your lovely outfit and didn't read your conclusion and questions closely enough.
DeleteI think there's always a place for acknowledging convention, and then choosing how you want to dress whether it follows it or not. :D One of the ways to do personal style is emotive, and dressing for how you feel without necessarily following convention. You're an open warm person, so it makes total sense you have this type of style in your repertoire.
Now that I think of it, many of the style bloggers I follow have emotive styles of dress in a lot of their looks. Thanks Ally, that is enlightening! I love it. My feeling is life is too short to wear clothes one finds boring. (:
such beautiful jewellry, the bracelet is just gorgeous, and yes, I feel sartorially the emotion is love, isn't love warm, exciting and beautiful? and you are, it's a huggable ensemble - I don't think I am dressed by emotion but sometimes it's an idea, Minnie Mouse, 40's, 50's, glamour - It depends on the day, it's why I could not pick an outfit the night before x
ReplyDeleteI definitely can, and you've exceeded excellently at it! This who ensemble waltz with cheer and jubilation, and befits the beautiful jewelry you were given extremely well.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
I think I'm an emotional dresser too ... I feel your joy and happiness and receiving such beautiful gifts from a long-distance friend. You look amazing in bright colours ... really beautiful!!! xoxoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteI think it works both ways. Your clothing affects how you feel and you dress how you feel. I have recently added a lot of more boho items to my wardrobe and they make me feel like I am really me. When I wear them I am saying "This is how I feel about fitting into a box." But again I love color and so I won't go the greys and browns route.
ReplyDeleteI think you are saying "This is me" every time you put an outfit together, whether feminine or masculine. Please don't ever let it be boring. Because you are definitely not boring.
Thanks. I have a dread of being boring because I equate that with death. Real death is close enough to me, I don't want to invite an equivalent feeling.
DeleteOk, maybe the tights are too much color but the ladies here in Texas can never have enough of the brights!
ReplyDeleteYes, I tend to dress emotionally quite often. And my bipolar closet is proof of that!
As Mae West said, "Too much of a good thing is just enough."
DeleteLove that peacock bracelet!!! Nothing is better in this fast world but true friends! Great outfit bty..
ReplyDeletexoxoxoxoxo
How lovely!!! I love blog friendships!!. The jewellery is so pretty and I think you have chosen a great outfit. By the way I have a 50's style skirt that is exactly the same pattern as your shoes!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely you look Ally, made even more lovely by the knowledge these pretty elements were chosen and given by a friend. I say they've got you down pat, as those flower rings and that color look so sweet on you and you look so delighted, delightful and happy.
ReplyDeleteI must say your "bloggy" friendship is an amazing gift to those you offer it to- I know from experience how your sweet thoughts and presents in your memorable cards are something that lifts the day and is something to cherish.
What a sweet friend you have. I adore your floral flats by the way!
ReplyDeleteFabulous, fabulous, fabulous!!! I'm very jealous of that lovely pink flower ring. I think you have definitely done your new treasures justice!
ReplyDeletexo
styleontheside.com
Lovely colors! I love colors too, I think they really do perk up an outfit. Such a wonderful gift from your friend!
ReplyDeleteSuch fun and warmth! Makes me want to hug you! So glad that you received some sparkly good feelings from a friend and this is a great tribute!
ReplyDelete-Jamie
ChatterBlossom
You know, I think this isn't "way too much color." Toning down the tights (nude?) would go a long way toward making the outfit easier on the eye. I love that skirt, and those shoes! And the jewelry is awesome...what a great friend :)
ReplyDeleteYou accessorize perfectly! I love all of the color in this outfit! I love wearing things from friends too, it makes your day so special.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous gift! I love the crocheted top. The colourful outfit looks great on you.
ReplyDeleteI kinda hide behind black, brown and grey clothes.
emotions definitely affect how i dress. if im happy im more likely to dress up and if im not im more likely to dress down
ReplyDeleteI like it! It's lovely that your happiness from your blogging friends is being reflected in your outfit. It is good to dress happy, as much as possible x
ReplyDeleteHow nice of her - and i like the color going on here - specially the pattern mix in the flats and skirt.
ReplyDeleteOh! I love love love the sparkling things! Caw, caw. ^_~ I think you've put together all these items with expertise, you've definitely been absorbing so much influence from the blog world. Every piece flows together, and lets the bright colors show off the sparkles.
ReplyDeleteI always get such warm fuzzies when I get dressed. It's like having a meeting of the minds with my blogger friends, little hints here and there where I've been gifted and swapped and upcycled into my clothes. I love it.
What a lovely outfit! You look great in those colours.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely dress for mood, both good and bad. And you can help assist your mood by wearing things that you feel good in!
those colours are so pretty! and your fiends are amazing!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! : ) I'm an emotional dresser as well, sometimes when I feel sad I try to dress with the brightest colors I can and it lifts my mood so much. Dressing up never hurt anyone.
ReplyDelete-Jazmin
http://summerlilacs.blogspot.com
"red bra thingie" made me giggle. You look awesome - you have the gift of mixing color and pattern, and ending up looking joyous, rather like Desiree.
ReplyDeleteLurkin' and lovin' you,
Lynne