Foundation #3 – Dressing With Creativity

Just a touch of creativity
in this look with the
scarf.
Shirt is from Ann Taylor and
the emulets keep the scarf in place.



Creativity….my favorite FOUNDATIONAL FIVE
step. I love color, art, out-of-the-box fashion ….I am naturally drawn to it. But that is the exact reason why I need five steps to keep me in check. Some of you referred to the “Classy” step with phrases like ICE PRINCESS…tacky…cheap starlet….I know you were referring to the word and not me…


I get that. I thought it interesting that one of you observed ladies in the Classy Hall of Fame do not smile that much. Anyone who has read this blog for very long knows that I like to smile….and a colorful scarf will definitely bring on the smiles. But, I personally need guidelines which will temper the creative side of me or I go completely crazy. The majority of clothes I have wasted my money on in the past have one or two problems: They are either oversized or kooky or both!!  The word classy communicates to me…and that is why each list of five will be personal to the individual to assist that woman is creating a style that is uniquely her.


Now, when I take a garment into the dressing room that I was drawn to because it is fabulously different….that garment must also meet all of the other guidelines. I can still go for my creativity, but it must be strong, classy, fit well, and be age appropriate all at the same time. The FOUNDATIONAL FIVE™…for me is not only a way to create a personal style, but also a check and balance system to keep me out of trouble. I need the creativity in order to keep my love of fashion fed and to be approachable. You are right…sometimes the regular public is not drawn to an ice princess….I want to feel great about the way I look, yet remain the girl next door.

I observed on blogs from France,
women there wear off the shoulder
scarves and I like the look!!
Sometimes creativity comes
from a style technique and not
the actual garment!
In looking at this, I think I will
switch sides next time….



I hope this is truly helping others and that some of you are beginning to better define what you desire your style to be….It has helped me so much and my recent purchases now have exclamation rather than questions marks hovering over them.

A special thank you for those who have mentioned the FOUNDATIONAL FIVE post on your blogs!!  Thanks so much for keeping this conversation going!!!

Does anyone else have ideas on how you tone down creativity in your personal wardrobe or should it always fly free???

12 Comments

  1. (epaulets?)

    I would choose a shorter, more classic scarf for the one shoulder look, if I were trying for classy. That one looks great, but it's kind of flamboyant/Auntie Mame?

  2. Love the colors in that scarf! You've tempered the exuberance of the scarf with a serene, pared down ensemble, nicely done!

    I've also seen scarves that length worn wrapped lightly once around the neck, with one end hanging in the front and the other in the back, but it's probably too warm there right now to do that.

  3. I don't think I want to tone down my creativity. I think it is a part of me and by trying to tone it down, I would be erasing a part of me.
    As you stated, everyone has their own unique style. I cannot see you in the outfits I wear as you really are much more classic than I. I love color and I like to think that the color is a part of my creativity. I love seeing what real women wear; women who dress themselves without the help of a team of stylists.
    As usual, you have inspired me and gave me an idea of what I will post about later today.

  4. Pam, your smile is gorgeous and part of who you are. I am also a big smiler, so maybe the cool, classic look eludes me in photos! I love, love your scarf and the way you have styled it.

  5. That scarf is gorgeous and I think it's important to show creativity but not get too carried away. I think Anna Dello Russo looks fabulous but it doesn't mean I want to dress like her!

  6. I love this series. I think some people need to remember that in your original post you mentioned that everyone has their own Foundational Five. Yours won't be exactly the same as mine and so on.

    Also I read all the comments from the Class Category. I think the few people who had something negative to say took umbrance with the word Classy instead of Classic. I think I prefer Classic if it makes any difference, but, hey, Chanel said Classy so that's fine by me, too.

    Also I mentioned your posts on my blog and linked back to you if you want to see it.
    http://making50fabulous.blogspot.com/

  7. I am the LAST person to ask about toning down creativity. As my year of color progresses, my closet is filling with edgier and edgier things. But I suspect that the classic will prove to be a solid counter-effect.

  8. Well tone down creativity… i think it can be done in the sense that in every outfit I need to focus on one aerea so I have to keep the rest of the outfit sort of neutral. Creativity can't be all over the place because it can be too much of a good thing. Now I've nailed down fit ,age appropriate, simple /clean look I'm working on the rest. You look very French.

  9. The scarf is a nice addition. When I consider that your work has you standing up a large part of the day and that you are tall then the scarf works because it will mostly be worn as shown in your photo.

    I sit most of the day so something like that would end up puddled in my lap (not covering up my tummy but adding to it's bulk) or getting caught in the wheels of my chair – which isn't all that graceful.

    As to toning down when I was a girl I used to read Glamour all the time and they had a point system for clothing. One point for a print, one point for jewlery, one point for ruffles and so on. You added them all up and if you were over some arbitrary value you took one off. It's simplistic but I've found it to be helpful.

  10. It depends if you have to follow a dress code. Sometimes, for some jobs & events, it's "better" to "control" the creativity a bit. But, for sure, it shouldn't never disappear. Although you have to wear a suit, you can always introduce something creative, some color, a unique garment…a trademark.

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